Katherine Salvos– where reconciliation and inclusion are a reality
- deansimpson7
- 34 minutes ago
- 3 min read
BY SANDRA MORTIMER*
Like all Salvation Army corps and centres across the Northern Territory and outback Australia, Katherine Salvos have been involved in ministry with Indigenous peoples for many years.
In 2013, the Salvos established a hospitality service offering meals, showers, and laundry facilities to individuals in Katherine who were facing the threat of homelessness.Â
Fast forward to 2025, and the Katherine Salvos Hub runs a daily drop-in centre that accommodates up to 190 First Nations people each weekday. These services, funded entirely by donations and staffed by volunteers, operate alongside several social missions and a busy Doorways (financial relief and case management) program, which supports vulnerable community members.
More than half of the regular ‘Hub’ participants also attend weekly Sunday worship services at Katherine Salvos.
In late 2023, Major Sue May observed the diversity in worship attendance and incorporated songs and readings from the Kriol language into worship. Today, using the official Aboriginal language of Katherine gives all who come in the sign that the church cares for and recognises other cultures.
People stay to hear the gospel. When we open the Scriptures, so many of the stories of Jesus resonate with the stories of creation and the healthy lifestyle of traditional Australian Aboriginal culture. Fishing, walking on dusty roads, healing, sharing, and yes, stories of dispossession and injustice too.
Katherine, similar to urbanised areas in outback Australia, attracts Indigenous Australians from diverse ‘nations’ and language groups across the region.
The Jawoyn, Dagoman, and Wardaman peoples are the recognised traditional owners of Katherine and the surrounding area. A locally Aboriginal-owned and controlled health service in Katherine, Wurli-Wurlinjang, states that 46.9 per cent of Katherine residents are Aboriginal.
Reconciliation in action Besides those who have been in Katherine for centuries, Aboriginal people come to Katherine from desert, coastal, and river land communities for medical, government, family, and funeral (‘sorry’) business.
These individuals appreciate the support of the Katherine Salvos Hub while they are assisted by other agencies that also work diligently to make reconciliation and inclusion a reality in Katherine.Â
It can sometimes surprise a church-going Christian from an Australian city area that a high proportion of remote Aboriginal Australians identify positively with Christianity and are comfortable in a regular and traditional ‘church’ setting.
Nearly every Sunday, multiple people seek prayer before a light supper. They are reaching out to trust other believers with their spiritual needs. Many also share testimonies.
For National Reconciliation Week resources on MySalvos, click here
Recently, a man extended forgiveness for a misunderstanding that affected a large group. It was very moving.
A Kriol song, from St Matthews Church in Ngukurr in the Roper Gulf region, 331 km east of Katherine, is played almost weekly on Sundays at Katherine Corps.The words remind everyone from different cultures and backgrounds that we don’t exist for our own programs, services, meals, buildings, or plans. Being one people before God can build his kingdom on earth.
Wi garra go en preisim langa im. Wi garra go en preisim langa im. Langa im, Jisas Krais, oni wanbala blanga wi. Wi garra go en sidan preisim langa im.Â
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We are gathering together unto Him. We are gathering together unto Him. Unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. We are gathering together unto Him.
*Aux-Lieutenant Sandra Mortimer is the Katherine Corps Officer
