• SAES honoured on Australia Day

(Front row from left) Jay Suvaal (Cessnock City Council Mayor), Hans Schryver (SAES Regional Coordinator Hunter/Central Coast), Edward Milburn (Team member Maitland), Anthony Milburn (Team member Maitland), Noeleen Milburn (Senior Team Leader Maitland) and Dan Repacholi (MP Hunter).

Salvation Army volunteers and personnel in the NSW Hunter region were honoured with a ‘Significant Contribution’ award for their service to the community during the Hunter Valley bus tragedy in June 2023.

Ten people were killed and 25 taken to hospital from the crash. The Salvation Army’s SAES Hunter and Central Coast regional coordinator, Hans Schryver, said volunteers gave their time to assist with catering and a listening ear at the site for 10 days following the tragedy.

The award was presented to the SAES at a Cessnock City Council Australia Day Celebrations and Awards ceremony.