Salvos launch heartfelt message to Sydney business community
- deansimpson7
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Salvation Army launched its annual Red Shield Appeal in Sydney on Friday 9 May, conveying a heartfelt message to the people of Australia: ‘Be the hope people need’.
About 450 people attended the launch, a luncheon event held at the Fullerton Hotel in Martin Place, which included parliamentarians, corporate leaders, prominent philanthropists and senior Salvation Army personnel.
More than $500,000 was raised on the day, including a $150,000 donation from the NSW Government.
Radio 2SM breakfast announcer Ron Wilson served as the MC for the event, which Chris Minns, Premier of NSW, also attended.
Following an entertaining yet meaningful Welcome to Gadigal Country by Uncle Allen Madden, Major Robyn Black, NSW/ACT Divisional Commander, officially opened the event, encouraging attendees to partner with the Salvos and reflect the theme of this year’s appeal: ‘Be the hope that people need’.
To donate to the Red Shield Appeal, click here
Premier Minns then delivered his address, followed by keynote speakers Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, the former CEO of Mirvac, and Cameron McDonald, a courageous woman who shared her story of how The Salvation Army provided her with a safe place after escaping family and domestic violence.
Cameron spoke about the “lifesaving assistance” she received from the Salvos, who “have played such an integral part in my journey … they rolled up their sleeves, got in the trenches with me and held my hand. They supported me in a range of ways … they believed me, they never judged me … they helped me holistically and gave me a safe space. They made me feel human by being humane.”
Award recipients
Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas awarded two honours for exceptional contributions to the work of The Salvation Army.
Coca-Cola received the Others Award for its outstanding support of The Salvation Army over many years, which was accepted by company representative Natalie Helm.
Joycelyn Morton, Chair of The Salvation Army Red Shield Doorknock Appeal for the Greater Sydney region, was then invited to the stage to receive the Eva Burrows Award.
Joycelyn, a highly experienced company director with over 40 years of experience in finance and taxation, is the daughter of Salvation Army officers Majors Stan and Eva Morton, who were serving in Zambia when she was born. She has been a vibrant supporter of The Salvation Army for many years.
The Eva Burrows Award recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution and exceptional service to The Salvation Army in the Australian community.
The award is given in the name of General Eva Burrows AC OF* (1929–2015), who was only the second Australian elected as General of The Salvation Army, a position she held from 1986 to 1993. She was also the second woman to serve in this role, after Evangeline Booth – the daughter of co-founders William and Catherine Booth – who was General from 1934 to 1939.
Previous Eva Burrows Award recipients include Dick and Pip Smith, Malcolm Irving, Sheba Nandkeolyar, Geoffrey Leonard and Bill Dowson.
In her closing remarks and prayer, Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett expressed gratitude to all participants and donors, including launch sponsors Steadfast, Azora, Doordash, and Mirvac. She also recognised the organisation’s Board of Governance members, its Sydney Corporate and Philanthropic Advisory Group, and the many thousands of Salvo officers, employees, and volunteers.
You can make a positive impact by volunteering to doorknock. Rally your friends, family, and corps so that together we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Check out all the ways your community can get involved. Click here
Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and Colonel Winsome Merrett promote the Red Shield Appeal here
Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the Sydney Red Shield Appeal launch. (All photos by Greg Donovan):
