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In the immediate aftermath of the shocking terror attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach, Eastern Beaches Corps Officers Keven and Jo Williams moved swiftly to stand and support the beloved community they have served for many years. ( Images either side courtesy of Sky News and Channel 9) When Eastern Beaches Corps Officers Lieutenant Keven and Captain Jo Williams woke on Sunday 14 December 2025, it was meant to be another busy day in the lead-up to Christmas. But by nightfall, everything had changed. Their community – and country – had been shattered to its core. Australia’s worst antisemitic terror attack struck Bondi Beach during Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday celebration. Fifteen lives were lost. Forty injured. A nation in shock.   In the immediate aftermath, the couple moved swiftly to stand with their community. They listened. They supported. They prayed. They held space for families whose worlds had been torn apart in an instant, marking The Salvation Army’s first involvement with a large-scale terror attack on Australian soil.   In their first interview since the horrific attack, the couple spoke with Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH about confronting unimaginable grief, witnessing profound courage, and the enduring strength found in unity.                                                                 Keven takes a deep breath.   The weight of what he’s about to share is palpable. This isn’t just another interview.   Reflecting on the Bondi Beach shooting massacre – the deadliest terror attack on Australia’s Jewish community – requires more than just words; it requires composure and moments of pause to truly express the weight of what he witnessed.   “The whole thing was overwhelming,” Keven says, recalling his time on the frontline in the aftermath of the tragedy.   “Some of the stories were horrible – too horrible to mention. It wasn’t nice … there were moments there that I didn’t know how to feel. I remember thinking, I’ve heard all these things today and I’m supporting people, but I actually do not know how to regulate and how to feel right now.”   Together with his wife, Jo, the couple spoke openly about their beloved Eastern Beaches community, which they have called home for many years, and the absolute heartbreak of facing yet another horrific tragedy after having supported community members through the Westfield Bondi Junction massacre in April 2024. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander, places flowers at the Bondi Pavilion memorial site. In the aftermath of the shooting, Jo remained at the corps supporting grieving and shocked community members – while also caring for Keven.   “I know when he came home that I needed to give him space … I could feel the weight,” she reflects. “Sometimes, little bits would come out, like later on … I know when they finished (being stationed at Bondi in the aftermath) he did say, his brain was fried … I am so proud of him, he was amazing and what he did at the scene.”   For Keven and Jo, the violence was not distant. It was personal.   The couple had associations with three people killed on the day. They knew of the young girl, Matilda, through their neighbour across the road. She was part of the Eastern Beaches community. The best friend of Keven’s best friend’s mother was also killed. A local man, a close friend of Jo and Keven’s other neighbour across the street, was also killed.    Yet amidst the heartbreak, the headlines, and the torrent of emotions, hope emerged.   “The camaraderie, the solidarity, the coming together of the community was absolutely phenomenal,” Keven emphasises.   “The wreaths that were getting laid, the respect that was getting paid to the 15 victims who lost their lives … it just was like, Wow! This is what Australia is about. This is what community looks like. I was very proud of our community to come together. Jo was also great. She really brought the volunteers together in solidarity – and being open to talk about it.”   The day that changed everything The moment everything shifted remains etched in the officer’s mind.   Breaking news flashed across his television screen on the night of 14 December: an incident was unfolding at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah, attended by about 1000 people.   “We didn’t know what was entirely happening at the start,” says Keven.    “Once we knew (as the attack was being reported), I reached out to Waverley Council, to the community liaison, and said, ‘Hey, look, we know what’s happening. We just want to know if you guys and your team are okay. We’re here for support. If you guys need us, please reach out.’ We had previously built relationships with the council during the Bondi Westfield tragedy.”   Then, before dawn had fully broken, another call came.   Josh Farquhar, a director at North Bondi RSL, called and asked Keven what he was doing right then – and could he mobilise a team to come down and support the community as people were walking around not knowing what to do next, in shock, saying ‘What the hell’s going on? This is Australia. Nothing like this has ever happened before.’”   Within an hour, plans were in motion.   Keven had mobilised a support team, and the North Bondi RSL became an emergency services hub for community support. Together with co-chaplain Major Bill Geracia, Divisional Chaplaincy Manager (NSW/ACT), who led the team of chaplains, the team spent nearly a week at Bondi Beach in the aftermath, coordinating with other services daily to ensure efforts were effective and non-repetitive. In the aftermath of the shootings, Keven mobilised a support team and the North Bondi RSL (pictured) became an emergency services hub for community support. Pictured at the RSL are from left, Keven, Melissa Bitton (Community Services Doorways), Kylie Tai (administration assistant) and Ian Henry (retired officer). When the officer stepped onto the scene with several other chaplains and officers, the grief was immediate and overwhelming. They walked, they talked, they shed tears, bought coffee – and they prayed with people.   “I went up to a Jewish man,” Keven says.   “They were praying and laying flowers. And I just said, ‘How are you doing?’ And then tears just started rolling down his face. He then apologised, saying, ‘I’m so sorry. I should not be crying. I should be used to this.’ I replied, ‘Oh my gosh, mate, you should not be used to this. Nobody should be used to this. This is Australia – and nothing like this should have ever happened.’”   The heartbreak deepened when Keven learned the man’s story. The man had fled from Israel to start a new life.   “He came here thinking everything’s going to be good in a beautiful country like Australia,” Keven says. “And then this happens.”   Another image remains etched in his memory.   Twenty people stood on the beach, totally in shock. They did not know where to go, what to do. And their rallying cry? “This is Australia! This is Australia!”   Even those indirectly affected found solace.   A television cameraman who had witnessed the event after a daughter’s birthday party and started filming, felt guilty and distressed for not performing CPR. Keven offered to pray.   “I said to him, ‘Look, can I pray with you?’,” he remembers. “And he was open to prayer. Most people were open to prayer. They were open to being prayed for, being cared upon.”   Back at the corps, the sorrow lingered.   Jo reflected on the week’s sombreness: “We just had to support one another and listen ... people coming to the corps to pick up their Christmas toys and hampers were definitely scared; some even had been at Bondi when the shooting happened,” she recalls.   “The whole week was definitely sombre because the staff and volunteers were all feeling upset and scared. We had to support one another and listen, and even for the staff as well.”   For some, survival itself felt miraculous. Various news channels showing the community response to the tragedy.   One of the corps’ receptionists, who is Jewish, was on her way to the Hanukkah celebration when she somehow felt, in the spirit, a tap on her shoulder to turn back – a serendipitous warning. It potentially saved her life.   Acts of service also became pathways to healing.   Keven and the Salvos team distributed water with the Australian Red Cross, connecting with people of all faiths. Biscuits were handed out. Conversations, care and compassion took top priority.   And on a spiritual level, there was strength.   Keven drew deeply from two Bible verses –  Jeremiah 29:11 , and   Isaiah 41:10 – to find hope amid the trauma.   “In the difficult times for people that were around me, God promises that there is a future and there is hope, even amongst death and trauma and tragedy,” he said. “God was there – he was there, and I could feel it, and I could see him work.” A poignant reminder that the Australian community was standing with its Jewish community. Reaching out to his supervisor and people skilled in dealing with trauma incidents helped him navigate the emotional weight, plus Jo’s unwavering support.   And amidst the devastation and despair, a deeper love for the Bondi community emerged.   Reflecting on the tragedy’s impact, Keven remarks, “It has given me more of a love for Bondi, the community there. Now that we have established a relationship with North Bondi RSL, we reach out to them once a month. I’ll go there, have coffee, a chat, ask how they’re doing, and see how we can support them.”   The officer has also continued to counsel and pray with RSL staff, who have deeply appreciated the support: “Our new relationship, our new bond that we have, will continue for as long as we are here.”   And at the heart of it all is a message the officers are determined to share.   “From a non-Christian basis, we are all better together than we are apart,” he says.   “From a Christian perspective, Jesus sat with the Samaritan woman at the well. He mixed with everyone. He talked with everyone. If we are to be like Jesus and lead like Jesus, then we are called to every person. The message is that we are to love. We are not to hate. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus – that’s really what we want the community to know.”   For Jo, the call is clear: do not rush past the pain.   “We actually should not move on for from this quickly,” she says.   “It is a really devastating big thing that we actually need to remember and not forget, to not make light of it and move on to the next thing. “It’s quite a devastating thing … it wasn’t just the Jewish community – everyone was affected.”   She recalls a non-Jewish community member throwing a child, whom she did not know, into her arms to protect her during the shooting.   “We want unity, we want love and support,” she emphasises.   As the couple look to the future, they are determined what happened on that fateful day must be remembered.   “We should remember those who passed,” Keven says. “We should remember those who were affected. Whilst it was targeted at the Jewish community, the wider Australian community has really felt it and is still feeling it even now with protests and other events.”   And through the ashes of tragedy, a legacy of service stands firm.   “There are times that I get reminded that The Salvation Army has always been there first,” he says.   “Most directors at North Bondi RSL are from an army background and have a high regard for The Salvation Army – first in, last out, always there. Historically, in wars, The Salvation Army was always in the trenches. And again, we were in the trenches with the community, facing an enemy – but we did it together.”   READ MORE: Finding light in the darkness of Bondi

Each week through 2026, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for the same territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another. This week ( 16-22 March )   we pray for the USA Central Territory. This includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.   Commissioner Evie Diaz leads the territory.   The USA Central Territory has 1058 officers (535 active, 523 retired); 8 Aux-Capts; 39 Envoys; 28 cadets; 228 corps; 10,922 senior soldiers; 1675 adherents; 1923 junior soldiers; 10,854 employees.     The work of the territory includes: ·  Homelessness services ·  Disaster response ·  Support for older people ·  Summer camps for young people ·  Modern slavery and human trafficking response Praise points  ·     The new year brought a new territorial prayer initiative: Praying Beyond … BIG & BOLD!  We are encouraged to pray beyond ourselves with big, bold prayers to God who answers in amazing ways! ·     We praise God for the beautiful diversity he has gifted us with in our congregations and those we serve. ·     A Centre for Social Justice and City Mission has recently been opened in the heart of Chicago. Pray for its presence and ministry in the community and throughout the territory. Prayer requests ·     We are praying for revival to sweep across the territory! ·     We pray to be good stewards of our finances, facilities and resources. ·     Uphold the Keepers of the Covenant and Proclaimers of Transformation sessions of cadets in prayer. ·    People open to hearing the call of God on their lives and responding to local leadership and officership. ·     For the Holy Spirit’s leading in the three territorial priorities and their task forces: Spiritual Life ·     To hear the needs of the field and be creative in coming alongside them. ·     That we would experience new levels of spiritual transformation and growth resulting in richer spiritual lives. Youth    ·     That we would continue to see growth and revival in our young adults. ·     For the corps’ youth outreach and summer camping programs. Leadership Development  ·     For leaders to be Christ-like, Spirit-led, servant leaders, and resilient in a fast-changing and turbulent world. ·     Leaders will disciple and multiply other leaders.   To find out more about the US Central Territory, click here .   To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here . To download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here .

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas presents Don Callaghan, The Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist (Sydney), with a Commemorative Certificate at the official opening at Auburn. Photos: Greg Donovan “May this museum continue to honour the past, strengthen the present, and inspire the future.” – Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Paul Hateley BY DEAN SIMPSON The Salvation Army entered a new chapter of safeguarding and showcasing its history with the official Opening and Blessing of The Salvation Army Australia Museum’s Auburn site in Sydney on Friday 6 March. Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas officiated alongside Museum Specialist Don Callaghan, who oversees the Sydney operations. “I love how Don, you are so passionate about this museum,” Miriam said in her address. “And it’s not only about the history, but it’s about the now, it’s about who Jesus is and what he means to you as you run this space ... and we say a huge thank you to you. “We do honour the past, we do honour the present, and we do believe there’s a future. The story of The Salvation Army is still being written. How we thank God for what he’s done, how we thank God for what he’s doing, and we thank God for what might be ahead. The Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist (Sydney) Don Callaghan cuts the cake at the official opening of the Auburn site. “And let me just say that one of the things I love is where our museums are now ... in corps premises ... at Project 614 in Melbourne and here at Auburn Corps in Sydney. “That’s what we want, isn’t it ... people seeing our museums sitting alongside our corps outreaches ... here’s our DNA, here’s our history. We are saying to people, come and see, come and experience. From the past to the present, this is the story still being lived. Very exciting days, but never let us forget the history, why we are raised up, whose we are, where we are going. We continue to write that story.” About 50 people attended the opening, including Melbourne Museum Specialist Barry Gittins, with a small band playing some tunes before the official ceremony began. An Acknowledgement of Country was given by Adrian Kistan, a prayer by Natalie Kistan, and a Bible reading by Robyn Edge (Psalm 145:3-13). (From left) Robyn Edge, Adrian Kistan and Lieut-Colonel Paul Hateley. Secretary for Communications Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Hateley extended a warm welcome, recognising the many people who had dedicated time and effort into setting up the museum space.  “Today is a very special day as we come together to celebrate the opening of The Salvation Army Australia Museum here in Auburn,” Paul said. “It is a celebration of dedication, teamwork, and a shared commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history, mission, and ministry of The Salvation Army in Australia. “This museum holds countless stories of faith, service, sacrifice, and hope – stories that continue to inspire and shape our future. The move from our former Bexley site to this new location was no small undertaking. It required careful planning, expert handling, and countless hours of hard work behind the scenes. [Formerly known as a heritage centre, the Sydney Museum had been housed at The Salvation Army’s Bexley North property since 1983.] “This next chapter for the museum challenges us to think creatively about how we share our story, and it gives us new opportunities to educate, to inspire, and to connect all generations with the remarkable story of The Salvation Army’s mission and ministry.” Commissioner Miriam Gluyas with Museum Specialists Barry Gittins and Don Callaghan; Don addresses guests during the cake-cutting ceremony. Guests were then guided to the museum entrance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ribbon, cut by Miriam, was held by Doorways Caseworker Mark Lui and museum volunteer Leonie Bell. “I would like to declare the Auburn site of the Museum of The Salvation Army officially open,” said, Miriam, as she cut the ribbon to the cheers of all assembled. Miriam then presented a framed Commemorative Certificate to Don before a cake-cutting ceremony. Those present were invited to browse through the museum before a morning tea was served at the Auburn Corps Welcome Café. Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the official opening at Auburn:

Paradox Coffee Roasters have teamed up with The Salvation Army to release a special Easter blend to raise money for ‘Aussies in need’.   The Salvation Army is partnering with Paradox Coffee Roasters this Easter to support those in our community facing hardship.   “A portion of sales from every 200g bag sold will be donated to The Salvation Army to support Aussies in need ,” a Paradox Coffee representative said.   Purchasing the Strawberry-Brownie Easter Blend will help fund emergency housing, crisis support for women and families, and financial counselling services – providing essential care and relief to individuals and families facing hardship and homelessness.   “The donations will be directed to The Salvation Army Doorways Emergency Relief program, helping provide food, support and care for people in our community experiencing hardship.”   Amanda Travers, Relationships Manager (Corporate Partnerships) for the Communications Fundraising team, said The Salvation Army was incredibly grateful to partner with Paradox Coffee Roasters this Easter.   “Initiatives like the Strawberry-Brownie Easter Blend show how simple choices can make a real difference, helping The Salvation Army provide vital support for Australians experiencing hardship,” she said.   The Salvation Army and Paradox Coffee Roasters also partnered in the lead-up to Christmas last year with a special blend for the festive season.   For more information and to purchase the limited-release Easter Blend, click here   For information on The Salvation Army’s partnership, click here   To go to the Paradox Coffee Roasters website, click here

The Salvation Army is maintaining a strong presence at the United Nations conferences currently taking place in New York through its International Social Justice Commission (ISJC).   The focus of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women is the elimination of violence against women, economic empowerment and the protection of the ‘girl child’. The Salvation Army is committed to the rights of all women and girls. In addition, the movement has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all children from sale, sexual exploitation and abuse.  This is a reaffirmation of The Salvation Army’s stance on protecting children from sexual exploitation at the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva last year. During the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children, The Salvation Army strengthened and clarified its stance as we live in a time when the number of vulnerable children is extremely high due to an increase in displaced populations arising from conflict across the world.  Ongoing work supporting children and families Working in more than 130 countries, The Salvation Army supports children and families affected by poverty, displacement, trafficking and online exploitation. In 2025 alone, the organisation assisted over 25,000 survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking, including many children who had been subjected to sexual exploitation. Highlighting the importance of coordinated international protection, the movement shared the case of a girl trafficked across borders under false promises of education. Following her escape, she received emergency care and psychosocial support, and was safely reunified through cross-border cooperation. She has since returned to school and continues to receive follow-up care.  Despite progress, significant protection gaps remain. Many children lack safe reporting mechanisms, while migrant and displaced children face heightened risks. The Salvation Army emphasised the need for stronger trauma-informed training and resources for front-line workers.  Three key priorities The Salvation Army urged three key priorities: increased investment in community-based prevention; strengthened cross-border collaboration focused on protection rather than bureaucracy; and ensuring child- and survivor-led approaches inform policy and accountability.  The Salvation Army reiterated its commitment to partnering with other nation states to ensure every child is safe, valued and free to flourish.   To read this story, and others from The Salvation Army International Headquarters, click here. The full  I nternational Positional Statement on Religious Freedom  is available through The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters. Go to the IHQ website on International Positional Statements here

Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas introduces the Keepers of the Covenant (from left) José Porcia, Matthew Pethybridge, Amand Pethybridge, Soonsun Kwon and Jonathan Abdulai. All photos: Greg Donovan BY LERISSE SMITH   It was a Commissioning service to remember – rich with touchpoints, both profound and inspiring.   From a special video appearance by Colonels John and Lani Chamness, to moments of humour, a collective think-tank on making a covenant, and stirring speeches that lifted the soul, the Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out service for the Keepers of the Covenant at Parramatta Corps on Sunday was a celebration of purpose, passion, and the power of faith.   Being commissioned into full-time service as Salvation Army officers were Cadets Jonathan Abdulai, Soonsun Kwon and José Porcia, and Auxiliary-Lieutenants Amanda and Matthew Pethybridge. The cadets now have the rank of Lieutenant, with the auxiliary-lieutenants assigned the rank of Captain. READ MORE: Dobbies say a resounding 'yes' to officership Sunday’s poignant occasion filled the room with vibrant worship, deeply personal reflections and testimonies blending humour and emotion, alongside an inspiring think-tank sermon from the newly commissioned officers, led by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas.   Inspirational leadership messages and multimedia presentations also took centre stage, while family and friends filled the auditorium to celebrate their loved ones.   Infusing the event with extra energy, Auburn Corps members invited attendees to a spontaneous dance celebration as part of the vibrant worship.   The cadets and auxiliary-lieutenants with Commissioner Miriam Gluyas on receiving their Commissions and Certificates of Salvation Army Officer Training. (Bottom right) Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation. A highlight of the celebratory occasion was Colonels John and Lani Chamness, who sent video messages of encouragement and support from the United States. (John and Lani are still awaiting their visas to enter Australia before taking up appointments as our new Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Leader Development). John spoke words of encouragement to those being commissioned, while Lani led a special prayer.    “Cadets, welcome to the sacred moment in your journey,” John said.   “A moment that marks your calling to live and proclaim the covenant of our Lord. And so, as you prepare to be ordained as officers, this covenant not made of stone, but of flesh and blood, remember the words of Jeremiah 31:33 … It is to this covenant you are called, one that is not external or temporary, but eternal and transformative.   “The New Covenant is God’s promise to forgive sin and restore fellowship with all who turn their hearts towards him. It is a covenant sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ, our mediator, whose death and resurrection form the foundation of this divine promise.   “In this promise, God reveals a transformation that reshapes the very heart and soul of his people, no longer written on cold stone, his law is now inscribed within us, alive in our hearts, guiding our steps and moulding our character.”   John closed by urging the cadets to live out their renewed calling, trusting they would carry the transforming grace of the New Covenant where God led them.   Jonathan Abdulai and José Porcia were entertaining as they shared their cadetship journeys. Then came another big moment as Jonathan and José stepped onto the platform.   The duo inspired, delighted and entertained the congregation with passionate, stirring speeches reflecting their journeys – the highs, the lows, and the gratitude for all those who walked alongside them.   Tears were shed, too, when contemplating the amazing grace and favour of God and his faithfulness.   “Our journey involved crossing many thresholds, and in those pivotal moments, God sent people to meet us or to lead us,” reflected José.   “When I was lost in addiction, do you know what my mother was doing? She was praying, and this – right here – is what answered prayer looks like.” José and Jonathan share impactful stories of finding faith and belonging in Jesus and the Salvos. José further shared his greatest challenge: something deeply personal.   “There were many mountains that needed to be moved, challenges to conquer,” he remarked.   “But my most difficult challenge, the hardest mountain that needed moving, was the mountain called ‘self’… I was always trying to qualify for the call until I realised that God qualifies the call, and God helped me move that mountain. But I had to bring the shovel. Ministry isn’t strutting around like we’ve earned it. It’s walking humbly, serving faithfully and directing every eye, every heart back to him.”   Laughter echoed through the room as José and Jonathan recounted funny and memorable moments in their journey, including their battles with grammar and vocabulary, since English was not their first language.   For Jonathan, one of his greatest challenges was writing essays, which felt like trying to solve a puzzle that has missing pieces, until a “quick call to the Holy Spirit” guided him through – and grammar!   “This journey that forced me to get to know myself, and part of knowing myself was facing my greatest fear – grammar. Grammar nearly finished me. I nearly lost the battle!”   His individual training officers became a lifeline.   “These blokes were determined to help me improve, and I’m grateful for them. At first, every page of my essays were covered in red ink, like a traffic accident! But over time, the red started to fade. I’m not perfect yet, but at least my essay no longer looks like a crime scene!”   Despite these challenges, cadetship gave Jonathan a story of genuine transformation.   “It has changed the way I see God, others and myself,” he reflected.   “Real leadership is servanthood. It is not about power, but about people. It is not about the size of the chair. It is about how far I am willing to kneel. So, here am I today … someone who is convinced that God has been forming me every single day of my journey. When I hear ‘keepers of the covenant’, I am not the hero here. I am not the one holding it together. I am the witness pointing to the One who never broke his covenant.” Infusing the event with extra energy, Auburn Corps singers invited attendees to a spontaneous dance celebration as part of their vibrant worship. Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation and Senior Training Officer at Eva Burrows College in Melbourne, spoke of her excitement for the momentous occasion.   “Jonathan, José and Soonsun, this is such an exciting day for you and for the cadet formation team as we’ve had the privilege of journeying with you across your period of formation,” she said.   “We stand proudly with you today as you are commissioned and ordained as Salvation Army officers and become our colleagues.”   Over the past two years, the cadets have been located in the New South Wales, ACT and Victoria divisions. Kylie expressed thanks to the divisions, the local corps, social and community expressions, who welcomed the cadets during their placements.   It was back in January 2024 when Kylie shared a reflection on the sessional name at Orientation Week –  Keepers of the Covenant.     She said it was a challenge – not just for the cadets, but for all those who choose to live each day in a deliberate posture of dependence, faithfulness and hopefulness.   “It is no easy task keeping covenant with God, with self and others,” she shared at the service.   “As you commence as officers in The Salvation Army, my prayer is that as  Keepers of the Covenant , you would live each day aware of the Covenant engraved on your heart, that the markers of dependence, hopefulness, faithfulness would ground your identity and be evident in your practice as a minister of the gospel, partnering with God in the beautiful unfolding of Kingdom realities within and without for the sake of others, and even more expansively, for the sake of the world. May God bless and keep you each.”   Major Tracey Davies, Lead Co-ordinator – First Five Years & Auxiliary Lieutenants Programs, spoke of how Matthew and Amanda had served faithfully as Auxiliary-Lieutenants, highlighting the number of different ways officership could take place in The Salvation Army. Major Tracey Davies spoke on behalf of Matthew and Amanda Pethybridge and how they took the path of commissioned officership through being auxiliary-lieutenants. For Matthew and Amanda, their journey to commissioned officership followed the Auxiliary-Lieutenancy pathway, having completed two full three-year terms in a number of appointments in New South Wales, and are now in their third term.   It has been a season of ministry that has allowed them to lead and serve while engaging in learning, development, and formation on the side , Tracey remarked, along with the growth and expansion of a young and vibrant family.   “Matt and Amanda, as each one of us stands here, we are proud to share and to say that we join with you today and enjoy having you in our ranks,” she said.   “My prayer is that you will continue to live out your calling, this covenant that God has made with you each and placed deep within your hearts.”   After the official formalities ended, Miriam assembled the newly commissioned officers on the platform to reflect on what making a covenant meant for them.   For Soonsun, the corps officers at Belmore had played a significant role in her life, setting “a really good example” as a Salvation Army officer.  Most of all, they were praying people: “People like them are setting fire in people’s hearts and their passion for the Lord really inspires me a lot.”   For Amanda, the covenant was about making sure that she surrendered to the Holy Spirit – being obedient to him and listening to him.    “I’m so grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit,” she emphasised. “The transformational work it’s done for my life, and so I’m not going to stop advocating for what the Holy Spirit can do.”   Matthew also shared the significance of the covenant for him. Families and friends of the cadets and auxiliary-lieutenants share the platform wit their loved ones. “The covenant comes from him,” he said. “It doesn’t require anything of me. And I think that’s a beautiful picture that I’m just invited to come and sit at his table. It’s a covenant of relationship, not a covenant of doing.”   Miriam said she had every confidence the newly commissioned officers would keep their covenants.   And she concluded the discussion with an impassioned plea.   “We are all keepers of the covenant. I would want everyone to make a covenant with our beautiful God today. Is God still calling people? Absolutely!” she remarked.   “I think Jesus wants to soften the heart of The Salvation Army right now – to see again who he called us to be.” Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the Commissioning, Ordination and Sending Out ceremony at Parramatta Corps on Sunday 23 November:

Lieutenants Alli and Liam Holland surrounded by territorial leaders and Eva Burrows College staff (from left) Colonel John Chamness, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Major Tracey Davies, Colonel Lani Chamness and (front right) Lieut-Colonel Brenda Young. BY MAJOR MAL DAVIES   Sunday saw a morning of celebration at Pine Rivers Corps in the Queensland Division with the ordination and commissioning of Alli and Liam Holland.   The Hollands were part of the Keepers of the Covenant session, with their other seven session-mates commissioned late last year.   On the previous day, they had attended a small but holy gathering to sign their officer covenants. The gathering included the participation of Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Colonels John and Lani Chamness, Lieut-Colonel Brenda Young and Majors Mark Everitt, Tracey Davies and Neil and Sharon Clanfield, as they each led brief sections of the service.   Sunday, however, had a different feel, as the Pine Rivers Corps band provided some rousing prelude music, and there was laughter and chatter in the room as folks arrived.   Queensland Divisional Commander Major Mark Everitt welcomed everyone and provided both the Acknowledgement of Country and call to worship, and we moved into some singing, including the very apt, ‘Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus’. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas commissions Alli and Liam as officers of The Salvation Army.   Alli and Liam then had the opportunity to share their testimonies. Alli spoke of her journey to leadership and said that for the past year she has “intentionally stepped out in faith and experienced God’s faithfulness”. She added that “God has sustained me in the past and I trust him for my future.”   Liam commented on how God had worked in and challenged him: “I’m not a perfect person, I’m very imperfect, but still God’s grace is on my life and he can use me in ministry”, and he spoke of how he pursued officership, “not out of ambition but out of obedience to God”.   Major Tracey Davies, from the Officer Formation team, spoke of the training and development plans Alli and Liam had worked on as they progressed from being auxiliary-lieutenants to ordained officers with the rank of lieutenant.   “They’ve worked really hard,” Tracey said, “and their commitment has been wonderful to see.” Addressing them directly, she said, “I pray that as you make this next step, you will enjoy living out the privilege of serving God.”   After the declaration of the doctrines, the Territorial Commander led Alli and Liam through their ordination and commissioning as officers and then provided the ‘surprise’ of the day that was no surprise at all and yet prompted a cheer from the congregation: “You have been serving in leadership as auxiliary-lieutenants here at Pine Rivers Corps and you are now appointed to … Pine Rivers Corps!” Silver Stars ... (from left) Major San Holland, Lieutenant Alli Holland and her mother Lyn Hannah, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Lieutenant Liam Holland and Major Topher Holland.   Colonel Lani Chamness offered a prayer of dedication, then led the Silver Star presentation to their parents, before the Chief Secretary delivered the message. Colonel John Chamness spoke on Jeremiah 31:31-34 and how God’s covenant is ‘written on our hearts’.   “This is the covenant of mission and transformation that The Salvation Army lives by,” he stated. Chief Secretary Colonel John Chamness brings the message at the Commissioning service.  The Colonel then focused on the territorial rally cry – ‘Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed’ – and how Alli and Liam could live out each part of that call. He said, “Your calling is not to be impressive but to be faithful. The Spirit of God gives us a holy boldness that can only come from God.”   During the response time, Alli and Liam were invited to stand at the front of the hall as people came, prayed over them, and greeted them.   As morning tea was shared, Alli and Liam had placed a Bible in the foyer and asked people to highlight verses for them. A lovely way to conclude a morning of celebration and praise. Click through the slideshow below for more photos: (All photos by Dale Wallace)

Salvos Online   continues a new series of unexpected and decidedly prescriptive teachings that General William Booth gave to his soldiers 124 years ago, excerpting the 1902 publication  Letters to Salvationists on Religion for Every Day   (volume 1). Over the next few months, we will publish General Booth’s thoughts on everyday topics, including sickness and bereavement, sleep, hygiene, life challenges, clothing, poverty, the Bible and the Sabbath, industrial relations and more.   “One reason for the long and vigorous life of Mr. Gladstone is said to have been the care with which he masticated his Food. It is reported, whether correctly or not, I do not know, that he gave 32 chews to every separate piece of Food he put into his mouth!”   What, why and how to eat and drink BY GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH Salvation Army co-founder   (The article below is General Booth’s original 1902 transcript)   My dear comrades, eating and drinking have so much to do with the comfort, health, and usefulness of most people, whether in youth, manhood, or old age, that I cannot pass the subject by without offering some suggestions with respect to it, however imperfect they may be.    If it is suggested that Religion cannot be brought down to the doings of the table without affecting its dignity, I shall reply in the words of the Apostle Paul, “Whether, therefore, ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Every meal of which we partake should be a Sacrament, and every action we perform a part of our Religion, be it their breakfasts, dinners, teas, and the like.   Eating and drinking are closely associated with the ability to think. Every intelligent man knows that food, unsuitable in quantity or quality, or taken at unsuitable times, has a bad effect upon his brain. It clips the wings of imagination, dulls the perception, darkens memory, depresses the spirits, and clothes the future with gloom. Many a bad speech, and bad bargain too, has come of what is often called a good dinner.   Food has much to do with the exercise of gifts. It affects [your] ability to sing, to pray, to reason, to talk, or to lead. A hearty meal of the plainest fare, or a very small quantity of richer food, will often clothe my soul with torpor, make my brain feel like a log of wood, and render speaking or writing a positive torture. I have no doubt that it is so, more or less, with numbers of other speakers, some of these being either ignorant of the fact, or too fond of the knife-and-fork business to curb their appetites for the sake of the profitable discharge of their duty.   Eating and drinking have much to do with the shortening of many people’s lives. Drunkenness is charged with the destruction of an enormous number of victims, but I very much question whether more people do not die from over-eating than from over-drinking. I have made that remark again and again in the presence of physicians of eminence, but not one of them has ever called its accuracy in question. On the contrary, the majority have openly assented to it.   Eating and drinking have great influence on our spiritual experiences – oftentimes, a closer connection with them than some of our Bible Readings, Prayer Meetings, our Holiness Studies, and the like. I say this without any wish to depreciate the value of those useful exercises. Many a good soul goes into the darkness of unbelief and low spirits simply through eating more food than is necessary. Self-indulgence in this respect is the enemy of both faith and prayer, and no doubt this is the reason that the Bible, and especially Jesus Christ, so often couple prayer and fasting together.   Every man who really desires to walk and talk with God must be moderate and abstemious in his diet. What then, can I advise you on the question of your Food?   Make a conscience of the matter. What a number of individuals I have known, during my lifetime, who, though they would not on any account sin against their neighbour by injuring his person, will regularly sin against their own bodies by eating and drinking what they know will injure them!   But it is asked, “What must we eat and drink?” This question might be preceded by another, of equal or still greater importance, and that is, “What shall we avoid?” I answer: Do not take any intoxicants. I need not say this to Salvationists, for I am sure they could not drink the liquor in any shape or form that brings so much sin and misery to the world, even if there were no prohibitory rule on the question. Nor need I give any reasons for offering the same advice to anybody else; and yet I will call your attention to two or three ...    (a) You will not be any healthier or stronger for using intoxicating drinks. (b) You may be a great deal worse for taking them, seeing that, even though you take them in moderation, they may lead you on to excessive drinking. (c) If you take your intoxicants in moderation yourselves, your children, or those about you may, through your example, or through partaking of them at your table, contract that appetite for the drunkard’s drink which will carry them to the drunkard’s grave, and the drunkard’s Hell.   I remember hearing of a young man, who died a drunkard’s death in great agony, who said that he acquired the taste for brandy by draining the glasses that came from his grandfather’s table.   There must be no Tobacco in any form, whether smoked, snuffed, or chewed.   There must be no Opiates, whether in drops, drafts, pills, or pipe.   There must be no Sweetmeats; that is, as a habit for adults. [These were confections made with sugar, honey, sweet wines or spices.] The little children and the boys and girls may have a few chocolates, and the like, now and then, but men and women should put such childish things away.   There must be no Pickles or other fancy Condiments; or, at any rate, as few as possible.   There should be nothing that will disagree with you , however palatable, or strongly recommended, or however common its use may be by those around you, which you have reason to believe will not agree with you afterwards.    Now, let me look for a moment at what may be taken.   Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, or other hot drinks, may be used in strict moderation. Tea is, in my opinion, the safest of the catalogue, and will be found adapted to the largest number of constitutions. But that, I say, only in moderation. Many well-meaning people have ruined their health by foolish and excessive tea drinking. They are tea-drunkards.    Animal food should not be taken, at most, more than once a day. There are multitudes of men and women who would be wiser, healthier, happier, and holier without meat altogether. I recommend everybody who has not made the experiment of total abstinence from flesh meat in every form to do so at once. Give it a month’s trial. The quantity of food has almost as much to do with health as the quality.   Instead of everlastingly finding fault with the food, it would be a good plan if the people who suffer from indigestion, headaches, and the like would only see how they got along with one half, or even a fourth, of the quantity usually taken.     There are few subjects on which greater delusions prevail than the amount of Food that is necessary to maintain life in health and vigour. “You must eat more,” is the common counsel to the invalid. “The brain must be fed; the nervous energy must be fed; the whole system must be fed. You cannot get on without a liberal supply of good, nourishing food.” And so, people eat and eat, and still eat more and more; till poor overtaxed nature breaks down, and health is lost forever.   One of William Booth’s famous quotes pertaining to food and spirituality. The question turns, then, on what is good, nourishing Food, and what constitutes a sufficient supply of it. There is an illustration I often give which, I think, settles the matter. Anyway, it does to my satisfaction …   When a house is building, an adequate supply of the various kinds of materials of which it is being constructed must be furnished. Quantities of bricks and timber, and stones and slates, and lime and lead, and I know not what else, must be brought along day by day. They will all be wanted for the foundations, the walls, the floors, the roofs, and the other parts of the building.   But when the house is finished, painted, papered, and completed in every respect, all that will be needed will be the material necessary to meet the wear and tear of it from time to time. Even so with the earthly tabernacle in which for its season we are called to dwell.   From infancy up to maturity – while the house is building – considerably larger supplies of Food are required than are needed later on. Although the feeding of children can be overdone, and gourmandising habits created … that will curse the man or the woman of the future.   If the Food is simple and substantial, the children should have as much of it as their healthy appetites crave. Bone and sinew, and muscle and nerve, and brain, and all the other wonderful substances, which together constitute the human edifice, have to be made.   But when the man has reached his full growth, all that is required in this house, as in the other, will be sufficient material to meet the wear and tear, that is the waste, which is constantly taking place. It is said, however, that, unlike the habitations built of wood and stone, this house of flesh ought to entirely renew itself every seven years. Be that as it may, I hardly see that the argument affords a good excuse for extravagant eating, seeing that half an ounce of suitable Food extra over the amount required to feed the working force of the day, will furnish sufficient material to entirely remake a man of 20 stone weight during the seven years the process is in progress.   In eating remember, then, that Nature requires only a certain quantity of support, andthat having extracted that amount from the Food supplied her, she rejects the remainder. It follows, therefore, that only that particular quantity of nourishment which is turned to good account is of any real benefit to the system.   All over and beyond this, only necessitates so much extra work and fatigue for the organs that have to get rid of the surplus. That extra labour produces indigestion, which invariably leads to lassitude, and then to almost every other disease to which the human system is subject. But what about a good appetite? Is not that an indication of the quantity of Food nature needs?   Yes; perhaps it is in a perfectly healthy individual, but in an unhealthy individual it is frequently the opposite. The amount of Food a man takes is usually a mere question of habit. Because he takes more than he requires one day, he fancies he requires the same amount the next. The day after he not only takes the little that was beyond the need of the day before, but a little extra still. And so he goes on, taking a little more than is required, and a little more, the appetite increasing all the time until it becomes a positive disease. The endless variety in Food, the different ways in which it is served up, together with the numberless appetising things taken with it, such as pickles, relishes, seasonings, sauces, and the like, all lead people to eat more than is good for them.   I recommend you throw the modern fanciful methods of cooking overboard. Spread your table with Food prepared after a simple fashion, and your appetite will soon prove itself a safe and agreeable guide. In other words, bring your palate to your Food instead of your Food to your palate; but even then, appetite will want watching, and the advice of the Apostle be found essential to health and wellbeing: “Let your moderation be known unto all men.”   If the question is asked as to the best time for meals, I should say you must eat at regular intervals, and those times not too near together. The system of taking four substantial meals per day-breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper – with bits and bites between – commonly prevails with the Britisher; it must be woefully injurious.   The three square meals of the American, consisting of breakfast taken at eight o’clock, dinner at one, tea at six, and nothing after, is preferable to that.   The French plan, of a piece of bread and butter and a cup of coffee on rising (which is usually early) a luncheon at twelve, and a dinner at six, is, I think, the most preferable of the three.   Indeed, it is an open question whether we should not all of us be better for giving the stomach a complete rest during the early hours of the day. “Woe,” said the wise man, “to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!” If a man discovers how much Food he really requires, and rigidly confines himself to that quantity, I do not, however, think the hour of the day when it is taken is of the first importance. Nature will deal with it satisfactorily.   To assist the process of digestion, Food should be taken slowly. One reason for the long and vigorous life of Mr. Gladstone is said to have been the care with which he masticated his Food. It is reported, whether correctly or not, I do not know, that he gave 32 chews to every separate piece of Food he put into his mouth!   But, however that may be, there can be no question that a great many people do eat too rapidly. The food disappears off their plates like magic. Nervous people, full of energy and plans and work, or when occupied with an interesting conversation, are very apt to fall into this snare. Carried away by their thoughts and feelings, they forget for the moment, all their good notions about mastication, and so by their very energy in taking it, they effectually defeat the object for which their Food is taken.   Anatomists tell us that, to be of the greatest benefit to the system, Food must be pulled to pieces, and completely ground up by the teeth. It must be thoroughly chewed, and that for the following reasons:   1. It lessens the labour of the digestive organs that have to reduce the Food to a pulp, during the first stage of the process of making it into blood and bone and muscle. When the duty of mastication is neglected, or only discharged imperfectly, the amount of work imposed on the stomach is doubled or trebled, and, consequently, the task is not so well done.   2. In chewing the Food, a certain fluid, essential to the work of digestion, is poured forth from what are called the salivary glands. Thorough mastication not only secures a sufficient amount of this fluid, it properly mixes it with the Food, thus assisting the process of digestion still further.   To eat slowly and carefully is, therefore, necessary. It is better to take liquids after eating the solid food. They should not be mixed together in the mouth. If the liquid unites with the dry Food there is much less chance of the important fluid to which I have just referred being added in sufficient quantity. NEXT WEEK: General William Booth’s thoughts on hygiene. *This series has been compiled by Barry Gittins, The Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist (Melbourne)

As someone who grew up in the post-9/11 political climate, it’s been devastating to see the same tired and dehumanising rhetoric recycled following the abominable events at Bondi, writes Kirralee Nicolle. Today, 15 March, marks the International Day to Combat Islamophobia . With tensions across the world running high, interfaith and cross-cultural trust is thinning. As followers of Jesus, The Salvation Army stands against judging religious and cultural groups and seeks to embrace everyone with love and acceptance. At all our services, people of all faiths are welcome. You can read our Inclusion statement or our most recent statement on religious freedom to find out more. In this piece, Salvos Online journalist KIRRALEE NICOLLE reflects on growing up and changing perspectives amid wider cultural shifts. The day before 9/11, I had just turned seven.   I remember my brother running into my room to tell what had happened, and the TV, which usually stayed off during the day, blasting the scene over and over until late that night. This decade-defining moment was terrifying, jarring and ushered in terminology which I had previously never encountered.  Going from cake and balloons and new toys to footage of killing and destruction on a horrific scale marked a clearly defined realisation for me: no matter how enjoyable it was to be a kid, the world strode on, and people died.   From that point on, there were people who blew up buildings, and then there were the others, who didn’t. The people who blew up buildings were known as Muslims and terrorists. In my monocultural, very Caucasian beachside town life, Muslims seemed a long way away. Around me were Christians, many who were non-religious and a few New Age or more spiritual types, and none of them blew up buildings, as far as I could tell. But there was a creeping sense that the people we feared were on their way to us.  In the conservative church environment I was in, the political climate of my region and the culture within my own family, we didn’t talk about Muslims as being multifaceted people from a different religious background to us, we just talked about how they were wrong, and dangerous.   I’m not sure how we can deescalate and disarm a society that is showing ever-widening cracks in its tolerance and its love. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties and my university years that I met my first Muslims in real life. I was somewhat shocked to find that they could be kind, intelligent and perhaps most surprisingly – normal. Beneath the occasional head coverings, which I had also been taught to fear, were people who were often sassy, warm and full of stories which set my head spinning – lives they had lived elsewhere, the problems they had faced growing up in multiple cultures, and knowledge they had gained from adversity. At other times, like everyone else, they were less sociable or charismatic, perhaps more internal.  They were just people, in all their multitudinous complexities. Realising this was more distressing than reassuring in some ways, as it pointed back to me as the source of the problem. It was me who made the judgments, and me who had assumed. What else might I have wrongly assumed, I wondered (in short, a lot). My realisation should not have come so late, nor should it have come because through a series of small decisions, I found myself in a scenario where I came to meet the very people I’d been encouraged to fear. Being able to humanise those who are different to us is something which shouldn’t be tied to privilege or rare circumstances. It shouldn’t be something confined to larger educational spaces or certain faculties. We, of course, shouldn’t presume the worst of someone before we realise they don’t deserve any of our assumptions, they simply deserve to live a life of their choosing.   As in the case of Ahmed Al-Ahmed who intervened in the Bondi shooting, decidedly a hero of our time, someone shouldn’t have to demonstrate their worth to be seen as a valuable member of our society. The fact he stepped in and risked his own life was remarkable and superhuman, the fact he deserves to be viewed as an equal Australian should be a separate reality that is just as true. The work Muslim Australians are required to do to prove they deserve to live here and be accepted fully into our communities is not just inhumane, its abhorrent.   As someone who grew up in the post-9/11 political climate, it’s been devastating to see the same tired and dehumanising rhetoric recycled following the abominable events at Bondi. What was a criminal act carried out by unjustified actors has recently been used as a reason for, once again, vilifying entire groups. To watch many in the church join this brigade of hatred brings another layer of misery. I can only imagine how distressing it is to be a Muslim in Australia today. Matthew 22:37-39 describes the two commandments which Christians are to follow – firstly, to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds, and the second, to love our neighbours as ourselves.  Loving others means actively choosing to resist narratives which portray whole groups as carrying guilt which should only be attributed to individuals. Loving others means believing they hold just as much inherent value, worth and the right to a peaceful life as you do. Loving others means choosing to include them in our communities, policies and friendship groups. Loving others means noticing when they are struggling to settle in or needing more information and seeking to offer help and assistance. Most of all, loving others means seeing the image of God reflected in them, and treating them with dignity and reverence.  I’m not sure how we can deescalate and disarm a society that is showing ever-widening cracks in its tolerance and its love. But I do know that we can start with a stand we take as individuals, as households and as communities. A stand which says any rhetoric that sounds like ‘those who are different to us do not belong’ is not welcome.   But people of all kinds are, and that’s also non-negotiable.

In this video, we meet Amani in Fiji as he shares how God transformed his life and called him to reach young people on the margins. As manager of Kauwai Youth Restoration Services, Amani and The Salvation Army provide food, shelter, education, and unconditional love to vulnerable and at-risk youth – many facing poverty, domestic violence, addiction, and life on the streets. In this Self Denial Appeal story, you’ll see how a safe place, genuine care, and the hope of Jesus can break cycles of violence and poverty, helping young people become who God created them to be. The work in Fiji is made possible through generous gifts to the Self Denial Mission Support Fund. Be motivated by love. Give generously to the Self Denial Appeal and help transform lives.   To  find out more and donate, click here .

Under the baton of Derek Lance, the New York Staff Band are flying into Australia tonight in preparation for its tour of Australia. Follow the New York Staff Band on its Facebook page for daily updates here The Salvation Army New York Staff Band will kick off its King of Kings tour of Australia in Perth tomorrow (Friday 13 March).   The band will perform 10 concerts over 10 days, ending with a joint performance with the Melbourne Staff Band on Sunday, 22 March at Box Hill Corps.   Under the leadership of bandmaster Derek Lance , the New York Staff Band will stage concerts in Perth, Sydney, Wollongong, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ballarat, and Melbourne. “We are eagerly anticipating this opportunity to minister across Australia through a series of concerts and worship gatherings,” said Derek. “It is a joy to bring music that proclaims the hope and majesty of Christ, including selections from our newest recording, King of Kings. “We look forward to a powerful time of worship, fellowship, and shared faith with all who join us.” The New York Staff Band performing in the United States recently. The band will be accompanied by retired Colonel Richard Munn, who served in Australia as the former Eastern Territory’s Chief Secretary.   “What a delight and privilege [to be returning to Australia]. Please keep us in your prayers,” Richard said from JFK Airport in New York before departure. The New York Staff Band, founded in 1887, is one of the finest Christian brass bands in the world. Holding the distinction of being the first ‘staff band’ in Salvation Army history. “This is a rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s premier Salvation Army brass bands live in concert,” a spokesperson for the Melbourne Staff Band said. “Their powerful King of Kings presentation has inspired audiences across the globe – and it’s almost at capacity here in Melbourne.   “If you love great brass music, powerful worship, and world-class musicianship, this is something you simply don’t want to miss. Opportunities to hear bands like this live in Australia are extremely rare.”   To purchase tickets for any of the concerts, click here   New York Staff Band media links: NYSB Website:  https://nysb.org/media/ Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@NewYorkStaffBand/featured Spotify:  Spotify New York Staff Band Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/nysb1887/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NYSB1887 Podcast:  Spotify NYSB Podcast - Talk of the Ages

With gratitude and celebration, we recognise the following officers for reaching a remarkable milestone and receiving their Long Service Order: 40 years Major Jenny Begent Commissioner Julie Campbell Commissioner Mark Campbell Major Ian Channell Lieut-Colonel Robyn Clinch Major Reno Elms Major Christine Pickens 35 years Major Beth Brooks Major Mark Brooks Major Warren Elliott Major Bruce Harmer Major Earle Ivers Major Karen Masters Major Andrew McKeown Major Heather McKeown Major Brendan Nottle Major Sandra Nottle Major Glenda Savage Major Judith Soeters Major Belinda Spicer Major Lynden Spicer Major David Rogerson Major Peter Walker We give thanks to God for their steadfast commitment and faithful service in His name over many years.