Jennifer Kirkaldy says the stocktake reflects The Salvation Army’s commitment to working for justice. The second-ever Social Justice Stocktake launched yesterday (20 February) to coincide with World Day of Social Justice. The General Manager of The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team, Jennifer Kirkaldy, has driven the initiative from its inception in 2021. Salvos Online journalist KIRRALEE NICOLLE got the privilege of asking Jennifer what it was like to take on such a huge project again, and what, from her perspective, were some of the key takeaways. Can you describe your feeling going into this process? The first time you did this was in 2021. How did you feel this might go compared to the first time the team took this on? In 2021, when we just beginning to imagine the Social Justice Stocktake, it seemed like an impossibly ambitious task to deliver a piece of work that was at once national and also hyper-local. Every step of the process was intimidating and invited doubt (about whether such a project would be worthwhile or even possible). I am eternally grateful for the many people who, despite their better judgment, gave us the chance to prove ourselves. In 2024, while it was still a gargantuan effort, having learnt the lessons from the 2022 reports and with the sure knowledge that it could be done, the process was much smoother and more enjoyable.   Was there anything in the research that you felt was especially surprising or shocking? In the 2025 Stocktake, we were able to expand some of our information gathering so we could ask about social justice issues people were experiencing themselves as well as seeing in their community. The difference between those two lists really drives home how much people care about their communities. For example, far more people were concerned about housing affordability and homelessness in their communities than were experiencing that issue in their own lives. The real value of the report lies in equipping and encouraging anyone who cares about social justice in their communities. Three other stats were notable (although maybe not surprising): The overwhelming consistency of concern about housing affordability and homeless at 71 per cent of all respondents. While we anticipated this would be higher than the 2022 Stocktake to have such a huge response on that issue highlights how acute the housing crisis is. Almost double the percentage of people identified Financial Hardship and Inclusion in the 2025 Stocktake as did in the 2022 Stocktake. We know from our services that cost of living is affecting many people in our community, but it was stark to see such an increase. Around one in eight respondents identified that family and domestic violence was an issue in their own lives. Although that figure is roughly in line with our general understanding of the prevalence of family violence, it remains deeply shocking.   Why is it important to take stock of how we, as a country, are tracking in ensuring there is justice at all levels? There is a real disconnect between what people are telling us they care about and what gets through in the political conversations in Australia.  There are two things that make taking stock in this way so crucial, and they are both about empowerment: Firstly, we need to empower and equip people to have conversations about the issues they care about so they don’t get lost in political noise. In an election year, it is particularly critical that all Australians feel they can make their views heard to the people who are seeking to represent us; Secondly, there is a sense of frustration and hopelessness that came through the answers, suggesting that many people felt powerless, so we wanted to provide really practical actions that people can take right now.  We don’t need to wait for someone else before we can make a difference.  Not many organisations have both the vision or the resources to deliver a piece of work that is both hyper-local and also national.  The Salvation Army’s commitment to working for justice and the fact that this commitment is lived out at every level of the organisation is the only reason a report like this has credibility. Who are you most hoping might take notice of the data and take action? The goal is that these insights will be useful to a wide range of people. While the focus for my team taking it forward will be on decision-makers in government, the real value of the report lies in equipping and encouraging anyone who cares about social justice in their communities.   What makes The Salvation Army so well-placed to be able to provide these insights? Not many organisations have both the vision or the resources to deliver a piece of work that is both hyper-local and also national. The Salvation Army’s commitment to working for justice and the fact that this commitment is lived out at every level of the organisation is the only reason a report like this has credibility. The extraordinary efforts of so many different teams within the Army (I started to list them until I realised that there is no Department or Division within the Army that did not contribute in some way) is the only reason it is possible.

Flourish – The Salvation Army’s International Relief and Development Impact Report 2024 – has just been released and is available online.   Throughout 2024, The Salvation Army’s international relief and development work initiated 611 new projects in 93 countries, which will impact more than one million people.   From livelihood projects to emergency responses, these projects have helped support local communities, children and families, the ministry of our local churches and some of the many people affected by disasters and conflicts worldwide.   Building climate change resilience, improving health and well-being, empowering people economically, providing education, and supporting missions are just some of the projects that are changing lives and enabling communities to flourish.   The Salvation Army’s broad and expansive care for people considers the whole person in an integrated mission. To read some inspiring stories and see the tangible impact of The Salvation Army’s international development work, you can download Flourish here . To download the Flourish report, click here

BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army’s 2025 Social Justice Stocktake is being launched today (20 February) to coincide with World Day of Social Justice. With the first Social Justice Stocktake released in 2022, The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team has again compiled PureProfile research collated over the past year to provide a snapshot of justice issues causing concern across the nation. In 2022, the Stocktake covered over 151 electorates across Australia. The content was divided according to states and territories to ensure MPs and Senators had relevant and accessible information. More comprehensive Salvation Army General Manager for Policy and Advocacy Jennifer Kirkaldy said this year’s report was even “bigger and better”. General Manager for Policy and Advocacy Jennifer Kirkaldy. “This year, we’ve touched base with over 16,000 Australians, and we’ve asked them four questions,” Jennifer said. “We’ve asked them what social justice issues are impacting in their community. We’ve asked them what social justice issues are impacting in their own lives. Then we’ve asked them what they would like done about them and then what they would like decision-makers to know about the issues that are really weighing on them. We’ve then taken that and turned it into 159 reports. So, a report for Australia, a report for each state and territory, and then a report for each electorate.” This time around, housing affordability and homelessness have edged out mental health as the top social justice concerns for the survey respondents, who reside in every state and territory. Seventy-one percent of respondents identified housing and homelessness as the most pressing issues in their communities. These concerns also proved to be the greatest concern in all but one Australian jurisdiction. Quote from a survey participant in the Social Justice Stocktake. Concern about mental health has also risen, with 57.6 per cent of respondents identifying the issue as a concern in their community, compared with 53.9 per cent in 2022. Mental health was also the issue most commonly experienced by the respondents. Financial hardship and inclusion followed closely, at 53.2 per cent, followed by access to health care, at 50.4 per cent. Not just a snapshot This Social Justice Stocktake offers more than data and information; it also offers practical steps to address the issues of concern. Jennifer said the Stocktake included not just survey results but also contextual information about how prevalent the social justice issues are in each electorate, state and territory, as well as contextual information about what can be done to address each issue. Quote from a survey participant in the Social Justice Stocktake. “[It includes] what we can do about it in terms of what we can ask governments to take action on, but also what we can do in our community groups or in our workplaces, and then what we can do as individuals to take action right now on the social justice issues we’re worried about,” Jennifer said. Survey style The Snapshot was crafted using multiple-choice and open-ended questions from the perspectives of a diverse range of everyday Australians. Those surveyed were asked to identify the top five social justice issues they saw in their community and lives. They were then invited to share what they felt could be done about the issues and what they wanted decision-makers to know. All participants engaged in the survey on a voluntary basis. More information about the Stocktake, including access to all 158 reports and references, can be found here or by emailing policy.advocacy@salvationarmy.org.au .

General Lyndon Buckingham shared global perspectives with the USA National Advisory Board last month. General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, international leaders of The Salvation Army, shared their global perspectives with the movement’s USA National Advisory Board in Southern Nevada last month. Their presentation included an overview of Compass, The Salvation Army’s new Global Strategic Framework.    The board comprises community and industry leaders who, through their expertise, help The Salvation Army in the USA carry out its mission. In his introduction to  Compass , the General indicated that it sets a clear direction for action based on 12 priorities: “We are one Army together around the world…focusing on the same things: our people, our mission impact … and establishing an enduring legacy.”  The leaders also conducted the retirement ceremony of Commissioners Jolene and Kenneth Hodder, National Secretary for Programme and National Commander respectively.   The General presented the Hodders with their retirement certificates and expressed his gratitude to God for their commitment to nearly 37 years of service as officers in The Salvation Army. Commissioner Buckingham offered a blessing, thanking God for the opportunity to honour the Hodders. The Hodder’s grandson, a junior soldier and the eighth generation of the family to join the Army’s ranks, was among those to pay tribute to the Hodders.   For the full story, click here .

Everyone is welcome at The Salvation Army in Balga (Perth, WA). The corps aims to share Jesus with its community through various mission expressions: the cafe provides free coffee and a listening year, the Early Years Services runs pregnancy groups, playgroups and an early learning centre for children, and the Meals and Message ministry offers a meal and a Christian message on Thursday nights. Major Ken Smith says it is “not the transactional stuff that really counts ... but the relationship(s).” These ongoing relationships often prompt the bigger questions about Jesus and why Christians do what they do in response to God’s love.

Each week throughout 2025 year, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the focus territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another.   This week ( 17-23 February ] we are praying for the Taiwan Region.   The region is made up of 239 senior soldiers, 86 adherents and 57 junior soldiers. There are 5 corps, 1 outpost, 17 officers (13 active and 4 retired), 1 envoy, and 8 employees.   The regional commander is Major Sara Tam.   Prayer requests ·       The 60th anniversary congress in October, including Brengle Institute, revival meeting and congress celebration – please pray for all the preparations and most importantly, the hearts of our congregations. ·       Five potential candidates – five soldiers have indicated their intention to respond to the calling of officership. Pray for the process moving forward smoothly. ·       Two corps are growing and need new premises. Pray for God’s guidance to new locations. To find out more about the Taiwan Region, click here . To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here . Close

To view the Appointment Bulletin released on 18 February 2025, click here

The Salvation Army site on Elizabeth St in inner Sydney. BY LAUREN MARTIN The Salvation Army is partnering with a major property developer to revitalise its mission space at 140 Elizabeth Street, right in the heart of Sydney.   The site in Sydney’s CBD has been home to The Salvation Army since 1926, serving as Territorial Headquarters for what was then the Australia Eastern Territory and as a worship space for the Sydney City Salvos, previously known as Sydney Congress Hall.   For some time now, The Salvation Army Property Department has been assisting the New South Wales/ACT Division in exploring redevelopment options for the site. After an extensive selection and vetting process, The Salvation Army has chosen to partner with property developer Investa. NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black says the redevelopment will include new, purpose-built missional spaces. “This redevelopment partnership will provide the Army with a continued presence at this site now and for the generations yet to come,” said NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black.   The redevelopment will transform 140 Elizabeth Street into the new central hub for Sydney City Salvos’ fully integrated mission, which will also function from various satellite sites throughout the city. This will encompass multiple Salvation Army services and possibly other partner services designed to meet the needs of individuals in the inner city.   “The redeveloped site will become the home and launching point for ministries, programs and activities that happen across the city,” said Robyn.   “With new, purpose-built missional spaces, the potential is huge for us having greater impact for the Kingdom of God in our city. We look forward with expectant hearts to what this will mean in seeing more lives transformed with the love of Jesus.”   Investa will deliver this vision for The Salvation Army along with multiple levels of studio living accommodation units for its investment fund.   The Salvation Army says it will continue working with Investa to progress this vision and hopes to announce more details as the project progresses.      Breaking down the barriers to volunteering at Sydney City Salvos

The Salvation Army Emergency Services crew on duty at the fires in the lower Flinders Ranges. The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) have been providing meals to first responders fighting fires in the lower Flinders Ranges, South Australia, over the past 10 days.   The SAES crews have served breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily to emergency services personnel battling scrub fires around Wilmington.   The SA Country Fire Service said the fires had burnt 3850 hectares of hard-to-access terrain. Bushfires in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges have destroyed 20 per cent of Mount Remarkable National Park so far and continue to burn.   “The deployment, which is in day 10, has only been able to occur because of the amazing volunteers that have given so much time and effort,” said Response Coordinator Major Reno Elms. A fire fighter from the Willunga Brigade, Heath L'Estrange, was full of praise for The Salvation Army’s presence at Wilmington. “As a CFS firefighter who was at Wilmington earlier this week, I really want to express my gratitude and admiration for what all of the Salvos are doing up there,” he said. “All the Salvos I saw up there were run off their feet. They were working so hard, and likely not getting the gratitude that they deserve. I came home from Wilmington heavier than before I went up. The food was amazing, and you all seemed to care so much for our welfare. All that what you do doesn’t go unnoticed, and you guys are the cogs keeping it all going up there. I think you are all extraordinary people.” The South Austalian SAES truck with its Salvos kangaroo mascot.

Lindsay Cox OAM in the Colouring Room at the Limelight Studio on Bourke Street, Melbourne. Image: Kirralee Nicolle The Salvation Army has served the Melbourne CBD from a hilltop building on Bourke Street since 1895. But above the hustle of Project 614 is a fascinating slice of history with an unstoppable curator to match. Salvos Online journalist KIRRALEE NICOLLE went on a tour of The Salvation Army Museum with Manager Lindsay Cox. Lindsay Cox OAM has been The Salvation Army Australia Museum Manager for 30 years as of August 2024, and in 2021 was given an Order of Australia Medal for his service to community history. But his first encounter with The Salvation Army was due to a different kind of devotion. As a 15-year-old, Lindsay was nervous. “There was a girl in third form at high school that I really wanted to talk to and take out, and I couldn’t talk to [her] in front of my mates.” Lindsay says he then found out she attended something called The Salvation Army Youth Group. “I found out where the youth group was, and I went [along]. She didn’t turn up. I said, ‘I’ll have to go back again’. “She never came back. And I’m still here.” As he says this, Lindsay is sitting in his museum office, positively swamped by Salvation Army memorabilia. There are books he has written on TSA history, his cartoons, which have featured heavily in Salvation Army publications over the decades, a plaque at the front of his desk that says ‘Territorial Commander’ and more small pieces of historical value than I can count. By all obvious signs, Lindsay got past his teenage crush. He’s now been married to wife Dr Helen Cox, an academic who has also studied welfare within the history of The Salvation Army, for 49 years. They have three children and one grandchild. Kirralee Nicolle standing next to a display at The Salvation Army Museum. But he isn’t over The Salvation Army or its varied and transformative history. Lindsay, now 82, leads me up staircases and under low-hanging beams, showing me the archives room and Limelight Studio at the top of 69 Bourke Street, where this year The Salvation Army will mark 130 years as building owners. In the 1890s, soon after The Salvation Army bought the building from the YMCA, Salvation Army officers would assemble at 69 Bourke Street to spend their evenings wandering Little Bourke and Little Lonsdale Streets, patrolling opium dens and brothels. On these lower levels, the dynamic Majors Brendan and Sandra Nottle now run the ever-growing Project 614, a corps, social mission outreach centre and the Magpie Nest Café. Since August 1994, Lindsay has run a small but dedicated museum team, which now includes Assistant Manager Barry Gittins, also a journalist and prolific writer on Salvation Army history, and volunteer researcher and librarian Dot, who has served the museum for almost 15 years. Interstate, Assistant Manager Don Callaghan runs the Sydney branch of the Museum. Outside this work, Lindsay is a senior soldier and bandsman, having played trombone, cornet and now bass drum at Merri-Bek Salvation Army. “I’m sorry, I’ve got a bit of asthma today,” Lindsay says by way of apology for his slightly out-of-breath demeanour. At 30 years old, I’m struggling to keep up with both his rapid mind and the pace of his body as we weave through the building. Historic artefacts on a workbench that Lindsay Cox has restored in the museum. As we reach the top of a staircase, I think to mention that he began his role here a month before I was born. I’m wondering how he might take it – I’m hoping in good faith. But, in a twist of irony, it comes out a little hoarse as I’m now out of breath. He pauses, nods and laughs. “That’d be right,” he says. The archives room is a treasure trove of not just Salvation Army history but Australian colonial history as well. I flick through a Victory annual publication from May 1921 to find, among articles from ministries across the world, one about a Salvation Army ministry centre for women in Tasmania. The article ends with this: "It would take many books to fully recount all its work of mercy during that time, but needless to say, they will never be written, if only for the reason that most of the stories must never be told.” The archives room at the museum must contain many such records of mercy. With ledgers, folders and boxes of memorabilia from corps and Salvationists across the country, it is orderly, touchable and expansive. Some of the many colourised slides that were used to make the film ’Soldiers of the Cross’. Down the stairs again and through a side door, the Limelight Department – Australia’s first feature film studio and one of the first in the world – is every bit as creaky, as shadowy, as truly strange and uncanny as you can imagine a studio that operated from 1898 to 1910 to be. It feels a bit like standing in the hull of an old ship, but you can hear the guttural sounds of pigeons nesting on the roof outside and the traffic and voices of Bourke Street passing below. The soft blue-grey paint has been matched to the original lead-based paint, which now appears just on a small patch above the Colouring Room door, lettering unchanged. Lindsay has recently rebuilt and painted the original workbench inside this room and is now collecting items to replicate the slide colouring materials. “I was surprised that I felt myself growing emotional in this space ...” Across the dim space, you can see where corners and rooms were purposely kept dark to work with light-sensitive chemicals and where there was more room to operate large, unwieldy camera equipment that filmed in 90-second increments. In the case of the Limelight Department’s first feature film, Soldiers of the Cross , these short bursts of film were interspersed with meticulously colourised slides displayed on a Magic Lantern, a large and heavy projector unit, to create a bold narrative of Roman Christian martyrdom meant to inspire young Australians toward evangelism. Many of these slides have now been recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage List register. A recent documentary, Limelight , which tells the story of the Limelight Department, is soon to air on SBS and be circulated in cinemas across Australia. Read more: Limelight lights up The Salvation Army’s proud filmmaking history I ask Lindsay what it means to him to have such recognition for the slides he curates so carefully. “Storm in a teacup,” he quips. “Perhaps it helps to convince my boss that I do do something sometimes.” I was surprised that I felt myself growing emotional in this space as I pondered the toil and spirit that drove these early ‘media missionaries’ – my words – to do their work with such dangerous and bulky equipment. The studio produced about 300 films in its short tenure before Commissioner James Hay [Territorial Commander from 1909 to 1921] put it to a stop with the declaration that ‘the cinema, as conducted by The Salvation Army, had led to weakness and a lightness incompatible with true Salvationism’. Lindsay with posters advertising the Limelight documentary premiere last year. This building – its creaky floors, its ghosts of a time when The Salvation Army produced hundreds of film reels which ranged from the Federation of Australia to imagery of beheadings that reportedly left women ‘fainting in the aisles’, as Lindsay tells me – communicates a different story. It’s a coloured and complex one, but the work happening on the lower levels and the history documented above – both are still alive and well. It seems those 300-odd films did little to stem the passion within The Salvation Army, after all. But I can’t get too ahead of myself. When I ask Lindsay why he believes it’s important to talk about and showcase Salvation Army history, his reply is brief, his grin mischievous. “Well, it’s a job,” he says.

Doc – Welcome, good to see you again, William. Please feel free to sit or lie down on the couch, as you feel you’d prefer.   William – Thank you. As I’ve said before, I really don’t know why I’m here but Kate wanted me to talk to someone … and I always do what Kate says.   Doc – Yes, I’m sure she wants the best for you and, really, there’s no harm in us just having a chat, is there?   William – No, I suppose not. Right, where do you want to start?   Doc – Well, I did just want to pick up on something you mentioned in our last session. You said you’d had some sort of vision of people marching down a street, wearing uniform, and that this was somehow a vision of a church, is that right? A church?   William – Yes, it’s a dream I’ve had many times. People in uniforms, some of them playing brass instruments, some of them shaking tambourines…   Doc – Tambourines, you say?   William – Yes, with ribbons attached. And they all marched to a busy park where they gathered in a circle and held a church service.   Doc – In the park?   William – Yes, in the park.   Doc – Was there a preacher?   William – Yes, some tall, older fellow with a long white beard. He waved his arms and yelled a lot.   Doc – No idea who he was?   William – Not at all. I mean, it’s not me. I’m only 40 and have a short beard.   Doc – Yes, of course. And why the uniforms, do you think?   William – Not sure. Perhaps it’s a military band rehearsing their marching and the bandmaster stopped them, told them to gather around and then gave them a wild telling off.   Doc – But earlier you’d said it was a church service.   William – Yes, I did, that’s right. In my dream there are Bibles waved about and people falling to their knees and praying, and it all seems, for all intents and purposes, akin to a church service.   Doc – In a park.   William – Most certainly, in a park.   Doc – Anything else about this supposed church service?   William – Yes. After the wild man preached, some people would kneel at the bass drum and some would cry and others would have someone join them.   Doc – Kneeling? At the drum?   William – Yes. It was placed on its side and folks would kneel at it, seemingly in prayer.   Doc – Were they worshipping the drum, do you think?   William – I hope not. It’s a drum!   Doc – Well, this is most unusual. And you have this dream often?   William – Yes, almost nightly. It haunts me. Sometimes I wake with a start and yell, ‘Hallelujah!’ and Kate almost jumps out of bed with surprise. It’s not good for my nerves nor hers.   Doc – Well, what I think you have here, William, is a classic case of anachronistic Boothism.   William – Sorry? What might that be?   Doc – You seem to be imagining yourself as William Booth in the foundational days of The Salvation Army.   William – And how do I address this ailment and move on?   Doc – I’d suggest, just get busy, your Highness. Open some hospitals, make some speeches, address parliament, that sort of thing. Focus on the present. You’ll be cured in no time.   William – Righto, thank you, I’ll be on my way then. Thank you very much for your help.   Doc – My pleasure. And please pass on my greetings to the Princess of Wales when you get home. I hope Kate is doing well.   Major Mal Davies is the Assistant Divisional Commander for the Victoria Division (Cartoon of Mal drawn by Vaughan Duck)

Brightening someone’s day with a simple act of kindness goes a long way. Photo: Annie Spratt BY JAMES BURNS* The first time I spotted them, I did a double-take. How long had they been there? Why hadn’t I noticed them before? How did they end up there?   ‘They’ were daffodils. Well, miniature ones and certainly not ‘a golden cloud’ – more like a clump of daffs on the grass verge of our housing estate. And then, as these things go, once I’d seen them, I started to notice them popping up elsewhere on the estate. My curiosity was aroused as to how they got there. Who had planted them? It seems that a group of people who wanted to brighten our town got together to plant the bulbs in the autumn, ready for spring. They wanted to bring colour to the grass verges and some joy as well. “Being kind is neither weak nor a new concept.” As far as I’m concerned, they definitely succeeded, as just seeing them brightens my day. Who would have thought that such a simple, selfless act could bring so much joy to others? It’s even more commendable since we’ll never know who those people were that spent their time for the benefit of others. However, the selfless actions of the volunteer gardeners resonate with the advice urging us to ‘be kind’, which is particularly relevant today in a world filled with so much anger and negativity. Much of this is expressed anonymously on social media, where it can seriously harm the recipient’s mental health. Being kind is neither weak nor a new concept. While on earth, Jesus encouraged His listeners to “Love your neighbour as you love yourself” (Mark 12:31 NIV). It was so significant that Jesus referred to it as the second greatest commandment. And it remains good advice even today.  It isn’t always easy, but how can you ‘be kind’ today on Random Acts of Kindness Day ? It will grow on you. *James Burns is a Salvationist freelance writer from Dunstable Corps in the UK Read more: Unresonable kindness: Message from the Chief