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Salvation Army community workers will benefit from a new initiative operated by the Integrated Mission and Rsoucing Department. BY LAUREN MARTIN   A new Community of Practice (CoP) for Salvation Army corps-based community engagement workers across Australia is filling a need for pastoral care and ideas sharing in the space.   The CoP is being coordinated by two streams within the national Integrated Mission and Resourcing department.   Around 30 community workers from across Australia joined the first 90-minute online meeting, which discussed how the community of practice would operate and which topics would be most helpful for upcoming discussions.   “This is a place to discuss challenges, share wins, learn from one another, and grow in confidence,” said CALD Community Engagement National Lead Nuria Gonsalves, who co-facilitated the meeting alongside Local and Integrated Mission Specialist Narelle Gurney. “None of us are meant to do this work alone. This is not just a meeting, this is a network you all belong to, we all belong to.” Nuria Gonsalves is the CALD Community Engagement National Lead. One participant, Lawrence Besant (pictured above left) from Villawood Salvation Army, agreed, saying, “We can become very isolated in this work because it’s very complex … [For me,] I need the wider community, I need that space to be able to say, ‘This is really hard.’ We can’t do it by ourselves.”   Discussion in smaller ‘breakout rooms’ enabled participants to share directly with one another, and feedback received in the wider group afterwards showed that those who attended were excited to learn from one another, share ideas, and discuss strategies for community engagement and resources.   One participant said, “We are working on how to make our SAL Connect card distribution less transactional and more relational.” Other participants shared their experiences of frontline ‘fatigue’ and strategies for managing it.   The Community of Practice is open to all Salvation Army community engagement workers and will be held every two months. A Microsoft Teams chat group will be open between sessions for participants to share challenges, ideas, and resources.   “This community of practice is the group I didn’t realise I needed,” said one participant at the end of the session, “Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing group of people.”   Any community engagement workers interested in joining the CoP can contact: Nuria Gonsalves: nuria.gonsalves@salvationarmy.org.au or Narelle Gurney: narelle.gurney@salvationarmy.org.au

Eva Burrows College is offering training to assist in recognising and responding to the first signs of a mental health crisis. Eva Burrows’ Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses train and equip those in the community or workplace to recognise, understand and respond to other adults experiencing mental health problems or crises. The evidence-based approach is taught by qualified professionals in an appropriate classroom setting. Face-to-face, blended and refresher options are all available, with in-person options provided at both the Melbourne and Sydney campuses. The blended option is available to complete remotely, with a self-taught component as well as Zoom sessions, which will held on 11 and 18 March. To find out more, see here .

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 ( 2-8 March )   we pray for the Taiwan Region.   Major Sara Tam is the Regional Commander. Major Grace Weng is the Regional Secretary for Women’s Ministries.   This region has 17 officers (13 active, 4 retired); 22 cadets; 5 corps; 1 outposts; 242 senior soldiers; 85 adherents; 56 junior soldiers; 6 employees. The Salvation Army is constantly exploring new and relevant initiatives to serve the people of Taiwan, dedicated to meeting their physical, spiritual and social needs. The work of the region includes: ·      Mental health for the elderly ·      After school care for children ·      Community centres ·      Modern slavery and human trafficking response. Prayer requests: ·       Pray for the persistence and continued commitment of the cadets in Proclaimers of Transformation session. ·       Pray for the two candidates who will be admitted to officer training in July. ·       Pray for our young people to keep responding to the calling from God and commit themselves in full-time ministries. ·       Pray for spiritual growth in the region as we move forward with our yearly theme, ‘Be Fruitful: Bless the Families’, and pray that our family members will accept Jesus. ·       Pray for our Brengle in October. The theme is ‘The Perspective of Sacrament’ in The Salvation Army, and will equip officers and local officers to teach this topic to new believers.    To find out more about the Taiwan Region (English), click here .   To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here . To download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here .

Attendees at the 2018 Conference. Image: Albin Hillert/WCC BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army is partnering with the global church to prepare for the 2028 Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, led by the World Council of Churches’ Commission on World Mission and Evangelism. Invitations to the 2028 event in Jamaica are extended to 356 church groups from more than 120 nations, representing a total of 580 million Christians across the world. The conference is only held every 10 years, The proposed theme of reflection for the conference is: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” ( Zechariah 4:6 ): Witnessing to the Spirit’s mission to renew, repair, reorder and recreate. The Commission is entering a three-year process of reflection, discernment and listening as it prepares for 2028. This process seeks to “engage churches, mission bodies, ecumenical organisations and, importantly, communities whose voices have too often been marginalised or silenced”. Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Auxiliary-Lieutenant Rosy Keane said the upcoming conference was an exciting opportunity to partner worldwide with the ecumenical church. Rosy said the event was being shaped around the motif of ‘Re-storying’, a Spirit-led retelling of the stories that shape faith and mission. “It invites us to recover and renew narratives that have caused harm or exclusion, to listen deeply to voices from the margins, and to explore together how God is healing, reconciling and restoring right relationships with one another, with Creation and with God,” Rosy said. Aux-Lieut says she the conference is an exciting opportunity for The Salvation Army. Rosy said when thinking about the conference, she felt a genuine sense of anticipation. “It feels like a beautiful opportunity for The Salvation Army to join with the communal Church around the world, bringing our unique position and purpose into the wider body of Christ,” she said. “God has given us a distinct calling, a holiness and mission expression that has shaped our movement in powerful ways. I would love to see our voice, and our unique prophetic insight, shared with the wider Church, and for us to mesh with our sisters and brothers across traditions as they share theirs with us.” Contributions to the conference are particularly encouraged from (but not limited to): Oceania including Pasifika, Māori, First Nations peoples of Australia, Zenadth Kes and South Sea Islanders, as well as from disability networks, Indigenous networks, Dalit communities, youth and student movements, women’s networks, migrant and diaspora communities, and those engaging with justice and creation care. The Commission is seeking reflections that help discern: How the Spirit is renewing, repairing, reordering and recreating in communities today Where signs of God’s new creation are emerging or under threat How decolonial practices and mission from the margins are shaping Christian witness How re-storying is restoring truth, dignity, relationship and hope in different contexts Images: Albin Hillert/WCC In reflecting on the call for responses, Rosy said when we intentionally seek out the voices of the majority world, diverse cultures, languages, and abilities across our nations and movement, especially those who have not always been given equal platform alongside their sisters and brothers in Christ, “we begin to see a richer and fuller picture of the Christ we love and serve”.   “I find myself reflecting on how rare voices in Scripture often carry particular richness,” Rosy said. “When something is rare, we study it carefully. We drill down into it like a vein of diamonds or rubies. In scholarship and church life, platforms and positions have often been passed on, sometimes unintentionally, to those who already hold privilege, power, or influence. “I want to say this clearly: your voice in the room counts. Your voice in the Church counts. We cannot see all the stars in the galaxy with our naked eye, yet Scripture tells us that God calls each one forth by name. In the same way, God knows and calls each of you across our movement, across The Salvation Army Australia, and across the global Church. “However you are connected to The Salvation Army, whatever your journey toward Jesus Christ who loves you, whatever your vision, perspective, culture, or experience, there is something entrusted to you. I would love to see that shared with the communal Church. I believe it will be as beautiful and majestic as the Milky Way, and perhaps we will get to experience that wonder together.” Responses may take many forms, and written reflections, theological resources, stories of practice, liturgical or contextual materials, video or audio submissions and other creative expressions are all welcome. An early or initial response by 31 March 2026 has been requested to help shape pre-conference activity throughout the rest of the year. Rosy has requested that those who would like to participate send through a copy of their submission by this date. Some contributors may be invited into further online seminars, regional hearings or conference participation. Registration information for the 2028 conference will be available in 2027. If you would like to make a contribution and are from The Salvation Army Australia, please send your response directly to: rosy.keane@salvationarmy.org.au

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas welcomes and affirms Colonels John and Lani Chamness at Sunday’s installation ceremony at Parramatta Corps, western Sydney. All photos: Greg Donovan BY LAUREN MARTIN   At a ceremony under the official flag of The Salvation Army Australia, Colonels John and Lani Chamness were recognised and affirmed in their new territorial leadership roles during an official installation ceremony at Parramatta Corps in Sydney on Sunday.   The officers of the USA Western Territory have been serving as Chief Secretary (John) and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Leadership Development (Lani) since last October.   Standing alongside the Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, both John and Lani committed to exercise their leadership in a manner consistent with the Gospel values of righteousness and love, reflecting the servant leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ.   “You will be expected to provide visionary and practical leadership that will inspire effectiveness in the proclamation of the Gospel, in the discipling of believers for the building up of the Kingdom as a strong evangelical force, and in the implementation of responses to meet human need, standing for and serving the marginalised,” Miriam said.   “You are required to continue to promote the purposes for which The Salvation Army was raised, and to encourage those within your sphere of influence to play their part in bringing people to the only Saviour – Jesus Christ.”   Colonel Lani Chamness sings ‘One Pure and Holy Passion’; The Sydney Staff Songsters bring one of their three songs; The Salvation Army’s Chinese Dance Group from Campsie Corps in south-west Sydney performed a dance; The Parramatta Corps band brings its message. In response, Lani spoke about the “deepest ambition” of a follower of Jesus being to know him more in this life and to make him known to others. She then sang ‘One Pure and Holy Passion’ , playing her guitar and singing, “Give me one pure and holy passion, and give me one magnificent obsession … to know and follow hard after you.” The meeting featured a performance by The Salvation Army’s Chinese Dance Group from Campsie Corps in south-west Sydney, music from the Parramatta Corps Band and Sydney Youth Band, and songs from the Sydney Staff Songsters. Colonel John Chamness engages the congregation during his message. Colonel John Chamness brought the message, based on Acts Chapter 4, encouraging The Salvation Army in Australia to step into a new infilling of God’s Holy Spirit and be bold about proclaiming the Gospel, outside of the four walls of our corps.   “Across Australia, loneliness is rising, mental health struggles are widespread, families are under pressure, inequality hurts the vulnerable and many have not heard the good news of Jesus in a way they can understand,” he said.   “In the middle of all of this, God has placed us, God has placed The Salvation Army right in the middle of all of this. Not by accident, not by tradition alone, but by our holy calling that the has given uniquely to The Salvation Army.”   He continued in a passionate tone: “We’ve got to stop hiding inside of our buildings ... we’ve got to get out and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. And this is not just for the leaders; it’s not just for the officers … holy boldness looks like a corps member praying with a neighbour. A case worker gently sharing the love of Christ. A chaplain speaking truth with love. A volunteer serving with visible love, a young person unashamed of their faith. It’s not about being loud, it’s about being unashamed and available.”   He said that as he and Lani begin their roles in Australia, they pray that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit of God, the love of Jesus and compassion for people.   “May God give The Salvation Army in Australia a fresh gift of holy boldness,” he concluded. Colonels John and Lani Chamness interact with young people during the Kids Time segment.  READ MORE: They’ve landed!

A movement is forged and shaped – essentially moulded – by its founders. The influence that William Booth, his wife Catherine and his family have had, and continue to have, on The Salvation Army’s mission, culture, philosophy and practice remains prominent to this day. Salvos Online today presents 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, clothing, hygiene, life challenges, poverty, the Bible and the Sabbath, industrial relations, food and drink and more. Poverty and feeling poor BY GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH Salvation Army co-founder My dear comrades, many of God’s people are poor. “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” For a long time in the early history of the Church, poverty was, with few exceptions, a necessity. The man who embraced Christ had to leave his houses and his lands.   Every door of business was closed to him; no one would employ him, buy from him, or sell to him. His own family rose up against him and cast him out. Unless he was seized and made a slave, the wilderness became his dwelling place and the eaves of the earth his home. It is true that there were exceptions to this state of things, but they were not very numerous. Poverty is the lot of the majority of Christ’s followers today. Few who are not poor will comply with the terms of Salvation. Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called ... It is still true, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God!” They are called, but they will not come, and even when those who might gain riches have entered the Kingdom, the opportunities for money-making are often closed to them, on account of their conscientious scruples and their high standard of right and wrong. However, they prefer poverty, with a good conscience, to wealth without it. While there is no doubt that extreme poverty is an evil, and is one of the results of “the thorns and thistles” that followed the first transgression of our first parents, it is also evident that to be poor (when there is not actual want of the necessities of life) is not an unmixed evil. On the contrary, it has many advantages, both for this life and the life that is to come. I am quite sure, from my own observation, that, as a whole, the poor, in the sense in which we usually use the word, are, as a rule, more content, are more usefully occupied, enjoy better health, are less burdened by anxiety, and, in fact, are happier than the well-to-do classes. READ MORE: New Salvation Army Australia Museum Facebook site When I come to consider the advantages enjoyed by the poor, in regard to things of God, it is manifest that poverty has some great compensations. A poor man is more likely to be saved than a rich man. That is, he will be more ready to hearken to the call to repentance. Being more loosely bound to the world, it will be easier for him to break away from it and fall in with God’s offers of mercy. On the other hand, the rich man will be much better satisfied with his present condition and disinclined to leave it. He will be so comfortable that he will not care about a change; and, heavier sacrifices being demanded in his case than in that of a poor man, he will be far more unwilling to make the surrender. The pride of a rich man will make it more difficult for him to face the scorn that comes upon the followers of Jesus Christ. The Cross, which the poor have to carry in making an open confession of Salvation, is heavy enough; but, in the case of the proud and well-to-do person, that Cross will be heavier still. Poverty is favourable to Holy Living. The same things that operate in favour of a poor man commencing a truly religious life operate in favour of his persevering and attaining eminence in it. Poverty is conducive to a life of usefulness. The greatest of the world’s benefactors have been poor. Moses came from a family of bondsmen, and when God called him to deliver Israel, he was working as a shepherd in the land of Midian. The great Prophets of God to His ancient people were nearly all poor. David began life as a keeper of sheep. Elijah and Elisha were in a position answering very nearly to that of our Captains, without any Divisional Officer to fall back upon when driven into a corner! Nehemiah, Daniel, and the three Hebrew Children were slaves. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, and the other Prophets were all poor men, and the children of poor men. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself grew up in a cottage home at Nazareth, and was a working man. The Apostles and Disciples who established the first Communities of Christ’s people, and who shook the world, mostly came from the ranks of the poor, as also did the great bulk of the Fathers of the Early Church. If you come down to later times, the Franciscan and other Religious Orders, who have, at one time or another, saved Christianity from extinction, have been composed of men and women who were either poor in their parentage and breeding, or voluntarily made themselves poor for Christ’s sake. Luther and Melanethon, and the other masterminds of the Reformation, were poor men, as also were Huss and Wycliffe, and a host of others who stood up for the truth, and wrote their names in blessings on the world. The Salvationists, with very few exceptions, have been poor people, poor not only as to money and houses and lands, but destitute also of the learning of the schools, and ignorant of the worldly wisdom of the colleges. And yet, they have done more to revolutionise the religion of the Nineteenth Century than any other people who have operated in the world during that time, and have been the means, also, of rescuing and saving multitudes of the most hopeless classes of society. Poverty demands and encourages energy. Luxury and ease weaken and destroy these traits of character that make brave men and women. “Necessity is the mother of invention” … Hardship is the friend of activity, of push and go, in the affairs of men. Poverty is favourable to that sympathy and compassion that help make successful soulwinners. Without which, successful soul-winners cannot be made. Now, let me give a few counsels to the children of God who are called to occupy a humble position in this life. Those Salvationists who are poor should praise God for the measure of the good things of this world they do possess. Look around you, my Comrades, and you will find large numbers of people who are, so far as this world goes, much less favourably circumstanced than yourselves. Remember, there is nothing in your poverty to shut you out from “the peace that passeth all understanding” and “the joy that is unspeakable and full of glory”. Some of the brightest and most triumphant Saints have been amongst the poorest of the poor. If an opportunity of improving your circumstances presents itself, and, after prayer and reflection, you believe the position offered will be in harmony with righteousness, the promotion of the glory of God in you and your family, and the good of the Army, you are at liberty to embrace it. There is no sin in the possession of wealth. It is the use which you make of it, which is the all-important matter. If God prospers you, do not forget His goodness, [do not] grow proud, and [do not] cease to be the same humble, devoted, self-sacrificing Salvationist that you were in the days of your hardship and poverty. Let all you have be His. Whatever your lot may be, do not worry. Have faith in God. NEXT WEEK: General William Booth’s thoughts on clothing. *This series has been compiled by Barry Gittins, The Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist (Melbourne)

In rural Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, Rangana and his wife Ayesha are doing everything they can to care for their family while facing the ongoing challenges of kidney disease. Polluted water has caused serious illness across their community – including the kidney failure that changed Rangana’s life. Through The Salvation Army’s water project, their family now has access to clean, filtered drinking water – bringing safety, stability, and hope for their children’s future. The project not only provides affordable water, but also creates jobs, supports local clinics, and empowers communities to prevent disease before it starts. In this Self Denial Appeal story, hear how clean water, community support, and the love of God have helped restore dignity for Rangana’s family and many others across 26 Sri Lankan communities. Your giving makes this life-changing work possible. Be motivated by love this Self Denial Appeal – give one week’s salary and help bring health, hope, and a better future to people around the world. To find out more and donate, click here .

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it?   I am the Corps Officer at Camberwell Corps, which is situated in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. As part of the Camberwell Corps, we have a vibrant Thrift Shop and House Church in Ashburton and more recently, the Bentleigh Corps has become an Outpost of Camberwell. Local ministry is what satisfies me – engaging with generations and cultures across the neighbourhood and ensuring that we are set up in a way that allows people to grow to connect and grow in all areas of life.   2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind?     I have three daughters: Sadie, Matisse and Darby, and they all play netball. Watching the girls play each week is sometimes relaxing. I also play saxophone in the Salvos Big Band, which is great as we travel around and share ministry in different settings. I enjoy reading, trying new things and spending time on holidays with the family – especially long road trips.   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?     I have an appreciation for all sorts of music. When I’m listening to music, I could just as easily listen to Def Leppard, classical music, opera or jazz. My favourite song across all genres of music is found in The Salvation Army Songbook, ‘In the love of Jesus’. It is a song that has been my testimony for a long time.   In the love of Jesus there is all I need, While I follow closely where my Lord may lead. By His grace forgiven, in His presence blest, In the love of Jesus, In the love of Jesus is perfect rest.   4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about?   In chapter 2 of Mark’s gospel, there is a story of a man who was paralysed. We don’t know his name, but what we do know is that in spite of some challenges, his friends got him to Jesus. Read the story, it involves digging through the roof of a house! Not only was the man healed, but he was also supported by his friends and his life was changed. When he left the house, having come out very differently from how he went in, people saw the transformation. It says, “This amazed everyone, as they had never seen anything like this before”. I want to ask the unnamed man what it felt like to see your friends go to extraordinary lengths to get you to Jesus? How did you live knowing that the healing you experienced and that everyone witnessed was an example of what Jesus can do?    5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?   Ministry in The Salvation Army can take many forms. For some, it will be serving in their local setting as soldiers that is needed. For others, they will find employment in The Salvation Army, and that is needed too. For me, I felt a call to enter full-time ministry as an officer. I was open to all other options, but God led me through this process of discovery. My recommendation is that we seek God in what it is he is calling us to do and step into that fully. More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here .

Adjutant Mary Berney and her son John during her first time serving in Indonesia. (Right) An excerpt from a 1907 War Cry article that featured Mary when she was serving in a previous appointment in Java. Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist BARRY GITTINS brings you a War Cry excerpt of correspondence sent home by an Australian Salvation Army officer, Adjutant Mrs Mary Berney, from her appointment at a ‘leper station’ in Indonesia in 1911. Pursuing history is an elusive pastime, with language, culture and worldviews all potentially concealing the experience of those who’ve gone before us and often confounding our efforts to understand their lot.   The lives of figures who’ve passed in recent or distant memory can be so radically different from our own that we can struggle to understand what they survived or, indeed, the circumstances in which they thrived.   The following excerpts come from a letter sent home by Adjutant Mrs Mary Berney (nee Captain Druery). She’d just arrived at a new appointment in Java 115 years ago, in 1911, with her husband Robert and young family.   Her new home in Indonesia, then a Dutch colony known as the Dutch East Indies, was facing a widespread plague outbreak, and the Berneys had been appointed to a Javanese ‘leper station’; a far cry from Mary’s Central Queensland experiences.   “The journey started from Samarang at 6 a.m. by train, and at 8.30 a.m. we were changed into dogcarts for half-an-hour, when we arrived at a spot where coolies were waiting, 30 of them, for us, our two children, and our baggage. Not being very well, I crept into a long narrow bed with the baby, the bed being completely covered in from the sun and rain (the latter being very frequent).   “The bed was carried by eight coolies, four in front and four behind. My husband sat in a deck chair facing Allen, who was accommodated in the same manner, and I could hear them keeping up a conversation during the day. I could see nothing except the bit of country from the front of my tandoe, the only opening …   “When the thing started, I laughed until I cried; but when the novelty was passed, it was no laughing matter. Jog, jog, jog, jog, it is as though all your internal organs are being shaken into a jelly, and poor little baby made desperate attempts to crawl over me to the opening; but at last he sank back to sleep. The mattress and pillows made things quite comfortable, but the jolting was awful, especially going downhill or along the level places between the hills, which were very short stretches, few and far between. “I wondered at how the coolies kept going, hour after hour, up tremendous hills, the road full of boulders and loose metal: their feet must be awfully hard. They never stopped until they got half-way, after two and a-half hours travelling. They then had coffee and dinner, and we started again. They took a shortcut through the rice fields where the road was little more than a bridle path raised up between the wet fields … a fall would have meant a drop of 3ft. or 4ft. into a swamp; but they say this never happens. The latter part of the way is terribly steep … it ended at last at 3.15 p.m. or 3.30 p.m. “The place is not so beautiful as I had expected … At the bottom of the valley is the river flowing between rocks and boulders, and the lepers' quarters are on either side – Javanese on the one side, Europeans on the other. We were welcomed by the native converts with the band playing and the flag flying. It is cold enough for me to wear flannels and stockings all day, though other folks do not do it. Perhaps I will not after a time when my blood gets thicker. “Of the officers’ work I know nothing except that it is chiefly oversight. They only touch the wounds themselves when absolutely necessary; but they are kept going all day. I have to attend to the wash three times a week, from nine o'clock till twelve o’clock in the mornings. Everything is soaked in carbolic acid for 24 hours before it is taken away by the washerman. Our own things are not, of course, and they are done by another man. There is a Javanese doctor living here now; he is only Javanese by birth. His education and training have been the same as that of a European doctor; but he seems to have more initiative than most of his class. I believe there are about 100 people here, but do not know yet … “The patients have a club room, piano, organ, billiards, gramophone and are really well off. The Europeans are, for the most part, Catholics or spiritualists. The Catholic priest visits periodically. There used to be a staff of 80 military men to do the work now run by our handful of officers. Of course, we could do with many more if they were to be had. Two more will arrive in Java next week. They are Norwegian girls, and one is a trained nurse, but we do not expect reinforcements here. “We have a nice garden, plenty of roses (monthly), gardenias, and yellow flowers like what we used to grow at Copperfield. A bullock is killed every other day, so the people have plenty. That, in fact, is all that I have to think about. We pay so much into the funds and get the same food as the patients, without the extra dainties ordered for the sick. Each officer is allowed half-a-bottle of milk from the institution, so ought to get fat. We have our own postbag here. One mail leaves and one comes in daily except Sunday, and my husband is the postmaster, for the handsome remuneration of a dollar (4s. 2d.) a month. The postman walks to and fro from Soekoredjo, about 15 miles. “This is quite an interesting place. The hospital – at first purely military – has been in existence about 60 years. I took a walk to the cemetery one morning and found the graves of a number of people who died; one man was born in 1798 and was buried in 1851. The clubhouse of the hospital is just as old as I am – nearly 34 years. “Next to us is the palatial residence of the Chinaman who was Government contractor all these years. He made his pile and retired three years ago, a year before the army took it over. His daughter was married this week, which has caused no little incitement in this quiet spot. Guests and relatives came from far and near – influential Chinese and Javanese, a brass band from Samarang and the usual gamelang with native theatricals, which last is to perform a few weeks still for the delectation of the native public. We were invited to the wedding at 1.30 p.m. and to the dinner at 9 p.m. “The three girl officers here are new chums, and they found it most interesting as the wedding was proper Chinese in costume and ceremonial, the robes richly embroidered in gold, with the usual offerings and bowing before the family altar. “But to our surprise at night, the bride, her sister-in-law, and cousin – all recently married – appeared in beautiful European wedding toilets of brocaded satin with their hair dressed high according to the prevailing European fashion, and they actually sat down to dinner with their mother and us, the only ladies’ table, the bride and bridegroom next to each other. True to Chinese custom, they never exchanged a word with each other, nor with anyone else, except when spoken to. The dinner was European, and we thought it would never end. We were very tired before it was over. “Talking about women’s emancipation. It is going on fast in Chinese circles here. The Chinese – the rich, of course – are getting more and more European every day, educating their girls so that they are fit to move in polite European society. “To return to the hospital, we were not compelled to come here. It is the wish of the chief of staff that every officer should be asked if he is willing before coming here. No one need come against his wish. “If we had been required for the nursing work, I would have felt quite justified in refusing for the children’s sakes. The risk of infection is not very great according to scientific opinion, though there is a risk. Anyway, in all the years this place has existed no one of all the staff has been known to have caught it …” We know precious little about Mary and her family, apart from what the letter reveals; she was a woman of curiosity, courage and a desire to serve her God and her fellow human beings.

To read Barry’s Promoted to Glory notice and appointment service history, click here To read Cheif of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill’s tribute to Barry, click here

Congratulations to the following officers on their promotion to the rank of Captain : Effective 16 February 2026 Lieutenant Karen Clark Lieutenant Tim Clark                  Effective 26 November 2025 Lieutenant BJ Baillie Lieutenant Bethany Baillie Lieutenant Beth Shao Lieutenant Sarah Walker Effective 30 November 2024 Lieutenant Marika Haupt Lieutenant Min-Hwan Oh Lieutenant Henry Roehrig Lieutenant Sunny Seol    Lieutenant Paul Trotter  Effective 19 December 2024 Lieutenant Alison Templar Officers promoted to the rank of Major: Effective 5 December 2025 Captain Rachel Attard Captain Sean Attard Captain Monty Bhardwaj Captain Robert Champion Captain Peter Gott Captain Paul Lorimer Captain Robyn Lorimer Captain Manikya Mera Effective 12 December 2025 Captain Rebecca Gott Captain Nathan Hodges Captain Joanne Williams Effective 18 November 2024 Captain Adam Peterson  Effective 29 November 2024 Captain Laurel Cummins Captain Jacky Targett Captain Greg Turnbull    Captain Lynne Turnbull  Captain Karyn Wishart Captain Di Hobbs                Effective 6 December 2024 Captain Belinda Atherton Captain Dean Clutterbuck Captain Rhonda Clutterbuck Captain Karen Harrison  Captain Bindy Lupis Captain Marco Lupis   Captain Tara McGuigan  Captain Rick Moulder Captain BJ Moulder Effective 10 January 2025 Captain Jordan Innes Effective 11 January 2025 Captain Kate Baudinette

An upcoming unique exhibition showcasing beautiful op shop wedding gowns lovingly restored by local collector Margaret Fava (pictured) will be a celebration of history, style, and sustainability, and raise funds for the work of The Salvation Army. BY LERISSE SMITH Who doesn’t love a wedding? The hush before the bride appears. The collective intake of breath as eyes lock on the all-important wedding gown. Relive that unforgettable moment next weekend at Victoria’s Bacchus Marsh Public Hall, where iconic, beautifully restored op-shop wedding gowns from bygone eras will step into the spotlight for a special wedding gown exhibition fundraiser to support The Salvation Army. “This exclusive exhibition showcasing a stunning private collection of exquisite bridal gowns is an event you don’t want to miss,” said Bridie Roper, National Community Fundraising Team Leader. “This exhibition brings together beautiful wedding gowns from across the decades, all in one place. Whether you love fashion, design, or simply a good story, it’s a really special experience to wander through.” Bridie Roper, Salvos National Community Fundraising Team Leader sorting through hundreds of bridal gowns in preparation for exhibition. Titled Elegance From Every Era , the exhibition is a stunning display of more than 60 restored bridal gowns. The special event invites visitors to step into stories of history and beautiful craftsmanship – a true celebration of timeless design and couture fashion, of style and sustainability. The initiative is a collaboration between three Salvos teams: Bridie from Community Fundraising, Gabbie Cooper from Middle Donors, and Lavinia Fazackerley from Philanthropy. The aim is to raise $30,000 through ticket sales and donations, with the exhibition idea originating in 2024. And at the heart of the exhibition is the gowns’ collector, Margaret Fava, who has worked closely with the Salvos team. The dedicated enthusiast loves nothing more than sliding hangers along an array of op shop racks in search of the next treasured find. Mention wedding dresses, and her eyes light up. Margaret has spent more than 20 years collecting gowns – not for profit or prestige, but out of pure admiration and respect. Drawn to dresses too lovely to be forgotten, her collection has grown from a single gown to nearly 300 pieces. And the cost of each gown? From just $10 to $75. While she can’t pinpoint exactly when or why she became so captivated by the ethereal beauty of wedding dresses, she knows exactly what keeps her interest alive. “It’s probably the beauty, the prettiness of them,” she reflects. “I’ve been sent quite a few wedding dresses by people where it was their mothers or their grandmothers or theirs, and they’re extra special.” Margaret sources most of her gowns from op shops, many of which are gifted by members of the Facebook group page, I Love to Op Shop . Her collection now fills spare rooms and wardrobes at home, carefully arranged on high rails built by her husband, aka ‘Mr Handyman.’ Helping to sort through the wedding gowns for the exhibition were Tom Kinross, Salvation Army Warehouse Manager (left) and Margaret’s husband, Rod. Here they are pictured with two colourful gowns that caught their eye. And Margaret has become something of a legend in op shops across the region. “I will walk into op shops, and they’ll scan my card and say, ‘Oh, it’s you! You’re the lady that collects the wedding dresses,” she said. “Sometimes I say no! Then I laugh and say yes! I don’t think I realise the impact that collecting them has on others … To me, it’s nothing amazing, it’s just something I do. It’s just my thing.” And the thrill of the find never fades. “I can just walk in and see something on the rack and I think, what is that?” she said. “It might be the lace or the sleeve or something, and I’ll walk straight to it and think, Yep, that’s beautiful. I’m going to buy it! “I can walk into an op shop and there might be 10 dresses in there, but I won’t buy any because there’s just nothing that grabs me, or I just know straight away if I’m going to buy something. I don’t hum and ahh about it, I know immediately that, yes, I’m going to buy that dress because it’s beautiful.” The condition of the dress? Never a problem. The older, the better. “I don’t care if they’re dirty, I’ll get them clean,” she added. “If I can’t get them clean, I will dye them. I’ve dyed many.” Margaret has spent more than 20 years collecting wedding gowns. Drawn to dresses too lovely to be forgotten, her collection has grown from a single gown to nearly 300 pieces. One rule has never been broken: Margaret never sells her gowns. If a dress leaves her care, it’s because she has re-donated it or gifted it to someone who needs it. Preservation and appreciation matter. “I don’t look at them and think, I just wish I knew who wore you,” she explains. “It’s more the style of the dress. It’s the actual dress itself.” Social media has quietly amplified her passion. The I love to Op Shop Facebook group has become both a cheer squad and supply line. Interest in the wedding dresses grew through the page. There is now a massive following for the dresses – from New South Wales to Queensland and Western Australia. So, what does Margaret’s husband, Rod, think about the growing number of gowns? “It was funny at first,” she said. “The first five or six were amusing, and then 20 was like, oh, you know, whatever – 30 and 40 was like, Margaret! It has gone beyond a joke now and he will come into an op shop with me. He will see a wedding dress first and point it out to me. He doesn’t encourage me – but he doesn’t stop me!” Her dedication has led to invitations to stage exhibitions, including one to support bushfire victims. Local op-shop staff and volunteers will also contribute their own wedding photos leading up to the exhibition. Margaret’s vast array of wedding gowns, including this beautiful one, have cost anywhere from $10 to $75. And she has one golden rule: she never sells them. And fashion tells its own history. “The older the dresses, the tinier the girls were,” Margaret said. “I’ve never found a medium-sized wedding dress. They were size 5, size 4 … tiny little ladies.” One disappointment for Margaret, however, is the fate of her mother’s beautiful wedding dress. “I’ve got photos of her in it,” she said. “I remember saying to Mum, ‘Where’s the wedding dress in the big brown box?’ and she replied, ‘Oh, I wasn’t going to bring that out again. So, I threw it to the tip.’ ... I remember being horrified.” But there have been lighter moments too – especially ‘the’ V-neck red dress with a dainty bow at its waist. It was first spotted at a Vinnies fashion parade about a decade ago – and it just had to be bought. The price? Just $30. As the finishing touches are put in place at the exhibition, Margaret hopes visitors will take away a special feeling as they walk among her treasured dresses. “I just want them to see how beautiful they are and appreciate them,” she said. “I don’t care if they touch them. It’s about the beautiful, feminine side of weddings. It’s not just a dress – they are beautiful. Some of them, I just look at them still. I’ve had them for years, and I can still walk into the room and think, that is just beautiful. I don’t think I could ever part with that. I think going to the exhibition will help people appreciate why I do it.” The Wedding Gown Exhibition Fundraiser will be held at Bacchus Marsh Public Hall, 207 Main St, Bacchus Marsh, on Friday, 6 March and Saturday 7 March from 10am to 4pm. Tickets $15. For tickets and donations, go to https://wedding-gown-exhibition.raiselysite.com/ *The Salvos Store in Bacchus Marsh is planning a window of wedding dresses during next week leading up to the Elegance From Every Era exhibition, and will have a large display board within the shop showcasing wedding photos of the staff – both permanent and volunteers.   Style and glamour will be on full display at the Salvos fundraising exhibition, including the stunning red gown – a bargain for just $30 – which has developed a kind of cult following, says Margaret. When she saw it at a fashion parade, she just had to buy it!