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Ringwood Salvos volunteer Allison serves up a hearty meal for men doing it tough in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. A bed and a meal have been offered at the corps each Wednesday for the past three months. BY LERISSE SMITH This Victorian winter, Ringwood Salvation Army welcomed more men than ever through its doors as part of the Maroondah Winter Shelter – men with jobs, men with families – all seeking refuge from the bitter cold and with nowhere else to go. They sought shelter, food and companionship during the past three months as part of Melbourne’s Maroondah Winter Shelter initiative that has run since 2018, involving seven local churches, Maroondah City Council and other services. Its mission? To have a united church and community response to local homelessness, and to provide shelter, food and honour for people who need shelter, comfort and support. “Some of the guys have been on the community housing list for 15 years,” reflected Lisa Wynne, Community Engagement Worker at Ringwood Corps, who has been part of the program since its beginning. Lisa Wynne, Community Engagement Worker at Ringwood Corps, has been part of the Maroondah Winter Shelter program since its beginning. “It just blows my mind. I don’t understand. I think there is a lost demographic, a lost type of person in the system. It’s a broken system, but we do what we can. It has been a real privilege of mine to be involved. From a faith point of view, I just believe God opened my eyes up to a whole other part of serving suffering humanity and people who are in great need that I had not been exposed to before. “We are The Salvation Army, and Jesus spent his time with people who were in great need, giving hope to people, seeing their value, their strengths and treating them as equals. I hope I’ve been able to share the love of Jesus with them. But they teach you more, just by listening to them and being with them. They are just so real.” The top priority for the Winter Shelter volunteers at Ringwood and the other churches was clear: to give dignity, fellowship and friendship to men needing practical and emotional support as they navigated life without shelter. Each church provided shelter one night per week throughout winter at their building, with Ringwood Salvos opening their doors each Wednesday night to accommodate people, providing 12 stretcher beds that were nearly always full to capacity each week. The male guests, aged 18 and over, were referred to the program through Uniting Ringwood and picked up near Blackburn Ringwood Lake or arrived on foot from Ringwood Station. A warm welcome always awaited all guests. A three-course dinner was on the menu, plus spending a night in a safe, warm shelter before being served a cooked breakfast the next morning. More than 30 volunteers assisted during the season, both from the corps and community, with 300 volunteers in total for the Program. The intake process, managed by Uniting, ensured a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved. There’s nothing like a hot lamb roast on a cold Melbourne winter’s day, as Ringwood Corps guests Chris and Peter found out when taking part in the shelter program. “We all sat down at the table with knives and forks and had that community experience,” Lisa said. “Many of them wanted to get up and have a cigarette and stuff like that. So, they are very hard to sort of stay seated for the whole time. They will get up and go and sit on their bed or whatever, and come back, and that sort of thing for the three-course meal. “Some of them stay up a bit, but a lot of them end up going to bed quite early and are really tired. Sometimes, they were up during the night. My husband was there on a Wednesday night. He spent a couple of hours talking to one of the guys about the Essendon Football Club.” Some guests had heartbreaking backstories. The guests of Ringwood Corps had access to hot showers thanks to the shelter trailer, along with toiletries, clothing, books and games. Men often found themselves without a home after a relationship breakdown – usually being the one to leave – or following the death of a parent or relative they had been living with due to the sale of the home. “I think it was really hard for men who have young children,” Lisa remarked. “If they are estranged from their partner but have visit rights for their child and are homeless, then that makes it very difficult.” Even employment wasn’t enough to guarantee stability. Despite having jobs, some found the overhead of trying to get bond money too much. A lot of places ask for a couple of months’ rent in advance, which can leave them stuck. And rooming houses were not always considered a safe option by the men. Many sleeves were rolled up at Ringwood thanks to a team of more than 30 volunteers. The evening team included seven volunteers: three kitchen staff, a venue coordinator, and three additional support workers. Three more stayed overnight, and three for the breakfast shift. Each Wednesday night, the men had access to hot showers through the shelter trailer, along with toiletries, clothing, books and games. As the Community Engagement Officer, the program was deeply personal and eye-opening for Lisa. “It was a real eye-opener for me. Some of these men have been on the streets since they were 14,” Lisa emphasised. “I have been a member of The Salvation Army all my life. I probably had nothing to do with homeless people until I was involved in this program. It really just opened my eyes, or should I say Jesus opened my eyes; they are precious to him and are just like me. “I lived a very sheltered life in a generational Salvation Army family, and most of these guys didn’t have upbringings like I had, didn’t have a loving family. They had family who experienced a lot of suffering that I’ve never experienced. And so, we could show them love, support, and develop trust with them, build them up, try and see their strengths, and call them out and help them to realise their potential.” Mark and Dennis chatting after enjoying a tasty first course of soup. Offering encouragement, support – and hope – was central too. Lisa often asked guests where they wanted to be in five or 10 years’ time. Many didn’t know – at least not at first. “I try to encourage them … because that is how I’ve looked at life,” she said. “When you make a choice, ask yourself: is this going to help me get to where I want to be? Because I think in life, we all need something to aim at or where we want to be. What do we want life to look like? What is our dream? And to get them to dream about what they would like, something to make good choices for.” This winter was the first time the Ringwood team and the other churches had their own stretcher-style beds made possible through grant money, 13 in total, along with grant-funded doonas and an industrial washing machine and dryer to clean the linen, housed at another church. “I’ve met amazing people from the community that really have a heart for others,” she added. “I’ve never worked with so many other churches and been on a committee with so many other pastors or members working for a common cause.” While the impact of the program is significant, it has also raised tough questions about what comes next. “This year I felt really unsettled about the fact that when I say goodbye to the guys, what do they have after this?” Lisa explained. Ringwood Salvos opened its doors each Wednesday night to sleep people, providing 12 stretcher-beds that were nearly always full to capacity each week.  “Only a couple of them have somewhere to go. One guy told me he’d be sleeping in the bushes at Ringwood Lake with a swag. I really believe that there’s something more we can do.” As a result, Ringwood Salvos is now exploring ways to support the men beyond winter. Despite the scale of the challenge, the Ringwood team remained committed long-term, including Corps Officer Major Bram Cassidy,  while the Salvos Employment Plus and Gateways program has assisted some men. And the greatest impact of the Winter Shelter? “I think being a part of the community. I think they (the guests) feel safe,” she reflected. “They feel they belong. They are not judged. There’s no judging … also, being part of the community and developing trust with people. Some of the guys I have seen for a couple of years now – and it has been one of the most amazing ministries I’ve been involved with in all my time in church leadership. It is amazing.”

Participants at the Salvation Army Apostolic Leadership School hear from one of the speakers. BY LAUREN MARTIN   Thirty Salvation Army leaders from across Australia attended a week-long Apostolic Leadership School at the Collaroy Centre on Sydney’s northern beaches in late August.   Major Kim Haworth (Assistant Chief Secretary – Mission) said the idea for the school originated while she was serving in the Tasmania Division and further developed when she was appointed as NSW/ACT Divisional Commander.   Kim explained that the former Divisional Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (now Territorial Commander), had previously laid the foundation for the ‘prophetic’ in the division, which the spirit then inspired Kim and others to broaden into the Apostolic Leadership School – embracing and encouraging all five leadership gifts of Christ.   “We lead in the line of apostolic succession – that’s who the people of God are,” she said. “The ‘Apostolic’ in the title, ‘Apostolic Leadership School’ refers to the fivefold leadership gifts of Christ found in Ephesians 4 (rather than referring solely to the gift of the apostle.) It’s all five, which are the organic mobilising gifts to advance the Kingdom and continue the ministry of Jesus, which is our mandate.” Participants spent long days immersed in worship, prayer, teaching, and prophetic activation, practising hearing from Jesus and acting on his promptings.   “I have learned so much about my ministry, I have learned so much about the need for consecration … I need to be consecrated before God before anything can happen within the church, within the ministry, within The Salvation Army,” said Major Darren Dwyer, Corps Officer at Gawler in South Australia. “We’ve been praying that we would be a ‘blood and fire’ Salvation Army.”   Captain Joanne Williams from Sydney’s Eastern Beaches Salvos said the school was transformative: “This week has been a wonderful week to go deeper with God to search our hearts and press in for the gold, press on for the ‘more’.   Teachers at the school included Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Major Kim Haworth, South West Sydney New Expressions Leader Major Lynden Spicer, Salvation Army Executive Strategist Christopher Trodden and Salvation Army Mission Consultant Colin Stoodley.   “We’ve been praying that we would be a ‘blood and fire’ Salvation Army,” said Christopher, “and all week it’s [the teaching has] been anchored in who Christ is and the whole idea that the fire of the Holy Spirit is just blazing brightly. It’s been absolutely wonderful, and everyone has been involved, and they are going to be carrying the fire as they go out.” Senior soldier and Executive Strategist Christopher Trodden (left) and Salvation Army Mission Consultant Colin Stoodley teach at the Apostolic Leadership School at the Collaroy Centre.   Teaching through community groups and Bible studies were led by Auxiliary-Lieutenants Katharine and Russell Brown, Captain Sally Stevens and Joel Spicer. Callum Greenaway and Shushannah Anderson led worship each day.   “We feel an impetus from the Holy Spirit to rediscover, as God’s people dedicated to serving through The Salvation Army, what it means to operate in the gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher – and how these gifts work together to advance the kingdom of God,” said Kim.   “We are believing that apostolic leadership in its fullness is needed to produce disciples who are able to carry the mission of God in Australia in these days.”   Renewed focus While most of the students at this first Apostolic Leadership School were from the NSW/ACT Division, one delegate from each of the other divisions was invited.   It is hoped that the school will become national in the future. It is part of a renewed focus on the apostolic to advance the Kingdom of God through The Salvation Army in Australia.   Other training being offered to Salvation Army leaders is the Mission Renewal Initiative (MRI), which began in 2024 through the Faith Communities Development Stream, taking participants through a re-learning of what it means to be a Jesus movement. Delegates broke into two smaller ‘community groups’ to study the Bible, pray for each other and seek to hear God’s voice.   “These two development opportunities dovetail beautifully in the way the Lord is leading us in these days,” said Kim.   Miriam said apostolic groups are rising up throughout the nation across the church and The Salvation Army.   “This has been another step, coming together to learn, experience, hear and speak. An ‘iron sharpens iron’ experience. There is great hope and a great future as God rises up teams across the country, bringing these graces to the nation. We need each other. These are exciting days to be in!”

The ‘famous five’ of The Salvation Army’s wartime service to the “Rats of Tobruk’. BY BARRY GITTINS “Who’s the best-known Australian in Tobruk?” Melbourne’s Sun newspaper wrote that the very same question was put to a bunch of wounded diggers from Tobruk, who’d arrived safely back home. The answer? “The Salvation Army bloke.” The Herald said that the Salvo bloke was four chaps: “Brigadier Arthur McIlveen, Major Arthur Mawson, and Adjutants John Simmons and William Tibbs ... They are the only distributors of comforts in Tobruk, and they have been bombed 1000 times.” By The Salvation Army’s reckoning, the Herald had neglected to mention Brigadier Charles ‘Jock’ Geddes, who’d been hospitalised and repatriated back in June 1941. Arthur was evacuated in August that year, Bill in September, and John and Arthur left Tobruk in October. In its spiel, the Herald noted that Bill Tibbs had “the back of his mobile van blown off ... for the second time”, while Arthur Mawson had been bombed nine times while he’d written a letter home. “They seem to bear charmed lives,” the Herald opined.It should be noted that, after he’d finished as a Red Shield Representative, Bill Tibbs died in a plane crash flying from New Guinea to Queensland. This September marks 80 years since the end of World War Two.

Salvos Online  continues a new weekly column – Three Books. Today’s guest bookworm is Debbie Serojales, who is Corps Officer – Team Member at Merri-bek Corps in Victoria.   Besides the gospels and Psalms, which is your favourite book in the Bible and why? When I was growing up, I would flit between various books of the Bible, yet I would always find myself drawn back to the pages of Philippians , as I found it to be one of positive encouragement in my newfound faith. I guess I also enjoyed reading it because it was like picking up a letter written years before and having a sneak peek at the thoughts and opinions of someone from many years before.  It is also known as a “letter of joy”. I love that Paul not only wrote to offer support and give advice, but he was also vulnerable as he shared his own experiences. What an example that is for me, that when we work in teams, to be open and honest and share our own lives, especially if we expect people to be like that with us. Although written so many years ago, these words, filled with joy and wisdom, continue to offer insight to us even today.      Besides the Bible, what is a Christian book that has strongly influenced your faith? I love reading biographies. I see it as an honour to, in some way, be invited on the journey of another person who has faced their most vulnerable moments and also their ultimate life-changing experiences. A few years ago, I read the intimate story of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, The Pastor and the Painter .  What a powerful story of two young men who were charged with drug trafficking and landed them in Kerobokan Prison in Indonesia. The book follows their transformation from anger and defiance to rehabilitation and hope. On the day they were executed, they were not “two drug smugglers, but a pastor and a painter” who not only changed their own lives, but also many of the prisoners whom they led to faith. This is the first time I have ever cried while reading a book, and I will admit to never singing the song 10,000 Reasons in the same way again!  A challenging, heart-wrenching and life-changing story that showed me anyone can turn their lives around when they allow Jesus to guide their choices even during their darkest moments.   What is a secular book that has revealed to you a Christian message or theme? ‘My friend’ Eddie Jaku OAM wrote a memoir of his experiences during World War Two, a story of survival and one of hope. In his book, Eddie says that those who took the time to read his story have now become his friends. I also had the privilege of attending an online book discussion, where he shared his story with a small group of us, and during this, he offered to sign our books. After posting a copy of his book to him, it was returned to me signed, “to my friend Debbie”.  He lived with a simple message: to always make time to show kindness, and he challenged everyone to look for ways to make others happy.  For years, he did not speak of his experiences in Buchenwald and Auschwitz; it was simply too hard. Yet in the end, he chose to share the story because there were millions of others who could not. Having faced unimaginable horror, Eddie chose to focus on kindness, friendship and hope.  This book was published when Eddie was nearly 100 years old. As he shares his story of loss, heartache and immense pain, his main goal was for people to know that happiness can be found even in the darkest of experiences. Stories of Holocaust survivors are always so hard to read, yet Eddie shares how he found gratitude and hope in such a traumatic time. At the end of a book filled with the horrors of his experiences, the last lines say, “after you put this book down, please remember to appreciate every moment of your life – the good, the bad”. I think we all struggle through challenges in our lives, yet the simple message from Eddie, “make yourself a friend to the world”, showing kindness, is one we could all attain too.  “Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you!” – Eddie Jaku

Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (left) and NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black (right) with award recipients, Craig Stephens, Tony Devlin and Kristen Hartnett. BY DEAN SIMPSON   Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett presented three ‘pioneering awards’ during her Farewell Celebration Chapel Service at Territorial Headquarters in Sydney on Thursday.   Winsome, who has served as the Australia Territory’s Chief Secretary for the past five and a half years, and her husband, Colonel Kelvin Merrett, are set to retire next month after serving as officers for the past five decades. More than 120 people filled the chapel at THQ Redfern, with many more online, for the first of the Chief’s farewell services. Major Stuart Glover (Assistant Chief Secretary - Business), Major Kim Haworth (Assistant Chief Secretary - Mission), Colonel Winsome Merrett (Chief Secretary) and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (Territorial Commander) at Thursday's Farewell Celebration for Winsome. One of her tasks was to present awards to four people who have pioneered significant work in the Australia Territory – Craig and Danni Stephens (Territorial Envoys), Tony Devlin and Kristen Hartnett.   Craig and Danni Stephens were presented with the Ian and Nancy Cutmore Award for exceptional service in planting No.47 house at Ryde, New South Wales.   The couple founded a groundbreaking ministry in 2001 in one of Sydney’s most troubled areas, Ivanhoe Estate, leasing a townhouse (No.47) from Housing NSW for 12 years with the express purpose of operating a ‘live-in’ mission. Initial community activities included coffee mornings and a homework club. Tony Devlin and Kristen Hartnett with their James Barker Pioneering Awards. Tony Devlin was presented with the James Barker Pioneering Award for Social Mission for his instrumental leadership in the development of Moneycare, making it the leading provider of financial services in Australia.   Kristen Hartnett was also presented with the James Barker Pioneering Award for Social Mission for her instrumental leadership in the development of the You’re the Boss program. This program is designed to increase personal wellbeing and facilitate improved personal financial management for both now and the future.   A variety of speakers honoured Winsome at the Farewell Celebration, including Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Major Stuart Glover, Major Kim Haworth, Aux-Lieut Rosy Keane, Sue Hodges, Lieut-Colonel Chris Reid (on behalf of officers) and Adrian Kistan (on behalf of staff). READ MORE: New award honours pioneering spirit As a gesture of love, Rosy invited those attending to write some encouraging words on strips of ribbon, which were attached to a wreath of flowers, and presented to Winsome. Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett presents Territorial Envoy Craig Stephens with the Ian and Nancy Cutmore Award. (Craig's wife Danni was unable to attend). In her closing remarks, Winsome said: “I want to thank everyone for their kind words today; I feel very honoured. “And I would implore you each to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. We are all tempted to lower our eyes and try to do things, achieve things, in our own strength ... but it’s only when we raise our eyes and fix them on Jesus do we achieve great things for the Kingdom. God bless you all.” Melbourne THQ farewell Colonels Winsome and Kelvin Merrett were presented with flowers at the Blackburn THQ farewell. Territorial Headquarters in Blackburn, Melbourne, held its Farewell Celebration for Winsome on Thursday 4 September. The Chief Secretary was joined by her husband, Colonel Kelvin Merrett, Victoria Divisional Commander, who is also retiring. THQ Leadership and staff at the Blackburn office honoured Winsome and Kelvin for their four decades of service as officers. Photo montage of the Blackburn THQ farewell event for the Merretts.

The tie Dean Simpson’s children constructed for him 14 years ago. BY DEAN SIMPSON    I have a favourite tie. Most men my age do. It’s not a typical tie, and I can ensure no one else has one similar.    Recently, I turned up at a function wearing one of my usual ties, and three other blokes were wearing the same design. I should have worn my favourite one!    To be honest, my favourite tie isn’t my preferred colour or style and doesn’t seem to match any of my clothes, but I’ll never throw it out.    It is, of course, a Father’s Day tie. A tie I received on Father’s Day in 2011 from my then five-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter. It is made from cardboard, decorated with a spaghetti-like array of Texta colours, and has a ‘Love one another’ sticker in the centre. Handily, it includes an elastic string for easy application.    Ironically, my son asked his big sister to write the heading at the top, but she inadvertently included an extra ‘r’ – ‘Farthers Day 2011’. There is also a heartfelt message written on the back, full of praise for my virtues as a father, ranging from my tendency to say ‘yes’ while their mum says ‘no’, my superhero strength when throwing them into the pool, and my ability to break wind on cue. The message is handwritten with similar spelling mistakes and scribbled corrections.     Despite this, the tie remains one of my most cherished possessions – no doubt because it was crafted with all the love, care and devotion that my young children could muster.    Dean and his precious tie. I remember putting it on and making a big fuss when they excitedly gave it to me. In fact, I wore it to church that day and kept wearing it every Father’s Day for the next few years. My children were chuffed each time.    By around 2020, the tie was starting to show signs of wear and tear (and my children were in their late teens), so I stored it in the bottom drawer of my bedside table because I couldn’t bear to throw it away. But even to this day, once a year on Father’s Day, people in my church congregation ask me why I’m not sporting my one-of-a-kind tie!    I might be persuaded to wear it one more time this Father’s Day – just to embarrass my 23-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son!    God’s gift to us     Receiving that tie from my children all those years ago gave me a glimpse of how God feels when we acknowledge him with our attention, our devotion and, above all, the gift of our lives.    God doesn’t mind if our lives are as ‘flimsy as cardboard’, ‘full of scribbles’ and ‘spelt incorrectly’ – he isn’t bothered if our lives are a bit rough around the edges, a bit tattered and torn. He just wants our hearts and promises to accept us with his unconditional love.    Jesus said: “... unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).     Father God sent his son Jesus to earth as the sacrifice for all our sins. It was the greatest gift to humankind. All God desires in return is the gift of your heart, and he will reward you with the gift of abundant life, both now and into eternity.

An excerpt from the War Cry showing Brigadier Frank Jennings’ column. BY BARRY GITTINS The Salvation Army members, as part of the Christian church, are called to be ‘fishers of men’ just like the first disciples of Jesus Christ, several of whom went fishing for a living before Jesus tapped them on the shoulder. Brigadier Frank Jennings, reminiscing in the 20 August 1975 War Cry , 50 years ago, said he’d invited his divisional commander to go angling before a Saturday evening fellowship tea and soldiers’ meeting, as “Saturday afternoon was just right to go fishing!” (The brigadier was subsequently promoted to glory in 1995). “Back came the prompt reply,” the writer noted, “Let’s go fishing.” So, we went fishing.“The Manning River [NSW] was the fishing ground, and the bandmaster’s dinghy was always readily available. The divisional commander has not indulged in this simple pleasure for 15 years. Incredible! What a time we had, for the tide was right, the bait was fresh, and the fish were there ...” Modesty perhaps forbade the brigadier from relating any news about their success, or the size of their catch. But he was keen to share stories of other fishing expeditions ... “In this same country town a lady who kept a boarding house telephoned in great distress [about a] lodger she had not seen for a week [whose] bedroom door had been kept shut. She asked the Army to investigate,” Brigadier Jennings wrote. The brigadier and his “gallant sergeant-major” went and rescued “a poor derelict [who’d been] drinking metho from a gallon jar; the only ‘nourishment’ he had had for a week. He was in a dreadful state, weak, filthy and desperate. We fished him out of the room, bathing, dressing him as he repeatedly said, ‘Help me, help me!’” “The local police sergeant helped us in the ‘drying out’ process by keeping him in the police station for three days and then delivering him to us for his rehabilitation. This was one ‘fish’ that didn’t get away. He failed a few times but eventually made the grade, became soundly converted, and his wife returned to him. They moved to the city and for many years the first Christmas card that arrived in our house was from them.” “Let’s go fishing,” concluded the writer. “The big ones are not very far away, and if you choose your gear well, select your bait, and exercise your patience and persistence, you, too, will catch fish.”

A young female officer, standing on a crate, leads an open-air meeting in Newtown, Sydney, in 1942. BY BARRY GITTINS If you were a Salvationist 90 years ago, you wouldn’t necessarily be seen as a respectable or even a rational person. Writing in the 21 September 1935 issue of the War Cry , Envoy L. McWhinney suggested that Salvos were sometimes perceived by members of the general public as making fools of themselves, “prancing across the platform, jumping seats, or doing other outlandish things ... Nobody desires to act the senseless clown, yet some folk confuse abandonment to Christ with vain buffoonery,” the envoy conceded. “Yet,” he insisted, “it is certainly better to be a fool for Christ’s sake than to be a tool of the devil, for in abandonment to Jesus there is not only overflowing joy of heart, but a compelling force to be doing something for Him.” A case in point for the envoy was ‘doing something’ by publicly witnessing in the great outdoors: the envoy cited a group of Salvationists witnessing “at Bowral recently, during some very severe weather [on a ] Sunday night ... holding forth in the freezing open-air”. “‘Nobody was listening’, a newspaper confrere informed me. ‘But there must be something which I do not understand, to make people do that.’” “We are never shining to greater effect,” the envoy wrote, “than when we are witnessing.” Our worship became more sophisticated, less robust. As generations progressed, society and leisure activities evolved, and open-air meetings – once a useful recruitment option – declined in both practice and efficacy.   Some 43 years later, in 1978, British singer Cliff Richard paid tribute to “the Sally Army” and their outdoor, spiritual busking. Yet, he “wondered why they do it, when no one’s ever there ...” The things we do, the words we share and the actions we take reflect our beliefs and motivations. Are we still prepared to look silly, or a vain buffoon, for our faith? By today’s standards, we might think it strange if Salvos were to hold an open-air meeting in freezing cold weather, playing to no one. We’d certainly feel uncomfortable if we saw them running around the hall shouting excitedly, or lying “prostrate on the floor”, or “being instantly dropped on the pavement”, or weeping, clapping hands and dancing, or groaning aloud, or taking part in a Christian conga-line (hallelujah wind-ups were referred to as ‘old-time’ as early as 1915). Yet such examples of enthusiasm (enthusiasm, literally, means being ‘possessed by the god’) were a characteristic of Salvationists, from the early days of the Christian Mission and reaching as we have seen into the 1930s. Perhaps, we could still benefit from such enthusiasm, or “shining”, while witnessing to God’s love.

The Salvation Army’s first official officers, Thomas and Adelaide Sutherland, who arrived in Adelaide in 1881 before heading to Sydney to begin the work there in December 1882. BY CAPTAIN PAUL FARTHING*   The Salvation Army’s first 10 years in Australia were a wondrous success. Take, for instance, their efforts in NSW.   The Army arrived in Sydney in December of 1882 when Thomas and Adelaide Sutherland, Australia’s first Salvation Army officers , ‘opened fire’ in Paddy’s Markets, Haymarket.   Just over eight years later, a census found that 0.915 per cent of adults in NSW identified as Salvationists. This number is astounding when one considers that, as a new religion, The Salvation Army had no nominal members, and anyone who claimed to be a Salvationist was likely to be an active member.   The same census found that 2.13 per cent of children in NSW attended a Salvation Army Sunday school. In that same period, the Army established 99 official meeting places in NSW and many more outposts. Salvation Army evangelism was extraordinary.   A report to the War Cry from the Sydney Corps shows the kind of spiritual impact the Salvation Army was having on the state: Monday – At the Railway Station. Good meeting. Three Saved. Tuesday – Soldiers Class. Some red-hot testimonies. Wednesday – Paddy’s Market Open Air. The people howled at the Salvationists, but the Salvationists were willing to suffer their hatred for Christ’s sake. Four Saved. Saturday – York St meeting. Devil was routed out of five souls. Sunday – 7am Knee Drill, one saved. 11am holiness meeting, Spirit broke out and everyone fell to their knees and prayed. 5pm Evening Open Air meeting followed by meeting in the Protestant hall, five saved. Nineteen souls for the week.   This type of report was not uncommon; hundreds of souls were being saved through Salvation Army gatherings every week. By 1883, Salvos (left) were being portrayed as loud and aggressive on the streets of Sydney (image: State Library of NSW). The evangelical approach of early Salvos became a common sight on Sydney streets in the 1880s (image: National Gallery of Australia).   Now, one could read this and assume that the early Salvation Army saved souls because evangelism in the 1880s was easy. “People back then”, one might say, “were more willing to hear and believe the church’s message”. But while these most surely were different times, it would be a serious mistake to think that evangelism in the 1880s was easy.   In his book, Defending a Christian Country, the historian Walter Phillips describes the 1880s as an especially difficult time for the church. Secularism was on the rise. The NSW Government abolished state aid to churches and, in doing so, confirmed the separation of church and state.   Museums and libraries were open for the first time on a Sunday, providing competition for churches. Secularist lecturers made enthusiastic attacks on Christianity to full halls.   Darwin’s The Origin of the Species (1859) was well known by the 1880s, and according to esteemed historians Stuart Piggin and Robert Linder, the questions it raised made it “increasingly difficult to save souls”.   Church attendance in most Protestant denominations was in decline. In 1882, the Chairman of the Congregational Union in NSW, J.F. Cullen, made the logical point that if saving people was easy, the established churches would already be doing it, and The Salvation Army would have had no cause to exist! These were not ‘easy’ times.   Furthermore, Salvationists refused to take the easy road to building a church. They went for unsaved souls, and they really did go for the worst, to paraphrase a famous William Booth quote .   The first meeting held in NSW was largely attended by churchgoers, Christians who had come to scope out this strange new movement. This enraged a certain Captain Alex Canty. He took to the pulpit in a fury, berating the congregation for their respectability: these were not the sort the Army wanted, he ranted.   Adelaide Sutherland warned the congregation against leaving their churches to join the Army unless they were willing to fight the battle for souls. Joining the Army, she said, would be like “jumping out of the frying pan into the fire”.   The Army decided to hold its meetings at the same time as the other churches to ensure that it only attracted non-churchgoers. This move was a success, and by the end of the year, the Australian Town and Country Journal described the Army congregation as a “class of people who under no circumstances whatsoever attend the services of the church”. The original Newtown Barracks in the 1880s.  At the opening of the Newtown Barracks, the local mayor said that “The Army had accomplished what other organisations had failed to do. They had taken the Scriptures to the fallen and been the means of raising them up.” The theme of 1880s commentary on the NSW Salvation Army is that by saving the “unreflecting, the unwashed, the untutored classes”, The Salvation Army had done the impossible. These were not easy times.   We must also remember that the early Salvation Army experienced actual persecution. Meetings were attacked by larrikins, Salvationists were thrown into jail for marching without permit, readers wrote frequent letters of bitter complaint to their local newspaper. The ‘Skeleton Army’ would follow Salvation Army marches with their own marches of intimidation. Stories of Salvationists being attacked by the ‘Skeleton Army’ or thrown into jail by overzealous policemen have been reframed as heroic, as if it were all part of the adventure. But a night in the cells after being verbally abused and pelted with fireworks could not have seemed all that wonderful at the time.   These, I say again, were not easy times. Yet despite all this opposition, The Salvation Army saved soul after soul after soul.   The lesson is this. Evangelism isn’t easy right now, but it wasn’t easy back then either. The Salvation Army saved thousands back then, and we can do it again now. *Captain Paul Farthing is the Corps Officer at Shellharbour on the NSW South Coast READ MORE: Foundation of The Salvation Army in Sydney 1882-83 by Major David Woodbury

Harley-Davidson reps with The Salvation Army’s Amanda Travers (Relationship Manager - Corporate Partnerships) and Kristie Clifton (State Homelessness Manager - NSW-ACT) at the United We Ride launch at the Salvos’ Foster House in Sydney. BY MATTHEW PLON Two iconic shields will unite tomorrow when Harley-Davidson partners with The Salvation Army to raise funds and awareness for those in need during the first-ever United We Ride event. On Saturday 6 September, National Harley Day, riders will depart simultaneously from 53 Harley-Davidson dealerships across Australia and New Zealand for United We Ride. This ride will bring together Harley-Davidson owners, Harley Owners Group (HOG) chapters, motorcycle enthusiasts and dealerships to raise funds, awareness and community engagement for The Salvation Army. There is an opportunity to show your support by visiting your local Harley-Davidson dealership, tuning in to Channel 7’s breakfast show, Sunrise , which will be crossing to the event, and donating via the United We Ride website .    “This is more than a ride, it’s about making a real difference,” said Amanda Travers, The Salvation Army’s Relationship Manager - Corporate Partnerships . “ R iders will hit the road not just for the love of riding, but to be part of a movement of compassion, community and hope .” Ninety per cent of the ride’s entrance fees will go to The Salvation Army’s support services, with Harley-Davidson matching this amount . This will help fund emergency housing, crisis support for women and families, or financial counselling, and the event will directly support The Salvation Army’s frontline programs, offering vital services and assistance to thousands of Australians and New Zealanders experiencing hardship. The Salvation Army’s Major Gary Masters with Nigel Keough, Managing Director of Harley-Davidson ANZ.  “This collaboration is all about bringing our passionate Harley-Davidson riding community together for a greater purpose ,” said Nigel Keough, Managing Director of Harley-Davidson ANZ, “ It’s not just about motorcycles – it’s about momentum for change.” Along with this event, Harley-Davidson has donated $84,000 worth of new merchandise, such as shirts, jackets and jumpers to Salvos Stores. To show your support, head down to your local Harley-Davidson dealership on Saturday , 6 September, at 9am ( AWST ) or 11am ( AEST ) . Or, if you hear the roar of engines, cheer on the riders as they take part. If you can’t make it to a dealership, watch Sunrise for live crosses during weather reports. “Harley-Davidson has secured six live-weather crosses with Sunrise on Saturday, which they’ll do from the Tempe dealership in Sydney,” Amanda said. “There at all the live crosses will be James Tobin (TV presenter), Nigel, a Salvation Army spokesperson (Major David Collinson) and footballers Brad Fittler, Angus Crichton and Greg Inglis. “It’s great exposure for the event and will be a nice way to send the ride off.”    If you would like to donate, follow the link ( https://www.unitedwerideanz.com/ ) and select your local Harley-Davidson store. The Salvation Army’s Amanda Travers tests out a Harley-Davidson before Saturday’s United We Ride event.

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it?   Corps Officer Marion (SA/NT), where people find a place of safety to explore the love God.   2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind?   I enjoy a good coffee at a scenic location, somewhere along the great beaches in Adelaide, if possible. We enjoy caravanning, although never as much as we would like. I do enjoy a competitive games night!   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?   Trust in God by Elevation Worship is a favourite at present. I recently had the privilege of attending the International College for Officers, and this became our session song. I have three teenagers and a 10-year-old, so we listen to a lot of their music. Forrest Frank’s Your Way is Better is pretty good also.   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?   Joseph! Such an inspiring story of resilience, forgiveness and overcoming incredible odds. So much to learn for all of us.   5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? It’s a tough gig, but so are most jobs that involve leading people, strategic planning and social welfare. Don’t do it unless you are sure that God is calling, directing, and leading you into it. Pray, test the waters and pray again if this is the path for you. Officership has given me some wonderful opportunities, life skills and many great friendships. When it’s tough, it’s really tough, but when it’s great, it’s amazing! Above all, trust in God, for he will never fail.

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas has released the annual Territorial Appointment Changes, effective from 14 January 2026 (unless otherwise stated). To view the PDF, click here