Deputy Principal Deb Kelly (left) and School Chaplain Kotiah Pilly receive the weekly supply of lunchboxes from Calamvale Corps Officer Major Dianne Gluyas. INSET: Sanet Smit and her book. By CLIFF WORTHING Every week, 20 or so students at a local school in Brisbane receive a healthy lunch at school prepared by the Calamvale Corps. The idea to supply lunches came from a leader’s retreat several years ago, which had a focus on meeting the needs of families, according to Major Dianne Gluyas, Calamvale Corps Officer. The school chaplain mentioned the number of students coming to school without lunch and the negative impact that had on their learning, energy levels and ability to focus. “We really hope it makes a difference and helps the kids achieve their potential,” Dianne said. “We want to raise more funds so we can provide more lunches and more substantial food in the lunchbox.” The local member of parliament wants to find more funds to supplement the money raised by the corps. The corps is also seeking support from local businesses to expand the program to other local schools that have expressed an interest in receiving the lunchboxes. The book promotion to encourage people to donate to the lunchbox project. The corps liaises with the school chaplain to provide meals to the students most in need. The housing crisis, rising cost of living, and individual family circumstances make it incredibly difficult for some families to prepare lunches. Some children don’t attend school when they don’t have lunch, and others go to the playground without anything to eat. As well as raising funds, corps members help prepare the lunchboxes and write encouraging notes to go with the meal. “We want to let them know we care,” Dianne said. “It is missional for us and a way of sharing our resources and blessings.” Sanet Smit, a community member and children’s author, was so impressed with the program that she is donating the proceeds of her book Frankie Goes Home exclusively to Project Lunchbox.

Menai Salvos community worker Michelle Wheatley (right) volunteered to assist at the Helensburgh Salvos Store Devonshire Tea Day fundraiser for the Red Shield Appeal. (Left) Some of the ladies who attended. Salvos Stores in the Illawarra region of NSW have come up with some innovative fundraising ideas for this year’s Red Shield Appeal. A Devonshire Tea Day at Helensburgh Salvos Store in late May attracted locals who enjoyed sitting in the store, having a barista-made coffee and a warm scone with jam and cream. “This was something we hadn’t tried before,” said 2508 Salvos Mission Leader Lauren Martin. “It was the idea of our store manager, Deanne Mort, and a partnership between the store and the local Salvos missional community here. 2508 Salvos Mission Leader Lauren Martin (front) with volunteers who helped at the Helensburgh Salvos Store Devonshire Tea Day fundraiser for the Red Shield Appeal. “Whilst the morning was quiet, we had a number of great conversations with Devonshire Tea customers, and two of them decided to engage with the local Salvos further and came to our weekly Spiritual Discussion Group as a result of conversations at the store that day.” At Engadine, in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, two Salvos Store volunteers with a talent for singing decided to busk out the front of the store. “The response was incredible,” said Salvos Store Regional Manager Dale Cheetam. “A few hours of them busking generated several hundred dollars for the Red Shield Appeal. And the live singing generated a great atmosphere in the store and on the street.” Other Illawarra region stores engaged in Bunnings barbeques, created guessing competitions in store and helped to generate community awareness about The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal by asking people in the store if they would like to add a donation to their purchase. Back by popular demand this year was the Salvos Stores’ ‘Hope Recycled Bus Tour’, in which community members pay for a day of shopping at several stores, with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea included, bus transport and lots of fun games and prizes. The tour has been a sell-out in the Illawarra region for several years, and this year an additional tour was added for the region’s northern stores and into southern Sydney. Due to the good relationship developed with local Bunnings stores, a number of plants were donated to Kiama Salvos Store and repotted into donated pots to be sold for the Red Shield Appeal. “There are so many creative ways our people have risen to the challenge of raising money for their local Salvation Army through the Red Shield Appeal,” said Dale. Salvos Store in the Illawarra raises tens of thousands of dollars each year for its local Red Shield Appeal.

Dianne Salmond (far right) with her late daughter Jacqueline (centre) and daughter-in-law Musambo. By KIRRALEE NICOLLE This time last year, Dianne Salmond had no idea she would soon lose her adult daughter in a sudden, horrifying way. As Christians, Dianne and her daughter Jacqueline, a former chaplain, shared a history of “God-bothering”, as she calls it. “Both of us always believed in heaven and God, and we didn’t blame God for our dramas,” she said. “He didn’t cause them. You know, life happens to people.” However, when a series of medical problems culminated in Jacqueline’s unexpected passing in August 2022 at the age of 50, Dianne feared she would spiral into depression. It was her relationship with the staff at Salvos Funerals that helped her through. Dianne says the dedicated and caring staff at Salvos Funerals inspired her to join The Salvation Army. “When the shock wears off, [then] you’ve got the reality that your daughter’s passed, and you’re really never going to talk to her or see her again,” she said. “I was afraid.” When she met with staff from Salvos Funerals to arrange her daughter’s service, she was stunned by their kindness. As it was the first funeral she had ever arranged, she felt lost as to where to begin. “They listened to us,” she said. “They talked through everything. They asked us what we wanted to do, and I just couldn’t believe their compassion.” She said at the funeral, attendees came up to tell her that they had never been to a commemorative service quite like Jacqueline’s. “It was a small funeral, but it was just spiritual and beautiful,” she said. “It was just like we were sharing Jacky’s death with [Salvos Funerals staff].” Dianne stayed in touch with staff from Salvos Funerals and eventually expressed to them that she would like to become a member of The Salvation Army. This past Easter, Dianne enrolled as a soldier at Project 614 Corps. Dianne has begun volunteering with Magpie Nest Café, which is run as a partnership between the Magpie Nest Women’s Program and Project 614 in Bourke St. She also attends Sunday services at Project 614. She said she and her children, who had also begun volunteering with The Salvation Army, felt they were now part of a wider family. “My life’s changed belonging to The Salvation Army,” she said. “The difference it has made in my life is unbelievable.” Dianne said becoming a soldier felt like finding her niche. “I feel like I belong, I really do,” she said. Salvos Funerals operates within Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, the Central Coast, Illawarra, Canberra, and Queanbeyan. Among other services, they offer pre-paid funeral arrangements, cremations and repatriations. To find out more about Salvos Funerals, visit salvosfunerals.com.au .

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The Salvation Army in Kenya has responded to the needs caused by ongoing drought throughout 2023, with more predicted to come. The unprecedented drought in Kenya, caused by five consecutive below-average rainy seasons since the end of 2020, has caused untold human suffering. Nearly five million people have lacked access to enough water for drinking, cooking and cleaning, with particular consequences for women and girls who often compromised their own needs (including menstrual hygiene) to provide for their families. Damaris Frick, Director of The Salvation Army International Emergency Services said, “We were able to respond to this humanitarian effort in Kenya thanks to donations from around the world. For those of us who have never witnessed it, it can be hard to imagine the scale of human suffering caused by the lack of such a basic human need as water. I am grateful to everyone who enabled The Salvation Army to respond with compassion to the most vulnerable in Kenya during this humanitarian crisis.” Salvation Army teams have provided basic food supplies, including cooking oil, to those in desperate need. The Salvation Army in Kenya responded to the crisis, which has impacted people throughout 2023. These multiple responses included the provision of food parcels containing maize, beans and cooking oil to more than 4000 households in 83 communities. An additional 59 schools have received similar products through being enrolled in the ‘Food for Fees’ project, where food was then deducted from school fees. More than 12,000 students benefited from this initiative, with each child receiving five nutritious meals (three main meals and two snacks) each day for three months. Major Musa Barasa, district officer in Turkana, said, “The ‘Food for Fees’ program has really brought great impact to education in Turkana. School teachers, the Board of Education management and the community are very grateful, thankful and proud of The Salvation Army for this initiative.” In addition, The Salvation Army has provided personal hygiene items to 5,225 students in 24 schools. Although these schools are not part of the ‘Food for Fees’ program, they still received bags of maize, beans and cooking oil to provide nutritious school meals for students. Water bowsers (delivery tankers) were employed to deliver water for cooking, drinking and washing to schools in some of the most affected communities in Turkana. Self-Denial Appeal 2023 The Salvation Army’s work in Kenya is highlighted in this year’s Self Denial Appeal in Australia. Your generous donations help to contribute to programs such as ‘Food for Fees’, as well group savings programs, business training and leadership initiatives – especially for women. This empowers them to provide for their families, feel a sense of worth for themselves and give hope to other women for brighter futures. The theme for the Self Denial Appeal 2023 is ‘A Gift from the Heart’. It encourages us to consider the blessings we have from God and how we can use those to bless other people. Please consider donating to this year’s appeal – it’s not too late! When you give to the Self Denial Appeal you can choose to give your gift to mission support OR community development. Mission Support funds are non tax-deductible. They support the evangelical ministries delivered in developing countries. These funds are also used for the provision of church halls, residences for officers, computers and training. Community Development donations are tax-deductible and only support community development projects. Examples include projects for poverty alleviation, clean water and microfinance. For more information, or to safely donate online, click here .

Sean Nolan (centre) says Major David Soper (left) and Mark Soper have been huge influences on his life. By SEAN NOLAN I was led to the Lord by David Soper [Salvation Army Major, now retired]. He was a really big influence in my life. I grew up in a broken home, and he became very close to me and led me to the Lord. Me and Mark Soper [now Shire Salvos Mission Leader in Sydney] were best friends in high school. The Sopers were like a second family to me. We used to say – me and a group of other boys – that David Soper showed us a form of Christianity that wasn’t mind-numbingly boring! I remember playing cricket in the street during our high school days, and one day Mark was beating me and I was swearing. Shelley [Major Shelley Soper, now retired] came out and, really nicely, said, “Sean, why are you swearing like that? That’s not how we speak.” It was the first time someone had disciplined me without screaming at me, because my dad, in particular, would do that. Sean (left) with friends in Long Island, USA, in 2002 when he attended a summer camp. There are also two of the commemorative pins Sean was given. When I was 21, I went to America and did a Salvos summer camp. I stayed with the Salvos ‘Ground Zero’ coordinators in Long Island for a bit and did that summer camp for three months. That was a really formative time in my life. I’ve always had a real connection to the Salvos. My salvation was a process. Earlier on, I was back and forward with God, and my ebb and flow could be correlated to the circumstances I was facing in life. My father was difficult, and he would get sick and abusive. At one point, I was off the rails again, working as a bar manager and in a very unhealthy place. It’s not an understatement to say that David Soper saved my life. He stepped in and, spiritually, he led me to the Lord, but in a practical way, he saved my life. He showed me that the ultimate purpose in life was to serve the Kingdom of God, so I left everything else and followed after that. From there, my life turned around, and I became a church planter for 18 years. The then NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at the Christian Youth Summit that Sean organised a few years ago at Redfern. One of the highlights was when I organised all the youth and young adult ministers from all the protestant denominations in Sydney to come together to meet and pray. We began to do that, and it culminated a few years ago with a big prayer summit at The Salvation Army headquarters in Redfern, and [the then Premier] Gladys Berejiklian came to that. We had this amazing day where all youth directors came together, and all denominations were represented. Around that time, I was starting my doctorate degree, and it sent me on a journey. I really felt like there was something wrong in the Church. The Bible promises power and it promises all these things for our evangelism and our outreach. However, I don’t think you would meet any pastors who would say that this time in history is marked by great power in the Church. So, it’s not a problem on God’s end. It must be at our end. The book that I wrote, Searching for God in Christianity , which is just being released now, came out of that journey. Sean has Salvation Army roots. This is a photo of his great, great, great grandparents, officers in The Salvation Army. It was taken in rural Queensland sometime between 1890 and 1910. I had pastored/church-planted three churches and, during the COVID pandemic, I finished up at the last one and was accepted into the PhD program at Sydney College of Divinity. So, I finished up my pastorate and entered the doctoral program, which gave me more time to write both a dissertation and this new book. We live in Western Sydney, but we are planning on moving to the Sutherland Shire and setting up with our family. I hadn’t worshipped in the Salvos, but I was led to the Lord by the Salvos, so when we were looking for a church in the Shire, and Mark Soper was there, it was a no-brainer to join Shire Salvos. There is definitely a sense of ‘coming home’, in the sense of being there [worshipping] with the Sopers, because they are like a second family to me. As told to Salvos Online writer Lauren Martin Sean’s book, ‘Searching for God in Christianity’ (below) is available at Koorong and all major online bookstores.

Commissioners Edward and Shelley Hill will take up their new leadership roles in early August. General-elect Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham has appointed Commissioner Edward Hill as Chief of the Staff and Commissioner Shelley Hill as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, effective from 3 August 2023. “I know you will join me in assuring Commissioners Hill of thoughts and prayers as they prepare themselves in heart and mind to take on the onerous duties that will be theirs in support of our new international leaders,” General-elect Buckingham said. The General appoints the Chief of the Staff as second-in-command of the international Salvation Army. The first Chief was Bramwell Booth, eldest son of The Salvation Army Founders William and Catherine Booth. Commissioner Edward Hill will be the 28th Chief of the Staff. Commissioned in June 1993 in the USA Western Territory, Edward and Shelley Hill began their shared ministry as officers in Hawaii. Two years later, they were appointed to divisional headquarters as divisional youth leaders, where they served until July 1995, when they were appointed to training college work. Further corps leadership experience was theirs at Pasadena Tabernacle Corps from February 2002. In June 2008, Majors Hill were appointed to lead the Hawaii/Pacific Division as Divisional Commander and Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries. They were subsequently appointed to THQ in June 2012 – Major Edward Hill as Secretary for Programme and Major Shelley as Women’s Ministries Secretary. In July 2016, their first experience of international service came to them as they were appointed to the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries. Further international service opportunities came in November 2018 with their appointments to the Canada and Bermuda Territory as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries. May 2021 saw the Hills, promoted to commissioner, assuming responsibility as Zonal Leaders for the Americas and Caribbean Zone, based at International Headquarters in London. In these roles, they have served in various capacities: Edward Hill is a SAITCo Director as well as a member of The General’s Council and International Appointments Board, and Shelley Hill is a member of the International Finance Board, The General’s Council and International Appointments Board as well as taking the lead in the zonal department on all mission and community projects and Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response. Commissioner Edward Hill holds a Master of Christian Education and a Master of Divinity, and Commissioner Shelley Hill is an Arrow Executive Leadership Course graduate. – IHQ Communications

Pedalling for a good cause – (from left) Matt Seaman, Captain David Donaldson and Dean Morrison. Captain David Donaldson and fellow Salvos Matt Seaman and Dean Morrison will ride 165km around the Sunshine Coast on Sunday 11 June to raise money for Nambour Corps’ Red Shield Appeal campaign. “We will be aiming to ride between as many Salvation Army centres on the Sunshine Coast as possible on that day,” said Dean. “Between the three of us, there have been newborn babies, sickness and hospital visits, new work schedules and other complications that have challenged our preparation. But we are determined to crack on because what we are aiming to accomplish is more important than sore legs.” Matt, the Nambour Corps bandmaster, agreed. “We see it first hand; we witness the hardship within our community, and this is a way for us to raise awareness and needed funds to help serve those who need it most.” Dean Morrison, Captain David Donaldson and Matt Seaman getting set for their 165km ride on Sunday. David said since the beginning of 2023, Nambour Corps had seen an increase in the number of people requiring assistance from The Salvation Army. “Homelessness, basic food needs, domestic violence (both male and female), family breakdown and child welfare are some of the situations to which we serve,” David said. “Without our volunteers, employees and the financial help of the Australian public, we would not have the same impact; we are very grateful. Sadly, we are seeing more and more people requiring help, and often, that help is simply to be listened to. So we ask people to please sponsor our June 11 ride.” It is the fourth year the ride has been held and the first time for David. For the record, in 2020, Matt rode nearly 158km (7 hours, 1068m elevation gain) solo on one day between the main Salvo centres on the Sunshine Coast. In 2021, Dean and Matt rode 246km (11+hrs, 2675m elevation) over two days between 15 Salvos locations. In 2022, Matt rode 175km (8 hours, 1983m elevation) and Dean for 120km (5.5hrs, 1500m gain) in one day between those 15 Salvation Army locations. To contribute and help the team reach their $6000 goal, go to www.digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/suncoastride . Some information courtesy of an article in the Sunshine Valley Gazette

Men suffering from mental illness too often choose to journey alone through dark times in their life. By ANTHONY CASTLE There are things we don’t share with others. There are things we don’t speak about, that we hide, even from those close to us. These might be things we typically keep private, ordinary things. Sometimes we might hide how we feel about our lives, our relationships, or memories of past events. We keep these things to ourselves because we might not know how to share them. Perhaps our problems run deeper than others suspect. Maybe we have regrets or feel shame for the things we have done or the things that have been done to us. Perhaps the thought of sharing these things seems painful, or we may feel unsure of how others will respond, but the things we keep secret aren’t necessarily about excluding others. We keep secrets to feel safe. Each June, Men’s Health Week raises awareness around the issues men face, particularly mental health challenges. The theme for this year is Healthy Habits, encouraging men to form habits that build wellbeing, but the reality is that men are struggling with mental health in Australia. Men make up an average of seven out of every nine suicides each day. The data shows that a quarter of Australian men will experience a diagnosed mental health disorder in their lifetime , but only 25 per cent of men will seek help from a mental health professional. Of those men who had contacted a GP, only 40 per cent had seen a mental health professional. Men are not sharing about their mental health challenges enough or seeking the supports that can help. We often keep secrets to feel safe, but for some men, it’s the secrets that are dangerous. “We often keep secrets to feel safe, but for some men, it’s the secrets that are dangerous.” I have known enough men who have been hurt by the things they didn’t share when what was kept inside became too much. I have known men who haven’t known how to speak about their unhappiness until it tore their lives apart. I have known men who kept their darkest parts hidden. Men who didn’t seek professional help. Men who are no longer here. In some ways, I was one of these men. Over the years, I have had to learn how to share things, things I have kept on the inside, seeking out professional help when I need it. Sharing life and struggles with other men can bring healing. Throughout this process, a Scripture verse has come to mind, from James 5:16; confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed . I have thought about this verse from time to time, though not because mental health struggles are sinful or because we can just ‘pray away’ diagnosed depression and anxiety. We can’t, and in many cases, the Church can spiritualise mental health and cause harm to those who need professional help. I remember this verse because I have come to see confession as an important idea, in as much as sharing what is hidden with others can bring some healing. It can save lives. There are two questions I have found myself asking others over the years, healthy habits I practise with men when I can see they are struggling on the inside. I ask, ‘Do you want to talk? ’ and ‘ Have you shared this with a professional who can help? ’ There are many things we don’t share with others, and while we often keep secrets to feel safe, the danger of hiding our mental health struggles is all too real. In a country where twice as many men die by suicide each year than on the roads, we need to make a habit of sharing about mental health. The dark things that are kept inside are often best shared, brought out into the light, with others who can help. MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 . Mensline offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationships, stress and wellbeing.

Geoff Ward donates his camper to Atherton Tablelands Corps leader Miriam Newton-Gentle. By LAUREN MARTIN The donation of a camper trailer to Atherton Tablelands Corps in Far North Queensland will enable The Salvation Army to better support people experiencing homelessness in the area. Early last month, Atherton Tablelands Corps Ministry Worker Miriam Newton-Gentle received a phone call “out-of-the-blue” through her local Family Store. A couple was moving to Western Australia and wanted to donate their quality camper trailer to assist people in need. “It’s large enough to house a family,” said Miriam of the donated camper. “We support quite a few families experiencing homelessness in the area, and this will be a valuable asset to assist them. It was such a blessing to receive that phone call!” A few days later, Geoff Ward came to meet Miriam and drop off the camper. For him, the donation was personally meaningful – his daughter struggled with experiences of homelessness throughout her life. She passed away last year, and Geoff and his wife Alexis wanted to see the camper used for others in similar circumstances. Their only request was that the camper have a plaque on the outside naming it, “Mel’s Camper” and a sign on the inside so that those who use it can read a bit of Mel’s story: The donated trailer is named ‘Mel’s Camper’ after Geoff and Alexis Ward’s daughter, Melanie, who passed away in 2022. She had experienced homelessness during her life. “ Mel’s Camper This camper has been donated to the Tolga Salvation Army Branch at Tolga [Tolga is near Atherton]. It is in memory of our darling daughter who passed away in 2022 and is missed every day. Melanie found accommodation so hard to find that she always kept a tent in her car. If she were alive now, I would be donating the camper to her instead. Alexis and Geoff (me) are relocating to West Australia and wish the occupants of the camper all the best for their future and the sincere thanks to the Salvos for their work helping people find accommodation. Being homeless can happen to anybody young or old. Nobody wants it. Having this chance will boost your morale and hopefully lead to finding a permanent home. Regards from Alexis and Geoff Ward. Melanie Louise Ward 1984 to 2022” The camper will be used to house people experiencing homelessness in the Atherton Tablelands area for four to six weeks before being returned, cleaned and lent out again. The Salvation Army will also pay for the campsite rental and work with the family or individual on ways that they can adjust to their new way of living, with the aim of securing stable accommodation in the medium to longer term. Miriam said the corps and Family Store was giving away two to three tents a week to people experiencing homelessness, and she had recently put a request out to the community through the local newspaper for more tents to be donated. “I said I didn’t care what condition they were in – people need a decent one to sleep in, and then they need another one to put their rubbish in, their dirty washing, etc.” Someone cares She said the number of people living in cars or tents was increasing. “I had a family of five kids and mum and dad, and there was grandma, but grandma passed away sadly while they were living in tent accommodation,” she said. “They have been in tents for 15 months in the back of one of the local caravan parks. “Those kids haven’t missed a beat for school. We secured an extra small tent for their boy in high school so he can sit in it and do his homework and study. They are such amazing and resilient people.” She said the family was being supported by the corps and The Salvation Army’s Doorways team and had just last week moved into a home they are house-sitting for a year while its occupants are away. “I am so glad they are getting into a house,” said Miriam. “Throughout it all, they have been so stoic, but what is important for them to know is that they are not alone. They just need to know that someone knows that they are there and someone cares. So, when it gets tough, they can pick up the phone and have someone who cares to listen to them.”

Soldiership enrolment at Cairns Corps on 28 May (from left) Major Ben Johnson, Marie Johnson, Philip Warr, Esther Gikundiro, Lofena Korua, Francine Ikireza, Sorange Perusi and Claudine Nantebuka. By CLIFF WORTHING A lot of people are wanting to call Cairns Corps home, according to Corps Officer Major Ben Johnson. Corps membership has recently grown by 21, including 13 senior soldiers and eight adherents, who were enrolled in three separate ceremonies. It started on 19 March when six soldiers were enrolled. The eight adherents were enrolled on Easter Sunday (9 April), and then another seven soldiers joined the ranks on Pentecost Sunday (28 May). “Seeing fresh, young, smiling faces in crisp new uniforms brings a tear to the eye,” Ben said. “Half our new soldiers are teenagers, and they are so fired up!” The rush of enrolments is a product of four years of intentional mission strategy by the corps, especially with the local refugee population. About 100 people from refugee backgrounds attend the corps weekly, which is about half the congregation. Senior soldiership enrolment on 19 March (from left) Major Ben Johnson, Tahlia Johnson (front), Kimazi Heretier (back), Tumayini Munguyiko, Joseph, Odette Nyiramirimo, Patrick Mugisha, Major Ragana Gumuna. “We have helped our refugees slowly integrate into community and the corps by providing a space for music, culture and food,” Ben said. “They want a place to belong, then a reason to believe, which then eventually leads to change in behaviour. It’s really important for us to get the order and process right.” The corps’ Just Brass group has about 23 participants, mostly refugees. Most of them have progressed to attending the corps youth group or Kids Zone and worship services. “Our approach is to invest in the youth and children, and the parents see the value in what we do,” Ben said. “It’s intentional. It’s not rocket science, and it’s something that is working!” The corps understands they need to incorporate a trauma-informed approach to their engagement with refugees. Many have experienced family violence, sexual assaults, and sometimes physical mutilation through the horrors of war. Adherents enrolled on 9 April (from left) Jacquline Macomi, Alfonze Nsengiyaremye, Shrahon Gazmer, Abishek Gazmere, Rodha Rasaily, Jupi Biswa. “There is a whole lot of heartache and lots of trauma in their stories,” Ben said. “Even though they can now enjoy freedom, the scars are still there even though some have experienced miraculous healing.” Creating an opportunity to worship and serve has certainly paid dividends for the corps. “They have really brought innovation and energy into the Cairns community and into our corps,” Ben said.

The Salvation Army has drawn from its experience with poverty and disadvantage to inform a Senate inquiry that is set to make recommendations in October. An interim report into the Extent and Nature of Poverty in Australia demonstrates that The Salvation Army has significantly influenced the inquiry’s direction. The interim report, released by the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs on 4 May, is part of a broader process of inquiry and reporting to be finalised by 31 October, with recommendations. The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team developed a submission to the inquiry, which was released in February. This included a definition of poverty, the nature of financial hardship, debt and the cost of living, the poor tax and a breakdown of some ways poverty is experienced. The interim report demonstrated the use of the structure provided by The Salvation Army regarding the manifestations of poverty, and the Committee discussed the submission’s explanations and examples. It also included findings from The Salvation Army on housing unaffordability, cultural and economic factors and the structural drivers behind poverty.   Policy and Advocacy advisor Josh Gani said the level of reference to The Salvation Army’s submission in the interim report was encouraging. “The Committee has used the depth and breadth of our service delivery and expertise, and we are proud to be a leader in the arena as a foundation for their conclusions,” he said. The submission argued that a more effective definition of poverty than the use of financial numbers was to describe it as an inability to access the essentials for living life with dignity. Josh said the interim report’s content demonstrated the Committee’s receptiveness to this argument and showed respect for The Salvation Army’s position on poverty and experience in addressing complex needs. To read the submission in full, visit https://ece3c282-b44c-42cd-ad85-b4ae863a0dc7.usrfiles.com/ugd/ece3c2_70eb09faa56446d79714b5ba2c0e6aef.pdf . – Kirralee Nicolle