(Back row) Tradies General Manager Jason McMaster, Miranda Mission Leader Lieut-Colonel David Godkin and Hopefield’s Matthew Cottam. (Front row): Tradies volunteers Meg and Anna with Shire Salvos Miranda Community Coordinator Moira Guthrie. By LAUREN MARTIN In March this year, the shelves at the Salvos’ food relief and assistance centre in Miranda, Sydney, were almost empty. So, the team prayed. “The shelves were looking really bare,” said Miranda Mission Leader Lieut-Colonel David Godkin. “We had started the year full of food donations, thanks to the generosity of our community during the Christmas period, but with the cost of living hurting so many people, we have been called upon to assist more and more families and individuals in need. So, stock was very, very low.” The team at the Community Co-op Sutherland Shire didn’t despair. Having supported the local community with food relief and other assistance for so many years, they knew that God always provided whenever there was a need. “Oh, it happens all the time,” said David. “God is incredible! One moment we are worried about a lack of meals in our freezer, and then a whole team of amazing home chefs from our nearby St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church will arrive with 100 individual meals! We are so blessed.” Volunteer Meg from local club The Tradies assists at the Community Co-Op Sutherland Shire. A similar occurrence happened after Easter. One of the staff members from a partner organisation, The Trades, who support the Community Co-Op Sutherland Shire, of which Shire Salvos is a founding member, saw a photo of the co-op on social media and noticed that the shelves looked empty. So, the Tradies decided to run an Easter food drive, and their staff and club members responded generously. The result was two carloads of grocery items to fill the shelves at the co-op: “We thank God for our amazing partners at The Tradies,” said David. “Not only do staff members generously donate their time at the Community Co-Op Sutherland Shire, but they also support in other ways, such as the food drive. It’s great to know that there are so many people in our community who want to help others.” Shire Salvos Miranda supports hundreds of families and individuals weekly through its food relief and assistance centre. Offering not only food but support through case management, alcohol and other drugs counsellors, Moneycare financial counselling, Drive for Life and journeying with people through The Salvation Army’s Positive Lifestyle Program. Its participation and hosting of the Community Co-Op Sutherland Shire allow Shire Salvos to partner with other charities in the local area in the fight against food poverty.

Major Peter and Captain Tara McGuigan are set to take up appointments at IHQ in London in February 2025. Australian officers Major Peter and Captain Tara McGuigan have been appointed to roles at International Headquarters in London.   From 1 February 2025, Peter will be Secretary for Communications while Tara will be the Chaplain at International Headquarters and Liaison Officer for the City of London.   The McGuigans have been serving in the Sri Lanka Territory, based in Colombo, since last November, with Peter as the Property Secretary and ‌ Assistant Secretary for Business Administration and Tara as the Public Relations Secretary.   “We seek your prayers for what is now a period of finishing well in Sri Lanka and preparing for the new responsibilities that are ahead of us, including navigating the transfer of our goods between Colombo, Sydney and London, and a period of leave in Australia,” Peter said.   “We will miss the beautiful people of Sri Lanka, without doubt. At the same time, we believe significant opportunities await us to play our part with the IHQ team in seeing the global mission of TSA flourish amid these challenging times … and we are grateful.” In recent years, the McGuigans have served at Preston Corps (Vic.) and Sydney Congress Hall (NSW). In Sydney, Tara was The Salvation Army’s Relationship Manager for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities (NSW). They were also stationed in Canberra for a time, with Peter serving as Head of Government Relations, with Tara the Assistant Public Relations Secretary for NSW/ACT.

The new soldiers with Majors Nancy and Pearson Chuang (left) and Major Sandra Nottle (right). Ten senior soldiers were recently enrolled at Melbourne’s Project 614. The soldiers, who attend the corps’ Chinese services, have been supported throughout the process by Majors Nancy and Pearson Chuang.   Corps Officer Major Sandra Nottle said corps staff were greatly encouraged and genuinely excited in the recruitment and deployment of the new senior soldiers.   “[We hope] that they continue in their deep commitment to growing in their faith and passionately engaging in the mission of The Salvation Army,” Sandra said.   The full list of senior soldiers enrolled is: Min Chen, Lin Chen, Pei Ying Chiang, Pin Xu, Bo Hua Wang, Run Ying Zhu, Ning Chen, Hua Wen, Sue Liao, Jia Li Jiang.

NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Captain Kim Haworth, Intercultural and Disability Inclusion team member Nuria Gonsalves and Territorial Headquarters chaplain Major Romona Kinder at the recent THQ Harmony Day celebrations. By LAUREN MARTIN A celebration of Harmony Day at The Salvation Army’s Territorial Headquarters in Sydney on 11 April brought staff from various departments together in fellowship. The celebration was an initiative of The Salvation Army Intercultural and Disability Inclusion Team and the Events Team. NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Captain Kim Haworth spoke about harmony at The Salvation Army, and Nuria Gonsalves from the Intercultural and Disability Inclusion Team gave a message from the Bible passage, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Territorial Headquarters chaplain Major Romona Kinder helps to prepare the Harmony Day morning tea. She said that as both a church and a charity, The Salvation Army believes that all people are loved by God and worthy of having their needs met. “We love unconditionally because God first loved us. Everyone is welcome to find love, hope and acceptance at The Salvation Army.” During the celebration, people present taught their colleagues to say ‘hello’ in their first language. Some who attended also brought their own cultural foods to share with others. “The Harmony Day morning tea was a great opportunity for people to celebrate our different cultures,” said Territorial Headquarters chaplain Major Romona Kinder. “It was lovely to see people that work in different areas of the building meeting each other and sharing food together.” She said that as a chaplain, her prayer is for God to help build a welcoming and inclusive community around the people who work at headquarters. “It is important that we continue to find ways to build a sense of belonging in community with people continuing to work both in the office and at home,” she said.

Kropivnitsky Corps Officer Captain Dmitrij Bessmolnyj leads the Passover meal. As the Orthodox Easter approaches in Eastern Europe, members of the Kropivnitsky Corps, Ukraine, gathered to commemorate the Passover meal. Dnipro and other corps across war-torn Ukraine also gathered to commemorate the Passover and will meet again on Sunday to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Dnipro Corps Leader Natalia Rak leads her small congregation in the Passover meal. They call it ‘seder’, based on the ancient Jewish word which means ‘order’. Seder follows an established order of action – reading prayers, eating and drinking at the festive table before celebrating Easter. “Two thousand years ago, shortly before his arrest and subsequent death on the cross, Jesus spent his final evening with his disciples,” shared the corps leaders. “Today, we remembered how it was and what meaning it brings to us today.”

Salvation Army Policy and Advocacy Advisor Jaimie Jones and the report submitted to the ACT Government. BY ANTHONY CASTLE   Every day across its frontline services, The Salvation Army witnesses the harm caused by gambling – to individuals, families and communities.   The ACT Government recently asked communities around the nation’s capital to have their say on proposed restrictions on gambling advertising within the territory. The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team made a submission to the inquiry, calling for much-needed reform.   “Our team provided a submission to the ACT Government,” says Jaimie Jones, Policy and Advocacy Advisor. “There’s a discussion happening at a national level right now, so when this consultation with the ACT Government came up, we wanted to contribute. We took the position that ideally a ban on gambling advertising should be happening at a national coordinated level, but the ACT should implement banning it as much as is in their power.”   In the ACT, The Salvation Army interacts with people impacted by gambling harm through its Moneycare financial counselling service, but also provides support through Doorways emergency relief and Salvo corps.   People in Australia lose approximately $25 billion on legal gambling each year, the largest per capita losses in the world. Gambling advertising is harmful, especially for children, young people and people experiencing gambling harm and addiction.   “The research shows that children and young people are particularly susceptible to gambling advertising influencing their attitudes,” Jaimie says. “It teaches them that gambling is normal when they may not be able to understand the harms.   The Salvation Army’s submission states that there is no level of gambling advertising to which it is safe for children and young people to be exposed. Harm from gambling, or someone else’s gambling, goes beyond financial losses and impacts people’s relationships, health, psychological wellbeing, work and study. Restricting gambling advertising at certain times of the day is insufficient to adequately reduce these risks to children and young people.   “The most effective way to address the harms caused by gambling advertising is to implement a national, comprehensive ban on gambling advertising,” Jaimie says. “The evidence suggests piecemeal responses don’t have a significant impact as well. The advertising moves elsewhere and adapts.”   In 2013, South Australia introduced restrictions on broadcasting gambling advertising on television and radio, and the ACT Government is considering similar approaches.   The Salvation Army has made two recommendations: that the ACT Government work with the Commonwealth Government to implement a national, comprehensive ban on gambling advertising and take immediate steps towards implementing a ban on all gambling advertising within the ACT.   “The focus at the moment should still be at a national level,” Jaimie says. “This is what was recommended in The Murphy Report, the inquiry last year into online gambling harm, and the Commonwealth Government is yet to announce their position. We need to be pushing very much for a national ban on gambling advertising as the most effective way forward.”

By LAUREN MARTIN We often say in The Salvation Army that we are in the ‘business of transformation’, and most certainly, we know that God’s heart is to transform lives, families and communities and that he calls us to join him in his work. But what does that actually mean? And if God doesn’t need me (which is certainly true) but he wants me in his Great Commission ... what am I supposed to be doing? I often call myself a ‘Christian realist’. I’m a passionate follower of Jesus, but it’s got to mean something quite tangible for me to consider it worthwhile. I vividly remember my ‘conversion experience’. After probably months of ignoring the pull of the Holy Spirit to recognise and enter into the reality of Jesus, God hammered it home during a General John Gowans sermon at a Commissioning event (remember the ones at Darling Harbour in Sydney?). I was a snotty mess, and the lovely Salvationist sitting next to me told me she didn’t need her hankie back! I recall being cranky at God afterwards and almost challenging him that if I was going to become a ‘Christian’ against my will, it had ‘gosh-darn’ (I think I used different words at the time) better be worth it! Fast forward a few decades and, by golly, it has been – but not without my dogged determination to truly experience God and try and work out what it means to follow him. So, when terms are bandied about, like the fact that we need to ‘partner with what God’s already doing’ and ‘join him on his mission’, I’m all in for it, but the journalist and realist in me tends to ask a few questions. Questions like, “How does God bring about transformation in people, and how the heck can I possibly assist?” The fact that Jesus sees perfection in me is mind-blowing and allows me to be brave enough to take steps of faith towards that best – knowing that when I fail, he loves me regardless. Well, we’re supposed to love people unconditionally, right? Absolutely. Love without judgement. That’s the Jesus way. But I think there’s more. When I think of God, I get a sense of his perfection, awesomeness, power, and glory. Mind-blowing! He created us perfect in his image, and – in a paradoxical way that can only work with God – he expects perfection from us yet knows it won’t happen and loves us regardless. Jesus, God’s image in humanity, operated the same way. He called out people’s best – yet never shamed or blamed when less than the best was delivered. Jesus calls people continually to follow him and take steps closer to being the people we are created to be. When I think of God, I get a sense of his perfection, awesomeness, power, and glory, says Lauren. The fact that Jesus sees perfection in me is mind-blowing and allows me to be brave enough to take steps of faith towards that best – knowing that when I fail, he loves me regardless. That’s the type of Jesus follower God calls me to be! Asking God to show me his perfect creation in everyone I meet and call out people’s best, allowing them to see a clearer vision of the people they are created to be. Imagine what can happen when broken people are given permission ‘have a go’ by a follower of Jesus who can see the best in them and will love them, regardless of their failures? Never blaming or shaming but shining a light on God’s preferred future for lives, families and communities. That’s what God does for us, and you’d have to agree it’s transformational. What a transformational gift we can give others if we do the same!

Dad Said is Major Russell Anderson’s first book, which will appeal to preschool-aged children. REVIEWED BY ANTHONY CASTLE Dad Said is written by Salvation Army officer Major Russell Anderson, a first-time book author based in Geelong. A proud father and grandfather, Russell has produced the story in collaboration with his daughter Christine, who illustrated the book. It was during a time of play that the idea for the children’s book series Dad Said came about. The story’s premise is of a father who sets out to bake a cake with the kids for the mother’s birthday. Told from the perspective of one of the daughters, the attempt to bake a cake goes horribly wrong as the father goes about gathering the ingredients and the children attempt to follow the recipe. Russell’s narrative utilises an effective rhyming scheme, building to a double-page spread at the book’s climax, its humour revolving around the hapless dad motif. Author Russell Anderson is a Salvation Army prison chaplain in Victoria. Christine’s pastel illustrations are fun and detailed, with a soft approach to linework (even a little reminiscent of the style seen in 60s Hannah-Barbera animations). Another feature of the illustration is the presence of a mischievous possum that hides amidst the pages, providing an extra layer of fun for young readers looking to spot the creature while reading the book. Dad Said is published by Little Steps and will particularly work for preschool-aged readers. This initial release is subtitled Book 1, implying more tales may come featuring this father and family. Dad Said is a simple story, but that will help it connect with kids learning about the mistakes we can make and the memories we make that matter so much more. For more information and to purchase the book, go to www.littlesteps.com.au/books/dad-said Major Russell Anderson is a Salvation Army prison chaplain in Victoria and has written for Salvos Online.

Seven arms, seven tattoos covering three generations of a family.  BY FAYE MICHELSON    It couldn’t hurt that much, could it?   Four generations of our family had gathered for the weekend to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday in a beautiful house by the beach. On the Saturday afternoon, three generations of the women of our family gathered in the living area for her special birthday activity.      So, how would a 90-year-old choose to spend an afternoon with her daughters and granddaughters? Watching her favourite movie? Doing a fun craft activity together?     We were getting a tattoo.   An enterprising granddaughter had organised for the tattooist to come to the house, and as she set up her portable bed and laid out her equipment, the nervous energy in the room increased. Five of the seven of us were ink-free, and to be honest, none of us had ever thought that status would change. But here we were, baring our arms, ready to be tattooed with a forget-me-not motive chosen by the family matriarch.      We made said matriarch go first because if she didn’t go through with it, we certainly weren’t going to! So, she did. And so did we, one by one, lying on the table, arms extended. Three generations now share a sign – a forget-me-not tattoo as a sign of family togetherness – of being part of the same life story. Common celebration   It was a group activity. We stayed in the room, watching and supporting each other as our little community of women with the same tattoo grew. And the sense of celebration increased with each completed forget-me-not.   Our fourth generation, great-granddaughters aged five to 12, watched with interest as their great-grandmother, grandmother, great-aunts, aunt and cousin were tattooed.     Did it hurt? It was only a few weeks ago, and already I can’t really remember. But what I can remember is the feeling of being a part of something with the women of my family. We all have the same little flower in the same place on our arms, done at the same time.     Looking around at the four generations that afternoon reminded me of that lovely verse in Proverbs chapter 17, verse 6. “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents.” It was so true. We were all proud of each other.   I also loved overhearing one of the youngest generation, a 10-year-old, say to her mum, “When I turn 18, I’m going to get the same tattoo.”

The team behind the project at the Kilmore property, (from left) Lauren Kirkham (Corps Officer and Team Leader, Mitchell Salvos), Paul Prince (Strategic Relationships Team Leader, Communications and Fundraising), donors Louise Barrow and Geoff Barrow and Cara Brackstone (Manager Homelessness North West Vic). BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE   The Salvation Army recently unveiled a new property in Kilmore, a town about 65 kilometres north of Melbourne CBD.   The property, a four-bedroom modern family home, has been strategically placed in the region to provide for families who would otherwise struggle to find affordable housing.   The Salvation Army’s Manager for Homelessness in North West Victoria, Cara Brackstone, said the project was championed by donors Geoff and Louise Barrow, who gathered the support of about 30 donors in their network to fundraise $379,850 toward the purchase.   Cara said Mitchell Shire was chosen as the ideal location for several reasons. She said regional housing affordability and availability had been strained following the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting population shift.   “As a significant growth corridor for Melbourne, we are experiencing a population boom in the area, with more than a doubling of population anticipated between 2021-2031,” she said. “At the same time, there is a lack of affordable and diverse housing in the area, placing households at a greater risk of homelessness and housing stress or forcing relocation out of their community to access sustainable housing options.”   Cara said the accommodation would be rented to families at an affordable rate for a minimum of 12 months, enabling these households to gain some stability and support while finding longer-term options. She said Salvation Army Housing Victoria would also provide property and tenancy management, and homelessness services in Seymour would offer case management support to achieve housing goals.   “The Salvation Army Homelessness stream has support services available in Mitchell Shire and active collaboration with Mitchell Shire Salvos,” she said. “This would mean that any family accommodated would have a range of opportunities to link with community and with The Salvation Army.”

Red Shield Kids Camp leader Erin (centre) with six campers during an outing at the water-themed Jamberoo Recreation Park. Twenty-nine years ago, Amy attended the NSW Red Shield Kids Camp (RSKC) at the Collaroy Centre in Sydney. Last week, she sent her two young sons to a new ‘local’ version of the camp held in Wollongong. Wollongong and Shire Salvos, in Sydney’s south, have both supported the state-wide RSKC for many years, but when they heard the camp wouldn’t be running this year, they both responded by creating something new – ‘RSKC Local’. Amy and her son Brax with two Red Shield Kids Camp leaders, Lieut-Col Lyn Edge and Erin Bubb. Wollongong Corps Officer Lieut-Colonel Lyn Edge said the 42 children who attended the four-day Wollongong camp from April 11-14 were from families assisted by the corps at Christmas or were referred by their local schools. Shire Salvos ran their own residential camp at the Collaroy Centre, partnering with other corps in the Sydney area. The Red Shield Appeal funded both programs that were open to families needing additional support during the school holidays. “RSKC started nearly 50 years ago. In 2023, this fresh approach is creating local connections for mission and ministry in the Sutherland Shire and Illawarra regions,” Lyn said. “There were many wonderful highlights at both the Shire camp and the Wollongong day program, but, in summary, kids were given a super fun-filled week, people to love and care for them, and they were given a chance to learn about why they are special, loved and how much God loves them. “We even had a corps couple who acted as camp grandparents for the four days, providing care and concern for the children and the leaders.” The Wollongong camp included games, a day at the water-themed Jamberoo Recreation Park, another day involving players and staff of the St George-Illawarra Dragons Rugby League Club and a variety of crafts. Dragons staff came to the Wollongong Corps building to provide valuable life-skills advice to the children and then took them to WIN Stadium to watch the players train. The players mixed with the children, signed autographs, put them through football drills and gave them Dragons hats. The week concluded with a Carnivale event, which included jumping castles, reptile shows, hair braiding, face painting, games and a sausage sizzle lunch. Carnivale was open to all families, community and corps members. Over 250 people joined the fun and made great connections with the corps. Shire Salvos camp The residential camp run by Shire Salvos also attracted more than 40 campers, who attended through local Sydney connections from the Sutherland Shire, Greater West, Inner West, Hornsby and Dee Why. Shire Salvos Children and Families Coordinator Rebecca Cundasamy said her team kept the children busy all week. The campers were put into ‘tribes’ that were their ‘family’ for the week. “With the local connection being a big focus of the camp, it was so wonderful to have leaders and kids hang out all week, and these connections will be followed up now we are all back home,” Bec said. “It was a full-packed week, but one of the highlights was when we had a beautiful Chapel service together, and the kids were prayed over by their group leaders.” Energetic activities during the week included the giant swing, rock climbing, laser tag and a slip-and-slide. There were also beach visits, where the children sawm, explored rock pools and enjoyed sand games. The evenings included an Olympic-themed night, a ‘Tribe Night’, a disco and a movie night.

A member of the Macquarie Fields Prayer Tent team prays with a community member at the Campbelltown Markets. The Macquarie Fields Salvos mission team, in Sydney’s west, took its Prayer Tent ministry ‘on the road’ last week by setting up at the Campbelltown Markets.   The team has been operating at the monthly Macquarie Fields markets for about two years, handing out free water, sunscreen and, of course, prayer. They have also had a presence at the annual Ingleburn Alive festival for the past two years.   Major Lynden Spicer and Major Darren Kingston lead the team, and said they were encouraged by the response at the Campbelltown Markets.  Major Darren Kingston at the Prayer Tent at Campbelltown Markets. “We changed the spiritual climate of the area,” said Darren. “Other stallholders were blessed, and the girl next to us could feel God’s presence.   “We prayed for two families, a pastor and his church who were meeting behind us, a man’s finances and the safe travel of a family. We also prayed for a pastor with cancer and a couple of people that God would renew their strength.   “We saw Jesus heal a lady’s hip and leg, and we prayed for a lady’s grandson and a grieving family and finally prayed for a guy with gallstones.    “It was a great day, and we look forward to praying at Fairfield Markets next month.”   Nearby, Fairfield Salvos, under the leadership of Auxiliary-Lieutenants Katharine and Russell Brown, also have a prayer tent ministry, which is often set up at the Fairfield markets on the local showground. The two prayer teams often combine and support each other at events. A list of answered prayer on the whiteboard inside the Macquarie Fields Prayer Tent. Year of Prayer to say Amen Meantime, the Australia Territory’s Year of Prayer initiative will conclude on 25 October. On this day, the Australia Territory will join with other territories around The Salvation Army world to pray for 24 hours under the theme of The Unshakeable Foundation of God. The emphasis will be on praying for situations of conflict around the globe.  You are invited to book a timeslot to pray by clicking here . This link also contains access to The Unshakeable Foundation of God  devotional resources created by IHQ.  The Ausralia Territory will conclude its Year of Prayer with a celebration event at Camberwell Corps on Sunday 27 October. The event will also be livestreamed.