Captain David Delany and volunteer Lynda Robinson outside the Narwee Corps hall, where they run the Triple-C ministry twice a week. BY LAUREN MARTIN   The Narwee Salvation Army hall stands on a corner of one of the most disadvantaged suburbs in Sydney’s south-west. It’s just down the road from the pub and on the edge of a public housing estate.   The hall was opened in the 1950s, but Sunday meetings ceased years ago, and the nearby Hurstville Corps has been using it as a sorting facility for the Narwee Family Store.   Earlier this year, newly commissioned Captain David Delany was approached by his team leader, Hurstville Corps Officer Major Sherrie Nicol, to investigate starting a ministry at the former corps.   David was delighted.   He prayed, then acted, firing up a barbeque on the hall’s front porch and letting the smell of sausages and onions waft down the street.   Sixty-five per cent of residents in the Narwee/Beverly Hills area are public housing renters, and one in five are unemployed.* It didn’t take long for people to start gathering around the trestle tables that he’d set up on the front lawn.   Originally, David said that he planned to run a barbeque once a month, but after the first day, it was so popular that those gathered requested that it be a once-a-week occurrence, with one local resident offering to pay for the sausages each week. Thus, on 2 April 2024, the Narwee Triple-C (Coffee, Chat and Connect) was born.   Six months on, and the ministry runs twice a week (with the popular sausage sizzle on both days!) David has a ministry partner in dedicated volunteer Lynda Robinson from the local Lions Club, and he is building a team and raising leaders. Volunteer Vinh Ha cooks the barbeque at The Salvation Army’s Triple-C mornings. Vinh Ha faithfully cooks the barbeque each week, Hurstville soldier Geoff Maxwell opens and sets up, and another volunteer welcomes people and offers coffee and tea.   Community members gather to socialise, play table tennis, and enjoy coffee, tea and delicious cakes baked by professional cake-maker Lynda! A community pantry of donated grocery items helps to alleviate food insecurity among local households, and there are often free vegetables and bread for community members to share.   The atmosphere is always friendly and joyful. There is evident excitement among those gathered to have a cost-free place to meet and socialise.   “A lady said one time [to me] that she was glad she found out about the place because she’s always at home, she doesn’t go out anywhere, she doesn’t talk to people,” said Lynda.   For David, giving people a place to feel belonging and significance is important: “My favourite thing that happens here is when the people are here. When our community members are here, we are sitting with them, having faith conversations, chatting with them, seeing them leave this place with a smile on their face.”   It’s early days in the ministry, but people are already asking about Jesus. Once a month, on a Thursday, David spends time with those gathered after lunch to give a short devotional, take prayer requests and facilitate an informal worship session with songs of praise.   The Salvation Army’s life and faith ‘Pass the Salt’ conversation cards are regularly used to spark discussions. Prayer and practical support are also offered for those who share their burdens and hardships.   God is at work.   Narwee Triple-C has become so popular with local residents who have found friendship, fun and, for some, faith, that sometimes there’s not enough room in the small part of the hall allocated to the ministry (especially when there’s a boisterous game of ping-pong also going on!).  Lynda and David in front of the small pantry at Narwee. The Holy Spirit keeps revealing opportunities to David and his small team. Lynda has started a knitting/craft group, which is gaining interest. She would love to hold cooking classes in the space one day. Her heart is to bless people with love and kindness.   “It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside,” Lynda said. “Even if there is just one person that smiles at me and says, ‘thank you’, it’s just that feeling that I get that says, ‘I’ve done something, I’ve given something, I’ve made a difference.’”   David regularly listens to community members who share the hardships of poverty and injustice with him. Soon, a Salvation Army Doorways caseworker will visit the site fortnightly to assist. He is also investigating becoming a SAL Connect site, where community members can pick up Salvation Army assistance cards and utilise the pantry and weekly free food on offer.   “My vision for this place is that it will be a place where in the Narwee community people will come and feel belonging, feel welcome and come and have coffee, a chat and connect with one another,” he said.   “And for God to be glorified.”   Request: Narwee Triple-C is seeking Mandarin-speaking volunteers to engage with its Chinese community members. Contact Hurstville Corps on (02) 9570 2617   *Statistics from NATSEM, as shown in: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/26/latte-line-poverty-rates-worsen-in-parts-of-sydney-creating-a-30-gap-between-some-suburbs

Doreen as a young Salvation Army officer (left) and doing what she did best throughout her life and ministry – comforting. Brigadier Doreen Evelyn Griffiths, better known as ‘Griff’ to all who knew and loved her, was one of The Salvation Army’s most gracious and caring officers. Admitted to the Order of the Founder by General John Gowans on 24 February 2002, Doreen’s commitment as a family and welfare officer over several decades exemplified her overwhelming love and compassion for everyone she met. Compliments flow whenever Doreen is remembered. A recent Facebook post on The Salvation Army Museum site is a great example. “She was a real angel,” was one comment. Other comments included: “Lovely, gracious lady”, “A beautiful lady inside and out”, “Always willing to help anybody” and “A beautiful Christian.” Doreen Evelyn Griffiths was born in Melbourne on 3 March 1921. She came from a large family and, early in life, made links with The Salvation Army, giving her life to Jesus as a teenager. She worked in domestic service until she was 18, after which she entered Officer Training College from the Dandenong Corps in Victoria. She was commissioned in 1940 as a probationary-lieutenant and served at various Salvation Army corps and community centres in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania over the next 25 years. In 1966, she commenced 14 years of distinguished service in the Family Welfare Service, based at 69 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Doreen’s work for families in crisis was unceasing. She was non-judgemental and positive in her response and had a remarkable capacity for expressing compassion. Her service was practical, sometimes needing to shovel filth and dirt off the floor for people who simply did not know how to cope. Then there was the unforgettable day when she embraced a premature baby born to heroin-addicted parents just before he died. Her love was not given sparingly, time was not counted, and her financial rewards were small, but she brought hope to many. She was awarded The Salvation Army’s Long Service Award in 1965 and the Long Service Star in 1975. In 1980, Doreen took up an appointment as the Children’s Court Welfare Officer in Melbourne. In this role, she gave selfless service to the young people coming before the courts and their families who often need guidance and support at a traumatic time in their lives. The magistrates, court officials and departmental officers also found the Brigadier unfailing support to them. She became an honorary probation officer in 1980, and this position was gazetted in 1981. She continued in her appointment at the Children’s Court until her official retirement on 1 January 1983. Doreen assisting a young family during her early officership years. Many letters of appreciation for her work were read at her retirement, and Commissioner (later General) Eva Burrows paid a personal tribute to Doreen. However, because of the effectiveness of her ministry, many requests were made for her to continue with her work of love and compassion, so the Brigadier gladly agreed to continue in retirement. She often worked 80 hours a week, meeting the needs of children and teenagers caught in the legal process. Often, they needed clothes, some had not eaten for days, but most of all, they required personal and emotional support. She continued to work in the Children's Court until she was limited by ill health in 2000. At her final farewell in 2001, Judge Jennifer Coate unveiled a plaque naming the children’s playroom after Brigadier Doreen Griffiths. Other awards handed to Doreen included the Victorian Employers Federation Community Services Award (1988), the Advance Australia Award (1989), Inaugural Inductee to the Victorian Honour Roll for Women (2001) and the Medal of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours (2003). Brigadier Doreen Griffith was promoted to glory on 9 October 2003. Article courtesy of the vic.gov.au website, with extra information provided by Barry Gittins of The Salvation Army Museum

Salvos Online sat down with Lucas Ferrier, who was recently featured in the Top 50 People in E-Commerce Report, to discuss his journey to the Salvos, his nomination, and his vision for Salvos Stores’ digital future. By MATT ALLENSBY, Internal Communications Coordinator Lucas’ journey with the Salvos began after he returned to Australia from the United Kingdom. Having worked for the British Heart Foundation’s retail division for two years, Lucas was invited to speak about his experience in the UK at a conference on Charitable Recycling in Australia. Matt Davis, Director of Salvos Stores, happened to be in the audience and was keen to hear more. “One of the big things that I was talking about was the shift to online retail and how it was proving really successful [for the UK market],” Lucas said. “Matt recognised the growth of e-commerce in Australia and was in a position to consider what this might look like for Salvos Stores into the future.” Shortly after the conference, Lucas was invited to Melbourne to meet with both Matt and Edwina Morgan, General Manager of Customer and Strategy at Salvos Stores, to explore the opportunities for Salvos Stores’ digital growth. Lucas describes it as a ‘full circle’ moment for himself – having begun his journey in Melbourne and now returning there. Since joining the Salvos Stores team in January 2018, Lucas has played a pivotal role in launching Salvos Stores’ online strategy, allowing customers to search, view and purchase products that are available at stores across the territory. “I’m really driven by a love of working with people at the heart of The Salvation Army. Whether that’s our volunteers, our customers, or our community, I love working with them,” Lucas said. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut the retail industry down in most states, driving sales to online platforms. Salvos Stores followed this trend by immediately launching their online strategy, providing a lifeline to keep their store teams and customers engaged. “We were in a position where there had already been some thinking behind the scenes around what [the online strategy] would look like for Salvos Stores into the future, with COVID accelerating that strategy,” Lucas told us. “I visited the Salvos Store in Abbotsford one day, and talking to the team there, you can just feel the passion and the drive. I think at that moment I knew the Salvos was the right fit for me.” – Lucas Ferrier What typically would have taken five months’ worth of development happened in the space of five weeks, with the team now having to launch their strategy early. This enabled Salvos Stores to continue operating throughout each state’s subsequent lockdowns, and more so continues to be a resounding success. Over 50,000 products are listed online at any one time, raising significant funds to support vital Salvos programs that serve the most vulnerable in our community. Whilst discussing his nomination in the Top 50 People in E-Commerce Report , Lucas expressed his surprise when he discovered he would be featured in the report, describing it as another ‘full circle’ moment in his career. “It was a huge surprise to me. I remember when I first started the role in 2018, Edwina took me to the Top 50 in E-Commerce event to connect and network with others in the industry and told me one day she could see me being featured,” he recalled. When asked about Salvos Stores’ future in digital strategy, Lucas expressed excitement about their current projects, explaining one of their recent successes in implementing AI-driven search on the Salvos Stores website. This search function recommends similar products to visitors, leading to increased sales. Lucas highlighted none of Salvos Stores’ recent advancements would be possible without the support of the leadership team. “We have a really progressive and forward-thinking executive leadership team who have an appetite for change, providing unique contributions around creating positive impacts within our communities,” he said. This support has contributed to developing a website that is class-leading among all the international territories, with teams from the USA, UK and New Zealand territories interested in what Salvos Stores Australia is achieving with their online strategy. Why not visit the Salvos Stores website today and treat yourself to a sustainable shopping spree?

Saturday 22 April 2023 ... Earth Day. By PETER McGUIGAN Today is Earth Day, and this year’s challenge from the Earth Day movement is critical for humanity in the face of global environmental decline: ‘Invest In Our Planet – Act (boldly), Innovate (broadly), Implement (equitably)’. As part of a responsibility assigned to humankind by God, The Salvation Army’s International Positional Statement ‘Caring for the Environment’ strongly aligns with Earth Day’s call to action. The statement opens with this sentiment by declaring that The Salvation Army believes people are made in the image of God, who has entrusted us to reflect the personality of God by caring for the Earth and everything in it. The statement then pinpoints “environmental degradation as one of the most pressing issues facing the world today, affecting us all” and that “the very survival of humanity depends on the health of the whole ecosystem”. In addition to being compelled by the lived experience of humans, The Salvation Army has accepted the scientific evidence of climate change and has called for “action on all levels to lessen the effects of environmental damage”. It is committed to sustainable environmental practices, which it believes are now urgent “to safeguard the integrity” of the earth as created by God. Making it happen – locally In Australia, the Salvos are committed nationwide to remedial action towards reversing environmental decline. For example, right now, The Salvation Army is exploring introducing electric vehicles to its fleet, which already comprises a significant number of hybrid cars. One significant commitment it has made is to transition its properties across Australia from carbon-based energy to solar power. A 15-year renewable energy partnership with AGL was announced last November in which the energy supplier will install solar energy systems at more than 850 Salvation Army sites. The goal is to reduce the Salvos’ greenhouse emissions by at least 17,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. It would also generate substantial savings on running costs, noted Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett as she launched the project, thereby freeing up additional funds to resource the Salvos’ front-line mission in Australia. The first site commissioned was in Coburg, Victoria, and significant work has been done to progress the project nationally in the last five months. In an update provided this week, the Salvos’ Environmental Projects Coordinator Elyse Anderson said that the Army’s current solar capacity is around 2.15 megawatts (MW) and that 134 sites had been completed. “Over the coming months, around 4.02 MW will be installed on commercial sites,” she confirmed, “bringing us to a total of 6.17 MW.” As well as the Salvos’ mission sites, Elyse reported that solar installations in several Salvation Army officer’s quarters had been completed in the Northern Territory and South Australia. These had been the result of government rebates that were no longer available. Future residential installations would be a part of the partnership between The Salvation Army and AGL. “As with many other industries and projects,” she explained, “the solar rollout has been affected by the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, with supply chain issues for materials such as panels and inverters causing delays for key components. Australia has also witnessed a significant increase in demand for solar, which further affects the availability of materials, as well as the availability of qualified installers.” It is anticipated that commercial installations will be completed by August 2023, allowing the primary focus of the project to shift to officer and retired officer accommodation. The joint venture with AGL will also position The Salvation Army to decarbonise its mobile outreach services through trial battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at select locations across Australia. Making it happen – globally Globally, The Salvation Army is encouraging all citizens across the world – including its own 1.8 million members, more than 100,000 employees and hundreds of thousands more volunteers – to adopt multiple approaches to environmental stewardship in their day-to-day lives. Writing in the organisation’s 2023 Year Book, Environment Officer Major Heather Poxon said that the Army’s environmental practices are guided by the acronym CREATOR: C onsumption – Aim to reduce consumption, reduce waste wherever possible and consider environmental impacts during procurement processes; R ecycling – Ensure, wherever possible, disposed of items are recycled; E ducation – Seek to understand and promote the biblical context of environmental stewardship; A dvocacy – Encourage Salvation Army entities to engage with global/local policymakers, both internal and external, on environmental issues; T ransport – Reduce travel where possible, particularly air travel, move towards ‘greener’ fleet vehicle options and consider the environmental impact of travel when proposed trips are evaluated; O ffsetting – Where carbon emissions are inevitable, carbon offsetting schemes that benefit Salvation Army entities should be explored and supported; R enewable energy – Use renewable energy sources where possible. Nations, states, communities, families and individuals – no matter where we may call home – would do well right now to listen to the heartbeat of both the earth and its maker: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.” (Psalm 24:1-2. NLT) To access Earth Day resources, go to https://www.earthday.org/ To read The Salvation Army Caring for the Environment statement, go to CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT The Salvation Army Year Book 2023, Salvation Books, London 2023, available at Amazon Kindle edition and Kobo edition A New Day Peter McGuigan’s new book, A New Day: Writing During the Pandemic on Relationships, Responsibility and Spiritual Renewal contains 11 chapters reflecting on the possibility of ‘a new day’ for humanity in our post-pandemic experience. The book includes stunning landscape photography by Peter’s son, Gareth McGuigan, that depicts the concept of a new day visually. There are also prayers and reflection questions to help readers go deeper. You can purchase a copy of A New Day at https://salvationarmysupplies.com.au/a-new-day/ or at Koorong stores nationwide. You can also read a review of A New Day at https://others.org.au/reviews/book-review-a-new-day-by-peter-mcguigan/ and at https://others.org.au/news/2022/11/29/peter-mcguigans-a-new-day-out-now/

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, living a holy life is a 'piece of cake' says Major Anita Caldwell. Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash BY MAJOR ANITA CALDWELL* Cake is something we enjoy and often eat at celebrations. There is nothing more delicious than a homemade chocolate cake with homemade peanut butter icing. Hopefully, you are already tasting its deliciousness! In the 1930s, the Royal Air Force coined the phrase ‘piece of cake’ to describe missions that were easy to accomplish. When we complete a task, we say, “Oh, that was a piece of cake”, meaning that it was easy to finish. We do not consider holiness or holy living a piece of cake. Instead, we make a list of reasons why it is impossible. How can holy living be something expected of me in today’s world? Why would I even pursue holiness? If I tried, what would be the difference? Why we want to believe holiness is impossible and embrace the following reasons: 1.         We all sin every day! 2.         We are human and get angry. 3.         God is holy, but we cannot be holy. 4.         Only senior saints might be holy. 5.         Only those approved by the church as saints are holy. 6.         We can only be holy once we reach heaven. 7.         Holy living is about the list of things that we must do or not do. Why is there an expectation of holy living? In 1 Peter 1:16 (New International Version), God sets us on one mission: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  We are quick to respond with our list of why this is impossible and not really an expectation for us. However, the verb ‘be’ in Greek is in the present tense. Therefore, God is asking us to be holy, set apart from the world and surrendered. With this understanding, we accept the mission, but it is not a ‘piece of cake’ in our own power. In fact, it is not possible in our own strength. May I introduce to you the Holy Spirit? In John 14:16 , we see that because of his death and resurrection, he sent the Holy Spirit to teach, convict, comfort and guide us. John 14:15-17 says that he will be “in” us. John 14:26 says that he will teach us. John 15:26 says that he will testify to us. John 16:13 says that the Holy Spirit will guide us. John 16:7-8 says that he will convict us. Various translations identify the Holy Spirit in John 14:16 as our helper, advocate, counsellor and comforter. We have friends who walk with us through life. They are few, but we know them. They help us, stand up for us, counsel us and comfort us when we need them. They are honest with us and guide us to stay on a good path. When we are discouraged, they encourage us. We trust them. Why would we not trust the Holy Spirit? He is the One who is powerful and sent by Jesus to us specifically for the purpose of guiding us on this holy walk. He is the one who empowers us from within – we only need to hear and obey his voice. What are the results of this holy walk? Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Can we have these fruits on our own? No, we will fail every time. Can we walk holy by the power of the Holy Spirit? Yes! To do so, we just take time for him to show us and teach us. Invite his conviction. Ask him which fruit of the Spirit he would like to restore. He is not trying to hurt us, discourage us or take from us. His small voice will guide us all the way to heaven. The Holy Spirit makes walking in holy love a piece of cake because he is with you to convict, teach and guide you each step towards heaven! 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 also gives us the fruit of godly love: suffers long, kindness, no envy, no pride, not easily provoked, no evil thoughts, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Once again, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what he wants to restore in your life. As a young Christian, envy and pride kept showing up in my life. Finally, once I surrendered my whole life to him and he cleansed me, I no longer wanted the biggest piece of pie, nor did I think I should receive it. What freedom I found! What about our excuses? 1.         We all sin every day!  In John 8:11 , Jesus said to the woman in adultery, “Go and sin no more.” He then sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and guide us. In his power, we can say “no” to sin. In fact, we have no desire to go against a loving God. 2.         We are human and get angry. In Ephesians 4:26-27 , Paul reminds us that we will get angry but that we should quickly settle the disagreement. 3.         God is holy, but we cannot be holy. Would a holy God ask us to do something impossible? The Holy Spirit came to dwell in us and guide us in this way. To be holy is to be set apart for God. 4.         Only senior saints might be holy. Seniors can be close to God, but they also must make a daily choice to be close to God every day. 5.         Only those approved by the church as saints are holy. Unfortunately, religion and the church will not make one holy. 6.         We can only be holy once we reach heaven. When God asks us to be holy, it is a call for today. Heaven will be a wonderful place free of temptation. Until then, the Holy Spirit walks with us on this holy journey. 7.         Holy living is not about the list of things that we must do or not do. God is not looking for the list. He knows our hearts, and he is looking for a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. In conclusion, is walking with your best friend a piece of cake? Yes! You trust your best friend! The Holy Spirit makes walking in holy love a piece of cake because he is with you to convict, teach and guide you each step towards heaven! This is being set apart for God. No rules, just freedom in Christ. This is your mission: walk in holiness and let the Holy Spirit empower you today! *Major Anita Caldwell is a retired Salvation Army officer from the USA Southern Territory. Throughout her officership, Anita has served in corps, RHQs, THQs and teaching appointments, including several years in the Eastern Europe Territory in leadership and principal roles. She was also an area commander, senior Kroc officer and Director of Curriculum at The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth College. Anita is the author of Holiness Alive , Holiness and the Hymns: Daily Devotions for Holy Living , and the children’s book Sarah the Cat . . . and Jesus: Teaching Your Children and Grandchildren to Listen to the Voice of The Holy Spirit . Anita has also been a guest writer for The Salvation Army devotional Words of Life .

Oh no ... not the white uniform! Maryborough Corps Officer Major Lauriee Arthur after taking part in the children’s colour run. By CLIFF WORTHING Reconnecting with ex-Salvos and watching Major Lauriee Arthur join the colour run in her white uniform were two highlights of the community engagement event held in Maryborough (Qld) on 15 April, according to Lieutenant Peter Hardy, Fraser Coast Salvos team member. “The event was a great community connection point, a chance to reconnect and have great conversations,” said Peter. One of those conversations involved a man who used to play in the corps band before leaving to serve in the Navy. “We had a lovely chat, and I told him he is always welcome at the corps,” Peter said. The whole uniform is headed for the washing machine! When the colour run was announced, Lauriee decided to join the children. “She just went for it, white shirt and all,” Peter exclaimed. The local neighbourhood centre contacted Maryborough Corps [which is part of Fraser Coast Salvos along with Hervey Bay Corps] to supply food for the community event. The corps set up its gazebo and mobile barbeque trailer and served 288 sausage sizzles and 20 donated Dominos pizzas. There was also an information table where volunteers distributed Kidzone magazines, stamps and stickers and chatted with community members about the Salvos and what they do. “I’m just so impressed by our corps volunteers because we can’t do such events without them,” Peter said. “Hopefully, it’s a great starting point for many more great outreach opportunities and getting our name out in the public arena.” Maryborough Corps volunteers feed and engage with local community members.

Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell will return to Australia in January. Commissioners Julie and Mark Campbell have been appointed back to Australia after serving as the leaders of New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory (NZFTS) for the past five years.   The Australian officers will return to take on roles based in Sydney, effective 1 January 2025.   Julie has been appointed Corps Officer at Auburn and will also serve as the Area Officer for the Sydney Wide 2 region. Julie steps into the role at Auburn, which has been vacated by Major Robyn Black, who is becoming the NSW/ACT Divisional Commander.   Mark has been appointed Assistant Secretary for Communications and will work closely with Colonel Rodney Walters, the Melbourne-based Secretary for Communications.   “We have been grateful and blessed for the time in the NZFTS Territory and now happy to be coming home for our final years of service,” Julie said. New leader for NZFTS Commissioner Janine Donaldson has been appointed as the NZFTS Territorial Commander, effective 1 January 2025. Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson. An officer from New Zealand, she is currently serving as the General’s Representative for Mission Effectiveness, International Headquarters. Commissioner Robert Donaldson will remain as the General’s Representative for Mission Effectiveness. The Donaldsons were the Territorial Leaders of Australia from July 2019 to February 2023.   The Campbells took on the role of NZFTS Territorial Leaders based in Wellington, New Zealand, in February 2020 but initially led the territory from Australia for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   Before their New Zealand appointments, Mark served as Chief Secretary of the Australia Territory, while Julie held dual roles of Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Gender Equity Advocate.   In a recent interview with Salvos Online journalist Simone Worthing (click here ), the Campbells listed some highlights of their time in the NZFTS Territory. Mark said one of his highlights was “seeing the importance of honouring Māori culture and language in all aspects of our mission in New Zealand. We have also been amazed to see the lives of people transformed by the love of Jesus in both corps and mission centres.”

The Queensland Emergency Services team serving in the evacuation centre. (From left) Elsa Stibbe, Allen Stibbe, Tealamisu LiLi (cleaner extraordinaire in orange shirt), David Johnson, Rob Smith and Zane Haupt. For the past six weeks, Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) teams have prepared breakfasts for more than 700 people in Howard Springs, just south of Darwin, after they were evacuated from three remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory being devastated by floods. Tropical Cyclone Ellie, which crossed the Western Australia coast just days before Christmas last year, started a monsoon trough that isolated and devastated towns from Broome almost to Alice Springs, including the Indigenous communities at Kalkarindji, Daguragu and Pigeon Hole. The evacuees, from communities 10 hours south of Darwin, have been accommodated in a government-built centre since their evacuation on 1 March. The building was originally designed for fly-in-fly-out workers and then used as a national resilience centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Over the six weeks, the local Northern Territory SAES team, as well as support teams from New South Wales, Queensland and WA, joined the Red Cross, St Vinnies and government personnel to work together to meet the needs of the evacuees,” said Major Zane Haupt, Strategic Emergency and Disaster Management Coordinator for the Northern Territory. “There was great collaboration. If one area needed an extra volunteer, there was always someone ready to help. “The Salvos took care of breakfasts. The government arranged for a caterer to prepare lunch and dinner, and we served the food coming in, including taking it to those who couldn’t come to where people were eating. We served 45,000 meals over six weeks, not including morning and afternoon teas or random cuppas and snacks.” Zane says over the past six weeks he has seen humanity both at its finest and “at its not so finest”. “Serving food to 720 plus evacuees is no easy task!” he said. “Even though the days have been long – 13 to 14 hours – the rewards have been even greater. Bringing smiles to kids’ faces, lending an ear to hear concerns, and just being a servant to those in need, have been the richest blessings I’ve received. “Yes, I am exhausted. But also, what a huge privilege it has been. Many thanks to all the volunteers who have helped, both local and those from Queensland, New South Wales and WA – too many to mention individually.” The work of the SAES in Howard Springs has now finished, although the evacuees remain in the centre. Plans are in place to return them to their communities once roads are fixed and rebuilding and repairs have been made.

The 14 senior soldiers being enrolled at Waverley Temple last month. BY CAPTAIN PAUL CHEN* During the final two Sundays of September, Waverley Temple Corps celebrated two significant milestones in our faith community – the dedication of 10 children and the enrolment of 14 senior soldiers from our intercultural congregation.   These moments represent individual commitments to Christ and the collective journey of our community towards growth and transformation.   Our newly enrolled soldiers are Carol Cheung, Elva Qiu, Erik Hung, Jeff Liu, Jenny Hsieh, Joey Zhou, Peilin Chen, Philip Lian, Shelley Liew, Vivian Wang, YiLu Song, Yvonne Ding, Elsa Du and Derek Du.    They have begun a transformative path, motivated by a deepening relationship with Christ and a desire to serve. At Waverley Corps, this spiritual growth has been nurtured through various evangelical programs throughout the week, at weekends and during Sunday services. Ten children were dedicated to the Lord during a Sunday morning service at Waverley temple last month. Our ministries and intentional focus on intercultural engagement have been vital in supporting these new soldiers on their spiritual journeys, which have been influenced by two key elements.     Firstly, it is the unwavering faith of our corps members, who consistently live out their beliefs through acts of service. Evangelical programs such as Companion Club, Home League, Playgroup, Emergency Relief, the PLP (Positive Lifestyle Program) course, and Community Lunch have served as key touchpoints for many of our new soldiers – whether as volunteers, attendees or recipients of support.   The resilience, humility and servant-hearted nature of our members have deeply inspired these individuals, drawing them into the embrace of Salvationism. They have not only heard the message of salvation but have experienced its transformative power firsthand. As a result, they are now ready to actively join our faith community, living out the same examples of love and service that were extended to them.   Secondly, for those from Asian cultural backgrounds, the spiritual journey has been especially meaningful due to the strong emphasis on teaching and learning. Our new soldiers have connected deeply with the core values and spiritual significance of various Salvation Army traditions, such as the flag, the uniform, the brass band, timbrels, hymns, and appeals like the Red Shield, Christmas, and Self Denial.   At Waverley, we have taken a simple yet profound approach – consistently and authentically sharing God’s message as revealed in each season. In this current season, our focus has been on the territory’s rallying cry: Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed. We continue to explore how these teachings apply to our present context and circumstances, allowing them to deepen our understanding of the faith journey in real-time. These elements have nurtured their spiritual growth in ways that resonate with their cultural values and mindset.     As these new soldiers embark on this new chapter, our hopes for them are immense. We pray that they will continue to grow in wisdom and strength, remaining anchored in the love of Christ.   May their lives shine as beacons of hope and transformation, reaching out to those in need and embodying the very heart of The Salvation Army’s mission. Our goal is that by this time next year, we will see at least another seven, if not 14, new soldiers enrolled – a testament to the continued growth and vitality of our faith community.   *Captain Paul Chen is the Corps Officer at Waverley Temple Corps

A group of UK Salvationists joined other Christians in a pilgrimage to Parliament House, London, on Earth Day. A group of Salvationists and supporters took part in the #NoFaithInFossilFuels worship gathering and pilgrimage to the Houses of Parliament in London at the weekend – part of #TheBigOne climate rally. The Big One climate protest aimed to bring 100,000 people to protest outside parliament on Saturday 22 April 2023 (Earth Day), with a Christian service and pilgrimage to Westminster on Friday 21 April. Care for Creation is one of five mission priorities of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, and Salvationists joined with other faith organisations to praise God, pray for national and global leaders, and show that they want decisive action to tackle the climate crisis.

Kyabram Salvation Army bugler Lynton Targett plays The Last Post in front of the Stanhope Montevideo Maru mural during the memorial launch. Photo: Jacky Targett. The Salvation Army played a significant role in the recent launch of a mural in the small northern Victoria town of Stanhope. The mural depicts the Japanese ship, the Montevideo Maru , which was sunk by an Allied submarine in World War Two. All on board drowned, including 1054 Australian prisoners of war and all the Japanese crew. The ship was not marked as a POW carrier. Among the victims were 16 Salvation Army bandsmen, including bandmaster Arthur Gullidge, who were serving with the 2-22 Battalion Military Band. The mural, painted by local artist Tim Bowtell, was the concept of the Stanhope RSL Sub-branch. At the weekend, following a two-week search in the South China Sea, the wreck of the Montevideo Maru was discovered by an international research team at a depth of 4000 metres. Full story at the end of this article. The entire mural, opposite McEwen Place in Monash St, Stanhope, painted by north-east Victoria artist Tim Bowtell. Stanhope RSL Sub-branch president Phil Chapman led the mural launch ceremony on Saturday 15 April. Many members of The Salvation Army took part. Captain Jacky Targett, Corps Officer at nearby Kyabram, shared a prayer, her husband Lynton Targett played ‘ The Last Post’, and the Preston Salvation Army band played music written by Arthur Gullidge and other hymns. The Salvation Army Museum Manager Lindsay Cox speaks at the mural launch. Lindsay Cox, The Salvation Army Museum manager, was the guest speaker, giving a historical account of the 2-22 Battalion Military Band and events surrounding the tragedy on 1 July 1942. Stanhope RSL Sub-branch Secretary George Gemmill also gave a summary of the sinking of the ship and named some of the region’s families who were connected with those on board the ship who lost their lives. More than 200 people were present, with many families and RSL branch members laying floral tributes in memory. This is an edited version of an article that appeared in the Shepparton News Wreck of Montevideo Maru discovered The Japanese ship, the Montevideo Maru, which was was found at the bottom of the South China Sea. By BARRY GITTINS Eighty-one years after the Montevideo Maru was sunk during World War Two (1 July 1942) an international research team has discovered its remains 4000 metres below the waves following a two-week search in the South China Sea. The vessel was enroute to Hainen, in Japanese-occupied China, when the US submarine Sturgeon fired four torpedoes, sinking the craft in less than 11 minutes. Unmarked for its purpose, the ship was carrying 1054 prisoners of war. They included 980 Australian troops and 74 civilians of a variety of nationalities. This loss remains Australia’s largest maritime tragedy. Those 11-minutes of terror, heartbreak and struggle represent twice the loss of life sustained by our countrymen during the entirety of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The fate of those lost on the Montevideo Maru was unknown to their loved ones until well after the end of the war. The search team has stated that the wreckage will be left unmolested, as befitting the gravesite of more than 1000 people. No human remains or artefacts will be removed from this final resting place. The ship is the final resting place of 16 Salvation Army Bandsmen (plus 2 non-Salvo Bandsmen) enlisted into the 2/22nd Band. The 16 Salvation Army bandsmen who lost their lives. The Salvation Army bandsmen were: Ray Cairns (cornet) - Moreland Corps. Ken Drew (tenor horn) - Northcote Corps. Albert Fry ( drummer) - Petersham Corps. Arthur Gullidge (bandmaster) - Brunswick Corps. Harry Harvey (cornet) - Brunswick Corps. Tom Henderson (Bb bass) - Brunswick Corps. Mervyn McPherson (euphonium) - Hobart Corps. Frank Meddings (flugel horn) - Geelong Corps. Herb Morgan (tenor horn) - Fairfield Corps. Harold Pannell (tenor horn) -Camberwell Corps. Stan Parker (Bb bass) - Moreland Corps. Stan Robertson (cornet) - Thornbury Corps. Neil Smith (cornet) - Mordialloc Corps. Morrie Thomas (Bb bass) - Preston Corps. Wilfred Trigg (cornet) - Geelong Corps. Reg Watkins (trombone) - Brunswick Corps. Two non-Salvationist bandsmen who also perished: Bill Edwards (drummer) - Church of England. Jim Thurst (cornet) - Methodist. The 2/22 Battalion Band, who were taken as prisoners of war during World War Two and lost their lives in the Montevideo Maru sinking.

My grandfather, Jock Inglis (right), with Salvation Army Red Shield Representative Albert Moore in Palestine during World War Two. By PHIL INGLIS The Salvation Army has a very close relationship with the men and women of our armed forces. We are renowned for our down-to-earth, fair-dinkum care, concern and support. During World War Two, my grandfather, Jock Inglis, served as a personal servant to a Salvation Army representative (chaplain) in North Africa, the Middle East and Papua New Guinea. There are great photos of him handing out tea, coffee, cigarettes, writing paper and other comforts to soldiers in The Salvation Army ‘Hop-In’ tents. This kind of support continues to this day wherever significant numbers of Australian military personnel are found. One of the other, more visible, ways we offer our support is through the marches and services held on Anzac Day. At dawn services across Australia, Salvation Army brass bands have marched and played for decades. What has been interesting is to see that over the past 15 years or so, Anzac Day services have changed dramatically. Initially, Anzac Day memorial services were modelled on Protestant Christian funerals. They included prayers, hymns and a sermon from a priest or minister. Over the past couple of decades, as World War One and Two veterans fade in our memories, organisers have started to search for different ways to be relevant to younger generations. The songs and stories that surround Anzac Day have begun to change. In some locally run Anzac services, hymns about God are being replaced with songs about Australia, prayers to God are being replaced with poems about Australians, and sermons from padres are being replaced with addresses from military officers. War and violence are regrettable but sometimes necessary by-products of our broken world. While trying to be more relevant, they have removed many of the references to God and inadvertently changed something significant about Anzac Day. In times gone by, when we went to war, we went believing it was the right thing to do. Even though war is horrific, traumatic and destructive, we were confident that a higher power believed it was necessary to combat a greater evil with a greater good. Many memorials described the sacrifice of people as being for “God, King and Country”. When we remove God from our understanding of military history, we are left with the belief that we fight on the moral authority of our government, a far less impressive entity than God. From a Christian perspective, when we refer to God on Anzac Day, we are particularly reminded of the life of Jesus Christ. A life that teaches that violence is not the ideal pathway for humanity. War and violence are regrettable but sometimes necessary by-products of our broken world. So, when we refer to God, it’s a sobering brake on human violence and injustice. We are reminded that Jesus, God’s only Son, died as a humble and contrite sacrifice for all humanity to bring peace – a peace that we are always and ever called to pursue. Major Phil Inglis is the Faith Communities Development Coordinator for The Salvation Army Australia