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BY ANTHONY CASTLE Salvationist Chloe Spence has volunteered with Red Frogs Crew since 2019 after hearing about the opportunity at Salvation Army youth events. Red Frogs Australia is a youth charity that provides support at events attended by school leavers and university students. The volunteers, known as the Red Frogs Crew, participate in schoolies week and this year, a group of Salvos travelled to Bali to support young Australian school leavers overseas. “I’ve done Red Frogs three times before, but this was my first time in Bali,” explains Chloe. “It’s a different culture, a different environment. Schoolies is far more contained in a place like the Gold Coast, where it can be more spread out somewhere like Bali, more remote and removed from services.” The Red Frogs Crew were named after the confectionary that volunteers often hand out to young people, but Red Frogs Crew also walk school leavers home from events, offer food and water, and provide a caring presence for those at risk. “The services in Bali are also quite different, without all the healthcare and supports available in the ways you’d have back home,” Chloe says. “We saw one young guy who’d had an accident on a bike ... he’d scraped his face and arm and broken a wrist. He wasn’t going to get any help until he’d made it back to Australia.” Schoolies Week, a week-long holiday for students graduating high school, has become a rite of passage in Australian culture but is also often host to binge drinking and sexual assault. Schoolies events in Australia have seen arrests, hospitalisations, and even deaths. “The worst-case scenarios are the same in Bali,” Chloe says. “There’s alcohol poisoning, injury, assault, but without the usual supports. We saw one young woman who came out of a bar and was absolutely unable to move. She’d clearly had her drink spiked. There are places and people around that aren’t safe, just like in Australia. The dangers are real.” More than 1500 volunteers, including many Salvos, choose to support young people during Schoolies Week in Australia each year, walking out the vision to ‘safeguard a generation’. “We really just want to be that caring presence, to be there for people who are taking risks and are far from home,” Chloe says. “We made sure we could be at the bars and the beaches where they were, connecting with them and finding out what they need.” Any interested in participating in Red Frogs Crew can reach out online for more information here

Pakenham Salvos Hope Cafe was born out of a need in the community to connect with others. During COVID, isolation and anxiety were very prominent. The Hope Café was created to help people re-engage with the community and find new skills to function again. It is a pathway to meeting needs, a space where people are seen and heard.

BY ANTHONY CASTLE Salvos across the country were asked to complete a 10-question survey about faith and connection last July. The Faith, People and Connection survey, formerly known as the Connecting People questionnaire, was developed to understand how people participating in The Salvation Army faith communities connected to and engaged in mission. Belinda Hendrickson is the Research Analyst for the Policy, Research and Social Justice department and project-managed the day-to-day process of information gathering. “This year, we not only focused on the flagship measures, but we also utilised the survey to capture the faith pathways of our faith community attendees,” Belinda explains. “We utilised the survey to really look at the connection points, faith pathways, and how Salvos were mobilising. The survey was initiated in 2021 by the Mission Support Team and developed with the help of the Research and Outcomes Measurement team. In 2023, leadership identified the need for capturing additional information around faith pathways and mobilising Salvos. The information was gathered from 740 participants from every state and territory. “The profile of many respondents could be considered as regular attendees of corps and faith communities, particularly when you start seeing the number of faith activities they were attending in a week,” Belinda says. “We also see this in the information that we received about whether they had attended another faith community prior to attending the Salvos faith community; a large proportion of people reported they had been attending their entire life.” The survey showed that 84 per cent of respondents attended five or more faith activities, and 86 per cent took part in weekly worship services or prayer. The data also revealed that 63 per cent have never attended another faith community before The Salvation Army, which includes 51 per cent who have come to The Salvation Army for most/all their life. While some of these corps’ members have been at the Salvos their whole lives, they are connecting with a diverse set of people in mission. “The survey gives us a profile of our corps members and the ways people connect and grow in faith.” “We noticed for some people who volunteered, it didn’t matter if they were agnostic, atheist, or had other spiritual alignment,” says Belinda. “They were attracted by the community engagement of The Salvation Army. There was a diverse group of people who were perhaps attracted to ideas like social justice where The Salvation Army’s values are a connection point.” The Faith, People, and Connection survey reveals that 75 per cent of respondents have shared their Christian faith with another person, not at a Salvos centre, and 54 per cent building relationships with community members at a church-based ministry. Salvos also engage in supporting those in need, with 39 per cent serving meals or handing out goods to community members at a Salvos centre. The Faith, People, and Connection captures how and why people are connecting into faith communities, how they are engaging with mission, and the reasons why. “We investigated the core aspects of our Salvos faith communities, examining their purpose and level of engagement in mission activities – considering both frequency and locations," Belinda says. “The survey gives us a profile of our corps members and the ways people connect and grow in faith.” For more information, consider the Faith, People and Connection Survey summary and the Flagship Measures 2023 Report. The next Faith, People, and Connection survey will likely occur in another two to three years.

The Boxing Day sales are here! That means Christmas is over ... or does it? Jo-anne Brown suggests that the spirit of Christmas can be celebrated all year round. BY JO-ANNE BROWN It’s Boxing Day, and some people are out and about, already purchasing gifts and packaging for next Christmas! Hot cross buns have started appearing on supermarket shelves, and will soon be followed by Easter eggs. And in July, some stores generously stock Christmas goodies for all those who long for a winter Christmas and choose to celebrate Christmas in July. Surprisingly quickly, it seems, it’s October and Christmas decorations are vying for attention amongst Halloween costumes. There are those who adamantly refuse to consume hot cross buns before Good Friday, and others who eagerly tuck in at any time. Just as there are those who cannot even start thinking about Christmas trees, gifts or decorations until December, while some people have been preparing all year. Are seasons such as Easter and Christmas as mixed up as our climatic seasons are? Or is there something in these spiritually inspired seasons that does indeed invite us to celebrate, or at least remember and rejoice, all year round? What is the underlying meaning of celebrations about Christmas? What is it about an event that happened over 2000 years ago that still calls us to celebrate in the myriad ways we do? Reflection of love When we look at Christmas in particular, there really are good reasons to celebrate all year round. The primary focus of Christmas is the reality of God’s love for us, shown in the physical birth of Jesus, who is God’s son. This birth, promised for millennia, was God’s way of showing his desire to be known, to be seen, and to be present in a very tangible way. Before Jesus was born as a human baby, it was difficult for people to really grasp who God was, and to understand what God says about love, justice and grace. It’s relatively easy to be cynical about the commercialism of Christmas (and other spiritually inspired celebrations), yet underneath everything, love draws together all our ways of celebrating it. “When we look at Christmas … there really are good reasons to celebrate all year round.” Whatever our sense of the spiritual or our faith experiences, a season that focuses on love, connection with others and giving seems to fulfil a deep need. Yes, it is sometimes idealised, which creates expectations and pressure, and may lead to disappointment when what we experience is not what is advertised in glossy department store catalogues. But the very heart of Christmas, however it is celebrated, is a reminder that God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. This truth doesn’t change whether it is snowing or storming, or whether Easter eggs or Christmas puddings are on the shelves. This truth doesn’t change, even when there is more conflict than a sense of loving connection in our families. Even when we feel alone and disconnected from people who care about us, the fundamental truth of Christmas is that we are loved, and God is with us. Loving connection Whether our celebrations are huge or minimal, in December or July, with lavish gifts or no gifts at all, our deepest need is to know we are loved. And God’s deepest desire has always been for each of us to know God is with us and loves us. “The fundamental truth of Christmas is that we are loved, and God is with us.” Perhaps the heart of the season (whenever it is) is not the ways we celebrate Christmas with tangible things, but how we celebrate love. How do we live our ordinary everyday lives with love? How do we seek connections and build relationships with others? How do we choose to be generous and giving, especially when we ourselves may be struggling with having enough? Choosing to celebrate Christmas throughout the year invites us to live lives of loving connection and giving – all year round!

Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright, Then the silence is shattered at last By the sound of a tenor horn blast, I jump out of my seat, There’s a brass band in my street! Silent night, holy night, Something sounds not quite right, Cornets shrieking like cats on a fence, Trombones try hard but fail to make sense, Baritones out of tune, Maybe we’ve got a full moon. Silent night, holy night, Drummers thump, what a sight! Eupho players who can’t find the note, B flat bass that sounds just like a boat, Is he playing a foghorn? No, he’s just stepped on a thorn. Silent night, holy night, Bandmaster, do what’s right. March them way down the end of the street, No, I don’t care about their sore feet, Lead them far from my home, I think one stepped on my gnome! Silent night, holy night, Peace at last, all seems right. While I love a good Army band, That lot sounded both tone deaf and bland, They made playing a chore, It’s a shame they’re from my corps. – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? I’m the Area Officer for Victoria South-East. I enjoy moving around the area seeing where God is at work in a variety of different and creative ways. I appreciate how hard and committed our officers are. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I like finding a new bike path to explore in Melbourne. I love the way you can discover all sorts of great areas of the city, be it a train-line ride, a bush ride, or a city trail. We live in an amazing city with great coffee shops along these trails. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song, and why do you like it? This is hard to answer, but I often find myself reflecting on Indescribable by Chris Tomlin as it reminds me of God’s bigness, greatness, creatorness (I made that word up) and his over-all inchargeness (and that one). Our God is bigger than we give him credit for most of the time. 4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about? It would be Caleb. I loved the way that he saw potential when everyone else saw all the problems. I would love to tap into his optimistic nature. I also loved the way – at 80 years of age – that he talked about being still as strong and vigorous as when Moses first sent him out. I want to know how he did that and what I need to do so I can be like that when I’m 80! 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? In my mind, soldiership is an expression of a Daniel fast. We give up certain things and choose to live in certain ways so that we can be a blessing in the world. Daniel gave up the choice meat, the better living areas, etc. He stayed faithful to his God and to his prayer life. Officership is another level of that. It’s a ministry of sacrifice in many ways. We give up more to serve the kingdom of God. Much like Daniel, we will be thrown to the lions, into fiery pits, people questioning us and testing us etc. But with the faithfulness of holding to the same values and commitment Daniel did, we, too, can survive. It won’t be easy at times, but in the long run, you see God has it in control at every turn.

Salvation Army officers who have concluded their service in 2023: Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the following colleagues who are concluding their service as follows: Major Jason Dannock (31 December 2023). Major Sharon Dannock (31 December 2023). Major Susanne Geracia (31 December 2023). Major Anne Jeffrey (9 November 2023). Captain Sarah Innes (31 December 2023). Territorial Envoy Angela Cairns (8 September 2023). Captain Melanie Cop (21 October 2023). Captain Vanessa Hunt (31 October 2023). Major Debbie Bust (31 July 2023). Major Naomi Shelton (31 July 2023). Captain Dit Chokeun (11 April 2023). Captain Wes Bust (27 May 2023). Lieutenant Renae Phillips (28 May 2023). Major Michael Johnson (18 April 2023). Captain Jacqueline Gluyas (22 February 2023).

Salvation Army officers and personnel who have been promoted to glory: Lieut-Colonel Bruce Stevens was promoted to glory on Friday 15 December 2023 aged 65. Our love and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, cover Lieut-Colonel Debra, Kerry and Glenn Smith, Captains Mitchell and Sally Stevens and all six grandsons - Seth, Levi, Malachi, Nathaniel, Joshua and Noah. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Bruce’s life will be held on Friday 22 December 2023 at 2pm at The Salvation Army, Box Hill Corps. The Livestream recording can be viewed here https://fb.me/e/6rt8RrJm7 Major George Lingard was Promoted to Glory on Wednesday 13 December 2023 aged 82 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Beryl, Justin and Damian and the family. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of George’s life will be held on Thursday 4 January 2024 at 11am at The Salvation Army, Hurstville Corps. Major Margaret Newdick was promoted to glory on Sunday 26 November 2023, aged 80. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Jon and Diane Kile, David and Marj Newdick, Nelma Burns and all the family. A private family service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Margaret’s life was held on Monday 11 December 2023. Major Joan Brown was promoted to glory on Monday 13 November 2023, aged 80. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Joan’s brother and sister-in-law, Majors David and Reta Brown and family. ‌A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Joan’s life will be held on Thursday 7 December 2023 at 1.30pm at Rookwood Crematorium South Chapel NSW. ‌The Live Streaming Link for Joan’s service, which can be viewed for up to 90 days, please click ‌HERE to watch. Auxiliary-Captain Graham Bruce was promoted to glory on Saturday 11 November 2023 aged 88. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Auxiliary-Captain Helen, Wesley, Murray, Phil and Doug and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Graham’s life will be held on Friday 1 December 2023 at 10:30am at The Salvation Army, Batemans Bay Corps NSW. Major Cliff Randall was promoted to glory on Friday 17 November 2023, aged 79. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Marina Randall, Graeme and Chris, Bryan and Ros, Andrew and Natalie and Debra and Trent and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Cliff’s life will be held on Monday 27 November at 2.30pm at The Salvation Army, Macarthur Corps, Smeaton Grange NSW. Lieut.-Colonel Mae Kinder was promoted to glory on Friday 27 October 2023. Our love and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, cover and surround Majors Paul and Romona, Bernice and Albyn, Majors Lindon and Cheryl, Mez (Merrilyn) and Frank, their children, extended families and Mae’s brother, Major Erle Ruse. We also cover the grandchildren, Daniel, Leah, Emily, Laurina, Joshua, Kirilee, Jackson, Eliza, Steph and Jamie, and great-grandchildren Jireh, Shiloh, and Chase. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Mae’s life was held on Thursday 9 November 2023. Major Violet Brown was promoted to glory on Friday 3 November 2023. Our love and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, cover and surround her sisters Beryl Brown and Alma Ring and niece Heather Wilson and nephew-in- law Major Stan Wilson, their families, and extended families. ‌A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Violet’s life was held on Wednesday 8 November 2023. Major Loretta Allison was promoted to glory on Saturday 15 October, aged 80. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround her brother Robert. Major Marjorie Doran was promoted to glory on Wednesday 18 October aged 94. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround her niece Glenys Ferguson and Geoff, Trevor and San and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Marjorie’s life was held on Friday 27 October at 2pm at The Chapel at Regis Inala Village, Box Hill South, Melbourne. Captain Bronwyn Lithgow was promoted to glory on Sunday 24 September 2023, aged 51. Our love and prayers with our heartfelt sympathy cover Captain Perry and their children, Joshua, Zachary and Becka and the extended family and friends in their time of loss and grief. Major Val Ferrett was promoted to glory on Wednesday 27 September 2023, aged 93. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover her sister Barbara Williams and Major Helen Newman. ‌‌Major Christine Cutts was promoted to glory on Sunday 17 September 2023 aged 92. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Raelene and Warren Hodge, Christine (Anne) and Kevin (deceased) Allen, Lynley (Deceased) and Roy Perese and their families. Christine was blessed with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Christine is also survived by her sister Captain Merrilyn and brother-in-law Malcom Cowper-Furlong. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Christine’s life was held on Wednesday 27 September at The Salvation Army, Bentleigh Corps, Victoria. Major Gwen Gray was promoted to glory on Sunday 17 September 2023 aged 91. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Majors Wendy and Peter Spindler, Christine and Michael Lord, Anne Dodd, and their families. Gwen was blessed with nine grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Gwen’s was held on Friday 29 September at Mackay Family Funerals, Ourimbah, NSW. ‌ Major Meryl Turner was promoted to glory on Monday 4 September, aged 75. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Jo-Ann, Bart (aka Craig) and Nadine, and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Meryl’s life will be held on Tuesday 19 September at 10am at The Salvation Army, Ingle Farm, SA. ‌Major Gloria Andrew was promoted to glory on Tuesday 5 September, aged 90. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Linda and Kevin Bell, Natasha Bell and Adrian Bell, Travis Bell, and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Gloria’s life will be held on Thursday 14 September at Sand Hill Aged Care Facility, South Launceston, Tasmania. Major Faith Leavy was promoted to glory on Friday 25 August 2023 aged 89 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Raymond and Carol Leavy, Glenda Smith and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Faith’s life will be held on Tuesday 5 September at 2pm at Le Pine Chapel, Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria. The Live Streaming Link for the service is HERE ‌ Major Elaine Sanders was promoted to glory on Monday 31 August 2023 aged 96. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Lois and Terry, Nola and Roy, Janet and Ben, and their families. Elaine had 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren and Major Di Jarvey (granddaughter). A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Elaine’s life will be held on Saturday 19 August at 10am at Seaforth Gardens Aged Care Centre Chapel, 2542 Albany Hwy, Gosnells WA 6110. The service will not be live streamed. Major Maureen Littlechild was promoted to glory on Thursday 17 July 2023 aged 81 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Amanda, Brendan, Nathan and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Maureen’s life was held on Wednesday 2 August. Lieut-Colonel Ruth Jessop, her husband Lieut-Colonel Derrick at her side, was promoted to glory on Wednesday 5 July 2023. Lieut-Colonel Derrick, Major Vera Hall (sister) and all the family are surrounded by our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy at this tender time. No funeral or Thanksgiving service will be held as this was the request of the ever-gracious and humble Ruth. Major Alan Drayton was promoted to glory on Thursday morning 29 June 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Bev, Stephen and Paula, Andrew and Cheryl, Derek and Angela, Jenni and Jason; their 10 grandchildren and great-granddaughter. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Alan’s life will be held on Tuesday 11 July 2023 at 2pm at Hope Point Church 42a Beale Street Georges Hall, NSW. Major Lillian Henderson was promoted to glory on Friday 9 June 2023, aged 81. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Heather, Karen and Mark and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren Yonah, Ebony, Lachlan, McCrae, Hayden, Madison, Logan and Maggie-Beth. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Lillian’s life was held on Monday 19 June. Major Margaret Ellice Diplock, affectionately known as Ella, was promoted to glory on Wednesday 14 June 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Anna Thomas, Ella’s twin sister, Rita Diplock and Stanley Diplock. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Ella’s was held Friday 23 June 2023 at The Salvation Army, Capricorn Region Church, North Rockhampton. Major Lyall Reese was promoted to glory on Tuesday 30 May 2023, aged 73. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Susan, Kathryn and Evan, Andrea and Yeboah, Carl and Erin, and all the grandchildren. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Lyall’s life was held on Tuesday 6 June at The Salvation Army, Nambour Corps. Captain Elsie Colling was promoted to glory on Saturday 3 June 2023 aged 92. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround the Stanley Family and Majors John and Wanda McKeand. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Captain Elsie’s life was held on Saturday 10 June 2023 at Ivan Butler Funeral Home, Klemzig, SA. Major Alma England was promoted to glory on Tuesday 16 May 2023, aged 92. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Jenni and Christian, David and Lisa, Norm and Chie, Philip and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren Jasmine, Joshua and Caleb; Jarrod and Cameron; Nicole; Holly, Benjamin and Kelsey; Ella and Max; Lexi, Taya and Imogen; Zoe, Cooper and Ashleigh; Ada and Delilah, Rylen; and Fletcher. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Alma’s life will be held at 10:30am on Monday 29 May 2023 at The Salvation Army, Hobson Bay Corps, Altona, Victoria. Major Jean Smart was promoted to glory on Monday 22 May 2023 aged 96. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Paul (Son in Law), Mavis (sister) and all the grandchildren – Lesley and Phil, Keith and Liisa, Alison and Shaun and great-grandchildren, Taylah and Willow, Mia and Lylah and Inessa. A Service of Thanksgiving & Celebration of Jean’s life will be held at 11am on Wednesday 31 May 2023 at The Salvation Army, Camberwell Corps, Victoria. Lieut-Colonel Judith Jeffrey was promoted to glory on Sunday 30 April 2023, aged 75. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Lieut-Colonel John Jeffrey, Majors Lance and Anne Jeffrey, Kristy-Anne and Reece Adnams, all the grandchildren, Thomas and Mary, Emily, Faith, Chloe and Zara, and great-granddaughter Elora. A Celebration of Thanksgiving was held on Tuesday 9 May 2023 at The Salvation Army, Box Hill Corps. Major Kevin Grigsbey was promoted to glory on Tuesday 11 April 2023, aged 78 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Lynne Grigsbey and the family. Major Christine Agnew was promoted to glory on Thursday 16 March 2023, aged 71 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Karen, Linda, Scott and Lisa, Auxiliary Lieutenant Vaughan and Candidate Helper Amanda, Major Vicki McMahon (sister) and all the grandchildren Caellum, Jasmine, Hayden and Megan. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Christine’s life was held at 1pm on Thursday 23 March at The Salvation Army, Preston Corps, Victoria. Lieut-Colonel Noela Dawkins was promoted to glory on Tuesday 21 March 2023, aged 85 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Lyndon, Peter, Kevan and Astrid, Joanne and all her grandchildren Caleb and Hayley, Nathanael, Isaiah, and Azael. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Lieut. Colonel Noela’s life was held at 2pm on Friday 31 March at The Salvation Army, Stafford Corps, Hayward Street, Brisbane. Major Winifred Barker was promoted to glory on Thursday 23 March 2023, aged 89 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Cedric, her children: Silvy Young, Major Bunita Pittaway, Honie Head, Mikel and Rasa Azure. Major Winifred’s funeral was a private family service held on Friday 31 March 2023. A Praise and Thanksgiving Service was held at 1pm on Saturday 22 April at The Salvation Army, Ringwood Corps, 53 Wantirna Road, Ringwood. Major Maureen Rawlings was promoted to glory on Saturday 4 March 2023, aged 77 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy covers and surrounds Majors Belinda and David Davis, Natalie and Carl Roddam, Major Angela Rawlings, Major Margaret Garratt (sister), and all the grandchildren. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Maureen’s life was held at 1.30pm on Thursday 9 March at The Salvation Army, Marion Corps, 155 Sturt Road, Seacombe Gardens, SA. Lieut. Colonel Betty Spikin was peacefully promoted to glory on Tuesday 28 February 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy covers and surrounds Kerryn and Warwick, Brenda, Harvey and Janet, and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Lieut.-Colonel Betty’s life will be held at 2pm on Thursday 9 March at The Salvation Army, Waverley Temple Corps, 958 High Street Road, Glen Waverley, Victoria. Major Judith Douglas was promoted to glory on Saturday 25 February 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Robert (Bob), Jeffrey, Bruce, Paul, Earle, their respective partners and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Judith’s life was held on Friday 3 March 2023 at Burstow Funeral Chapel, 1020 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, QLD 4350. Lieut.-Colonel Sonja Southwell was peacefully promoted to glory on Friday 17 February 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Lieut. Colonel Ian; Sharon, Greg Restall and his son Zac; Jenni, and Sue Coleman, Cathy and Major Darren Elkington, Stephanie and Nathan; extended family and friends. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Lieut-Colonel Sonja’s life was held at Ringwood Corps on Thursday 23 February 2023. Major Gladys Walters was promoted to glory on Monday 23 January 2023. Our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are extended to Stan and Val, Maxwell, Colonels Rodney and Wendy, Janita and Greg, their families and friends. The Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday 9 February at 9.30am at The Salvation Army, Bundamba Corps, QLD. Major Eileen Bailey was promoted to glory on Thursday 26 January 2023. Our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are extended to, Major Christine Atkinson and Captain Keith, Gwen and Captain Phil Sharp and Merilyn and Robert Morgan, their families, extended family and friends. The Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday 3 February at 11:30am at The Salvation Army, Taree Corps, NSW.

Geraldton is one of the more remote corps in the Australia Territory, situated in the Mid West region of Western Australia, 420km north of Perth. Majors Peter and Wendy Spindler are the corps officers in Geraldton, where Peter recently brought a Christmas message to his community via the Geraldton Guardian newspaper. BY MAJOR PETER SPINDLER Christmas can mean many different things to many people. For some, it is a time of joy, holidays, catching up with family and friends, but for others, it can be a lonely and isolating experience. While some enjoy being able to have presents and food on the table, others struggle just to eat on the day. The real reason for the season is that Jesus Christ came as a babe, and then grew into adulthood to give people hope, joy, love and peace. This means that as a community we are to embrace Christ’s example to others and share these four keys with others. When we give out hope, joy, love and peace to others then we find a change happening in their lives. To put a smile on someone’s face at Christmas time is a humbling experience and can show them what genuine care is all about. May we each find it in our hearts to consider others this Christmas time and how we all can make a difference in someone’s life. Peace and blessings to all.

BY LERISSE SMITH As Christmas draws near, we often find ourselves rushing around and checking off our ‘to-do’ lists whilst ensuring gifts are wrapped and under the tree, ready for memories to be made on Christmas Day. Whilst this is a very common scene, festive memories were also made recently as the special partnership between The Salvation Army and Myer gave great joy and hope to families facing tough times this Christmas through their annual Kids Day Out event. Spanning many years, the festive occasion held at Myer Melbourne treated about 30 children and their mums affected by family violence to an exclusive event with limitless food, lollies, face painting, balloons and photos with Santa. An event that may be the only celebration they experience this Christmas. Executive General Manager of Stores at Myer and Chairman of Myer Community Fund, Tony Sutton, said through Myer’s charitable Christmas campaign activities, which included the Kids Day Out, Myer felt privileged to help make Christmas a little brighter for children and families facing hardship. “Witnessing the joy and happiness on the children’s faces is an honour,” he said. “We are grateful for the work the Salvos team do each and every day.” As the children ran around having their faces painted and boarding the train to Santaland, elves enthusiastically helped create magical moments as they welcomed the kids and their mums before visiting Santa. “The spirit of Christmas was well and truly alive as hearts (and tummies) were filled and appreciation was shown all around.” Colonel Rodney Walters, Secretary for Communications, attended this year’s occasion and shared his appreciation with the Myer staff and how their support enabled families affected by family violence to enjoy a special and memorable night out at Christmas. “It helps us to be able to lift their spirit, able to give hope, able to let them know that they are seen and loved,” he said. “Our mission is to transform the lives of Australia, one life at a time, with the love of Jesus, and it is partnerships with others who come alongside us who make it possible.” A generous Myer Santa sack filled with gifts was given to each child at the conclusion of the event. All the Santa sacks were hand-packed by the wonderful Myer team members who volunteered their time and selected the items to go in each child’s personally curated bag. The children also received Myer’s Charity Bear, affectionately named ‘Charlie,’ after children voted on his clothes and name at last year’s event. “Thank you to Myer for opening your hearts and doors and giving children an experience many would not have the opportunity to have. We really appreciate it,” Rodney said. “The spirit of Christmas was well and truly alive as hearts (and tummies) were filled and appreciation was shown all around – even by a young boy who hugged one of the elves as he was leaving.” A special thank-you to our Family and Domestic Violence team and friends at Myer for gifting their hearts and time to make this a Christmas to remember.

BY SIMONE WORTHING When tropical cyclone Jasper made landfall just north of Port Douglas on Wednesday 13 December, the Cairns Salvos were already preparing. Jasper hit the coast as a category two cyclone and took almost five days to move west, leaving a metre of rain and devastated communities in its wake. Many remote communities are still cut off. Major Ben Johnson, Cairns Corps Officer, is coordinating The Salvation Army’s response to the cyclone and floods in Far North Queensland, in conjunction with the Human and Social Sub-committee formed by local council. “The Salvation Army Emergency Services team began feeding people at the Edmonton evacuation centre in Cairns on Tuesday 12 December, as well as doing welfare checks on people in the community – as requested by council,” said Ben. “Staff and volunteers also provided towels, bedding, stretchers and clothing for evacuation centres from Sunday 17 December. We have also been instrumental in transporting a lot of community members from the affected flood areas to the evacuation centres and then on to temporary accommodation provided by Queensland’s Department of Housing.” Teams were also catering at the Edmonton evacuation centre, providing food, hot and cold drinks, and emotional support. They were stood down once the cyclone had passed but reactivated due to the widespread and severe flooding. “Our staff and volunteers have been incredible and inspiring in action and in spirit,” Ben said. “We are doing whatever is needed, such as providing food at the evacuation centre, processing toys for Christmas, doing welfare checks on people affected by the cyclone, putting together hampers for those in need and working with our family stores to get household supplies. “For Cairns, the cyclone was a ‘bad weather event’, but the flooding is much more significant.” Christmas is coming Alison Geno, Intercultural Ministry worker at Cairns Corps, says she doesn’t “have the right words to really explain all that is happening!” “For the past 48 hours, we have been totally engaged in the disaster, as well as Christmas food and toy hampers,” she said. “The SAES [was] catering at the evacuation centre to those affected by the cyclone and flooding. Christmas is still coming, and we’re trying to get Christmas hampers and toys – all the usual Salvos Christmas stuff – done. And some of our volunteers, as well as two staff members, have themselves experienced the impact of the cyclone and flooding and are continuing to come in to help others. “I am just so proud of everyone. The Cairns community has stepped up, especially considering some people have lost a bunch of stuff but are still prepared to come out and help others. They’re awesome.” Alison explained that the Home League had kicked off the hamper program three weeks ago. “It’s lucky they did, as it’s a bit hectic at the moment,” she said. “The toys for Mornington Island had been taken out before the cyclone, which is great because we can’t get out there now. And we had already sent toys and some hampers to a few Aboriginal communities, Child Safety and Aged Care up in the Cape [Cape York]. “Our hampers and toys assessments have been operating since the beginning of November. We had 500 accounted for and planned on our list. When the disaster hit, all sorts of things ramped up. Many people who were doing fine no longer are, and more people need more for Christmas. “We had to stop production in this space for four days when the disaster first hit. Once it was safe, community members started coming in. We served 100 people on Monday and expect to double that today.” Woolworths is trying to fill some of the additional hamper requests. “Salvos are about 140 hampers short at the moment, but all the supermarkets are struggling to access food stocks,” Ben explained. The Salvos are also packing some toys and hampers for other agencies in town that put in requests every year at Christmas – agencies that assist people with disabilities, families in crisis, domestic violence organisations and others. Community support Alison shared that the business and local communities have been supporting the Salvos Christmas Cheer, as well as generous individuals and groups. “Woolworths, IGA, Frontier and other local businesses in Cairns have put so much towards Christmas Cheer,” she said. “Their generosity has been incredible. What we do is only possible because of the generous support we receive and our amazing volunteers. “We are looking forward to Christmas and to everything being cleaned up and repaired. That will be the reality for our town for a while. And we will be here!” The Salvation Army in Cairns has just been activated to assist with recovery efforts in the disaster-hit town. Christmas is still coming in Cairns! Click on the slideshow below to see Cairns Salvos at work, bringing Christmas Cheer to the community despite the flood situation:

Research by The Salvation Army has revealed that 14 million Australians, or 68 per cent of the population, will have their Christmas celebrations significantly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis this year. In addition, more than 5.3 million people will not be able to afford a Christmas meal, and 30 per cent of parents are worried their children will go without presents. The research, conducted by PureProfile, surveyed 2005 people. More than half the population (58 per cent) feel more stressed this Christmas compared to 31.6 per cent last year, 71 per cent are more mindful about how much they are spending this Christmas, and almost one in seven parents are worried their children will go without a meal on Christmas Day. The research also found almost one in 10 Australians will rely on charitable support to get by this Christmas. Of those people, nearly half (48.9 per cent) will be reaching out for the first time. “The Salvation Army sees heart-wrenching need each year, and this year, the need continues to grow as people battle the cost-of-living crisis,” said Major Brendan Nottle, Corps Officer at Project 614 in Melbourne. “Behind every statistic presented here is a real person – many desperately struggling to get by and making painful decisions on what to go without just to survive. Never have we seen a time where the gap between the rich and poor has been so great. “In this lucky country, too many are going without food, medication and utilities, and many more don’t even have housing. In lots of cases, this means there is no Christmas for those people doing it tough. And this is where we step in, providing food, presents, support with bills and safe housing. We don’t want any child to wake up on Christmas Day without a hot meal and a present.” The Salvation Army’s research also found that this Christmas: • 57.7% of people will spend less on food. • 32.3% of people will have fewer people over on Christmas Day. • 47.4% of people will purchase fewer presents for children and loved ones. • 41.9% of people are unable to attend social events. “These statistics clearly illustrate the continued and shocking impact that the cost of living is having on Australians around the country,” Brendan continued. “They also show that over 1.8 million Australians (9 per cent) will reach out to a charity for support this Christmas. The need has never been greater, and we can only do what we do because of the phenomenally generous Australian public. It is our honour to come alongside people during their time of need, to provide practical support when it is needed most and to offer hope during the festive season and beyond. “We don’t want anyone to feel like they are alone this Christmas. We encourage anyone who needs support to reach out; there is no shame in asking for help. If you are feeling lonely or isolated, struggling to make ends meet or in need of a hand this Christmas, the Salvos are here for you.” The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal aims to raise $25 million to fund its vital work across 400 centres and 2000 services around Australia. The Salvos cannot continue this important work without the generosity of the Australian public. This Christmas, the Salvos will: ·      Distribute tens of thousands of food hampers to those struggling to make ends meet. ·      Hand out more than 250,000 gifts and toys for families who might otherwise have gone without. ·      Serve over 132,000 meals. ·      Provide more than 66,000 bed nights for families needing accommodation during the festive season. “The Salvation Army feels very privileged to be able to serve the needs of the Australian public,” Brendan said. “We get to see the joy, relief and comfort that the generosity of people’s giving has on the lives of those needing a hand. “When you donate to the Salvos, it is the best return on investment you can get. You are bringing the true meaning of Christmas to people, not only by providing practical help but by acknowledging that there are people who care and there is hope for the future.” To ensure no one struggles alone this Christmas, please donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal by visiting salvationarmy.org.au or calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).