No matter what road you’re on in life, no matter what tomorrow looks like, God doesn’t change, and there is always hope. BY JESSICA MORRIS Life doesn’t always turn out the way we planned. As we approach a new year, finding fresh hope and new dreams can be challenging when our old ones have fizzled out. Disappointment can leave us jaded and depressed, and sometimes survival is easier than hope. But after a while, survival isn’t enough. Sure, we can generally survive one or two obstacles, like a global pandemic or unemployment. But as challenges start piling up, our resilience gets lower and lower. We experience a financial crisis, receive a diagnosis or someone we love dies. How do we keep going when it feels like we are carrying the world on our shoulders? Like many Australians, I pride myself on my work ethic and ability to get the job done. It is part of what makes our diverse country so dependable and hardworking. But over the past few years, I have found that no amount of hard work or attempting to ‘get over’ my troubles can heal my heart. Only hope can. Because while my energy and resilience are finite, hope is eternal. Hope comes from God. I’ve shared stories about my mental health journey for years, and ‘hope’ is nearly a buzzword for me. I’ll wear it on a t-shirt, plaster it on a book and create a playlist of songs to get me through the day. But I’ve found it easier to talk about hope than practise it. After all, when we hope for something, whether it be a better day, healing, a relationship or a better year, we run the risk of being disappointed. And let’s be honest – we have all experienced disappointment in the past few years. On the days when planning for the future or even daring to hope it could look different feels impossible, I cling to God. Because no matter what tomorrow looks like, God doesn’t change. And he promises that it will get better. I have often repeated the words from the prophet Jeremiah in the Bible: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11). I can’t promise that the new year will be easy or that the miracle will arrive as you expect. But I can promise you that God’s love for you will never run out. And that means his plans to give you a hope and a future are non-negotiable. Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on New Year’s Day, you can have hope in God. Because he wants you to do more than survive – he wants you to soar.

Summer means fun ... great weather, great friends and great times. But it can also be overwhelming, so being strategic about the summer holidays can result in them being a restorative time of the year. Summer holidays are a special time in Australia. The Christmas rush gives way to long, lazy days with beach trips, barbecues, sunshine and sport. But when the days are long and hot, many people find themselves under a lot of pressure. Our hope is that you can discover your happy place these holidays. It is common to feel a level of financial anxiety during this supposedly silly season. Some reasons people may feel overwhelmed include additional childcare requirements, extra holiday costs, extensive to-do lists and feeling the need to entertain ‘bored’ kids. We hear you – summer holidays can be tiresome. But as schedules change and the household mood shifts, this is a perfect time to reassess and reflect on what’s most important in life. Your usual routine might feel out of whack, so why not change the lens of your outlook, embrace new adventures and connect more deeply with the people in your life? For those with young children, remember you only have 18 summers with your child and this is one of them! Five tips for a joy-filled holiday You can take the holiday feeling into the rest of the year! Keep it simple: It can be tempting to fill holidays with activities, so make sure you leave space to relax and connect with loved ones, neighbours or friends. Work out what’s essential and what to let go. Be intentional about how you spend your money. Screen-time limitations: Set reasonable expectations about technology use. Holidays are supposed to recharge and promote health, but this could be hampered by too much screen time. Set an example for your family to follow. Some ‘house rules’ could include a 60-minute limit in the morning and no screens between 9am and 4pm. Socialise: Plan outings to connect with friends, extended relatives or others – suggest meeting for a barbecue, go to a park or plan house visits. Time and space: It’s okay to ‘just be’. We don’t always need to be entertained. Allow time and space for rest (for everyone!), and create opportunities for creativity, exploration and problem-solving. Start planning a ‘staycation’ : A staycation cuts down on travel expenses. It’s an intentional way to see your hometown through the eyes of a tourist! Think like a tourist: What would you tell friends or family visiting your area to see or do? Ask around for recommendations and search local papers or online for free events coming up. Brainstorm: Make sure activities are affordable and achievable. Some indoor examples include craft activities, board games, baking or pyjama days. Outdoor examples include picnics, bushwalks, bike rides or scavenger hunts. Plan time: Write a list of everything – more than you can do – then plot your staycation! This information is taken from The Salvation Army’s ‘You’re the Boss’ financial assistance booklet. To download the booklet, go to https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/financial-assistance/youre-the-boss/

REVIEWED BY GARTH R. HENTZSCHEL Catherine Booth is a mini-biography on the life and ministry of Catherine Booth, mother of The Salvation Army. Due to its brevity, being 42 pages in total, and simple writing format, the booklet could act as an introduction for time-poor or intermediate readers. The booklet first outlines the historical timeframe of Catherine’s life and includes the major events of her development and ministry. As the title suggests, it touches on Catherine’s beliefs and actions on female equality. Examples of other historical ‘Hallelujah Lasses’ who ministered within the Army are also included. There are, however, some unsubstantiated historical assumptions and a mixing of individual life stories to embellish the narrative. Other information on Catherine’s writings and about the author, Ilene Kenney, is included; however, these are not comprehensive. The booklet did not reference primary sources or engage with current discussions on Catherine’s place in the movement’s history. The author is not a Salvationist and therefore offers an ‘outsider’ celebratory look at a Salvationist. Ilene, with her husband, commenced the Victory Celebration Church in Houston, USA. This church aims to minister to the poor and homeless of the area and therefore links the author’s ministry to that of Catherine Booth. Ilene first presented the information found in the booklet to the International Christian Women’s Hall of Fame. This talk can be viewed on YouTube here . Catherine Booth: Advocate for Equality in Marriage & Ministry is available in Kindle and paperback editions from Amazon.com.au . Garth R. Hentzschel is a Salvationist living in Brisbane (QLD), is a freelance historian, and executive editor of the Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History.

Margaret Hayward is the Lifestyle Coordinator at The Salvation Army’s Gill Waminda Aged Care Centre in NSW. “For some of the residents, being in a nursing home is one of the hardest things that they’re going to do,” says Margaret (Marg) Hayward, Lifestyle Coordinator at Gill Waminda Aged Care Centre (Gill Waminda). “If we can make them feel welcomed, loved and cared for, then they will feel like this is home, and we’ve done our job.” Marg has worked at Gill Waminda for over 17 years as the Lifestyle Coordinator. She thoroughly enjoys this role, particularly the social aspects of the work, and believes it suits her as a “bubbly person”. In her role, Marg seeks to implement programs that excite residents and connect them socially with each other and the staff. Brian, a resident at Gill Waminda, puts the finishing touches on cupcakes for morning tea. The activities Marg plans are often varied according to the unique needs of residents. For example, cooking is one of the favourite pastimes of residents who join in the specialised memory support activities. “The residents make their own morning and afternoon tea ... they go from prep right through to the clean-up,” she explains. “While the cleaning up is often re-done by the kitchen team, this is a rewarding activity for the residents and most useful in helping them feel a great sense of achievement following their activity.” Other ‘fan favourites’ at Gill Waminda include the ladies’ quilting and knitting groups and, of course, the foot spa pampering sessions. Many of the men love gardening, with Marg noting that the centre is looking to “get some usable gardens ... to give [the men] ownership” of the project. Bingo is the most beloved and longstanding activity at the centre. “They just love bingo,” Marg shares, jokingly noting that it always produces a “competitive attitude” among the residents. Organising social activities are a key priority of Marg’s, especially as social connection is so important for older persons. Many residents already have pre-existing connections, which Marg also seeks to maintain. The Lifestyle team prepares barbeque breakfasts to help build and maintain social connections. These breakfasts provide an opportunity for residents to spend time with each other and share their feedback on what they want from the centre itself. Kicking off at 6am, Marg and her team cater for the breakfast requests from residents, “be it pineapple fritters, hash browns, sausages, bacon or tomatoes,” she says. Marg always goes above and beyond for her residents, but she notes it is all done as a labour of love as the residents daily inspire her. “They teach me so much,” she shares. “If I can become half of what some of these people are, I would just be so proud of myself. They teach me all the time. Not just who I want to be but how I’d like to act. It’s their teachings, their stories, and their methods of doing things. They offer so much of their mountain of wisdom to me.” Article courtesy of https://agedcare.salvos.org.au/

To my knowledge, few short stories have been published with a focus on The Salvation Army. There are several novels that include Salvationists as something of a love interest. However, in The Salvationist, we are given a short story based on a historical person that has the female Salvationist as the physical and moral hero, and to my relief, it does not include a love story! REVIEWED BY GARTH R. HENTZSCHEL This short story is based on the life of author Nancy Cole Silverman’s great-grandmother Cadet Fannie Johnson, who pursued justice in the ‘Wild West’ town of Bisbee, Arizona. The author, Nancy Cole Silverman, is an American female pioneer in radio and live television. She is the founder of The Equestrian News and is now a published novelist of several mystery series, including the Carol Childs Mysteries. The Salvationist is loosely based on the author’s great-grandmother, Cadet Fannie Johnson. The short story covers events that took place while Fannie was appointed to the town of Bisbee. The town is about 930km east of Los Angeles and situated near the USA/Mexico border in Arizona. While in Bisbee, Fannie attempts to stop animal cruelty, has several confrontations with the local press, attempts to rescue a girl from the sex-slave trade, and eventually makes the town safe for law-abiding citizens. This short story has a similar feel to those of USA Salvation Army officer Joseph Garabed, better known as ‘Joe the Turk’. This short story is a different take on the old ‘Westerns’ and would be attractive to readers of fiction, historical novels and social justice. The Salvationist – A Short Story is available in paperback or Kindle editions from Amazon.com.au . Garth R. Hentzschel is a Salvationist living in Brisbane (QLD), is a freelance historian, and executive editor of the Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History .

Australian soldiers gather around a radio being tuned by Salvation Army Red Shield representative Bill Tibbs. Photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial. The Salvation Army Red Shield Defence Services is celebrating 125 years of supporting the Australian Defence Forces. A celebration dinner will be held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Thursday 7 November. During the preceding Last Post Ceremony, the story of William Bramwell ‘Bill’ Tibbs (1909-1943) – the only Salvation Army Red Shield Representative who never came home – will be featured. BY GEORGE HAZELL*   Although many Australian Salvation Army representatives and chaplains returned from war sick or injured, one never returned.   It has often been said that Red Shield Defence Services personnel have been “in the right place at the right time, every time” – through both world wars and subsequent conflicts and during peacetime operations.   However, one of them, Bill Tibbs, was in the wrong place at one time during World War Two and lost his life as a result. In so doing, he became the only Red Shield worker to be killed on active service, although many others returned ill and injured.   Bill grew up in Armidale (NSW), and in 1930, at the age of 19, he became a Salvation Army officer. When war came, he was serving at Newcastle with his wife Norah. Leaving Norah and their two young children, he boarded the HMAT Aquitania troopship with the 9th Division to the Middle East.   War service Affectionately known as ‘Big-hearted Bill’, he was involved in the 241-day Siege of Tobruk in 1941.   In a letter to his wife, he referred to the help he was able to give, often in simple but very welcome ways, such as giving the men ‘PKs’ [chewing gum]. “Didn’t the men just appreciate them! They help to keep their tongues moist,” he wrote.  William Bramwell Tibbs in his Salvation Army Red Shield representative uniform during World War Two. Later in the same letter, he wrote: “You will be pleased to hear that in the eight days we have been in these parts, we have served to the boys 256 gallons of hot coffee and 17 gallons of tea with biscuits, 2500 packets of PKs and comforts, including soap, shaving soap, face washers, toothpaste and brushes, mirrors and sewing kits, underpants and talc powder. The good name of the Army soars high as a result of it, but I pray that the name of our God will be honoured by it too. I am very jealous for His name and cause, especially as I see so few who care at all.”   Perhaps Bill’s most memorable act of service came in Egypt in November 1942, shortly after the Battle of El Alamein, during which the AIF ‘performed magnificently’ against the advancing Axis forces. Bill led a commemoration service, which became known as the ‘Sermon in the Sandhills’.   The sermon was preached amid the distant sound of gunfire and in a sunken valley protected from enemy aircraft by anti-aircraft posts mounted on the surrounding sandhills.   Australian soldiers at the ‘Sermon in the Sandhills’ commemoration service in Egypt, led by Bill Tibbs. In the foreground are two observers watching for enemy activity alongside a tripod ‘Bren gun’. Qualities honoured After his Middle East service, Bill spent some time in Papua New Guinea. In December 1943, he was recalled by The Salvation Army to take charge of the Sydney Congress Hall Corps. Obeying orders like a good soldier, his itinerary included stopovers in Townsville and Brisbane.   At Townsville, he was permitted to travel into town to pick up a new uniform. On his return to the airport, he learned that the plane had left without him, and he had to wait for another. On 19 December 1943, his plane ran into difficulties and crashed at Canal Creek, 50km north of Rockhampton, killing all 31 on board. Bill Tibbs is buried in Rockhampton War Cemetery, Plot A, Row B, Grave 3.   His obituary is told simply in the words of his mate, Albert Moore: “I had the greatest admiration for his qualities as a man, soldier and friend, and last but not least, as a Christian.”   This article is an edited excerpt from an article by George Hazell that appeared in The Salvation Army ‘Hallelujah’ magazine in 2008.   *Envoy George Hazell was Promoted to Glory on Friday 29 July 2022 in Sydney. 125th anniversary of the Red Shield Defence Services To view the 125th anniversary flyer of the Last Post Ceremony, click here To view the 125th anniversary flyer of the anniversary dinner, click here

Argentina (pictured above), Paraguay and Uruguay make up the South America East Territory. Photo by Derek Oyen on Unsplash. Each week throughout this year, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the focus territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another.  This week (28 October-3 November) we are praying for the South America East Territory. Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay make up this territory. The gospel is preached in Guarani, Korean and Spanish. Prayer requests: The awakening of vocations in young people who wish to accept the call to become officers of The Salvation Army. The implementation of the new strategic plan that will guide the actions of corps and institutions in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay for the upcoming years. That each of the Salvationists in our territory, involved in the privilege of serving God, will be salt and light in their communities, bringing the gospel to children, young people, and ladies and gentlemen of all ages. We trust that growth in membership is the only way to sustain our mission over time. And, at the same time, we ask God to help us find the best strategies to raise funds and sustain the work throughout the territory. We pray for the Lord's blessing on the charity shops, our main source of funding, and for each appointment to make the most of its potential in the community. To find out more about South America East Territory , click here .   For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here .

Salvation Army officers and other personnel who have suffered the loss of a loved one: Auxiliary-Lieutenant Debbie Bartlett  is bereaved of her sister, Rebecca Dippel (Bec), who passed away on Sunday 3 December 2023, after courageously fighting cancer. Our prayers are with Bryan, Debbie, Myles and the family at this sad time.  ‌ Auxiliary-Lieutenant Adam Purcell  is bereaved of his father, Garry Purcell. Please keep all the family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.  Major Leonie Ainsworth is bereaved of her brother, John Matthews, who passed away peacefully on Sunday 12 November 2023 in Bulli Hospital palliative care. He was 82 years old, having fought a battle with three different cancers over the past 10 years. He gave his heart to the Lord on Friday and then went to be with Him on Sunday. Amidst our sadness, we praise God for His grace and faithfulness! ‌ ‌ Captain Elizabeth Kang received news of the death of her sister in devastating circumstances on Saturday 18 November in Sudan.  She was the mother of five children. Please keep all the family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of tragic loss. Envoy Ivan Kelly was promoted to Glory on Thursday 26 October 2023. He passed peacefully at home. His wife Noelene and five children would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers at this time. Ivan attended Marrickville Corps, then Seven Hills Corps and for the last 40 years of his service attended Blacktown City Corps. Ivan was a grandfather and great-grandfather. Auxiliary-Lieutenant Bryan Bartlett is bereaved of his mother, Alwyn Gordon who passed away on Tuesday 17 October 2023. Our prayers are with Bryan, Debbie, Myles and the family at this sad time. ‌ ‌Our love and prayers are with Majors Leanne (ret.) and Drew Ruthven, Majors Sue and Cameron (dec.) Wallace, Andrew and Emma Parkinson, on the passing of their loving father and father-in-law, David Parkinson on Wednesday 18 October 2023 aged 89 years. The Celebration of Life was held on Tuesday 24 October at Arndale Corps. ‌David was the much-loved husband of Jeanette and adoring Poppa of Claire, Darryn, Lyle, Hayley, Lachlan, Ainslee, Lucas and Zoe, and their families, and Great Poppa of Louis and Gilbert. We pray for peace and strength for family and friends of David and thank God for David’s untiring commitment and joyful service shown in all areas of his life. Territorial Envoy Lloyd Graham was bereaved of his wife Vicki Graham on Monday 18 September 2023. The funeral was held on Monday 25 September. ‌ ‌ Territorial Envoy Ron Petterson was bereaved of his brother-in-law, Philip Reeks. Our prayers are with Ron and his sister Coral and the family at this sad time. ‌ ‌Major Russell Adams was bereaved of his brother, Morris Adams who passed away on Saturday 23 September 2023. Our prayers are with Russell and the family at this sad time. ‌ Major Eileen Holley was bereaved of her mother, Joyce Lodge, a Salvationist from the Gunnedah Corps. She was promoted to glory on Saturday 23 September 2023. Our love and prayers surround Majors Eileen and Peter Holley and the family. Major Russell Lawson was bereaved of his mother, Elaine Lawson, on Monday 28 August 2023 aged 87. Her funeral service was conducted by Russell on Wednesday 6 September. Elaine is survived by her husband, Harry and six children, Cheryle, Jane, Graeme, Russell, Leanne and Julie. She has a great love for The Salvation Army, having resided in a children’s home for several years of her childhood/early teens. Over the years she was involved with Moree, Glen Innes and Dubbo Corps and 19 years with the Baptist Church in Gloucester. A faithful woman of God, who served faithfully right up until her passing. Auxiliary-Lieutenant Tony Barford is bereaved of his father, Valentine Thomas Barford, on Tuesday 22 August 2023, aged 100 years and four months.  An architect, devoted father, husband, and carer to both Tony’s mother, and elder sister, Valentine grew old with grace and peace. Please remember Tony and his family in your prayers. Major Margaret MacDonald is bereaved of her mother, Doris Haycock, on Tuesday 29 August 2023. Doris was a faithful soldier of the Bunbury Corps, grandmother to Captain Gareth MacDonald and mother-in-law to Major Michelle Myles. Please remember the family in your prayers at this time. Our love and prayers are with Colonels Kalie and Geoff Webb and family on the promotion to glory of Kalie’s Dad, Kevin Down, who passed away on Sunday night 13 August 2023 after a long period of sickness. Along with Glenda, Kevin was a faithful Salvationist of many years, most recently at Box Hill Corps and will be greatly missed by family and friends. We pray for God’s peace and strength to surround the family at this time. The Thanksgiving Service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home, 733 Boronia Road, Wantirna at 1pm, Monday 28 August. Major Roslyn Brooks was bereaved of her mother, Beryl Wescombe, on Wednesday 26 July 2023. She was a faithful soldier of the Wagga Wagga Corps. Please hold Major Roslyn and the whole family in prayer at this sad time. Our love and prayers also go out to Major Sam Price who was bereaved of his sister, Mrs Lillian Wilkinson, on Monday 24 July 2023. She was 80 years old and passed away with her children by her side in Warrnambool, Victoria. She was also Aunty to Major Glenn Price and David Price.  May God continue to give his peace to the family during this time. Our love and prayers are with Major Rhonda Elkington and her family on the promotion to glory of their mum, Vera Elkington (28/6/1937 – 15/7/2023). Vera passed away peacefully early Saturday morning after a period of sickness. She was a faithful Salvationist for many years having been introduced to The Salvation Army in her teenage years, soldiering at the Fairfield and Heidelberg/Macleod Corps before moving to the Geelong Corps in 1978. Vera will be missed by family and friends. Major Wendy Freind is bereaved of her father, Erik Morris, who passed away Monday 3 July 2023. Please hold Major Wendy and the whole family in prayer during this tender time. Major Thelma Fischle is bereaved of her beloved husband, Don Fischle who was promoted to glory on Tuesday 13 June 2023. Don was a truly loved man of God who brought many to the Lord over the years. He was a beloved member of Stafford Corps and enjoyed ministry at the former Albion Corps, Brisbane. His Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life was held on Monday 19 June 2023 at Stafford Corps. Our love and prayers surround Thelma and her family at this sad time. Captain Matthew Moore has been bereaved of his eldest brother, Luke, who unexpectedly passed away on Thursday 15 June 2023. Please hold Matt and the family in prayer during this sad time.  Major Warren Elliott’s father and Major Kirsten Elliott’s father-in-law, Neil Elliott was promoted to glory unexpectedly on Tuesday 20 June 2023. Neil was a lifelong Salvationist, and the first non-officer Finance Secretary for the Salvation Army and was also seconded to the International Audit Department based at IHQ in London.  Please keep all the family in your thoughts and prayers at this time. Major Wendy Spindler is bereaved of her father, Mr Kevin Gray. Please uplift Major Wendy and her family in your prayers at this time. Major Coral Hodges and Captain Joy Lotty have been bereaved of their mum, Mrs Joyce Elizabeth Soper who was Promoted to Glory on Thursday 18 May 2023. We also remember Captain Nathan Hodges , her grandson, and the wider families. Mrs Soper went peacefully into the Lord’s presence surrounded by family.  Major Jacqui Warrington is bereaved of her father-in-law Bruce Warrington who was promoted to glory on 27 April 2023. After a protracted season of ill health and time in palliative care, Bruce was surrounded by his family as he entered the Lord’s presence. Please remember Major Jacqui and the family in your prayers at this time. Major Debbie Hindle would like to thank all those who have shown love and support through prayer for her and her family recently. Peter’s Celebration of Life service was held on Monday 8 May 2023 and was a beautiful celebration of his life. It was a blessing to see so many people, including retired officers, there to support her and she is so thankful. Captain Donna Sutcliffe was bereaved of her grandfather Mervyn Whyte, on Saturday 25 February 2023, as he passed peacefully at the age of 90. Merv was an adherent of Capricorn Region Corps. Major Peter Sutcliffe conducted the Celebration of Life service on 3 March 2023 in Rockhampton. Please keep Donna, Philip, Malachi and Jacob in your prayers at this time. Major Paul Hateley is bereaved of his father, Sidney Hateley, who was promoted to Glory on Tuesday 3 January 2023. Sidney is survived by his wife Valda, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We extend our prayerful support to Paul and his family. The funeral service, conducted by Captain Aaron Stobie, was held at The Salvation Army, Ingle Farm Corps, SA on Friday 13 January 2023. Majors Alan and Jean Dale are bereaved of their son-in-law John Syer who was tragically killed in a ride on lawn mower accident on Friday 30 December 2022. John was aged 51 and was married toAlan and Jean’s daughter Maryann. Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are extended to Majors Alan and Jean, their son Daniel, daughter Rosemary and John’s wife Maryann, daughter Charlotte (17) and son JJ (15). Major David Terracini is bereaved of his sister, Margaret Lord, who unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday 4 January 2023, after a brain aneurysm. Margaret was the twin sister of Ruth Hampton, and sister in law of Majors Michele Terracini and Keith Hampton. Margaret is survived by her husband David Lord, daughter Anita Noble and Matthew Lord. We extend our prayerful support to Margaret’s family and extended family. Her funeral service, conducted by Major David Terracini was held on Thursday 12 January 2023. Major Bryce Davies was bereaved of his mother, Yvonne Arnott, on Thursday 15 December 2022. A Thanksgiving Service was held yesterday at The Salvation Army, Wyndham Corps. Please pray for Bryce and his family at this sad time.

Matthew Frost has recorded more than 30 episodes of ‘Fully Scored’ since the podcast began in 2020 and has even featured Ken Waterworth, Manager for Worship Arts and bandmaster of the Melbourne Staff Band, as a guest! REVIEWED BY JESSICA MORRIS One of the things that unites Salvationists worldwide is a love of brass banding. And the podcast ‘Fully Scored’, hosted by Matthew Frost and produced by The Salvation Army Musical Editorial Department in the UK, is a Salvationist’s dream. Each episode deep-dives into the creation of a musical arrangement and features interviews with musicians of all ages and acclaim across the globe. This means that in one episode, you hear from Derick Kane, and in another, you hear from Salvo and contemporary musician Charlie Green, who came to fame through reality TV. Add some banding trivia that listeners from around the globe can participate in, and this is a glorious, niche and brassy podcast that is a must-listen. Each episode runs for about an hour and is divided into different segments, making it easy to flick on and off as you travel or go about your day. And the hosting by Frost is top-notch, not just delivering on passion and knowledge about Salvation Army music and history but disarming listeners with wit, humour and ease. If you’re a Salvation Army music nerd or simply love brass banding, ‘Fully Scored’ is for you. And with more than 30 episodes available for free and ready to stream into your earbuds, this will keep you going all month long. ‘Fully Scored’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Google Play. Find out more here .

On Christmas Eve 1974, Darwin experienced one of the most destructive tropical cyclones recorded in Australia’s history. On the 50th anniversary of this event, four survivors reflect on the harrowing events of that day and on the incredible response by The Salvation Army to assist and help restore the community.

Singer, actress and philanthropist Selena Gomez gives us a raw look into her six year struggle with mental health through her documentary My Mind & Me, streaming exclusively on Apple+. REVIEWED BY JESSICA MORRIS Pop superstar Selena Gomez has released a documentary about her journey with mental health, and gone are the days when it was uncool to talk about anxiety and depression. Well, sort of. Selena Gomez and filmmaker Alek Keshishian in Kenya during the filming of My Mind & Me. Decades ago, discussing mental health in the media was a rare and taboo occurrence. So when pop stars broke down, went to rehab or died by suicide, they were both mourned and commoditised. On one hand, we felt an affinity with their humanness. On the other hand, the media circled their home with helicopters for a front-page story – hardly conducive to healing, but apparently our only way of understanding celebrities after they had fallen from a very high pedestal. Celebrity culture teaches us that those with a mental illness, or those who have died by suicide, were the ‘other’ – troubled humans who lived on the wild side and were destined for destruction. Except, if my own journey with mental health has taught me anything, we all have struggles. And whether you are a celebrity or, in my case, a writer, mental health affects everybody. Which means that what we see on the world stage is repeated every day in our own lives – albeit with less media attention, and less money. Which brings us to 2023, and the latest step in the public’s conversation about mental health. Because now, instead of the media writing the story about a celebrity’s ‘fall from grace’ (cringe), celebrities are telling their own stories on their own terms – à la Gomez and her new documentary My Mind & Me . And when this is done from a place of deep inner work, self-awareness and healing, it pushes back on the stigma about mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, addiction, schizophrenia and the like. Through journal entries and behind the scenes footage, we see Gomez break down as she grapples with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and fame. Gomez has risen to become a primary voice in this conversation about mental health. Originally a child actress on the Disney Channel, she has spent the last 20 years in the spotlight. Her first foray into the mental health arena came with her production of the controversial TV series 13 Reasons Why , a TV show many criticised for its glamorisation of suicide. In the time since, she has started the Rare Impact Fund, a non-profit committed to raising more than $10 million over the next decade to address mental health and self-acceptance. Gomez has also launched the mental health Wondermind platform, and in May last year spoke to President Joe Biden of the United States at a mental health summit. But like all humans, Gomez is more than just a famous face to bring awareness to a cause. In her new documentary, released on Apple TV, she gives us an unfiltered look at the last six years of her life as she struggled with anxiety, lived with lupus, and received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. And while you could view this as a money-making scheme, to do so would be a disservice to the content of the documentary because it gives us access to the deepest, darkest places of Gomez – the things, in my own experience, you would only share with a therapist. Before we dive headlong into a review about My Mind and Me , it’s only fair I give you full disclosure: I am a long-time Selena Gomez fan. From her days as a child star on the Disney Channel, to the time I saw her perform with sparkles and spangles in Melbourne, I feel like I grew up with this woman. And as someone who has written about and worked in the mental health space for a decade, this documentary was the perfect blend of my interests and passions. So my only concern about this doco was the way it discussed mental health – would it promote healing, seeking professional help, and show us how a faith in God marries with mental illness? I’m glad to say that yes, it did all of the above. And most importantly, it did so from an authentic and self-aware position. While Gomez is now in a good place with her recovery, living with mental illness is never linear – but that doesn’t mean it has to stop us from living with purpose. Gomez closes the documentary with her telling song My Mind & Me , reflecting on the chaos, pain and hope she holds as someone who experiences mental illness. Opening with news headlines about Gomez’s 2016 breakup with Justin Bieber, we learn quickly that the media has taken a brutal toll on the celebrity. While we fed into the teenage drama of who was dating who, a young Gomez had to deal with the personal fallout in front of cameras. This gives us a microscope into her ailing mental health, as she rehearses for her global REVIVAL tour, and as a 24-year-old, complains about her body, weeps that she isn’t good enough, and looks catatonic in the makeup chair, you can’t help but feel for the humanity of this philanthropist. Gomez closes the documentary with her telling song My Mind & Me, reflecting on the chaos, pain and hope she holds as someone who experiences mental illness. Unsurprisingly, Gomez cancelled her tour after 55 dates, citing anxiety and depression. We know she was at the end of her rope, and entered a psychiatric facility. During the documentary, we go on to see her receive a diagnosis of bipolar depression. She reflects on the mania and deep depression of her experience, weeping at how she has hurt her family, and admitting to moments of vanity. On a mission to find hope, this documentary even includes snippets of her diary, which are brutally honest. She goes on a trip to Kenya with the We Foundation, and returns to her hometown in Texas. All the way through, she holds the tension of palpable sadness and regret, while carrying a powerful torch for doing good in the world. Gomez is a Christian and professes to a faith in Christ. When it comes to US-based celebrities, it can be difficult to tell whether this is a cultural or personal version of Christianity, and ultimately we can never know. Yet in this documentary, Gomez gives us access to a faith lived in deep darkness. This is not just prayers before concerts, but desperate cries in private of “Help me, Jesus” before her first performance back which she ultimately faltered at. We see her team surround her with prayers and praise. And we identify the insurmountable purpose, or call, she feels on her life to bring hope and make change on the earth. My Mind & Me is not a clear-cut, perfect snapshot of a person who has overcome the darkness; neither is it a celebration of a celebrity who happens to be a Christian. Rather, it is a well-produced and blatantly honest glimpse into the inner life of a young woman who is still alive. It will play an important role as we continue to combat the stigma of mental illness across the world, and will resonate with people of all backgrounds – because sharing our stories with the power of the blood of Jesus harvests hope in the most distraught souls. My Mind & Me is streaming now on Apple TV. It is rated M with language and themes of mental illness and suicide. If you are experiencing a crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

There is much that is beautiful to discover in each other. BY JO-ANNE BROWN I stroll around my garden, leaving behind a little trail of weeds I’ve been pulling out. Not everything I pull out is a weed, and not all weeds need to be pulled out. Some weeds are too pretty to be uprooted and are loved by garden pollinators. If they are not likely to suffocate other things growing in the garden, they get to stay – at least for a while. I’ve been reading about beauty and how beauty can sustain and energise us in difficult times. These are certainly difficult times, and discovering places of beauty around us and within us can help us live joyfully and with hope at this present time. Beauty is very subjective and not easy to define. Which plants are beautiful and should be allowed to keep growing? Which plants should be pulled out, and why? And whose opinion determines what is beautiful and worthy and what isn’t? Years ago, we lived in a third-floor apartment, with the only windows looking out onto concrete buildings on either side of us. If I leaned out of the laundry window and craned my head up and out to the back, I could just catch a glimpse of an old walnut tree. Being surrounded by concrete, with so few glimpses of green, made my soul feel like it was shrivelling up. I recently read that beauty is one of three virtues, along with truth and goodness, needed for a healthy society and is “a crucial part of life”.* It’s definitely necessary in my life! Almost 400 years ago, French philosopher Blaise Pascal said, “In difficult times, you should always carry something beautiful in your heart.” Finding your oasis Whatever age we live in there will be difficult times, and recognising that beauty offers us an oasis can help to sustain and encourage us. Pausing for a moment to gaze at a sleeping cat, to notice the tiny first fruit on an avocado tree, or to wonder at a dew-covered spider’s web can all provide a respite from problems that might be consuming us. The beauty in nature can be uplifting. We might feel that beauty can only be found in the spectacular or perfect, which is not always easy to find. Yet it can also be discovered by paying attention to the small thing right in front of us, that at this very moment is simply beautiful. We are surrounded by beauty, and at any given time what strikes us as beautiful might be different from how we saw that same thing yesterday or even earlier today. Discovering the simple beauty in things around us won’t change difficult circumstances, but it does do something to restore and refresh us inwardly so we can cope with those difficulties differently. There are several aspects to beauty – the beauty of the natural world, the beauty we discover in other people, and our own inner beauty. This beauty is there for us to discover and rediscover, to experience and to share. Most of us find it relatively easy to find beauty in nature, whether it is in magnificent mountain ranges, crashing ocean waves, or new shoots on a flowering vine. Sometimes we just need to open our eyes (and ears) to notice and appreciate what is right in front of us. As well as the beauty experienced in nature, and despite all the negative and disturbing things happening in our world, there is much that is beautiful to discover in each other – the kindness of strangers when we least expect it, neighbours sharing a surplus of market vegetables, children laughing. When people show kindness to others, work for justice, offer hospitality or simply smile as they walk past, their inner beauty is revealed. Beauty inside The Japanese art of kintsugi is a metaphor for repairing what is broken to reveal beauty. It can, however, be much more difficult to discover the beauty within our own self. Society has conditioned us to judge ourselves by our physical appearance, generally based on the opinion of others, and when we do, we may feel we come up short. We also recognise there is unkindness, shame, mistrust and a whole host of other parts to ourselves that make us feel anything but beautiful. We carry wounds and scars that we often try to hide without realising it is precisely these wounds that make us beautiful. An honoured tradition in Japan is the art of kintsugi – repairing broken pottery using lacquer to seal the cracks and then dusting those sealed places with gold, silver or platinum. What was flawed and broken becomes precious and unique. There is something empowering and immensely beautiful about allowing our deep inner selves to be seen with such vulnerability and rawness and recognising the possibilities of restoration and transformation. The powerful thing in recognising the beauty of our flaws is the realisation that this is what unites us with all humanity. We are all broken and imperfect in some way – and we are all beautiful in some way, whether we see it ourselves or not. We can choose to live in ways that let our inner beauty shine by: • by acting justly and with kindness • by speaking the right word at the right time • by looking for and discovering the beauty in everyone. Yes, these are difficult days, so let’s carry something beautiful in our hearts and let it shine out of us! * Howard Gardner, quoted by Ruth Wilson. Is Beauty the Only Necessity? spiritualityhealth.com . Jo-Anne Brown is a Salvation Army officer (pastor) and spiritual director in Queensland.