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.

Lieutenant Keven Williams prays over Auxiliary-Lieut Russell Brown and Major Darren Kingston at the Arise conference. BY LAUREN MARTIN   The 2024 ARISE Men’s Conference was “one of the best we have seen in a long time”, according to NSW/ACT Divisional Men’s Champion Lieutenant Keven Williams.   “The Holy Spirit came down in a mighty way,” he said. “We were witness to healings, prophetic words and men accepting Jesus for the very first time.”   Around 90 men gathered at Collaroy Conference Centre on Sydney’s Northern Beaches over the weekend of 18-20 October.   The theme of the conference was ‘Breaking Ground’.   Auxiliary-Lieut Russell Brown chats with guest speaker Marty Robinson. The guest speaker was Salvation Army prison chaplain Marty Robinson, who used his life and ministry experiences to paint a picture of who Jesus was in the lives of those gathered.   “ARISE Men’s Conference this year has been one of the best conferences that we have seen in a long time,” said Keven, who is the Corps Officer at Eastern Beaches.   “Our guest speaker, our very own Marty Robinson, really started the weekend off right. He challenged [the men] about who Jesus is in our lives and how he is breaking ground in the lives of men around us.”    On the Sunday morning, Auxiliary Lieutenant Russell Brown [Fairfield City Corps Officer] invited those gathered into a space where the Holy Spirit’s presence was clearly evident.   Lieut Keven Williams and Captain Paul Farthing lead a time of worship at the conference. “There was a time of prayers for healing, peace and a time of great insight to who the Holy Spirit is in the lives of the men in the room,” Keven said.   Major Darren Kingston [Macquarie Field Mission Team Leader] said many received Jesus for the first time, and miraculous healings occurred.   “There was a man who had exhibited signs of uncontrollable tics that caused his whole body to move all weekend, and he had been suffering for a whole year with the condition, which had stopped him from working. Jesus took all the shakes away, and he was fully healed!” “We need to break ground in the lives of the men around us, being the light in their relationships, workplaces and churches.” On Sunday afternoon, Keven challenged the men in the room to pick up the mantle that Jesus has for them, run with it, and pass it on to other men in their communities who don’t yet know Jesus.   “We need to break ground in the lives of the men around us, being the light in their relationships, workplaces and churches,” he said.   “We have an opportunity and a responsibility to now pass on our knowledge and experience to the younger generations of men and encourage them to take on the mantle of Christ and create spaces of vulnerability and strength where the men in their lives can come to know Jesus.”   Attendees were offered a variety of electives, including insights into mental health (Johnathon Browning and Kevin Williams), listening to the Holy Spirit and giving words of knowledge to each other (Russell Brown), photography (Steven Haworth), and learning how to be a more intentional father and writing letters to your kids (Darren Kingston).   “Delegates really engaged,” said Keven. “They really went deep in the new things that they were learning and were able to take away with them new knowledge and skills to their home corps.”   Organisers are looking forward to next year’s ARISE Men’s Conference and expect God to continue moving in mighty ways.   Click through the slideshow to view more photos:

A partnership between The Salvation Army and The Blue Peony Foundation is helping Ukrainian refugees rebuild their lives in Australia after fleeing war. So far, more than 1000 people have come through their doors.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo celebrated 90 years of mission and ministry earlier this month. Commissioners Edward and Shelley Hill, Chief of the Staff and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries respectively, commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Territory during a visit to Kinshasa on 11–16 October 2024. Officers Councils took place during the celebratory weekend. The celebrations began on Saturday 12 October with a women’s rally at the Central Hall Corps in Kinshasa. In front of an audience of more than 3500 women, Commissioner Shelley spoke from Galatians 5:22-23 and challenged the women to grow spiritual fruits and live out what Christ formed in them.   Saturday was also the day of the men’s fellowship rally, with over 1000 men in attendance. Commissioner Edward shared how God can change our sadness into celebration and our unworthiness into worthiness.   The Sunday worship celebrations began with a traditional March of Witness, with more than 7000 people participating. This was followed by the holiness meeting, in which the Ambassador to the United Kingdom, the Governor of Kinshasa, and groups and representatives from civil society took part. The Chief of the Staff encouraged the audience to be ‘true soldiers of Jesus Christ’, which is evidenced by having a good testimony, love for one another, being strong in the faith and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Commissioners Edward and Shelley Hill (white uniforms) with Territorial leaders Colonels Graçia and Lydia Matondo. The territorial Officers Councils took place on Monday, with 358 officers attending. In the afternoon, youth and music festivals concluded the anniversary commemorations.   “We rejoice with the territory and the leaders, Colonels Graçia and Lydia Matondo, as they focus on the future and the expansion of the Kingdom of God,” the commissioners shared.

Major Elma Corfield, having served just short of 75 years as a Salvation Army Officer, was peacefully Promoted to Glory on Tuesday 27 December 2022, aged 95 years. Her son Michael, grandson Chris, and nephew Ian were at her side. Elma Annie Harrison was born on 2 June 1927 at Wangaratta. In 1947 she entered The Salvation Army Training College Australia Southern Territory as a cadet in the “The Warriors” session from, her home Corps, Wangaratta. Following her commissioning on 12 January 1948, Lieutenant Elma served as Assistant at three Corps: Burnley in 1948; Balaclava in 1950; and Little Bourke Street, Melbourne in 1950. Elma was then appointed to the Field Department at Territorial Headquarters in 1951 to 1952. She became engaged to Lieutenant Brian Corfield on 8 January 1952 and they were married a year later, on 31 January 1953. Brian and Elma were blessed with two children, Michael and Priscilla. Together, Elma and Brian served Corps and communities in the Salvation Army’s Australian Southern Territory from 1953 to 1968. These were Golden Square (in Bendigo), Thornbury East, Morwell, Springvale, Stawell, Ballarat Central, Oakleigh, Bentleigh and Subiaco (W.A.). In January 1970, Brian and Elma were transferred to Singapore where they served in the Public Relations Department before returning to Australia in December 1975. In the years prior to their retirement on 1st February 1995, Brian and Elma worked predominantly in The Salvation Army’s social work sector. They served as Probation Officers in 1976 and additionally in Civil Defence and Emergency Service. In 1977 they served in the Prayer Covenanters League and in 1978 in Migration, Travel and Refugees. They were Prison Chaplains in Victoria in 1984 as well as Chaplain for the Anchorage Community Services Industries in 1991; and as Deferred Giving Representatives and Secretary in the office of Deferred Giving, THQ 1991. In their retirement years, Elma and Brian continued to enjoy ministry and fellowship together in The Salvation Army until Brian’s Promotion to Glory on 8 July 2005. Elma was a competent pianist. After relocating to Hayville Retirement Village in Box Hill, she extended her musical interests to become a keen classical music concertgoer. Those around her in the Village knew her to be kind, helpful and friendly. Our love and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, cover and surround Elma’s immediate and extended family and all those who were close to her.

BY MAJOR BELINDA DAVIS I have found it quite challenging to write recently – for most of last year if I am being honest. I like to tell myself that it’s due to time pressures and not finding the right routine in my new surroundings, but it almost always boils down to one thing. Fear. This year, Belinda’s focus is not on fearing failure but relying on God to help her keep trying and moving forward. Pushing through fear often shows that things are not as bad or difficult as one might initially think. Feeling fear is what stops me from doing so many things. Fear of what other people will think. Fear of doing damage. Fear of what I will look like. Fear of not doing it quite right. Fear of failure. When I push through that fear, I usually discover it is nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be or as difficult. Despite knowing this, the next time I face the fear blockage, I don’t choose to focus on the previous positive outcomes but imagine the disastrous possibilities instead – and I have an outstanding imagination! Annual focus Pushing through fear often shows that things are not as bad or difficult as one might initially think. At the start of each year, I choose a word that will be my ‘focus word’ for that year. Last year my word was ‘inspire’; the year before, it was ‘wholehearted’. I was really struggling to land on a word for 2023. When I choose a word, invariably, my experiences during that year give me the opportunity to live out my focus. When I started this exercise many years ago, I chose the word ‘grace’. I was hoping that God would magically imbue me with this admirable characteristic, but instead, he sent me situations that required me to build that particular character muscle and demonstrate grace repeatedly. I felt God wanted me to focus on the word ‘fearless’ this year, but knowing what I know, I didn’t want to do it. I don’t want to be inundated with opportunities to show fearlessness. As is always the case in my arguments with God, he won. My word for 2023 is ‘fearless’, although I can’t imagine life without any fear. It is a response given to us for our safety and wellbeing. Fearing less is about lessening fear’s impact than never experiencing it. Fear-less Fearing less is about lessening fear’s impact than never experiencing it. I have been playing with the idea of being fear-less – allowing fear to have less of a hold over me. In searches to find images for and definitions of fearless, I found this: “Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try.” I am going to embrace this concept this year as I endeavour to live with less fear in my life. A quick search tells me that there are 365 verses in the Bible based on the theme of ‘Do not fear’ – enough for one a day all year. One of my favourites is Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” As I launch into this new year of fearlessness, I encourage you to consider a focus word as well. Wish me well! Be blessed!

REVIEWED BY JESSICA MORRIS Nemo (Marlow Barkley) and Flip (Jason Momoa) embark on an epic adventure through dreams and nightmares in this new offering from Netflix. Photo: Netflix. We know actor Jason Momoa as a juxtaposition of likeability and terrifying power. Many saw him for the first time as the evil character of Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones , while others witnessed him as Aqua Man – the rapscallion sea god who can do more than talk to fish. But in his latest film Slumberland , Momoa ventures into new territory – children’s films. And while he does voice a stilted Aqua Man in the animated Lego Movie sequel, this decision could be altogether bizarre – until you meet his anti-hero character of Flip. As Flip, Momoa is a brawny outlaw, resplendent with horns and a smirk that only co-star Marlow Barkley could melt. And while Momoa gets top billing in this film about a chaotic imaginary world, the real star is Barkley as 10-year-old Nemo. An orphaned child sent to live with her boring and a-emotional uncle (Chris O’Dowd as Philip), she becomes unmoored once she leaves her reclusive lighthouse home due to the death of her father at sea. Struggling to integrate into society and a new family, Nemo finds solace in Slumberland – the place of dreams we enter in our sleep, which her dad told her bedtime stories about. Soon after, she realises that Slumberland is real and that her father’s adventures were also apparently true. So when she falls asleep and stumbles upon Flip, she immediately identifies him as the best friend and adventure buddy of her father from his Slumberland days. Together, they go on the hunt for magic pearls that are hidden in the deepest, darkest parts of Slumberland – the Sea of Nightmares. If found, these pearls will enable Nemo to see her dad in her dreams, and Flip will rule Slumberland after long ago forgetting his true, earthly identity. Balancing reality and dreams, Slumberland is a quirky, adventure-filled movie that celebrates the imagination. Yet, in the midst of this, human emotion is the driving force. You can sense the tension between Nemo and her Uncle Philip. And the way that Nemo enters Slumberland – falling asleep at all hours of the day and often lying to do so, speaks of major grief and childhood trauma that her brain is trying to make sense of. Fun and whimsical, but with shades of darkness and cheek that only Momoa can bring, Slumberland hasn’t rated well with critics; however, it could become a favourite for kids. Pre-screening or keeping it for older kids would be best due to the themes and scary scenes. This is the definition of an imagination gone wild! Slumberland is rated PG for Mild violence, themes, fantasy themes, and scary scenes. Streaming on Netflix.

In 2000, Helen Palena-Adamczyk began her role as manager of Salvos Stores in Berri, South Australia. BY DEIRDRE GRAHAM* Helen Palena-Adamczyk says she has a heart and passion for her store volunteers. “To see those people grow has been one of the greatest joys of my working life,” she says. Twenty-two years later, Helen has stepped away from the store and hopes to move into a community engagement role with The Salvation Army. She was drawn to the Salvos while in her 30s. “I believed that Christians need to be looking after those who are marginalised and poor in society,” she said. “I guess I saw, at that time, The Salvation Army was a visible example of that. At that time, they were renowned for their Red Shield Appeal and their social justice work.” In 2000, Helen was a single parent, working on fruit properties and volunteering at the Renmark Thrift Shop. “It was really my (Salvation Army) officer at the time who approached me and said, ‘Look, there is this job coming into town and are you interested in applying?’,” she said. “And the rest, they say, is history. “I didn’t really have a retail background as such, but I did have a capacity for that hard, physical work that was needed at those times.” Helen said changes at the store have included more training, OHS and technology, and a strong emphasis on merchandising. “The vision and the mission of the store has remained the same,” she said. “The purpose of the store is to raise money for the work of The Salvation Army, but perhaps the way they go about it these days is a little bit more polished.” Helen said recruiting volunteers had become a major challenge. “When I first started 20-odd years ago, we used to have a waiting list for volunteers, and practically someone had to die before you could get into the store to volunteer!” she said. “I found, after 22 years, the volunteer workforce age was beginning to creep up – but I did leave with a great team of volunteers and staff, some who have served with me for 15 years in that store. “I have a heart and passion for the volunteers, particularly those that come to us that perhaps have been unable to obtain employment elsewhere. It really does give them a sense of purpose and fulfilment, and to see those people grow has been one of the greatest joys of my working life.” Confronting issues But being part of the Salvos – even the store – means dealing with some confronting issues and people going through difficult times. “I think the most confronting time for me was ... while I was balancing up the till at the end of the day, I had a homeless man sleeping across the doorway,” Helen said. “I needed to engage the alarm, and I actually had to step over him to get out of the store. I found it a little bit intimidating because it was dark, and there was no way I could avoid it. But I found, when I engaged with him, it turned out he was what we call a ‘blow-in’. He had just blown into town and needed somewhere to stay for the night. The best I could find him was a couple of blankets. “At that point, it was about five degrees, and I was shivering as I got to my car. Then I realised that I had never really been cold in my life. I had left a warm store, got into a warm car, and entered a warm house.” That night she and her husband talked about her experience, which led to The Salvation Army’s community services group staging events to show people what homelessness was all about. “It was just to educate people that homelessness is not always anyone’s particular fault and that anyone can fall on hard times,” she said. “But there are other distressing situations, such as if people come to you, and you can’t give them all the help they need. “Right now, we have a rental crisis in our community; I can’t find people houses. The best I can do is point them to ac.care (and its) homelessness team, and The Salvation Army can offer food parcels and pastoral care support.” Helen said she hopes the new role as a community engagement person will enable her to get back to a more people-focused ministry. She hopes to start in February. *Article reproduced at the courtesy of the Murray Pioneer.

BY CLIFF WORTHING Parents have tears in their eyes as they collect school supplies for their families at Caloundra Corps on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, according to Karen Robinson, Ministry Assistant – Family Engagement. Setting up the school supplies tables at Caloundra Corps – (from left) Aux-Lieut Tim Clark (Caloundra Corps Officer), volunteer Dale East, Aux-Lieut Karen Clark (Caloundra Corps Officer) and Karen Robinson (Ministry Assistant). “People sense that something special is here,” Karen said. “They tell us the help really makes a difference in their lives, and the way we do things makes them feel they are part of a family community.” Two boys select school supplies as part of Caloundra Corps’ back-to-school initiative. Over two days last week, more than 22 families, including more than 55 children, have selected what they need from the array of school supplies set out in the corps building. Karen said they sent out texts and flyers to all their contacts inviting them to collect school supplies. While at the corps, the workers explain other corps programs, such as family fishing, community meals, and youth and children’s ministry. One single father with a seven-year-old son whose mother was killed in a car accident about a year ago was effusive about his conversations and invitation to join in regular corps activities. “You guys are so cool,” he said. “You are so awesome to be around.” Karen added, “We help them out with what they need and let them know they are loved, and who is doing the loving. This has been a totally heart-warming experience for us ... and them.” “It’s such a blessing to be a blessing! So many beautiful families and children, praying they have a fantastic school year! And we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers - huge thanks to Pauly, Helen, Stephen and Dale!”

Batemans Bay Salvation Army community garden volunteers (from left) James, Jill, Michael, and Helen. BY CLIFF WORTHING Batemans Bay Corps is a classic example of The Salvation Army’s Local Mission Delivery in action. The corps has a small, dedicated band of members who are committed to making an impact in the community, according to Lesley Archer, Batemans Bay Corps Team Leader. “Our attitude is to roll up our sleeves, get into it, and see what Jesus can do,” Lesley said. “There is something special happening here, lots of different things, but they’re all intermingled.” One example of multiple connections is the corps community garden, which has become an active place and is being expanded. Locals get involved in growing produce, which is used for fresh greens, and preparing meals for those in need. Bunnings have come on board to provide materials and their staff to build a chicken coop. Honey is produced in the garden as well. Team Leader Lesley Archer says the corps is making multiple connections in the community. Wednesday is known as ‘Connect Day’. Connections Cafe provides a space for locals, especially those who are lonely. Several groups meet at the cafe for good food, tea, coffee, and relationship-building. The corps hosts a Christianity Explained group. The cafe also hosts an art class twice a month, providing healing to participants. Doorways opens its doors on a Wednesday for emergency food relief and an advocacy and referral service to other support services such as Moneycare. “The Lord is bringing people together in an organic way through all the various connection points,” Lesley said. “Lonely people in our community are really finding a community, which allows them to do what they need to do.” A key part of the corps’ mission strategy is to host other groups’ meetings, such as University for the Third Age (U3A) and a Christian youth group – all because the corps has a commercial kitchen. Lesley explained that they like to share God’s blessings with others, which allows the corps to build relationships with parents of the youth and alert them to their other programs. It also creates natural connections, such as a recent example of U3A participants playfully tapping on the window to tell the youth group to stop making so much noise. “It was such a delightful interaction to witness,” Lesley said. Connections Cafe provides a space for locals to eat and share conversations Lesley described multiple examples of community members coming to the corps for help, loving what they experienced, having their needs met, and deciding to come to church, volunteer, or rebuild broken relationships. One recent example involved Lesley finding a group of young people camping in a local park. She invited them to the corps for a shower, food and conversation about their situation. With the help of a youth support worker, the young people decided to return to their respective families. “We provided a space, looked after them, and loved them,” Lesley explained. “When people are touched, Christ can do stuff.” Barb, an older corps member, has connected with a young woman struggling with life’s challenges. The woman is now attending church services, and Barb is teaching her how to knit. The woman says she has found a sense of belonging, especially after her father passed away last year. “What the corps is doing can get messy, but it’s Jesus,” Lesley said. “All we want to do is see salvation in our community.”

Today, Miriam Gluyas begins her new position as Territorial Commander of the Australia Territory. In her first leadership message, she shares with us her deep love for Jesus and her great passion for seeing people saved and growing in their relationship with him. She encourages us to always keep Jesus at the centre of all we do, remembering that our big God and our big gospel can and will transform lives.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mary Schmidtke was promoted to glory on Monday 6 February 2023, aged 86, having served as a Salvation Army officer for 64 years. Mary’s family was at her side when Jesus called her home, and she now resides at peace in his presence. Noreen Mary Schmidtke was born on 9 December 1936 in Geelong. In 1958, as cadets in the Courageous session, Mary and her husband Edward entered Officer Training College in Melbourne from their home corps of Geelong West. Mary and Edward were blessed with their first child in September 1958 and, following their commissioning on 12 January 1959, took up their first appointment as corps officers at Carnarvon (WA). In the early years of their officership, Mary and Edward were blessed with two more children – Karen (1960) and Helen (1963). Between January 1960 and February 1964, Mary and Edward served as corps officers at Rivervale and Kalgoorlie (WA). Called to serve on the mission field, Mary and Edward sailed for Hong Kong in January 1964. Over the following 16 years, they served in the Hong Kong and Macau Command, and both became fluent in Cantonese. Their appointments were at the Tai Hang Tung Centre (1964); Thompson Youth Hostel and Public Relations Kowloon (August 1964-May 1967); Corps Officers Kowloon Central (May 1967 to August 1970); District Officers, Hong Kong and Cheung Chau (pro tem August 1970); and Property Department (September 1970 to December 1979). Returning to Australia in 1980, Mary and Edward both served in the Public Relations Department at Territorial Headquarters Australia Southern Territory (1980) and then in the Property Department (1981). In 1986, Mary took on her own appointment as Assistant Divisional Home League Secretary and Divisional Secretary for the Order of the Silver Star, Eastern Victoria Division. In 1987, an appointment within the Finance Department was made as additional to these roles. From January 1991 to December 1998, Mary served in the Personnel Department, the Property Department and as an Executive Officer at Territorial Headquarters Australia Southern Territory. After 42 years of active service, Mary and Edward retired on 1 January 2001. In her retirement, Mary enjoyed being with family and encouraging the women in the corps at South Barwon. Our love and prayers and our heartfelt sympathy are extended to Lieut-Colonel Edward, Paul and Dianne, Majors Karen and Greg Saunders, Helen, and their families, extended family and friends. “Her master said to her, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful ... Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23) A funeral service of Thanksgiving & Celebration of Lieut-Colonel Mary’s life will be held on Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 1pm at South Barwon Corps (Vic.). The live-streaming link for the celebration of life service is: https://youtube.com/live/ZYkg4ALcLwM?feature=share