BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE A practice of extensive reuse, refurbishment and recycling of products in Salvos Stores puts the organisation in a very strong position environmentally, a senior leader in sustainability says. This World Environment Day, Salvos Stores are looking ahead to a future with an increasing need for conscientious material stewardship and decision-making as the effects of climate change, unethical manufacturing practices, and overproduction wreak havoc on vulnerable corners of the world. Salvos Stores’ sustainability staff strive toward a circular economy, where unsold goods are sustainably repurposed rather than excess products being sent to landfills. Salvos Stores Manager for Environment and Sustainability Martin Nordstrom said this year’s World Environment Day marked a point of reflection for the organisation. “It needs to be [about] thinking on the successes that we have already accomplished and the work that we already do across our environmental objectives and social objectives,” he said. “But also, how can we objectively work through and see the challenges that we have.” Martin said one of the largest challenges facing Salvos Stores was an exponential increase in global fibre production, particularly of synthetic, petroleum-based fabrics such as polyester. “There’s an increase in the volume and a decrease in the quality of clothing,” he said. “That’s a real challenge when we’re not producing [these products], we’re the recipients within this very large supply chain.” Global yearly fibre production almost doubled from 2000 to 2021, from 58 million tonnes to 113 million, according to Textile Exchange. The advocacy group predicts that by 2030, production will have increased to 149 million tonnes. Martin said while historically, clothing items delivered to second-hand stores were of high quality and standards of cleanliness and readiness for sale, Salvos Stores were now being inundated with low-quality, fast fashion items that were originally sold to customers cheaply, so were now of little value for resale. “It really brings into stark contrast why it’s so important for us to be promoting [waste] reduction, reuse, repair and refurbishment [of products].” “It is a growing challenge for us to sell [these] products, which is why we diversify through mechanical and chemical recycling options for textiles and why we continue to look to the evolution of the industry in recycling,” he said. However, Martin said recycling was a less effective way of reducing CO2 emissions than other methods. “If I take one tonne of product received by Salvos Stores and I create reuse pathways – I sell it or gift it to someone who needs it – I’m able to avoid up to 30 tonnes CO2 emissions for every tonne [recycled],” he said. “It really brings into stark contrast why it’s so important for us to be promoting [waste] reduction, reuse, repair and refurbishment [of products].” Martin said Salvos Stores’ sustainability staff were looking to partner with organisations with shared social and environmental objectives. He said the organisation sought to continue partnering with companies to resell direct-to-consumer products that had either failed to sell or had minor flaws that made them unsuitable for sale. He added that the organisation was also working with Charitable Reuse Australia to help create a Clothing Export Accreditation Scheme to improve standards for textile export use and recovery internationally and with the Australian Fashion Council to contribute to the Seamless Product Stewardship Scheme.

BY MAJOR MAL DAVIES Some singers arrive gradually. They build a following based on live performances, often busking or playing in pubs, and then they do some self-funded recording and try to attract sales. Others arrive in a hurry and are famous quickly. It’s like one moment you’d never heard of them, and the next moment, they are a fixture in the music scene and celebrity circles. Lewis Capaldi is one of the latter. The Scottish singer-songwriter, with a wonderful voice and delivery, released his first single, Bruises, in March 2017. In November 2018, he released Someone You Loved … and was nominated for a Grammy! The song was the biggest-selling UK single of 2019, reaching number one on the US charts and being a hit in more than two dozen other countries. Other number-one UK singles followed – Before You Go in 2020 and Forget Me in 2022 – and last year, he released Pointless. The song is a lovely ballad – a man singing about how his partner and he care and provide for each other: ‘I bring her coffee in the morning/ She brings me inner peace/ I take her out to fancy restaurants/ She takes the sadness out of me/ I make her cards on her birthday/ She makes me a better man/ I take her water when she’s thirsty/ She takes me as I am.’ It’s a song about a couple who seem to know and love and support each other, and he recognises the value of that when he sings, in each chorus: ‘Everything is pointless without you.’ Most people have felt the same about someone else. Whether it’s a romantic partner or your child or a best friend or a parent – there’s someone we’ve known who helps make life complete. Without them, well, the rest just seems pointless. For millions of people in the world today, they say the same about Jesus. In fact, Christian writer and Oxbridge academic CS Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” For Lewis, knowing Jesus gave life clarity and purpose; everything was pointless without him. Someone well worth knowing, don’t you think?

BY SIMONE WORTHING “An emotional rollercoaster” was how many people attending the 25th Gold Coast Red Shield Appeal launch described the event on Wednesday 29 May. “I was inspired, I laughed, I cried and I was so motivated to help change the lives of people struggling through so much to rebuild their lives and make a difference in their communities and beyond,” said one attendee. After Tahana Turner’s moving and personal Acknowledgement of Country, the event MC, Councillor Glenn Tozer, introduced the keynote speaker, Olympic gold medallist and Salvation Army supporter Natalie Cook. Natalie won her gold medal for beach volleyball during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She joked that her connection to the Salvos was that she had “rattled a fundraising bucket” to get herself, and now future generations, to the Olympic Games, and knows the lifeline that funds provide in changing lives. “Whether it’s natural, economic, man-made or otherwise disasters, there is always someone that can help their neighbour,” she said. “There is always someone doing it tougher than us, and ultimately, that’s what this is all about. “As athletes, we have big goals – we have to when we’re trying to be the best in the world. I won my medal on the same day as Cathy Freeman. I was famous for four hours! It took her 45 seconds to win her medal – it took me 10 days … and every 17 seconds, someone reaches out to the Salvos … so the reason for sport, the reason I’m here and the reason it makes sense is that we all contribute to bigger goals. We need teamwork to do this together. “In beach volleyball, there are two players. I couldn’t have done this without [teammate] Kerri Pottharst and without my coaches … when we go for our goals, we need to count on our mates; we need to count on each other. We need to play for something bigger than ourselves.” After humorously commenting on the phrase ‘There’s no such thing as a free breakfast’ and encouraging those gathered to take the gift of the free Salvos socks on the tables, Natalie spoke about leaving a legacy. “Kerri and I won Olympic gold medals, leaving a legacy for the next generation … you never know where your shadow extends. You never know who you can help.” Natalie’s presentation, which concluded with a hilarious and fruitful auction of two of her beach volleyballs, was followed by a powerful personal testimony. Macalie’s story Macalie Adamson, a Prison and Social Mission Chaplain for The Salvation Army in South East Queensland, invited people to “share in the victory of her second act” as she shared her painful and traumatic experience through addiction and the ultimate decision “to truly live” that turned her life around. The day her then 16-year-old son’s heart broke when his father forgot his birthday was the day that Macalie admitted to herself that she needed help. “I called the Salvos, and I promptly burst into tears,” she shared. “I’d been homeless for 18 months, incapable of managing my own life, and all I could do was get from one week to the next so I could buy more drugs. Katherine, the lady on the phone, booked me in for an appointment the next day and told me that Huia would meet me and give me a hug. “All I could think was ‘Why would someone want to hug a homeless junkie like me?’ The next day, I walked through the doors of the Gold Coast Recovery Centre – Pathways as it’s known. Huia got me settled and I got up the courage to tell her what Katherine had said. She came straight over and wrapped me up in the biggest hug. I will never forget that moment. The love and the compassion that was given to me is something that inspires me on the tough days and it will for the rest of my life.” Macalie completed the Pathways program twice before struggling with a relapse. She called the Salvos again, entered detox, got sober, and started the Pathways program for the third time. “Life was starting to fall into place, and I had inspiration to maintain my sobriety permanently, Macalie shared. “I then decided that the Salvos needed to hire me. I made a promise to myself that they would. They helped me enrol in a Community Services certificate, and a trainer came into the Recovery Centre to help people from the Pathways program and rehab become employable again. By this time, I’d been in with the Salvos Moneycare program, had started to learn how to budget, and I was saving a small amount of money every fortnight.” Macalie then lost her accommodation and had to find somewhere else to live. Another call to the Salvos saw her accepted into Stillwaters supported accommodation for women and families experiencing crisis. “I gave my heart to Jesus that day. I gave my heart to a God I didn’t know, but to a God that I knew, knew me.” Through the chaplain and other residents, Macalie discovered that The Salvation Army was a church. The other residents encouraged her to go with them to the Gold Coast Temple Corps, next to Still Waters. “I remember hearing Major Kevin Holland preach like it was yesterday, speaking about William and Catherine Booth and their Christian Mission,” she recounted. “William had taken his son to a pub, put his arm around him and said, ‘Son, these are our people.’ “I gave my heart to Jesus that day. I gave my heart to a God I didn’t know, but to a God that I knew, knew me. That was over seven years ago. And I’m proud to say that in three days, I will be six years clean. Every step of the way, one part or all parts of the Gold Coast Salvation Army have surrounded me. They have loved me, particularly when I was incapable of loving myself. “I was a complex case as so many of us who need your support are. I was traumatised, and I was incapable of asking for help or receiving it. And it wasn’t until everyone surrounded me with the mission of William and Catherine Booth to transform one life at a time with the love of Jesus, that I can stand before you and celebrate a life well lived. “The day that I left detox, I had made a promise to one day walk through the doors of Gold Coast Recovery Services with a Salvation Army uniform on. It took me 18 months, but I walked through those doors as a proud volunteer. And I now have the absolute privilege to be a chaplain for the Salvation Army, where I share my love for God, a deep respect for myself and as a passion to serve others. “I believe in good. Can you support us to help others, so they do too?” Divisional Commander’s comments In his opening remarks, Major Mark Everitt, Queensland Divisional Commander, spoke to the group about The Salvation Army’s motivation to help those in the greatest need in our community. “There are more than half a million Queenslanders living in poverty,” he shared. “One in five people are unable to afford meals, basic necessities and medical bills. We know that those suffering through poverty are three times more likely to suffer acute mental stress, and during times of crisis, it can feel like they’re very much alone and there is no escape. “We’re all here today because we’re on a mission because we share a commitment to help those in crisis. And thanks to the support of our generous donors like yourselves, we stand ready to walk alongside individuals and families on their journey from providing immediate relief like bill assistance and groceries to offering long-term support such as counselling and accommodation.” Mark also shared that the Red Shield Appeal aims to highlight the challenges faced by ordinary Australians who hesitate to seek assistance out of fear of shame and those enduring significant hardships to provide for and protect their families. “Friends, we invite you to join with us to ensure that those facing crisis can get the support that they need when they need it,” Mark said. “We deeply appreciate your donation of finances and your time and your effort and your interest, and really, the truth is, we can only fulfil our God-given a mission because of you.” Love your neighbour Gold Coast Mayor Councillor Tom Tate focused on the need for Gold Coasters to continue “looking out for and caring for our neighbours – whoever they might be.” He recalled how his grandfather, who fought in World War Two, didn’t talk much about the war, “but one thing he didn’t mind talking about is how the Salvos helped those in the trenches by giving water, food and a helping hand – and they’re still doing that,” he said. Catherine O’Sullivan, Chair, Gold Coast Advisory Group, emphasised the “emotional rollercoaster” everyone had been on during the breakfast. “I have to say, ‘Wow, the humour of Nat and the power of Macalie’s story – thank you so much,” she said. “I feel like it’s been an emotional journey here. We’ve heard so many messages, including Tom’s about loving our neighbour. I think that’s what everyone in this room is actually living by being here today and gaining an understanding of what the Salvos actually do … “And we know that on the Gold Coast, it’s become a very strong giving community. And it’s been wonderful over my last 12 years to see that evolution here. And the Salvos have stayed strong on their commitment, and continuation of what they do. If we can raise $330,000 today, we will get to $6.5 million over 25 years. And every cent of that goes back to people here on the Gold Coast.” Major Michele Terracini concluded the event and thanked everyone for their support and the tangible difference their contributions made. “Our dedication lies in meeting people at their point of need, walking alongside them to help navigate through crisis and guiding them through a transformative journey. With your support, we can give a new beginning to those who need it.” Click through the slideshow below to view more photos of the event.

BY LAUREN MARTIN A Red-Shield initiative kids’ school holiday program at Wollongong Corps (NSW) recently illustrated how Local Mission Delivery (LMD) can wrap community connection around Salvation Army service delivery. A Wollongong Corps kids camp was an idea born from an LMD planning day held a few years ago when Lieutenant-Colonel Lyn Edge was first appointed to the corps on the NSW South Coast. The Red Shield holiday camps, held for many years at The Salvation Army’s Collaroy Conference Centre in Sydney, had ceased, and the corps wanted to run an outreach for the families that it assisted each Christmas with toy and food hampers. The first Wollongong Corps holiday program, funded by the Red Shield Appeal Initiative, was held in 2023 and was a huge success. This year, the team built on what they had learned from 2023. They wanted to reach more families, so they deliberately invited children who were not at the 2023 holiday program, offering the initial attendees the opportunity to attend other kids’ and family events that the corps has planned throughout the year. “It was fantastic,” said Lyn. “The holiday program was staffed with leaders and people from the corps with the support of another church in our local area – we had helpers from age 16 through to age 80! “We had a mix of activities – some at the hall, and some were outings.” (The visit to Jamberoo waterslide park was a huge success, despite it being a cold, wet day!). Lyn said that the beautiful thing about the initiative was seeing how corps-based LMD events wrap around Salvation Army services such as Doorways and the local Illawarra Carinya Women’s Services, which provides accommodation and support for women and children experiencing homelessness and/or family and domestic violence. Children from families in each service and those assisted with Christmas hampers were invited to attend. Pop-up shop for kids A new collaboration this year with Salvos Stores saw an unexpected ‘hit’ with the kids – a pop-up clothing store for the children to choose an outfit for a special sit-down dinner on the final evening of the camp. “The kids loved it,” Lyn said. “They felt so special. A few of the kids said it was the highlight of the program for them. They could go into the Salvos Store pop-up shop and choose what they liked, and then at the end, they got to take it home.” For many children attending, going out to a restaurant is a rare luxury, so they loved what they called the ‘fancy’ dinner in the corps hall. Carnivale day After the week-long day program, the corps held a ‘Carnivale’ Day, where they invited anyone from the community – and those families who had attended the school holiday program the year before – to attend for a day of fun and activities at the corps. About 350 people attended. “We had so many families stop and say ‘thank you because we can’t afford to take our family out’, and they didn’t know what they were going to do in the school holidays,” said Lyn. The corps has worked hard this year to maintain connection. About a month after the holiday program, it held a follow-up family movie night, which saw 100 children and parents attend. It also launched a new Kids in the Kitchen program with children from the community who had connected through the holiday program. Lyn says that Wollongong Corps is using Red Shield Appeal funds to “amplify” the amazing work of existing Salvation Army services in the Illawarra, which aims to love and care for whole families for the long haul.

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 (3-9 June) we are praying for the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory (UKI). Australian officers Majors Gail and Peter White are currently serving in the UKI as corps officers of the Clydebank Corps, West Scotland Division. Several other Aussie officers live in London and serve at International Headquarters (Pictured right, with Commissioner Miriam Gluyas. Missing are Colonels Kelvin Pethybridge and Mark Watts): Major Meaghan Gallagher, Assistant Under Secretary for the South Pacific and East Asia (SPEA) Zone; Commissioners Robyn and Wayne Maxwell, International Leaders for the SPEA Zone; Colonels Cheralynne and Kelvin Pethybridge, Secretary for Leadership Development IHQ, and Chief Secretary IHQ respectively; and Colonel Mark Watts, Governance Advisor IHQ (based in Brisbane). Pray for the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory ·       Together24 will take place in Newport, Wales,12-14 July. We pray for this territorial congress which will include the commissioning of new officers and celebrate 150 years of Salvation Army mission and ministry in Wales. ·       We praise God for the good attendances at recent Design for Life and Exploring Leadership events. We pray for all Salvationists to consider God’s call to spiritual leadership and opportunities to serve. ·       The Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Department has done vital work to fight for social justice and offer compassionate care since 2011. We pray for the developing partnerships with other Salvation Army territories across Europe, Africa, the South Pacific and East Asia and united work in protection and prevention. ·       We praise God for his faithfulness during the past year of structural change and huge challenges for the territory. We pray that God will continue to lead and inspire us, to call and equip his people to minister in the name of Jesus in every expression of Salvation Army mission. To find out more about the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, click here. For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here.

As an employee and then an officer, I’ve served in The Salvation Army for more than 35 years, during which time I’ve worked with hundreds of people. For most of that time, I’ve worked in management or leadership positions, which means, inevitably, from time to time, I’ve had to terminate a staff member’s employment. It’s not a pleasant part of the job, but nevertheless, it’s unavoidably part of the job and occasionally has to be done. Where possible, I’ve tried to do it as diplomatically as possible and offer some encouragement to the departing employee. Some – despite the manner of their departure – have asked me to provide a written reference, and I’m always happy to do so. This can, at times, be tricky. How do you write a reference for someone who’s just been sacked? It seems harsh to only say: “John started here on 22 January 2022 and concluded work on 4 April 2024. We wish him all the best.” And it also seems a bit obvious if you try to highlight the one thing they actually did well: “We’re going to miss, Jane. She was the best we had at replacing the paper in the photocopier. No one stacked paper like Jane.” I wonder how some biblical references would look. Imagine if Judas didn’t kill himself but felt – because of his betrayal – that he couldn’t rejoin Jesus and the disciples after the resurrection. “Hey, Jesus. Um, well, first, sorry about that, chief. Any chance of a reference so I can go and find another Messiah to follow?” “Hey, Jude. Sure. Here you go: ‘Judas Iscariot worked with me for three years and showed himself to be task-oriented, profit-focused and a real go-getter. Sure, the people he went and got weren’t that nice to me, but I called Judas friend right to the end.’” What if Thomas’s doubting escalated to the point where he felt he could no longer follow Jesus and wanted to be someone else’s disciple? What would Jesus say? “Really sad to see Tom go, and I’d be happy to work with him again. Tom is a great guy but lacks some self-confidence; he always second-guesses himself. I know you’ll enjoy leading him, but be ready for the questions. Oh, the questions. So many. The other boys used to refer to it as ‘Question time with Tommy’ whenever he came to me for a talk. Nevertheless, great guy.” And what about poor Lazarus? He lost his job when he, well, died; so, what would Jesus say for him in a reference when he began looking for a new job? “Larry’s a top bloke and well worth giving a go. Occasionally lays down on the job or goes missing for a few days, but apart from that, he’s a hard worker who always responded as soon as I called him. Just one hint if you take him on: tell him to go to bed earlier and get a good night’s sleep. He’d often arrive on the scene looking like death warmed up.” – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos

Commissioner Floyd Tidd, who became the first Territorial Commander of the newly formed Australia Territory in 2018, has been promoted to glory in his homeland of Canada, aged 63. Floyd was diagnosed with prostate and ocular cancer in 2021. He and his wife, Commissioner Tracey, were leaders of the Canada and Bermuda Territory and stepped aside from the role in June 2023 due to Floyd’s deteriorating health. Australia’s current Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, said this morning she was saddened to hear the news of his passing. “Floyd and Tracey led us through the Australia One journey, which needed visionary and strategic leadership. They led with hope, inspiration and gave over and above during this time. An amazing journey, well led,” she said. “(Chief Secretary Colonel] Winsome Merrett and I join with Salvationists and friends from around the world in praying for Tracey and their family and sending love. “We don’t lack hope. Floyd is with Jesus, and one day, the reunion.” The Tidds arrived in Melbourne from Canada in June 2013 to lead the then-Australia Southern Territory; Floyd as Territorial Commander and Tracey as President of Women’s Ministries. After almost three years as Southern Territory leaders, the Tidds were appointed as national leaders to oversee the merger of the Australia Eastern and Australia Southern territories into one Australia Territory. That process came to its climax in December 2018, when the new Australia Territory was officially launched, with the Tidds becoming its first territorial leaders. OFFICIAL TRIBUTE FOR COMMISSIONER FLOYD TIDD Commissioner Floyd J. Tidd, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and son was promoted to glory on May 31, 2024, at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, surrounded by his family. A devoted friend to many and a dedicated officer of The Salvation Army, Floyd’s pilgrimage of faith touched countless lives around the world. Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Floyd was an active member of The Salvation Army corps (church) throughout his childhood and teenage years. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree with the intent to pursue medicine, Floyd instead responded to God’s call to become a Salvation Army officer, a vocation he shared with his best friend and wife, Tracey. Together they were partners in the gospel, serving in a wide variety of appointments over their 37 years of ministry. These included church-planting, youth and camping ministries, corps officer, as well as leadership roles at Divisional and Territorial levels, culminating in their roles as Territorial leaders of The Salvation Army in the Australian, and Canada & Bermuda Territories. Floyd was passionate about discipleship and encouraging Christ-centred, Kingdom-focused leadership. He believed wholeheartedly that corps ministry is the foundation and the crucible of The Salvation Army’s mission in the world. Floyd considered it a privilege to minister alongside others as equal partners in the gospel and his door was always open to everyone. He believed it a sacred duty to preach the Word of God and like Jeremiah, he experienced “a burning in his bones” to share the gospel. He will be remembered by Salvationists around the world as a man who gave his life in service to God and in the pursuit of discipleship in The Salvation Army. Floyd’s infectious laugh, quick wit, and ability to befriend anyone in an instant, will long be remembered by colleagues and those privileged to call him friend. He was a man of God gifted with a strategic and visionary mind, and an incredible ability to inspire others to listen to God’s call on their life and ministry. Floyd was never one to give a direct answer when asked for advice, understanding how important it was for people to find their own path. He was an influential mentor, spiritual father, wise counsellor to countless people, and stood out among his peers as a man of unparalleled integrity. Floyd was often found in the kitchen dreaming up creative and delicious dishes to be served at a table that welcomed everyone as if they were family. He loved to read, ski, and travel with family and friends. He found tranquillity on his paddleboard and kayak, as well as in the garden. He took particular pleasure in completing challenging puzzles. He could never have too much ice in his drink (non-alcoholic, of course!), always had a tooth-flosser within reach, and ensured that every piece of clothing he owned was always perfectly ironed. Floyd had a deep love of music, playing the piano by ear and even breaking out the accordion from time to time. He loved directing camp staff musicals. He had the ability to tell a captivating story and possessed a unique sense of humour, all of which will be deeply missed. Floyd is survived by Tracey, his beloved wife of 42 years, daughter Kaleena (Anthony), son Christopher (Kalyn) and grandchildren Arlo, Lillian, Aurelia, Ruth and Ottavia, and his brother Rob, nephew Ryan, and mother Myrna. He was pre-deceased by his father Paul Maxwell Tidd. Floyd was a loving husband who provided and protected. A dedicated father, he had an immensely giving heart, sharing in life’s challenges and joys with cruciform love. He loved being “Poppy” to his five grandkids, and will deeply missed as a gentle, caring, and silly grandfather. He was an encouraging brother, supportive uncle, and a doting and loyal son. The family wishes to thank the staff at Princess Margaret hospital for their support and compassionate care. The funeral will be held on 8 June 2024 at 10.30am at The Salvation Army Yorkminster Citadel, North York, Ontario. Tribute courtesy of ogden.funeraltchweb.com Click here to see the tribute in its original format.

BY SIMONE WORTHING The Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer Program was recognised as Highly Commended in the Queensland Reconciliation Awards 2024 held in Cairns on 27 May. The program, in partnership with Cherbourg Council, distributes toys and Christmas hampers to First Nation communities during the festive season. Lucy Davis began the initiative in 2016 with the help of Uncle Lance Bligh. Lucy, the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Manager for The Salvation Army Australia, was then the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator for Queensland. The distribution quickly expanded to include Murri Ministries in South East Queensland and “is now both a national RAP commitment and a national initiative giving relief to various First Nations communities and families across the country,” Lucy said. “We have used this initiative to connect with mob and break down barriers so that our mob are aware of the social programs we deliver like our recovery centres, rehabs, homelessness services and emergency relief programs.” Tahana Turner, now Divisional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator, leads the initiative in Queensland and works with more than 40 First Nations community control organisations, churches and services. “The Christmas Cheer program means the recognition of six years of successful, long-lasting partnership between The Salvation Army and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities throughout Queensland,” Tahana said. “The impact the program makes is that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities get to enjoy Christmas without the pressure of keeping up with bills and putting food on the table. Our families are so grateful for the assistance and helping hand during the Christmas period. “I feel as though the award recognises each part of The Salvation Army that contributes and makes the Christmas Cheer program happen... and the support of my sister, Lucy Davis.” Lucy expressed her thanks to those involved in the “many working parts” of the Christmas Cheer initiative, including the Public Relations and Corporate teams who run the warehouse each year, the corporate and community mob who volunteer annually, the Salvos community services team for the yearly funds, and to Kmart Australia and their donors to the Kmart Wishing Tree. “I really hope you realise the relief that you give vulnerable families – your generosity is applauded,” said Lucy. “And a big shout out to my family who volunteer to help me in the warehouse, usually right up to Christmas Eve. “As a First Nations woman, I want to mention The Salvation Army Australia for empowering First Nations peoples and our voices to the forefront of our business. This initiative is funded by the Salvos and through the generosity of donations. “The Salvos have a long history with our mob, and one that is not all good, but by supporting initiatives like this, it has allowed us to go back into communities like Cherbourg and begin a journey of truth-telling. We have a long way to go, but we are committed.”

BY LERISSE SMITH Stunning Indigenous artworks created from the heart were one of the highlights of a fund-raising afternoon tea for this year’s Red Shield Appeal. The homelessness team from Victoria’s Wimmera South West, with the assistance of the two major organisers – Tracey Williams, Homelessness Case Manager at Warrnambool, and Wendy Griffiths, community services student – ran the event with Sherry Johnstone, a passionate and proud Indigenous artist, generously donating a collection of beautiful items valued at $400. “A lot of my artwork is inspired by all the things I’ve learnt and experienced over time. It all comes from the heart,” Sherry said. “Sometimes it’s a spiritual or cultural experience, things I am in awe of ... the beauty that surrounds us all the time. I can only try and represent these things visually from a cultural perspective by trying to tell them through how I view the world and everything that it beholds.” Sherry included a reproduction of two commissioned works in the gift basket for the silent auction, which was part of the afternoon tea held at Warrnambool Corps. The visual representations were ‘Thunder Point Memories’, capturing a lady’s childhood memories and using that area as a playground, and ‘Moonlit Majesty’, a connection to the southern right whale and the stars. Sherry said once she focused and put her energy into something, she surprised herself. “It’s like an intuitive artwork and collaboration with my ancestors at the same time,” she said. “It’s soul-satisfying and frees my spirit.” Sherry’s beautiful artwork has also been featured in the Australian Football League (AFL). She designed the guernseys for the Geelong Cats team that wore them for the recent Indigenous round. Lindsay Stow, Manager of Homelessness at Wimmera South West, said the Red Shield Appeal event was a great success, raising more than $800. Local businesses donated items and food for inclusion in the auction, with food also donated from the local Western District Food Share. “It was great to see all parts of the community come together to show their support for the Red Shield Appeal and the work that we do,” he said.

BY ANTHONY CASTLE I see a figure between myself and the road. They sit between the trees, fixed in place, the flow of traffic behind them. Their arms reach out as if they are holding something. I approach. It is a statue of a mother, their head bowed. Their hands are empty, and I wonder if the statue is incomplete, if it is missing something. I come to a stop as I realise they are. They are missing their children. I am standing before the statue of the Grieving Mother, visiting Colebrook Reconciliation Park. Once the site of Colebrook Home, an institution for Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their families, the park is now a memorial with the children’s stories recorded as audio testimonials. The statue of the mother sits in the scrub, a busy road cutting through the Adelaide foothills alongside. I look into the emptiness between the statue’s hands. I hear nothing but traffic. I didn’t know how to write this story when I was asked. “We don’t need another white Australian opinion on the Stolen Generation”, I thought. It is not as if I don’t care, but it is the actions of white Australians like me that have created these problems, caused such loss. I am not sure what I have to say. I have come to this park, but the question remains: what is my place here? The Stolen Generation were the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families by federal and state governments and church missions. The purpose of this policy was to assimilate Indigenous children into white Australia. The 350 children who lived at Colebrook Home were removed from their communities from all over the country. Government reports have found that children were taken from caring and able parents. Most of these children never came home. Official estimates found that as many as one in 10, or even one in three, Indigenous children were taken from families between 1910 and 1970. Many suffered the trauma of separation into their adult life, with high incidences of depression, PTSD, suicide and alcohol abuse. It has been an intergenerational trauma. While the Australian Government has apologised for those policies, Indigenous children are 10.5 times more likely to be removed by the state and in out-of-home care than their non-Indigenous peers. As of last year, there were over 22,000 Indigenous children in care, and there are more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children removed from their families today than throughout the stolen generations. Earlier this year, a 10-year-old Aboriginal boy under the care of the state died by suicide in Western Australia, having allegedly been taken from their family who couldn’t pay their rent during the pandemic. Aboriginal children are still being taken, the trauma continuing. Some of them never come home. “Sometimes Australia feels like a busy road cutting through country.” I speak with Maria Anderson, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator for The Salvation Army, about Colebrook Reconciliation Park. She shares its story and instructs me to go myself. I go and look into the mother’s empty hands. I play the recordings of those who were taken, further from the road cutting through Kaurna Land. You can listen to their voices away from all the traffic. The loss is overwhelming. Sometimes Australia feels like a busy road cutting through country. It’s noise and traffic, always moving forward regardless of the history, of the grief, alongside. We build roads and houses and cut mines and have elections over and over with such loss in our past, so much incomplete, still missing. I decide to visit Colebrook Reconciliation Park again with my son. I hold his hand in mine as we approach. White Australians like myself don’t have solutions. This isn’t our story primarily, but we do have a place here. Our place is to stop and see the grief, not to find something to say, but to listen to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and to teach our children to do the same until the crimes of yesterday no longer continue. We must stop and see what is missing before reconciliation can be found, one generation at a time.

BY ANTHONY CASTLE Home Time is a coalition of community services, peak bodies, researchers, unions, young people and community members​. In 2022, The Salvation Army Youth and Melbourne City Mission commissioned a series of workshops to analyse structural, policy and funding factors for young people trying to access housing, ​establishing the Victorian Housing Alliance. “The Salvos were a driving force of the advocacy leading to Home Time campaign’s inception, so we’re very excited about the announcement,” explains Rob Ellis, Senior Specialist of Youth Services. “There’s one billion dollars now going into youth housing. Our advocacy has always been to develop tenancies for young people, linked with support.” The Victorian Housing Alliance created a strong network of youth services and housing providers, allocating $50 million of dedicated youth housing through Big Housing Build in Victoria. ​This successful advocacy led to The Salvation Army Youth – alongside Homelessness Australia, Melbourne City Mission and the Community Housing Industry Association – presenting a National Youth Housing Action Plan to the Government last year. “We’re very proud of that,” says Rob. “Home Time is a national action plan supported by 120 different organisations, peak bodies, and unions.” The Home Time Action Plan called on federal, state and territory governments to develop and maintain a national pool of 15,000 dedicated youth tenancies, provide linked support services to enable young people to pursue their goals and transition to independence and address the rental gap to ensure viability for housing providers and landlords offering tenancies to young people who have been homeless. “We know for all people who are rough sleeping in adult years often had their first experience of homelessness in youth,” says Rob. “It’s a clear pathway into long-term homelessness, exclusion and disadvantage. Young people aren’t getting housing opportunities. There is a real need to have ongoing support in relation to life skills and to cover that rental gap to give fair and equitable access to housing opportunities. A safe housing outcome is critical to assist young people maintain connection to education, connection to community and family.” “When we can provide a safe, supportive accommodation option for young people experiencing crisis and homelessness, we see incredible outcomes.” Almost 40,000 children and young people have nowhere to live across this country each year. ​Around 9500 of them are 15 to 17-year-olds, and thousands more lost their homes when they were children​. Thirty per cent of these homeless young people are First Nations. “When we can provide a safe, supportive accommodation option for young people experiencing crisis and homelessness, we see incredible outcomes,” Rob says. “Education completion, reconciliation with family, long-term housing, all achieved from a period of support safety and stability.” Multiple challenges exacerbate the housing crisis across Australia, with not enough social housing available, not enough rental properties on the market, not enough new houses being built, and not enough construction companies to build them. The Home Time coalition has welcomed the Federal Government's decision to dedicate $1 billion to the creation of new housing for young people and women and their children escaping violence. And $700 million will be available as direct grants to housing providers.​ “It’s the largest commitment to youth housing in memory,” Rob says. “It’s a very, very exciting day.” For more information on Home Time, click here

BY DEAN SIMPSON Auburn Corps in Sydney is adopting a Kingdom-building approach to senior soldiership. Once enrolled, new members are officially appointed to ministry roles. Six senior soldiers were enrolled at Auburn on Sunday 19 May. Those enrolled were Meble, Mathias, Indra, Maleeha, John and Sai. Corps Leader and Area Officer Major Robyn Black led the cohort through soldiership classes and also conducted the enrolment ceremony alongside fellow Corps Leader Natalie Kistan. A focus of the classes was identifying each person’s gifts and interests in serving in some sort of ministry capacity from the outset and identifying leadership potential. “We spoke to the new soldiers and our congregation about the importance of stepping up and stepping out into ministry for the Kingdom,” Natalie said. “This is a new thing we will be doing moving forward with any new soldiers – as they are being commissioned as senior soldiers, they will be publicly appointed to a ministry within our church. “We talked about what it means to be part of The Salvation Army, God’s army, and that is different to other churches, and what a privilege it is.” Some of the ministry roles the six new members will cover include being involved in the AV ministry team, the prayer and evangelism team, the worship team, the welcome team and the creative ministry team. “Our Vision Statement says, ‘Wherever there is hardship or injustice, Salvos will live, love and fight, alongside others, to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus’. What an honour! And that doesn’t just happen without taking action; that doesn't happen by just sitting in your seats on a Sunday morning week in, week out. It happens by getting up and doing something, being part of the church, serving, and giving back,” Natalie said. Corps member Adrian Kistan, the Army’s General Manager of Ministry Resourcing and Support, said the enrolments also reflected Auburn Corps’ cultural diversity. “These newest soldiers come from Uganda, India, Pakistan and Fiji,” he said. “And they embody what we are about … a house of prayer for all nations with a mission to make disciples of all nations. “A beautiful part of the service was when the soldiers signed their Articles of War. Many members of the congregation gathered around them and prayed that the Holy Spirit would enable them in all that they will do for his Kingdom.” Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas said she was heartened to hear about the enrolments and the corps’ ministry initiative. “It was great to see these six people make a commitment to love and serve God and love and serve people through becoming a soldier of The Salvation Army at Auburn,” Miriam said. “And it was great to hear that all have received ‘commissions’ to a ministry. They are amazing people who love Jesus, and we can’t wait to see the unfolding plans of God in their lives.” “God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other. If your gift is speaking, your words should be like words from God. If your gift is serving, you should serve with the strength that God gives. Then, it is God who will be praised in everything through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen”  (1 Peter 4:10-11).