MAJOR PETER McGUIGAN* writes personally about The Salvation Army Australia’s new message for the community: ‘Believe in good’. I’ve been a Salvationist most of my life – you could say the whole of my life, given I was born into a Salvation Army family. Not only that, but I’m a blueblood Salvo, sold out to the Army’s mission to transform the world by sharing God’s love in word and deed. I’ll give up lots to play my part in seeing the fulfilment of this great goal. During my lifetime, many phrases have been employed by the Salvos to engage the community in supporting their mission. Perhaps the most memorable was ‘Thank God for the Salvos’, a line we still sometimes hear from community members when they see us in action. Others have included ‘We’re all in this together’, taking its lead (with permission) from the number one hit song by Ben Lee. And ‘You can give hope where it’s needed most’, one of our more recent mottos using the Red Shield in place of the ‘o’ in hope. But last month, for the first time in a long time, I felt inspired by a message from The Salvation Army that is much more than a cry to support our work. Last month, my organisation, my church, released a statement of encouragement for humankind to believe in something that transcends everything that weighs us down, destroys people’s lives, and keeps humanity from thriving. Believe in good ‘Believe in good’ were the words that rang out from the Salvos like a church bell ringing across a valley on a Sunday morning, calling people to believe, experience and share the goodness of God amid uncertainty about humanity’s future. “Whatever happened to good” goes the ad that hit our TV screens late last month. “It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot … At the Salvos, we believe ‘good’ deserves better. Let’s reclaim its true meaning …” (to see the ad, go to https://youtu.be/7inBkslElCU). “If ever there was a time for the individuals, families and communities of Australia to draw a line in the sand and believe in good, it is now.” ‘Believe in good’ is a statement for our times, coming from the heart of The Salvation Army. Listening to the 5am news last week, and already aware of this new message, it was noticeable that the first five news items were about bad things happening in the world. I considered how easy it is for us to be personally stressed about our global and local state of affairs. It conjures a feeling of helplessness – not knowing what one can do about it. If ever there was a time for the individuals, families and communities of Australia to draw a line in the sand and believe in good, it is now. To believe in good is to lift our heads above the cultural gravity line and choose to be no longer pulled down by the negative, the bad, the gloom and the foreboding that seems to hang in the atmosphere. It is to create a culture of good in the world that resists all that destroys the human spirit and takes positive action towards ending the bad things – things like homelessness, racism, poverty, family violence and environmental decline. It’s about no longer giving way or accepting trends on social media that gravitate towards infamy, scandal and false premise. Believing in good, we choose to see through the eyes of God and give ourselves towards making the world a better place for all. It is going to a deeper place and recognizing and entering into the source of goodness – the unmitigated love of God – even if we don’t fully understand the goodness and the love of God or don’t think we deserve it. A multi-dimensional message The Salvos’ new message is multi-dimensional. Its first goal aims to raise the spirit of Australians amid challenging times and point them to the ultimate source of good. Introducing the Salvos’ new message last Sunday at Tuggeranong Corps in Canberra, Major Dean Clarke said that ‘Believe in good’ opened the door for conversations about belief and goodness. At Parramatta Corps, Major Kylie Collinson said she was “a little emotional” when she first saw the ‘Believe in good’ video produced especially for Salvos (go to Believe in Good - YouTube). “I love that The Salvation Army helps somebody every 17 seconds … We believe in this transforming good. We believe in the hope that comes from [good]. We believe in the hope that Jesus brings.” ‘Believe in good’ also encourages people from every corner of the community to join us in believing in good and making it happen, particularly in the dark places of the world where one too many people struggle with life in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. By believing in good and acting on it, together, we can make a difference. That’s what the Salvos are saying on this level. Then, ‘believe in good’ is also a message for the Salvos themselves – their internal public or stakeholders, public relations linguists might say. And I’m talking first about fully signed-up Salvos. These are people who, like me, have signed up to experience and share the goodness of God in both word and deed. It is about following the example of Jesus Christ, who introduced humanity to a new way of living, including how we think about ourselves and our actions. “... at the heart of ‘Believe in good’ is a strong call to renewal.” It was Jesus who gave us the example of the Good Samaritan. And to a question that was put to him about healing people on the Sabbath, he replied, counter-culturally, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (see Matthew 12). Like it has been for many charities and churches in the 21st century, things haven’t been easy for the church side of The Salvation Army. A confluence of changes in the world – including those brought about by the pandemic, the impact of social media, and people questioning the relevance of traditional church sub-culture – has resulted in significant challenges for The Salvation Army. But the Salvos are reimagining themselves in this vastly different world to the one where they first set out on their mission more than 150 years ago. ‘Believe in good’ captures the essence of this re-creation, both for themselves and the world. The source of the good we espouse remains the same, and at the heart of ‘Believe in good’ is a strong call to renewal. How we communicate and share goodness is under renovation. Our new catchcry is a call to transformative action for Salvos and the world at large. By the way, this past month, I’ve been personally challenged by Psalm 119:68, a heartfelt prayer given up by the ancient King David amid his own challenging circumstances: “You are good, and the source of good; train me in your goodness.” * Major Peter McGuigan is The Salvation Army’s Head of Government Relations for Australia, based in Canberra. Additionally, he is a writer for Salvos Online and Salvos Magazine. For more information, go to: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/

Greetings friends, The Salvos are made of people who believe! Many of us believe in God. All of us believe in doing good that brings hope and transforms lives. At the formation of one national territory, a strategic initiative was set by Leadership and the Board to refresh and modernise the brand language and presentation of The Salvation Army. Over the past year or so, we have progressed well to this aim and are now ready to take the next exciting steps, which will see this work shared with you all and the Australian community. While we might be uncomfortable with thinking of ourselves as a ‘brand’, it is how many in the community view us. And as a movement, it is critical that we seek to refresh and modernise our presentation so that we can connect with new groups in the community who may not have been aware of us before. Very soon, you will see our new brand expression, Believe in Good, popping up around you and the community. Believe in Good has been created with the whole Army in mind; it’s something that everyone in the community can participate in, and it’s a platform to start to talk about who we are as a movement. Everyone has the capacity to believe in good. Belief for The Salvation Army is at our very core – our belief in Jesus and the transformational power of hope that comes through faith is seen and brought to life every day across Australia. As Psalm 27:13 (ISV) says, we believe we will see God’s kingdom on earth: “I believe that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13 ISV). Unlike expressions like Thank God for the Salvos, which were embraced by many but created to support our fundraising appeals, Believe in Good speaks to us all. And right now, in a world where people are suffering and the escalating cost of living crisis continues, it’s important that we not only have something we stand by but something uplifting and positive for our community to connect with and participate in. This is new ground for The Salvation Army in Australia – never before have we had something to unite us all nationally and represented that consistently in the eyes of the community. All the Believe in Good resources you may need are available in the new mySalvos toolkit. Our new TV Commercial will be airing on Sunday 27 August and will be available for download in the toolkit the following week. I encourage you to embrace the Believe in Good resources in the toolkit in your day-to-day work and share them with your teams! Every blessing, Colonel Rodney S Walters Secretary for Communications Go to https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/ for more information.

BY LAUREN MARTIN For the first time since the COVID-19 lockdowns, the Melbourne and Sydney Staff Songsters are coming together for a celebration worship concert at Parramatta Corps in Sydney’s west. “It will be a worship and praise evening to celebrate all things choral,” said Sydney Staff Songsters Manager Ryan Howes. The groups have chosen four songs to sing together, with many other pieces to be performed separately. They will come together for a combined rehearsal before their performance on Saturday 23 September. “There’s a real excitement about singing together as one large choir,” said Ryan. “There’s the chance to have the two different styles of the groups together on the one stage.” On Sunday 24 September, the groups will separate, with Melbourne Staff Songsters taking part in worship at Hurstville Salvation Army and Sydney Staff Songsters joining with Rockdale. “We want to throw a spotlight on choral singing in the Army again. It’s no secret that corps songster brigades are fading or have disappeared entirely – COVID made for a tough time,” said Ryan. “But I think COVID also made us realise how much people naturally want to be together – and as Christians, we want to worship together. Choral singing is a natural expression of this, and the growth of choral music internationally in the wake of the pandemic reflects those desires. “I’m excited to see choirs coming together in Australia in events like this one – there’s a lot of contemporary choral music being published on the international stage, and it’s great to see that making its way into Australia. “I suppose people will have to come along to find out!” For those who can’t make the combined concert at Parramatta Salvation Army in person, they can watch online. A link will be made available closer to the concert date on the Sydney Staff Songsters and Melbourne Staff Songsters Facebook pages.

REVIEWED BY TANWIN TANOTO We can’t do it alone. But yet, it is hard to work together. Even in churches and ministry, we face those two dilemmas. We know we can’t reach our city and community alone. Yet working with other churches and para-church organisations seems to be more trouble than it’s worth. But if we take this ministry thing and spreading-the-good-news-of-Jesus thing seriously, we have to work together! In Impact Networks, David Ehrlichman explains a type of collaboration that “can be cultivated to accelerate learning, spark collaboration, and catalyse systematic change”. He calls it ‘Impact Networks’ – a special type of network that brings individuals and organisations together for learning and coordinated action based on a shared purpose. Ehrlichman divides this book into two parts: First, working through networks. In this part, the foundation of Impact Networks is outlined. Ehrlichman explains the mindset shift that we need to have to form Impact Networks – from a purely hierarchical mindset to an organic combination of networks and hierarchies together. This first section also explains how to make networks work, the difference between their primary forms and core activities, and the different leadership roles and their principles. I found this first section to be a big help in shaping and laying the foundation of what it is and how it differs from other kinds of networks. The second part is about cultivating impact networks. This is about making the networks work. This is where purpose and principles are clearly defined and gathering the people around that common purpose. Ehrlichman makes an interesting claim that trust is one of the ingredients to make this work. How can we cultivate trust among the gathered people and organisations? How can we weave through the many complex connections within a network? Finally, how can we deepen that trust that leads to actions? If you have tried to make connections (and failed, as I have) before, then I find this section to be very encouraging. Overall, I found this book to be practical and easy to read. Drawn from many experts and years of experience in building and making networks work, this is an encouraging book for those who are tired and exhausted from doing it alone. Impact Networks is available from amazon.com.au

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There’s an old joke about a father who asks his son what his favourite Christian song is, and the son replies, “The one that uses God’s real name.” The father asks curiously, “Which song is that?” and the son replies, “You know, the one that says, ‘Andy walks with me, Andy talks to me, Andy tells me I am his own’.” Misheard lyrics can play havoc with our theology and understanding of the Bible and matters of faith. Who hasn’t sung, at some stage in their life, “While shepherds washed their socks at night”? Speaking of Christmas carols, when I was a wee lad, I would sing a well-known Christmas carol and wonder why no one thought to reposition the cows in the stable at Bethlehem to protect our Lord and Saviour. After all: “The cattle are blowing the baby away.” Even one of my favourite carols can be problematic. ‘Silent Night’ is a beautiful carol, but – just as a warning to you – it’s best sung with the line, “Holy infant, so tender and mild”, not “Holy imbecile, tender and mild”. Singing the latter may cause a lightning bolt to descend on one’s head. A quick mention, also, of Kraft, who benefited from generations of Christian mischief makers singing, “What a friend we have in cheeses” – a great promo slogan but a twisted hymn. Kraft may also have liked the old harvest classic, “Bringing in the cheese”. Easter brings its own issues. A classic Easter hymn, ‘Up From the Grave He Arose’, is sung with great joy in churches across the globe on Easter Sunday. I used to wonder why Jesus was lying there at all when we sang in the first verse: “Low in the gravy lay Jesus my Saviour”. Why would you sink someone’s body in gravy, let alone Jesus? Is that any way to treat a Messiah? Perhaps a more modern confusion, given the popularity of shows like ‘The Walking Dead’, is over the scary lyrics of the old Sunday school classic, ‘Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam’. One little girl was heard singing it as “Jesus wants me for a zombie”. Sure, he raised Lazarus, but I don’t recall reading in Scripture that Lazarus walked out of the tomb singing that lyric. One old hymn, rarely sung these days, seemed to highlight a vision-impaired bear named Gladly, which may or may not have had something to do with wanting to carry Christ’s cross for him. In the age of Dumbo the elephant, Bambi the deer and Pluto the dog, generations of confused children learnt to sing, “Gladly, the cross-eyed bear”, before realising they had it all wrong. So, let’s pay attention to what we’re singing. Lyricists can toil for hours and hours over lyrics, seeking to help us draw closer to God and go deeper into faith. Let’s praise God for his amazing grace, not his superb vineyard that produces amazing grapes. – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos

BY LERISSE SMITH Salvos are being encouraged to dust off those dancing shoes or cook a prawn on the barbie – all for a worthy cause! The fundraising drive for The Salvation Army’s Making It Happen project is now in full swing, aimed at raising $120,000 to build and furnish a home in the Solomon Islands for corps officers that would also function as a missional hub for Salvos and a space for the wider community. And Salvos need not put their thinking caps on when planning to raise some dollars. Fun and creative fundraising ideas have already been created as part of the project’s online ‘mySalvos Toolkit’ – from organising a learn-to-dance night, trivia night, after-church barbeque and fete/family fun day through to a trivia night, silent auction, cake decorating evening, car wash, talent show and bake sale. The project’s mySalvos Toolkit – ‘Making It Happen - Mission in the Solomon Islands’ – also features resources that Salvos can access, from event flyers and posters to information sheets and Making It Happen Sunday leader’s notes. One Salvo Family Store that got right behind the fundraising campaign with great aplomb was the Fassifern Family Store in Boonah (Qld). A Devonshire tea, complete with marshmallows thrown in for sweet measure, plus an accompanying fashion parade, raised about $1700 for the project held at the Kalbar Salvation Army hall with 100 people in attendance. It was a great success. “We had extra nice stuff,” said Donna Johnson-Byrne, Fassifern Family Store Manager. “The event was organised by the family store. We build a stockpile during the year for the fashion parade. What we don’t sell goes back into the store.” A colourful array of new women’s and men’s clothing of all sizes, plus an assortment of other accessories and items from shoes and linen to baby clothing, featured at the event – at family store prices, of course – so scoring a fantastic buy was part of the fun. The fundraiser was an entire team effort, with the store volunteers supporting the worthy cause. Volunteers and the male drivers who drove the Salvos trucks served the women and men attendees at the tables so they could just sit, relax and have fun. They also helped set up and wash dishes. Appointing fashion models for the event was an easy task. Two high school students and sisters, who volunteer at the store, modelled the women’s clothing, while those attending ranged from people who booked tables every year to those who come by themselves to meet and socialise with people, friendship groups, and Mums and Bubs. And it was all word of mouth. “We have people who bring their grandmothers or their older mother with them, who normally wouldn’t go out to a high tea or something like that because it’s too much of a hassle, so this is really laid back and fun. It’s like being with your family – it’s the feeling we like to portray,” said Donna. “Everyone knows everyone, and if you don’t know your cousins from three generations ago, you soon will when it’s done!” Donna said they had held a fashion parade for the past seven years to raise funds for various campaigns, with the last few years supporting the Making It Happen projects. Getting involved Making It Happen Project Coordinator Major Rowena Smith encouraged everybody to come on board with the fundraising drive that runs until the end of 2024, when they hope to reach their target of $120,000. She said there were many ways to engage with the campaign, including accessing a QR code for individual donations. Salvos Stores are also involved with the campaign. Corps are encouraged to hold a special Making It Happen Sunday in the next 12 months to raise awareness about the project, incorporating prayer and an offering for this year’s project. It could be run on any date. Rowena said a positive aspect of the project was that local labourers in the Solomon Islands would be involved in building the corps officer residence, thereby helping its economy and local employment, especially young apprentices. She further added that the home would be used for corps officers and a place where others were welcomed as part of the local culture and where gatherings were held to support people through hospitality. Fundraising ideas, promotional materials, and resources for a Making It Happen Sunday are available at www.my.salvos.org.au/making-it-happen. If you have any questions regarding the project, you can email the team at makingithappen@salvationarmy.org.au

1. What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it? I am a corps officer at Port Adelaide/Semaphore Salvos along with my wife Claire. It is exciting to be starting a new corps. With God’s help, we will make new disciples of Jesus and create faith pathways that are relevant to the people of this region. We have just started a Micro Church. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I enjoy watching the Geelong Cats. I also love to run. I am a regular at Parkrun and run occasional marathons. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? Who you say I am – this song declares that I’m a child of God because of Jesus’ death for me! This song is used in Kairos Prison Ministry. I have been part of Kairos teams, which have shared the gospel in Mobilong Prison in Murray Bridge. 4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about? I would talk with Luke because I am inspired by the amazing stories in the book of Acts. I would ask him to tell me some of the stories of the Early Church that didn’t make it into Acts. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? I highly recommend officership. As an officer, I am well-supported and have great opportunities for mission. It is so rewarding to share the gospel and to help people grow as disciples of Jesus! Interview by Major Mal Davies

The list of Salvation Army officer appointment changes for the Australia Territory, effective from 10 January 2024 (unless otherwise stated), has been released. Please pray for those who are affected by these changes – for the officers who will be moving and any children, along with corps and centres that will be receiving new officer personnel. The Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, has approved the following appointments (click on link): Territorial Officer Appointment Change Bulletin - 7 September 2023

Salvationists and supporters of The Salvation Army have been invited to join in a National Weekend of Prayer, Reflection and Meditation around the Voice this weekend (8-10 September 2023). The weekend of prayer is in preparation for the Constitutional Referendum vote to recognise an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice that has been announced for Saturday 14 October 2023. “Across the weekend, church services in many faith communities across the nation will reflect on the coming Referendum, focusing on themes of unity and reconciliation, hope and healing,” said Liz Stone, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) “We are inviting Christians to include a prayer in their worship services and liturgies across the weekend. “One that you might like to use is by Ms Sherry Balcombe of the Victorian Catholic Aboriginal Ministry.” Dear Lord We pray for a bright and just shared future for all who call Australia home. We ask that Your grace of acceptance and compassion will guide us. Let the Creator Spirit lead our journey with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of this land. May we share Your Spirit more deeply; celebrate the gifts You have given us. Help us appreciate true harmony and peace just as our Old People did; Keep us strong, make us resilient and remember us in this time. Now is an opportunity to change our Nation’s history for the better. Walk with us as we write a new chapter together and may we be one in Your love. Amen. “The Voice to Parliament Referendum provides us with a unique opportunity to come together as a community and draw upon our faith and moral grounding to make an informed decision,” Liz said. “As Christians, let us keep the process in prayer.” For more information go to Eventbrite page here.

Salvationists and friends worldwide united in person and online for the official public welcome of General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham (World President of Women’s Ministries) at The Salvation Army’s Regent Hall in London on Sunday 3 September. A musical prelude including the International Staff Band (ISB) and International Staff Songsters (ISS) ministered to the congregation as they arrived at this historic and spiritual event. Welcome from the Chief The Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Edward Hill, thanked everyone for their support as he officially welcomed the new international leaders. “We have great admiration and respect for you. General and Commissioner, we are fully supportive of your ministry. We have a very positive vision of The Salvation Army of the future ... our vision is for a growing Salvation Army … and not just in certain places around the globe, but in every zone … We ask, ‘Will you partner with us?’” Commissioner Hill prayed, thanking God for the faithful service of the Buckinghams and asking for his presence, wisdom and blessings to be upon them. First General from NZ As the first General from New Zealand, General Lyndon Buckingham gave his initial greeting to the global Army world in Māori and then English. He assured those gathered that, “You can be certain that we will serve with all we have for the glory of God and his Kingdom.” The ISS then sang On the Rock, followed by a Scripture reading and a short film produced by the International Children and Youth Advisory Group. Commissioner Hill recognised the wisdom of the film and acknowledged that the young people in it may be the future of The Salvation Army. Colonel Hary Haran (a member of the General’s Consultative Council), speaking for The Salvation Army around the world, said, “This moment has been much awaited. I humbly remind you that it is God who has placed you in this role. Now it is required that those that have been given the trust must prove faithful. Know that the Army regards you as servants of Christ. Know that we love and trust you. You are faithful. On behalf of our international movement, we recognise you as our international leaders. General, a divided house will not stand – unite us. Shepherd us. Minister to us with your vision and lead us from the front.” Support for youth Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham then addressed the meeting. Recognising the vital part that young people have to play in the future of the movement, she said, “I believe we have a generation rising up to take their place in this Army and I want to be amongst their loudest supportive cheerleaders! My prayer today is that we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us to do and be what pleases him, all for God’s glory.” Commissioner Norman Howe said, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. It is not for me to recognise this leadership. That is the function of the Spirit. My message for General Lyndon Buckingham is simple – please keep the Christian mission at the heart of The Salvation Army.” A Māori blessing Captain Hana Seddon and Major Campbell Roberts, Nan Patea and her son Hohepa then gave a Māori blessing as the General and Commissioner Bronwyn were lovingly wrapped in feathered Korowai (feathered Māori cloak) and blessed. General Buckingham responded to the congregation, saying, “You have blessed and honoured us today, and we are humbled. Thank you.” He described some of the early Army (and family) history, before saying, “In November of 1882, William Booth called together a ‘War Gathering’. During that meeting, he commissioned around 90 officers whom he despatched all around the world. What motivates people to make themselves available to God and the Army?” Salt and light The General shared the things his research had shown as part of their motivation. He said, “They all testified to a life-transforming encounter with God that completely changed them – to be forgiven, cleansed and embraced and to understand the love God has for them. They wanted to share this with other people. This is the DNA of our movement! They had a genuine concern and care for other people; for lost, vulnerable, hurting, disadvantaged people. They demonstrated this not just by the things that they said, but by the things that they did. They had a desire to demonstrate the values of the gospel. This is our heritage! They had a deep desire to glorify God with their living. I love that! The very living of their lives would be salt and light. “This was their simple strategy: to know him and to make him known. To care for others and pursue the holy life. I rejoice that there are men and women all over the world today captured by these three great ideas. I celebrate it in our movement. He continued, “This surely is the time for the Body of Christ to rise up. To agree that this is what we exist for. Let’s get on with it! To this, I am absolutely 100 per cent committed – how about you? Do not underestimate how the Kingdom of God will use us. You can change the world!’ The Haka was then performed by Captain Daniel Buckingham, Captain Hana Seddon and Nan Patera, then acknowledged with warm applause. Count me in The General said, “We have more resources now than we have ever had. We have people all around the world. We have people who need to see demonstrations of the love of God, and, by golly, this world needs to see God-filled people. There is so much more that we could be doing. Count me in!” General Buckingham invited the congregation to join him and Commissioner Bronwyn at the mercy seat as the ISS and IHQ worship team sang a selection of spiritual songs. The General prayed that the Lord would keep us “on mission”. Commissioner Hill closed with a benediction. For the full version of this story, click here.

BY CLIFF WORTHING Interest is so high in understanding the Voice that The Salvation Army in Australia has added 11 extra Yarning Circle sessions to the end of September. The Yarning Circles were created to provide reliable information and a chance to discuss questions relating to the upcoming Voice referendum on 14 October. Over 13 sessions had been facilitated by the end of August. “We aren’t here to tell people how to vote or argue a point, but to provide extra information and context,” said Jennifer Kirkaldy, General Manager, Policy and Advocacy. “Participants are finding this approach helps make the referendum not so scary.” The Yarning Circles are designed to clarify The Salvation Army’s position on the Voice because of early confusion, address misinformation, and bring people to the table. They are facilitated online by Jennifer and Lucy Davis, a proud Cobble Cobble woman and Reconciliation Action Plan and Projects Manager. “People appreciate being able to talk things through without judgment,” Jennifer said. “Participants have been respectful, engaging, asked good questions, take it seriously and enjoyed a grace-filled space.” In a recent ABC interview, Tom Rogers, Commissioner of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), stated that some of the online misinformation and disinformation about the referendum process had been “bonkers”. “Joining the Yarning Circle really consolidated a lot of information and completed the puzzle for me,” said one participant. “It was really grounding and encouraging to see the support there.” Typical topics include different forms of recognition of First Nations people, design principles behind the Uluru Statement of the Heart and referendum, why Voice before treaty, different Aboriginal opinions, what the Voice might look like, government decision-making processes, and legal ramifications to a yes vote. “My hope is that I make people comfortable enough with me to ask any question,” Lucy said. “I am aware that some people don’t understand what difference the Voice will make for our people, what it will be, and what the referendum is trying to achieve. People get so disheartened by being hoodwinked.” Lucy and Jen suggest everyone read reputable sources of information such as: https://voice.gov.au Referendum 2023 - The Question (aec.gov.au) The Voice Referendum Explained : ABC iview “The faith-based community in Australia holds a big vote,” said Lucy. “So, we want them to come out in strength and follow Jesus’s example of walking with the vulnerable.” As well as the Salvo Yarning Circles, Lucy is taking the discussion to community groups in Queensland, even those groups who are unsure of how to vote or likely to vote no. “It’s really hard being a black fella in this space, and it’s quite tiring,” Lucy said. “But I don’t want to wake up on the Sunday after the referendum and think about what more I could have done.” Salvos can participate in one of the remaining Yarning Circles at https://my.salvos.org.au/voice/voice-yarning-circles/