Major Brendan Nottle and Katie Hall MP in front of the artwork by Western Bulldogs star Cody Weightman. Image: Project 614 The Salvation Army has launched a new social service café in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray, in partnership with the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation. The project, which has been backed by the Victorian Labor Government, will accommodate about 40 people inside, and serve as a place to find a free meal and a pathway to homelessness services, alcohol and other drugs programs and mental health support. The centre, officially opened on 20 May, has been developed by Project 614 in Bourke Street in collaboration with the Western Bulldogs football team. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt with Salvation Army icon George Ellis at the Lighthouse Café launch on 20 May. Image: Project 614 Bulldogs stars Tom Liberatore and Cody Weightman have committed to supporting the project. Tom Liberatore will generously donate 200 gourmet dim sims each week to the café, and Cody Weightman has personally designed a multimedia mural for the interior of the space. Project 614 Corps Officer Major Brendan Nottle said The Salvation Army had been overwhelmed by the level of good will from the Footscray community towards the initiative. He also said The Salvation Army was deeply thankful to the Victorian Government, in particular Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt and Member for Footscray Katie Hall for their support. “The Lighthouse Café will help improve food security, lack of connection and lack of access to services,” Brendan said. Ingrid Stitt said the service was going to be “truly life-changing” for some of the most vulnerable community members, while Katie Hall said Labor was “proud” to be backing the Lighthouse Café. “[The café] is such an important addition to our community, a place where you can go if you need a helping hand,” she said. The Lighthouse Café follows the success of the Magpie Nest Café in the Melbourne CBD, a collaboration with the Collingwood Football Club launched in 2011. The Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Café is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Information and quotes in this story have been taken from a media release from the Premier of Victoria and a news article from Western Bulldogs Media.

The beginning, the middle and the end! Street Artist Damien Arena has delighted the Delacombe Corps community with the striking ‘Love and Light’ mural, created in just two days. BY LERISSE SMITH It began with a gigantic crack, and ended with a striking masterpiece. Dominating the exterior landscape wall of Delacombe Corps in regional Victoria is a new towering ‘Love and Light’ mural, painted by street artist Damien Arena, which has been transformed from a large, fractured glass-tiled cross. And it’s captivating children, families, passersby and the local community. “What began as a refresh has gently grown into a meaningful point of community engagement,” says Captain Amy Jones, Corps Officer/Team Member of Greater Ballarat Salvos. “The mural tells a story of light and love, closely tied to Ballarat’s own heritage. Using a miner’s lamp and layered symbolism, the artwork draws directly on the city’s history while inviting curiosity rather than providing neat or instant answers. “The process itself was rich and collaborative, bringing together our local leadership team, divisional oversight, many informal community conversations, and a genuinely open creative partnership with Damien.” Corp Officer/Team Leaders at Greater Ballarat Salvos, Major Peter Walker (left) and Captain Amy Jones, in front of the mural that has captivated the local community. Completed in just two days by Damien, the artwork is drawing people in – pausing, lingering and fostering connections as they pass by the Greenhalghs Road corps building in Ballarat’s south-west. Naturally, conversations have sprung up too – especially among children. “While the mural was being painted, local school students walked past during cross‑country training and stopped in awe, convinced they were watching something a bit magical unfold as the image took shape,” Amy says. “It’s been a quiet but powerful reminder of how art can capture attention across generations.” Inspiration for the mural came directly from those who know the corps the best – the congregation. The input of words and ideas was all-important in creating the special artwork. “The theme of this year’s International Day of Prayer for Children was ‘Be The Light,’ so I brought that together with the mural because I spoke about how we, as a faith community, want to protect the light of our young people and keep them safe,” Amy reflects. “We want to ensure we are doing whatever it takes to make sure that the light of our young people stays strong and stays burning, and they don’t ever feel dulled or put down by us. We’re an encouraging community.” Ensuring they got in on the act were these excited local children, eager to witness the big unveiling of the mural. Children from Delacombe Corps’ kids outreach program, Beans, were taken to see the mural - and loved it. A moving component of the service involved Amy inviting the congregation to write names of children on a simple lantern graphic with a flame inside. Inside the lantern, people wrote the names of kids connected to the corps’ faith community and kids the congregation knew. Children who were there on that day were invited to come and write their own name, too, plus adults who wrote their names around the outside of the lantern. “The names of local kids were written on the inside and outside of the drawing as a commitment to say we were a community that wants to stand with our young people and protect our young people,” she says. “Corps members were flocking down to the front of the corps to commit to that. It was quite a powerful moment.” Introducing the mural to the wider community required a lengthy and thoughtful process. Before Amy came on board as Corps Officer, Delacombe had been grappling with structural building renovation issues during 2024 and 2025. Sunday worship had to be held outside the building for a long time. The congregation held services in the corps’ thrift store in Delacombe, and temporarily in the emergency services shed, where the emergency trucks are normally stored. The corps met for worship at the shed for almost a year. “It was actually a really beautiful season of worship in a different space,” Amy reflects. “People came in and made the space homely. I have so much love and good memories for our time in there.” Local craft group members gather around to celebrate the completion of the ‘Love and Light’ mural. They are pictured with Amy (second from left) and her dog, Jessie. The renovations demanded time, patience and care – including roof repairs and work to restore structural integrity, which was the biggest issue. Painting and recarpeting the entire corps were also major works undertaken. It was during the roof and structural integrity work that the “gigantic” crack all the way through the exterior tiled cross occurred, she added. While painting and carpeting works were underway, the decision was made to create a mural, but it needed to wait for Damien’s availability and to undertake the collaboration/idea gathering with the corps – a process they didn’t want to rush. Faced with a choice, the leadership team had to decide to repair, replace, or cover the cracked tiled cross with something new. The decision was made to cover it up. One of the leadership team members, Kylie Watson, suggested doing something similar to what Geelong Salvos had done with their ‘Hope’ mural painted by Damien. After discussions with the street artist and approval from the leadership team, the corps spent weeks earlier this year exploring with the congregation what images were meaningful to them as part of the mural creation. Kylie, Fiona White, Corps Sergeant Major, and Amy pulled together all the idea gatherings and worked with Damien throughout the whole creative process. They communicated with the divisional leadership, the wider Delacombe leadership team and the corps community. “We wanted to represent to the community what was important and how they understood God from that image,” Amy says. “Also, what sort of imagery reflected who we are on the inside to our community.” The mural was officially unveiled on Friday 24 April. “Damien is a talented street artist whose bold, eye-catching work can be found all over Australia and even overseas in Bali,” Amy emphasised. “We feel pretty lucky to have him creating something special right here in Delacombe. It has been a genuine privilege to partner with Damien on this project, and we are thankful for the care, creativity, and skill he has brought to our community.” Since then, the mural has inspired not just awe – but sparked a little fun too. The corps launched a simple selfie challenge to invite broader awareness and participation, encouraging people not just to look at the mural, but to engage with it and share what they notice. The prize? A $20 voucher to the local thrift store for people who shared and tagged their selfies. “Community families have written on our social media posts and created a bit of buzz about it, saying they love it and are really excited by it,” Amy says. “Fiona was standing there one day taking a picture, and she had some guy honking his horn and giving the thumbs up! He loved the artwork.” Special moments have unfolded, too. Children from the church’s kids outreach program, Beans, were brought around to see the mural. “The kids were all saying they loved it and they wanted a picture with it,” she says. “And they shared a prayer around it which was so lovely.” ​​

The group gathered at the Melbourne chapel service. Image: Supplied The Salvation Army in Australia marked IDAHOBIT Day with events at Headquarters in Melbourne, Divisional Headquarters (DHQ) in Adelaide and the Darwin Regional Administration Office in the Northern Territory. Officers, employees and volunteers took part in the leadership of what was a meaningful time together. IDAHOBIT Day, which fell on Sunday 17 May, marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia. The Salvation Army’s Inclusion Statement states that the movement values and includes people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. At the Melbourne event, Captain Kris Halliday, TSA Mission and Spirituality Engagement Coordinator presented from the Bible about the importance of non-discrimination and drew on the themes from The Way, the spiritual focus of The Salvation Army Australia for 2026. Kris said that many might find themselves wondering whether or not they belong, and if they could bring their whole selves to their work, church or communities. He said that the Way of Jesus was not to avoid or suppress people who were different but rather to ask what we can learn as we move toward others with dignity, compassion and welcome. “Today matters because dignity matters,” Kris said. “Safety matters. Belonging matters.” Amanda Brummell Lennestaal prayed for those in the LGBTQIA+SB community who have faced fear and rejection while living with courage and integrity. “God of justice, on this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex-phobia and Transphobia, we pray for every person who today carries the weight of being unwelcome: the young person afraid to be known, the parent grieving a child rejected, the worshipper unsure whether the altar is theirs, the colleague who hides a part of themselves at work, the one in lands where their very existence is criminalised, the one whose prayers have been whispered in the dark. May they know that they are seen by you, held by you, and beloved of you, not at the margins of your heart, but at its centre,” Amanda prayed. The Salvation Army is committed to inclusion, valuing, respecting and welcoming all into our expressions.

Salvos Online continues a new series of unexpected and decidedly prescriptive teachings that General William Booth gave to his soldiers 124 years ago, excerpting the 1902 publication Letters to Salvationists on Religion for Every Day (volume 1). We are publishing General Booth’s thoughts on everyday topics, including sickness and bereavement, sleep, hygiene, life challenges, conversation, clothing, poverty, the Bible and the Sabbath, industrial relations and more. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? BY GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH Salvation Army co-founder (The article below is General William Booth’s original transcript.) Let me share some thoughts on Bereavement, by which I mean the loss of dear ones, whether kindred or precious friends, through death. Many of my readers will have been called, already, to pass through this experience, and they will know it to be one of the most painful that can possibly come … Others have yet to feel that mysterious sense of helplessness, that inner agony and grief, which seize us as we watch our loved ones die. Money, reputation, health and a great many other valuable things, when lost, may often be recovered, but the companions of our hearts and homes and lives, when summoned by the inevitable silent Visitor, can never be restored to us in this world. They cannot be brought out of the grave, or given back to our fond embrace, until the Resurrection morning. They “are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again”. Death is a painful visitor. The poet sings, ‘Why do we mourn departing friends, Or shake at deaths alarms? ’Tis but the voice that Jesus sends To call them to His arms.’ That is a beautiful sentiment, and as true as it is beautiful; nevertheless, after all has been said that can be said, to stand on the banks of the River, and watch your best-beloved struggle through its dark and stormy waters, even though you may catch some ray of brightness from the other shore, is a painful and agonising experience. Still, God can, and does, wonderfully strengthen the hearts of His faithful children for those gloomy hours. Many years ago, I spent six weeks in the house of a friend, who appeared to me to be one of the holiest men I had yet been privileged to meet. He has long since passed away to his reward. I hope to see him again in the Glory-land. This friend told me that his young wife died after they had lived together only a short time; that he loved her with all his heart, but he was so assured of the glorious state of existence to which God, in His love, had taken her, and was so comforted by the consolations of His Holy Spirit, that he was filled, as never before, with unspeakable triumph as he stood by her open grave. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Many of my readers will acknowledge assurance and acceptance as being some distance beyond them. Although full of confidence as to the safety of their loved ones, their hearts were nonetheless sorrowful when they bade them a last farewell, and daily and hourly they mourn their absence. What can I say to these sufferers? Accept your sorrow without murmuring. There is an important difference between being weighed down under the burden of a great affliction and fighting against it. To rebel against a Divine decree will not help you. One of my Officers tells of a man who said to him, one day, in a railway train, that he believed in God till he lost his child; but when the baby died, he gave up that belief. Whereupon the Officer asked him, what has often seemed to me a wise and tender question: had giving up his faith in God made him feel any better about his loss? With tears in his eyes, he admitted that such was not the case. To readers whose hearts may be breaking on account of some painful Bereavement, let me say that, while God will not condemn you for your sorrow, to rebel against His Providence, instead of making you feel better, will only make you feel worse. Thank God for having favoured you with such precious companions. Better to have loved and been loved again, even though only for a little while, than never to have known such love at all. Rejoice, amid your sorrow, that your dear ones are safely landed on the Eternal Shore. If you had a son journeying on the wide seas to some distant land, and you received tidings that the vessel had struck upon some sunken rock on some desolate coast, or had been destroyed by fire in mid-ocean, your first enquiry would be, “What about the passengers? What about my son?” If, for a time, you could get no information, the suspense would add to your distress; and, on the supposition that he had been drowned, you would probably feel, even if you did not say, that it would be a comfort to you if his poor body could be found and have a decent burial. But supposing, that in the midst of your distress, the news reached you that, although the vessel was lost, the young man was saved, and that he had landed in a beautiful country among a friendly people, that his health was good, his surroundings agreeable, and that he had started an excellent business, with every promise of lasting prosperity. How great would be your joy! Now, I feel that all comparisons between the earthly and the Heavenly are poor, indeed; but may not those who mourn the loss of departed friends, comfort themselves somewhat after this fashion? Their loved ones have suffered a shipwreck, but they have not perished. No, they have been rescued and carried away to the Celestial shores. Their wants are abundantly supplied; their companions are the multitudes of the redeemed; their employments and felicities are beyond the power of our words to tell, or our minds to imagine; they are doing the will of our God and will live in His presence forever. They have entered into the infinite bliss of those of whom it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” Encourage yourself with the prospect of meeting again those who have passed away from you, and that before very long. This was King David’s consolation on the loss of his child. He seems to have loved it very tenderly indeed, and there were few things in his kingdom so precious that he would not have given to have kept the babe. But when it was gone, after the first agony of his grief, he bowed to the Divine will, saying: “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” If the father I have just referred to, on hearing that his boy was safe and sound, happy and prosperous, although unable to return to his native land, had been informed that arrangements had been made for the emigration of himself and all his comrades, kindred, and friends to the same country, to participate in all the luxuries of which the young man was already the possessor, I am sure the father would have been still further comforted in his loss. I think he would have been likely to say, “Praise God; it is well with my boy; although he cannot come to us, we can go to him. We may have to wait a while, but it will not be very long before we see him again and share in the delights of this new land.” So, my Comrades, your wife or your husband, or some companion of your heart, a part of yourself as it were, or your darling, the flower of your flock, has suffered shipwreck on the ocean of time. The vessel in which that dear one sailed went to pieces; perhaps it was worn out by old age, or it struck, perchance, upon some fever rock, or mayhap it was overtaken by some stormy epidemic, and after battling bravely for a time, went down to rise no more till the resurrection of the dead. But your loved one is safe. NEXT WEEK: General William Booth’s thoughts on industrial relations *This series has been compiled by Barry Gittins, The Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist (Melbourne)

Pentecost celebrates the moment the Holy Spirit came to empower Jesus’ followers. In this Pentecost sermon, Major Phil Inglis prays that we would have an experience of the Spirit that assures us of God’s deep love for us and grounds us in that love. He encourages us to share this with others through compassion, service, and witness to what God has done.

One of the chalk messages the Macquarie Fields Salvos team left on a path. BY LAUREN MARTIN When we pray, we partner with God’s intentions and promises. We may not see immediate results, but we know God hears (Jer 29:12), and it is his desire that we seek the Kingdom through prayer (Matt 6:9-13). A Salvation Army prayer cell in south-west Sydney, which has been meeting for more than five years, recently felt God calling them to ‘get out of the building’. In obedience, they have spent several hours on Fridays over the past month walking through the streets, bush tracks and laneways of their mission fields, praying and chalking words of Scripture and encouragement for those who follow. Members of the prayer walk team praying with a man at Liverpool station. “We took some chalk and wrote prayers and Scripture (verses) around places that we felt needed prayer,” said Major Darren Kingston, Corps Officer at Macquarie Fields (Mac Fields Salvos). “We met some people on the way and prayed with people and healed people. It’s been really good!” God calling his people to prayer has been a theme across The Salvation Army Australia for many years. Last year, the team at Mac Fields Salvos began praying as they walked through their neighbourhood every Tuesday morning. They have invited other pastors and people from other churches in the area to join them. Salvo mission leaders and volunteers from south-west Sydney have spent several hours each Friday over the past few weeks prayer-walking their neighbourhoods, including chalking some encouraging words and Scripture verses. When they walk and pray, they carry fridge magnets in their pockets, each bearing Mac Fields Salvos’ address and contact details, and the saying: ‘Jesus is a friend who sticks like no other. We prayed for you’. The team will stick one on a person’s letterbox or front gate, letting them know they have been blessed with prayer. “We are painting the area with prayer, and people get to know who we are and what we are doing and that we are praying for them,” said Darren. This, along with a dedicated prayer room at Mac Fields Salvos, where Christian staff and volunteers are available to minister through prayer, is giving the community an opportunity to connect with Jesus and explore faith. You never know what’s going to happen on a prayer walk! Here, Major Darren Kingston (in red) and other south-west Sydney Salvation Army mission expression leaders and volunteers assist community members whose car had broken down.

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? I am one of the corps officers here at Mandurah (WA), alongside Major Karina Wood. Recently, we have joined Rockingham and Kwinana and have become the Southwest Metro Salvos Hub. Here at Mandurah, we have a Sunday Worship Gathering, where most of our congregation are elderly. We have a few young families starting to join the church, which is exciting because it brings in the next generation. We have our Community Connect Centre, where we engage and support our local community, especially those who are doing it tough. We provide breakfast, food emergency relief, showers, free clothing, Friday meals, and much more. We have lots of partnerships – our Doorways Case Worker and Moneycare Financial Counsellor provide much support, Orange Sky for free laundry … etc. Lots of different groups of people use our facilities to build community as well. So, it’s a busy place. Crystal with fellow Mandurah Corps Officer Major Karina Wood. There are two things that are most satisfying about the appointment. I always find that it's such a privilege to journey with people in their life story. I have two opportunities where I get to journey with such diverse backgrounds of women in two different settings. One is a Chinese Bible/Christian faith study group, where we speak Mandarin and Cantonese. The other is just with a small group of Australian ladies. It’s such a privilege to be able to hear people’s stories and share in their vulnerabilities, in their hardships, in their crisis moments. In their most vulnerable moments, they are willing to share with you their experience and their feelings. I think it’s being able to listen and to be able to help them to feel that they’re not alone, and that they are heard and seen. And seeing those women whom I have been journeying with, experience real transformation, is very fulfilling – from difficult backgrounds or past hurt, to now volunteering, having a relationship with God, and giving back to others. It is what gives me life the most – being able to lead people to Christ and lead people to flourish. I’m also part of a really good, strong, all-women team here in the office that supports and empowers each other to help bring projects to fruition and be on mission together for our local community, which makes the work even more meaningful. It’s life-giving. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I watch rugby – something I’d never in my life thought I would ever say, because before I met my husband, I wouldn’t even know what the rules were when it came to rugby! There’s something about watching rugby; people running and training on an open field – I think it just switches off my brain. Watching sports is a big thing for me – the thrill of a game is exciting. Catching up with friends and family also unwinds me, and playing with my young daughter, Leilani. I am a movies person, too. I love watching some good movies and trying new foods. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? It comes in seasons. At the moment, the one that keeps coming into the back of my mind is ‘The Power of Your Love’ by Geoff Bullock. It’s an oldie, but a goodie. I think it just reminds me that I’m loved by God. That’s been a good reminder for this season of life and just being surrounded by His love. It centres and grounds me in what I do. The lyrics talk about this waiting period: As I wait, I will rise up like the eagle. Sometimes, life has waiting periods and waiting moments, and we’re always waiting for the things we would like to happen. But in that waiting period, knowing that God is with me, and knowing that God’s love is still surrounding me, helps. I also like a few old hymns and the song, ‘The Goodness of God’. 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? At the moment, I would love to talk to Mary, the mother of Jesus. I’ve become a new mum for nine months, and that song ‘Mary, Did You Know?’ has this whole new resonation of like, “Oh my goodness!” It will be interesting to talk to Mary about how she parented Jesus when He was little. What was it like to be a mum to watch all the miracles and events unfold? An interesting thought is that Jesus is also God. So, then, I’m wondering if Jesus ever had moments where He ministered to Mary? But also, for Jesus as the son to give back to Mary and what that would have been like for Mary. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? I would say definitely yes – if they’re called. I’d also say that The Salvation Army is always looking for leaders so, even if it doesn’t look like officership, if God has given you a passion, follow that passion. To also think – what floats your boat? If there’s something that you’re passionate about, if there’s something you think God has given you a particular skill or talent in, pursue that. There’s always a need for leaders, even if that means talking to your local corps officer or your youth leader to say, “Hey, I’ve got this skill, I’ve got this passion. Where can I help? Where can I serve within The Salvation Army?’ We are all called to live out the mission. But to answer the question, I would recommend officership. I would also recommend being a leader, in whatever format, within The Salvation Army, because we’re always looking for more. VIEW MORE: Lieutenant Crystal Lee talks about English language classes at Mandurah Salvos, click here More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here.

The Salvation Army has released its International Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response Impact Report 2025, which captures the work of the movement amid an urgent human rights crisis. Modern slavery is an umbrella term to describe the exploitation of people’s bodies and labour. It includes trafficking of persons, debt bondage, forced labour, forced marriage, deceptive recruitment, organ trafficking, servitude, sexual servitude and slavery. Tactics used by human traffickers include religious manipulation, emotional or mental abuse, document confiscation and love-bombing. Thanks to the dedication of local and international officers, soldiers, victim-survivors, employees, volunteers and friends, The Salvation Army drives community-led efforts to respond to the issue of modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) in 134 countries. This year’s report is titled Move of Hope, as it showcases stories of transformation and resilience, underpinning the inspiring message that change is possible and lives can be rebuilt. It demonstrates the work of The Salvation Army’s MSHTR global team, a group of highly passionate and dedicated people who desire to make a difference to the lives of others in the world. A total of 139,587 people vulnerable to MSHT received support from The Salvation Army in 2025, and 25,161 MSHT survivors were supported, with 1450 supported to receive legal services. “Every time a survivor steps towards safety, every time a child is protected, every time a community becomes more resilient – hope moves again,” the International Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response Council wrote in the report. Annette, a sex trafficking survivor from the United States reported that The Salvation Army helped her believe in herself again. “My children have their mother back,” she said. This report is taken from The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters webpage. To read the full report and the original article, click here.

The Adelaide Congress Hall Band performing at the Adelaide Gaol Open Day. Image: Facebook The Adelaide Congress Hall Band recently performed at an open day for the Adelaide Gaol, now a museum located near the Adelaide Parklands. The band played at the Sunday 17 May event, which drew 850 visitors coming to learn about the building’s history and enjoy the music, stalls and food on offer. The Gaol was opened in 1841 and housed 300,000 prisoners until its closure in 1988. The Salvation Army’s connection to the Adelaide Gaol dates back to its beginnings as a corps in Port Adelaide in 1882. The Salvation Army regularly assisted inmates and ex-inmates of the Adelaide Gaol with issues of alcohol addiction and criminal reform, conducting extensive visits and offering comfort and advice. Officers also held regular services in the chapel. The then Adelaide Citadel Band playing at the same spot in 1912. Image: Facebook

Salvos Stores Helensburgh volunteers Rebecca and Deb (left) with staff member Karen and Store Manager, Ben (right). Image: Lauren Martin With National Volunteer Week upon us, The Salvation Army is celebrating the tireless and heartfelt work of the thousands of volunteers who regularly offer their time and expertise across our services. This year also marks the United Nations’ International Volunteer Year, in which the UN hopes to recognise volunteerism as a key driver of sustainable development. This week, The Salvation Army’s 20,000 volunteers have been celebrated at hundreds of morning teas, luncheons and events that recognised what a huge contribution they make to the mission of the Salvos in Australia. Volunteers in The Salvation Army serve across many different parts of the mission, from Salvos Stores, Doorways emergency relief, corps-based social initiatives like food banks and community activities, and much more. In the small town of Helensburgh, situated just south of Sydney, volunteers give their time week after week, to keep the store – which is the heartbeat of The Salvation Army in town – operational. Local Salvation Army missional activities operate within Salvos Stores Helensburgh, like SAL Connect emergency relief, a free coffee-and-chat morning, a walking group that meets outside the store every week before embarking on a walk and a chat, and a weekly Bible study. Locals know that if they need help, all they have to do is walk into the Salvos Store. “We have had so many occasions where people will present to the beautiful, caring team of staff and volunteers at Salvos Stores Helensburgh, and feel safe and supported enough to share the hardship they are going through,” said Shire Salvos Helensburgh Mission Leader, Lauren Martin. “They are then referred to myself, or to one of our other Shire Salvos mission centres, and we can journey alongside them with care and assistance. “But it all starts at the store.” To mark National Volunteer Week, volunteers gathered for lunch at Salvos Store Helensburgh. They received a small token of appreciation, and shared stories about how their generosity in giving their time assists The Salvation Army’s bigger mission. One volunteer, Deb, who is celebrating her fifth year at Salvos Stores Helensburgh, said she needed something to do when her job finished, so she gave the Salvos a go. “I thought, this is a good place and you’re helping people. I like the people that I work with, and I like doing the displays, that’s a big thing for me.” Fellow volunteer, Rebecca said she loves the community connection: “Volunteering allows me to interact with the community and help people to achieve little goals as they need help.” Other volunteers at Salvos Stores Helensburgh have been giving generously of their time for many years. Susan looks after the books, and John is the ‘King of Bric-a-Brac’. “Every contribution matters,” said The Salvation Army Australia’s Chief Secretary, Colonel John Chamness. “And together, volunteers form the backbone of our mission.” If you have time and would like to join us on mission, we would love you to volunteer. To find an opportunity to serve your community, click here.

Alan Jessop at his retirement from collecting. Image: File On the eve of National Volunteer Week and amid the Red Shield Appeal, iconic Salvation Army collector Alan Jessop OAM was Promoted to Glory. Thirty-seven years ago, after moving to Canberra and joining Canberra City Temple, Alan set up a collection table at The Canberra Centre. Over the years he became an icon in the city – the man dressed in his Salvation Army uniform with a friendly smile and a bucket for collecting donations. Alan raised more than $4 million for The Salvation Army, was named the ACT Local Hero of the Year in 2011 and had his portrait painted in 2013 to commemorate Canberra’s centenary. In 2021, he told Salvation Army reporter Jessica Morris that it was the relationships he forged that made all that collecting worthwhile. “I have wonderful memories of all the different people.” Federal Member for Canberra Alicia Payne MP delivered a tribute to Alan in the House of Representatives on 27 May. The Salvation Army Australia has posted a tribute on its Facebook page, saying: “Thank you, Alan, for your faithful service, generosity and everything you did for the Salvos, the Red Shield Appeal and Australians in need. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.” To read more about Alan, see here.

Fran Owen runs a weekly bingo program at the Salvos' Seaforth Gardens Aged Care in WA. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE With National Volunteer Week upon us, The Salvation Army is celebrating the tireless and heartfelt work of the thousands of volunteers who regularly offer their time and expertise across our services. This year also marks the United Nations’ International Volunteer Year, in which the UN hopes to recognise volunteerism as a key driver of sustainable development. For this piece, Frances Owen, who volunteers at Seaforth Gardens Aged Care Centre in Gosnells, WA, and Seaforth Gardens Chaplain Tim Letcher spoke about the value of volunteering in an aged care environment. When Frances, who goes by Fran, began volunteering with The Salvation Army 16 years ago, it was because her mother had been a resident at Seaforth Gardens. “I was coming down to see my mum [when] I got approached by one of the ladies [who] said, ‘Would you be interested in doing volunteer work for us?’” Fran says. “And yeah, [I] started from there.” Fran now runs the centre’s weekly Wednesday morning bingo program, which began with about 10 residents, and now boasts up to 23 attendees. As she leads the group, Fran likes to help each person experience a taste of success. Each winner then receives a chocolate bar. “I like to see everyone win, and it's not possible, but it's lovely if everyone can,” she says. “I really enjoy coming down, I like having a laugh with them. And I really enjoy my morning out.” Fran says while some people are put off by the paperwork involved in maintaining clearances and training required to volunteer in an aged care setting, Chaplain Tim Letcher has been a great help in this area. “Tim is really good,” Fran says. “He's just helped me to do my police [check] again, because I can't do computer work.” Fran is one of about 20 volunteers at Seaforth Gardens, and Tim says making sure all the volunteers are on the same page and feel recognised is a crucial part of his work. He says once a year the team organises an afternoon or morning tea to show appreciation, and also provides Christmas gifts for each volunteer. He says the staff are also constantly touching base to ensure that the volunteers had everything they needed to thrive. Chaplain Tim Letcher. Image: Supplied “If they have the same expectations that we do in terms of our care for the residents and things like their requirements for police checks and all that kind of stuff, if that's all on the same page, that's going to be really helpful for everyone,” he says. Tim says Fran is an example of a volunteer who always goes above and beyond, despite having her own commitments, which include caring for an ageing husband. He says she often buys the chocolate bingo prizes out of her own money, and when days are rearranged at short notice, she is flexible. “We love our volunteers,” he adds. “They do amazing, and we love to promote all that they do. They give up a lot, and some of them go to extraordinary lengths. They do a great job.”