Major David Collinson (second from left) led the 2026 Easter Reflection at Salvos Stores Tempe in Sydney on Tuesday.  BY LAUREN MARTIN   Corps officers, mission leaders and volunteers are bringing the love of Jesus to Salvos Stores across the country this week in the lead-up to Easter.   Presenting an Easter Reflection based on the Australia Territory’s ‘Unshakeable Love’ holy week theme, store staff, volunteers and customers are gathering to hear about the true meaning of Easter – that Jesus died so that we can live.   With small props of a cross, a heart and a hollow Easter egg, people in stores are invited to consider that there is a loving God who is always with us.  A hollow Easter egg in front of a cross and a heart reminded those gathered at Salvos Stores Sutherland that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. Those presenting the reflection also ask those who don’t yet know Jesus if they want to accept him as their saviour: “You might have already accepted this gift of life and purpose. Today, you can thank Jesus for his gift of life and ask him to help you experience life in all its fullness, now and forever. If you don’t know Jesus as your friend, you might like to invite him into your life today. You can ask him to be close to you and to show you the full life that he talked about.”   Major David Collinson, Salvos Stores Executive Officer for Mission, says this is the third year that stores across Australia have held an Easter reflection, and it is part of a commitment by the mission enterprise to boldly show the public that Salvos Stores is part of a faith-based movement, with Jesus at the centre.   “People will now notice that in all stores we allow Christian Bibles to be displayed and given away. Also, all of our mission messages in stores include Scripture verses.” Commissioner Julie Campbell led the 2026 Easter Reflection at Salvos Stores Chester Hill (NSW) on Tuesday.   He says that when he delivered the Easter Reflection at the Tempe store in Sydney this week, around 50 people gathered, including staff, volunteers, and customers.   “There were people from different denominational expressions who wanted to engage with the Easter message. What’s great about Easter is that people can relate to different parts with their own traditions.”   Commissioner Julie Campbell shared the Salvos Stores Easter Reflection at Chester Hill in western Sydney. She says, “It was a pleasure to share about the Unshakeable Love of Jesus this morning with the team and customers … I thank God for this team of passionate workers,” she wrote on her Facebook page.   Click through the slideshow below for a selection of more Easter Reflections in Salvos Stores around the country:

God’s story has always been one of love – a love we see in the story of Jesus: his compassion, his teaching, and his healing for all people without discrimination. This Easter, we remember that Jesus’ greatest act of love was still to come. On the cross, he took our brokenness and sin, offering his life so we could be set free. His perfect sacrifice brings salvation, hope, and opens the door to an eternal relationship with God that can never spoil or fade.

Making ethical chocolate choices this Easter will make a difference to vulnerable children and families around the world. BY FAY FOSTER On average, Australians have been found to consume around 32 kilograms of chocolate each year. And at Easter, they spend around $62 on chocolate products. But how do we know whether the chocolate we are buying is ‘good’ or ‘bad’? Which chocolates are made with the most ethical processes? Seventy-five per cent of the world’s chocolate is made with cocoa produced in West Africa – especially Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana – where wages are low and children are often used as free labour. Chocolate-producing companies have been strongly encouraged to ensure that their production processes protect women and children, do not disadvantage workers and do not damage the environment. The scorecard In April 2025, the organisation Be Slavery Free published its sixth annual Chocolate Scorecard. Put together by researchers at Macquarie University, University of Wollongong and Open University UK, the scorecard ranks chocolate manufacturers according to a range of criteria. The questions asked of chocolate companies attempted to measure the traceability and transparency of acquisition processes (where the chocolate was made), levels of deforestation and climate impact, agroforestry (re-greening), use of harmful pesticides, disempowerment of women, the use of child labour, and ensuring a living income to those who work in the cocoa industry. A living income has been define d as “the net annual income required for a household in a particular place to afford a decent standard of living for all members of that household. Elements of a decent standard of living include food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transport, clothing, and other essential needs including provision for unexpected events.” Macquarie University’s Professor John Dumay has stated that “the fact that all the major cocoa companies are [now] working with advocacy groups like the Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade and Be Slavery Free shows that progress is being made.” He cites the example of Nestlé, which has increased its percentage of cocoa ethically sourced through its Nestlé Cocoa Plan from 30 per cent when Professor Dumay started researching the company, to 85 per cent in 2025 (Quoted by Andy Kollmorgen in Choice ) . The ‘good eggs’ So – who are the winners in this current scorecard? The top 10 companies (worldwide) for ethical chocolate production are: 1. Tony’s Chocolonely 2. HALBA 3. Cemoi 4. Ritter Sport 5. Nestlé (includes KitKat, Milky Bar, Aero, Smarties, Milo, Crunch, Rolo, Peppermint Crisp and Chokito) 6. Whittakers 7. Mars Wrigley (includes Mars Bar, Bounty, Maltesers, Snickers and Twix) 8. Hersheys 9. Lindt & Sprüngli 10. Ferrero (includes Nutella, Kinder and Ferrero Rocher) The first five of these companies are based in Europe (The Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Germany and Switzerland, respectively); Whittakers is based in New Zealand, Mars Wrigley and Hersheys in the USA, Lindt in Switzerland and Ferrero in Italy. Several of these companies also have factories in Australia. Some of the products might be hard to find, or available only online; but most can be easily found in our major and local supermarkets. When you’re looking for Easter surprises this year, you can buy from these companies knowing that they are leading the way in ethical production, helping to keep workers safe and able to meet their needs, and safeguarding our Earth as well. For more information on the Chocolate Scorecard, click here .

To read the Appointment Bulletin, click here

Some of the SAES personnel assisting in the Top End. Image: WA SAES The Salvation Army has recently been providing food, refreshments and emotional support following the effects of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle and devastating flooding in the Northern Territory. The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) were active in several evacuation centres across the Northern Territory, including at Nightcliff and Foskey Pavilion in Darwin, and Katherine High School. While all these centres have now closed, The Salvation Army remains involved in the recovery phase. The team has served thousands of meals and refreshments in the region, with more than 800 people relying on the support of SAES personnel as they sought to begin recovery. “We currently have teams from across the country that have been deployed to support evacuees in Darwin and Katherine. The Salvos will continue to support these communities for the long haul, not just in the initial emergency response but throughout both short- and long-term recovery phases,” The Salvation Army’s External Communications Lead Peter Sampson said. Scenes from the Foskey Pavilion Evacuation Centre in Darwin, where residents had access to lots of fresh fruit as well as drinks, meals and emotional support. Images: Daryl Crowden “We are so grateful for the huge community effort that has taken place during this disaster so far. It is during these times of crisis that we see the Aussie spirit of generosity shine through, and we are certainly seeing that in the Northern Territory at the moment,” Peter said. Anyone who has been impacted by the floods in the Northern Territory and needs support is encouraged to monitor the Northern Territory Government website for weather warnings, evacuation updates and information on funding support. If you would like to support the efforts of The Salvation Army in the Northern Territory, you can donate by visiting salvationarmy.org.au/naturaldisasters . For more information, please contact The Salvation Army’s Media Relations Department on (02) 9466 3143.

Guild president Helen Schweiger puts the finishing touches to another beautiful egg creation, and (right) this Snow Queen is one such example of the exquisite work undertaken by the egg decorators, affectionately known as the Eggers! BY LERISSE SMITH They affectionately call themselves the Eggers – and thrive on the act of egging! And with Easter just around the corner, the Victorian Egg Decorators Guild is once again cracking open their imaginations, turning real eggshells into egg-citing masterpieces – with Salvos Stores helping bring their creations to life. “Eggs symbolise new beginnings and rebirth,” says Helen Schweiger, Guild President, who has loved her craft for the past 28 years. “This is fitting as we use many items found in Salvos Stores in our egg creations, such as jewellery, haberdashery, fabric and even candle holders as stands. We are great recyclers! “We find that when we go into The Salvation Army stores, there are just so many little bits and pieces that get put out that maybe no one has a purpose for except for us, and often they’re in small quantities, which is just fine for us. The only place you can pick them up is really second-hand – and it just gives your egg some originality.” So, how did this egg-straordinary group hatch? It was founded in 1991 and meets regularly in Ashburton, Melbourne. From humble beginnings with just four people eager to share ideas and skills, it now boasts over 50 members. The members work on the very smallest eggs, such as finch or budgie eggs, up to the largest ostrich eggs. Their colourful creations are often on full display at agricultural shows, including The Red Hill Show and The Whittlesea Show. And that’s just the beginning. Guild members also showcase their egg creations at libraries, craft shows and community talks. The response at these events is always overwhelmingly positive. People are fascinated – men, in particular, are drawn to the intricate cutting processes. Originality drives every design of the stunning egg designs. Crafting intricate goose, duck, emu, and ostrich eggs can take anywhere from a few hours to hundreds of hours. Originality drives every design. The unique craft is far from your average weekend project. Crafting intricate goose, duck, emu and ostrich eggs can take anywhere from a few hours to hundreds of hours. With precision craft drills in hand, members carve intricate lattice patterns, tiny doors, miniature drawers and more. Many eggs showcase rotating platforms, lights and moving parts. The only limit is imagination. “Jewel boxes, bells, chess sets, music boxes, cake toppers, clock surrounds ... the list goes on!” says Helen. “One member, Lorraine, has even made many wonders of the world, including the Sydney Opera House, out of eggshells! You can use eggs as a canvas for painting, ribbon embroidery and diamond dots. Our artists create carved and intricate cut eggs, hanging eggs, eggs in eggs and multiple-egg structures. There is no limit to the range of techniques for decorating eggs.” Egg decorating is a mental workout. From figuring out how to cut a shell without breaking it to fitting clocks, lights, or music boxes inside, each project is an artistic endeavour. No egg is too small or too large to inspire creativity. Egg decorating is also a mental workout. From figuring out how to cut a shell without breaking it to fitting clocks, lights or music boxes inside, each project is an artistic endeavour. Meetings with themed challenges, such as Hanging Eggs or Halloween, spark ideas and push members to try new techniques. No egg is too small or too large to inspire creativity. From tiny quail eggs to massive ostriches, every shell is a challenge. Members source their own eggs, which are farmed for this purpose, with the goose egg being the most commonly used by decorators. The guild has also made a lasting mark in publishing. In 1996, it published its first book,  Exquisite Eggs , followed by  More Exquisite Eggs . Written by members, the books are celebrated teaching aids and sources of inspiration for both new and seasoned decorators, selling across Australia, America and England. Believed to be Australia’s last guild of its kind, it has also sent delegations overseas and hosted international teachers. Egging weekends, held across the state, have become a regular fixture. The committee enjoys engaging with crafters of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Anyone from any craft background is welcome, with workshops and talks all part of the fun. Eggers in the process of making their works of art and (right) Guild President Helen Schweiger selling egg creations at a recent event. “A lot of the members in the guild are people prepared to have a go and are a bit of a jack of all trades,” says Helen. “They’re like, ‘Oh, you can do that. You can cut the top off that wine glass, and you can use that as a stand!’ You really admire what a lot of the other members can do.” So, what keeps the Guild President hooked on this one-of-a-kind craft? “Just creating something that looks beautiful,” she reflects. “I can imagine something in my head and then bring it to fruition. I just like to do things a little bit differently. A lot of my designs are very intricate. I tend to like antiques.” And no egg conversation is complete without a nod to the famous Fabergé eggs. “Many eggs are made in the style of Fabergé,” says Helen. “Only ours are real eggs with imitation jewels, whereas Fabergé’s eggs are imitation eggs with real jewels!” *For more details on the guild and egg decorating, visit their website:   www.victorianeggdecoratorsguild.com.au   or Instagram @ vic.egg.decorators.guild.inc Guild members showcase their eye-catching egg creations at libraries, craft shows, and community talks. The response at these events is always overwhelmingly positive.

Each week through 2026, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for the same territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another. This week ( 30 March - 5 April )   we pray for The Salvation Army in the Bangladesh Territory.   The Bangladesh Territory has 102 officers (94 active, 8 retired); 35 corps; 16 outposts; 1511 senior soldiers; 1099 adherents; 123 junior soldiers; 109 employees.   Lieut-Colonel Elizabeth Nelson leads the territory. The work of the region includes: Education Disaster preparedness Social enterprise Community development. The leaders of this territory have shared the following points to guide us as we pray: Praise:  We are thankful for God’s faithfulness and provision throughout the territory. We praise God for our seven new Cadets, (Proclaimers of Transformation Session), and for those who have responded to God’s call to full-time ministry as Officers. We thank God that the territory was able to complete the purchase of land for Jhimali Outpost. Prayer Requests: We thank God for the territorial theme for 2026, ‘Spirit Led Transformation: Together We Rise’. As we focus on this theme, we are praying for a powerful spiritual impact on our territory. Pray for spiritual revival and a renewed passion for God among all Salvationists in the territory. New initiatives have been introduced for Corps to participate in Alpha - an online Bible Study for youth, and Bible Studies for men’s ministry. Pray for financial sustainability of our Corps to continue their mission effectively. We are working together to develop income-generating initiatives that can provide needed support to our Corps. Pray for those involved in developing our Development Strategy for the territory. We have some effective development projects in the territory, and we want to strengthen and expand our work into areas of Bangladesh where we can have an impact and influence. Please pray for Territorial Leadership and the upcoming transition in leadership. Pray for God’s Spirit to guide and lead them with wisdom, vision and courage. May we hear and be obedient to what God is calling us to do to impact His Kingdom. To find out more about the Bangladesh Territory, click here . To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here . To download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here .

The annual Easter Dawn Service on Castle Hill overlooking Townsville attracts hundreds of worshippers each year.  BY LAUREN MARTIN   This year will mark the 60th anniversary of The Salvation Army’s Easter Dawn Service on Castle Hill, which overlooks the North Queensland city of Townsville. The Salvation Army has been part of the hilltop gathering to watch the sunrise and celebrate the risen Christ since 1966.   Townsville City Corps was under the leadership of Captains Earle and Wilma Maxwell when they commenced the first service.   The current Corps Officer/Team Member, Auxiliary-Lieutenant Katrina McIntosh, said that over the years, it gradually shifted from being solely a Salvation Army service to a more ecumenical one.   “All the corps in Townsville had come together each year as a combined service, but the service opened up to other churches over two decades ago when Norm and Isabel Beckett were the corps officers at Riverway Corps,” Katrina said.   “Some other denominational leaders started helping with readings or prayers, but the ecumenical planning group and broader involvement of other denominations came about particularly in the last five years.” Salvationists gather in a circle for the first Easter Dawn Service in Townsville in 1966. Katrina said the event is significant in bringing together different denominations to recognise and celebrate the unity of belief that Jesus is “the risen lord that saves us from our sin.”   “Many have commented that seeing the sun rising over the horizon is moving, as it would have done so on that first Easter morning, with a risen Lord. Like the journey of Easter, we start in the darkness, but as the sky lightens into the light of day, we too step out of a destiny of darkness and sin, into a new life filled with light,” she said.   Hundreds of Christians from Townsville’s different churches gather for the service on Castle Hill, a prominent 286-metre granite monolith in the centre of Townsville that offers views over the city and out to Magnetic Island.   At the end of the Easter Dawn Service, there is a joint proclamation of ‘Jesus is Lord’ shouted out by those in attendance.   “This is a declaration not only of faith, but of a cry for our city and a united prayer to see him Lord over our city,” Katrina said. The Salvation Army now joins with other denominations for the Easter Dawn Service on Castle Hill.

We extend our congratulations to the following officers who have recently completed awards with the University of Divinity. Their completion of these awards reflects both academic commitment and a deep investment in ongoing formation for ministry, and we commend their perseverance and dedication. Lieutenant Colette Albino – Diploma in Theology and Undergraduate Certificate in Divinity. Lieutenant Anthony Bezzina – Advanced Diploma in Theology and Ministry. Lieutenant Nicole Bezzina – Advanced Diploma in Theology and Ministry. Captain Kate Clifford – Master of Theological Studies. Lieutenant Beola Conteh – Diploma in Theology. Major Darren Elkington – Graduate Certificate in Research Methodology. Lieutenant Crystal Lee – Advanced Diploma in Theology and Ministry. Major Carolyn O’Brien – Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision. Auxiliary-Lieutenant Adam Purcell – Diploma in Theology. Major Angela Rawlings – Graduate Diploma in Divinity. Major Leanne Ruthven – Graduate Certificate in Research Methodologies. Captain Matt Ryan – Graduate Certificate in Divinity.   Lieutenant Vikki Song – Master of Theological Studies. Captain Alison Templar – Master of Theological Studies. Lieutenant Keven Williams – Advanced Diploma in Theology and Ministry.

Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas meets an enthusiastic volunteer while visiting Salvos Stores Lilydale in Victoria. BY LAUREN MARTIN   In the years following the COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia, Salvos Stores volunteer numbers – like those of all not-for-profits – plummeted. Now, they’re at record levels and continuing to climb.   “In March 2023, our lowest head count for volunteers within stores was 6900,” said The Salvation Army’s National Volunteer Business Partner, Tracey Marsh, from the Army’s People and Culture Department.   “Although we were at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people were still concerned about it coming back.”   The Salvation Army has always valued its people, especially its army of volunteers, but in recent years, particularly at Salvos Stores, there has been a deliberate effort to rebuild the friendly and encouraging atmosphere that invites community members to join the team.   “Within stores, we’ve always strived to have a good sense of reward and recognition for our volunteers,” said Tracey. “We make sure that every year during National Volunteer Week, we have celebrations in every store, and we have a recognition program to celebrate our volunteers’ length of service with us.”   As volunteer numbers began to climb again, Salvos Stores and the People and Culture Department set an ambitious target: to reach 10,000 volunteers by the end of 2025.   A recent survey of why volunteers donate their time at Salvos Stores revealed the reason why numbers were steadily increasing: -              43% of respondents said they had a positive experience of community when volunteering -              18% knew they were making a difference -              16% said that volunteering improved their sense of wellbeing   One survey respondent said, “My manager, she is like medicine to my soul.” Another said, “I love my team, they make me laugh and share their lives with me. They feel like family.”   Volunteers play a vital role in all aspects of Salvos Stores’ operations, from helping on the register and sorting donations to styling the shop floor, supporting back-of-house tasks, and creating a friendly, welcoming environment for customers.   Tracey said reaching the 10,000 volunteer milestone is a significant achievement and one that everyone involved with the ministry of Salvos Stores should be proud of: “I give credit to my team but also the frontline managers at Salvos Stores who manage the volunteers day-in and day-out. They make them feel welcome, they make them feel valued.”   She said it’s easy for people in The Salvation Army to say, “we wouldn’t be here without our volunteers”, but to really acknowledge their contribution and value takes more effort and initiative.   “We really wouldn’t be here [operational] without our volunteers. Salvos Stores is the third largest financial contributor to The Salvation Army’s programs – if we don’t have volunteers, we can’t make that contribution.”   What a good reason to take some time to thank a Salvation Army volunteer today! The Seaford Meadows Salvos Stores team in South Australia recently celebrated Nola, who has served as part of the team for five years.

BY AMANDA BRUMMELL LENNESTAAL* There is a sofa in my living room that has seen better days. I bought it second-hand from a Salvos Store a few years ago, never particularly comfortable, never especially attractive, but all I could afford at the time. Over the years it has become the place where much of life with my teens has unfolded. It has held long days that didn't resolve neatly, conversations that circled without clear endings, bodies that were tired or restless or simply needing somewhere to land. It has also held unexpected laughter, and moments of connection that felt, at times, hard won. The fabric is worn, the frame uneven. By any reasonable standard, it should be replaced. And yet it remains. Not for its material value, but for what it has come to represent: a faithful presence that doesn't require life to be orderly first. In a culture that equates value with appearance and prefers replacement over endurance, there is something quietly countercultural about that kind of faithfulness. The Easter story has a similar disregard for what looks resolved or acceptable. At its centre is not simply the description of Jesus' death, but the reality that his death was the inevitable consequence of how he lived. Jesus moved persistently toward those pushed to the margins, touching those deemed unclean, speaking with those excluded, restoring dignity to people reduced to labels or problems to be managed. He disrupted systems that depended on separation and hierarchy, not through force but through proximity. And that kind of love exposes fault lines. It reveals who is excluded, who is burdened, and who benefits from things remaining as they are. That kind of disruption rarely goes unanswered. Jesus is executed, and the reason is inseparable from the life he lived. It is a pattern that is not confined to the past. Right now, decisions made in distant centres of power are reshaping the lives of people who had no seat at the table. Trade policies negotiated between governments are driving up costs for families already stretched thin. Military strategies drawn up far from the frontlines are being absorbed, body by body, by those with the least power to resist them. In Gaza, in Sudan, in Iran, where ordinary people navigate the consequences of geopolitical pressure they did not choose, the distance between those who decide and those who bear the cost has rarely felt wider. This is precisely what the life of Jesus interrupts. Rather than operating from a distance, he moved toward those most affected. Rather than insulating himself from complexity, he entered it. His authority was expressed not through control or detachment, but through presence and a willingness to absorb cost rather than deflect it. A love that refused to uphold exclusion, that exposed inequity, that reordered who belonged, is not easily accommodated by systems that depend on hierarchy and distance. Which raises an uncomfortable question: what might it mean to embody this kind of love now? In a world that rewards efficiency, clarity, and distance, choosing proximity is both impractical and costly. It may mean staying engaged in situations that don't resolve quickly, listening to experiences that unsettle our assumptions, recognising where human need resists easy categorisation, and resisting the pull toward what appears polished at the expense of what is real. The love we see in Jesus does not wait for resolution before drawing near, nor does it withdraw when the cost becomes apparent. It remains. Perhaps that is where the real challenge of Easter sits, not only in what we believe about the cross, but in what we are willing to risk in how we live. Because a love that moves toward the margins, that refuses distance, and that names what is broken will always carry consequence. Sometimes that looks less dramatic than we imagine. Sometimes it looks like returning, again and again, to the same worn spaces, holding what is in front of us without turning away. Sometimes it looks like a sofa that should have been replaced long ago, still faithfully holding the weight of life as it continues to unfold. Not because it is perfect. But because it remains. *Amanda Brummell Lennestaal is General Manager for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The Salvation Army.

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? I have concurrent appointments – Area Officer in North Queensland and Corps Officer/Team Member at Townsville Corps. I like the opportunity to see and support what my colleague officers are achieving with Christ and their teams for God’s Kingdom. It is also really great to be involved as a corps officer again and part of such a great team. I love the teaching and pastoral aspects of being a corps officer and consider it a privilege to serve Christ amongst brothers and sisters who love Him too.   2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I enjoy photography, astronomy (when it’s not cloudy!) and reading.   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? ‘Transfiguration’ by Hillsong is one of them – I love the theology and music in it. It’s a beautiful song about the majesty and divinity of Christ.   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? The Apostle Paul – what the heck did he mean by this and that, and where does the punctuation go?!   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 absolutely recommend officership. While it has changed over the time I have served, I could not imagine doing anything else and would do it over again. There is a great joy and privilege in working for God’s Kingdom in this particular way and serving alongside other believers to strengthen His church and proclaim the gospel. If you feel God has called you to serve Him in this way, please speak with your corps officer. Officership is an incredibly rewarding vocation. More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here . *Meet the Officer interviews are conducted by Salvos Online journalist Lerisse Smith