Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the following officers who will reach the retirement milestone in 2026: 31 October 2026 Major Sandra Maunder Major Gerald Mitchell Major Mairi Mitchell 30 September 2026 Major Eunice Kim Major Hwan-Ki Kim Major Allan Morrison Major Glenda Morrison Major Carolyn O’Brien Colonel Mark Watts 3 August 2026 Captain Joy Crowden-Shen 31 July 2026 ‌Major Helen Ellicott Major Bruce Ellicott 30 June 2026 Major Heather Jenkins Major Andrew McKeown Lieut-Colonel Chris Reid 31 May 2026 ‌Commissioner Kelvin Pethybridge Commissioner Cheralynne Pethybridge Major Simon Steele Major Craig Todd 30 April 2026 ‌Major Tony De Tommaso Major Yan De Tommaso Major Fran Everitt Major Kaylene Fyfe 31 March 2026 ‌Major Neil Clanfield Major Sharon Clanfield Lieut-Colonel Robyn Clinch 28 February 2026 Major Rick Hoffman Major Rowena Smith 31 January 2026 Major Lauriee Arthur Major Paul Arthur Colonel Rodney Walters

To read Laurie’s Promoted to Glory notice and appointment history, click here.

Jason Bradnam, Employment Plus Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Officer, at the NAIDOC stall last year. For The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Team, creating employment opportunities for First Nations people is about more than opening the door to a job – it’s about ensuring the journey beyond that door is culturally welcoming, safe, supportive, and meaningful. In her ongoing series on The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus agency, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH chatted with Glenn Westwood, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Manager, about how a positive, inclusive and culturally welcoming environment is empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to thrive and shape their own future. Every employment journey has a first big, memorable step. For many First Nations people, that journey towards employment and exciting new opportunities starts somewhere special: in a culturally welcoming environment – an often-transformative first step towards a new future. “We ensure that we make our environments culturally welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a starting point so that people feel comfortable and respected, coming in to share their journey,” reflects Glenn. “But then we also have dedicated Aboriginal staff where First Nations people are more likely to share their barriers as our staff have a lived shared experience and understanding of the barriers that our participants face. So, it’s very important that we then also extend on that and provide options as far as culturally safe services, training and employment options.” For about eight years, the Employment Plus Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Team has served clients in most Australian states. It currently holds contracts predominantly in the eastern states and territories, achieving strong outcomes and helping create pathways into employment for First Nations people. The figures tell the story. Currently, Employment Plus has a caseload of 3527 Indigenous clients. Over the past four years, they have placed 3280 First Nations people into employment. At the forefront of the team’s work are cultural safety, understanding and respect: “We make sure that we walk alongside our people through their journey,” Glenn adds, particularly when navigating employment. Glenn Westwood, Employment Plus National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Manager. A major part of that journey is connection – and understanding the barriers that can stand between an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and a job opportunity. “I think the greatest impact is actually having a dedicated Aboriginal team that understands the barriers,” he says. “A lot of my team have got shared lived experience; they’ve come through barriers themselves or cultural issues and things like that. So, they have a really deep understanding of what many people who come through the door are experiencing and can build on that connection.” The Employment Plus Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement role involves recruitment, barrier management, mentoring and connecting with First Nations services, education, employment and, most importantly, Aboriginal communities and Elders. It’s this combination of skills, lived experience and shared understanding that can make a significant difference. Glenn also notes that connections with Aboriginal teams within larger companies can help create employment pathways. “I can walk into the front door of Telstra, Australia Post or any other major company,” he says. “If they have an Aboriginal team, we already share a cultural and respectful mutual connection. This allows us to make immediate progress and build rapport, simply through our shared cultural understanding.” For some people, that connection continues into the workplace through mentorship. The National Manager explains, “We place Aboriginal people into non-Aboriginal roles, and that’s perfectly fine. However, a certain percentage will benefit greatly from having built-in cultural safety and mentors within the workplace. “They tend to be more successful when supported by an Aboriginal mentor or part of an Aboriginal team. Most major companies now have these structures in place – Woolworths, Telstra, and others – including Aboriginal teams and mentorship programs – and they recognise the positive impact these initiatives have on retention.” Employment Plus Indigenous Business Administration Pre-Employment course participants pictured together with people associated with the program at a special graduation event in May. For First Nations people, barriers to employment can be diverse – and sometimes the first barrier is simply making that initial connection with a service. “Our aim is to connect and to give them confidence,” Glenn says. “To let them know, yes, you can achieve this or, and we will walk with you. So, when you come in to us, we’re here for you.” At times, cultural barriers can also be present because of cultural responsibilities for First Nations people. As an Aboriginal person, they might have kinship or ceremonial responsibilities not only to their own family but also to their extended family, neighbours, or Elders in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. “It’s very, very important that we adhere to these cultural protocols and responsibilities,” Glenn explains. “So, if they’re not turning up to appointments with us, they get in trouble off their provider. If they don’t do what they’re supposed to do culturally, they’re in trouble with the Elders. So, they’re sort of caught walking two worlds. So, we work with them to try and negate both those issues to get a positive outcome.” Engaging with the public at community events is all in a day’s work for the Employment Plus team. Here they are pictured at the Penrith Nepean NAIDOC event. Transport can be particularly challenging for participants living in Aboriginal reserves that are some distance from employment opportunities. For some, geography is a further significant barrier. The National Manager says some participants are still living in reserves where people were forcibly removed and relocated out of town over the years. “The way we negate that is we try to bring employment into the reserves,” he remarks. “To create things like landscaping-type stuff, caring for elders, mowing the lawns for Elders, things like that to try and negate that transport issue, but it’s the tip of the iceberg.” But employment is only part of the picture. Connection to the community is equally important. The team reaches out to local land councils and Aboriginal organisations, connecting with people in settings where they already feel comfortable. Employment Plus Indigenous Business Administration Pre-Employment course graduate, Danielle, proudly displays her Certificate of Completion. “If we can connect and be seen in community, we know Uncle and we know Aunty, they feel safer, and we get a closer connection, and we get better value, and we get better outcomes for our people,” Glenn explains. “So, in a nutshell, that’s what we do on a regional basis to try and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, make them feel culturally welcome, welcoming and then really try and make their journey safe to a really positive outcome.” That focus extends to other support services. “We try to offer an Aboriginal service in every region, for all the barriers,” he says. “So, if it’s mental health, we want to find an Aboriginal mental health service or Aboriginal drug and alcohol.” When it comes to employment itself, there isn’t one particular career path First Nations people are seeking. To read this story, click here “It’s really a myriad of jobs. It just depends; I wouldn’t like to sort of define a particular occupation,” Glenn remarks. “A lot of First Nations people around here love the outdoor work or working on Green teams and things with the land councils and really being on country because we have that real spiritual connection to the land and the waterways. Not anything specific, but there’s some great Indigenous employment opportunities around the country with everything from hospitality to construction. There are always really good programs for anyone to get into whatever they like.” Participants in the Employment Plus Indigenous Business Administration Pre-Employment course. The team also works directly with employers, helping bridge the gap between First Nations jobseekers and potential employers. It runs an Indigenous employer event every three months in a region. Employers and participants come together, with food and different services incorporated into the events. “It’s really good,” he says. “It’s breaking down misunderstandings.” And for the National Manager, the success of the program comes down to something simple: care. “The care factor is important because we want to be genuine and legitimate,” he explains. “And if we’re saying we’re walking with you on your journey, we want to be true to our word ... I love when people come in with no confidence and don’t believe in their own ability and they go out and they do something beyond their wildest dreams. And that might be just gaining employment. So, when people achieve goals, I get a bit of a buzz out of that.” Reconciliation Day Entertainer, Casey Donovan pictured with Jason Bradnam, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Officer, at the Reconciliation Day event in June. READ MORE: When a job is more than income A day in the life of an Employment Plus consultant Tattoos, transformation and trust

A First Nations scaffolding trainee has now found reliable work in Brisbane and is on his way to becoming a foreman. Photo: Mathias Reding on Unsplash A First Nations scaffolding trainee has made remarkable progress through a comprehensive support and training program with Employment Plus, now thriving in a traineeship and on track for a leadership role. Starting in January 2022, this participant faced significant barriers, including transport difficulties, low motivation and confidence, limited formal education and minimal workforce exposure. Employment Plus provided tailored support to build job readiness, confidence, and motivation. Monthly appointments with an Indigenous Engagement Officer ensured culturally appropriate guidance, encouragement, and advocacy throughout their journey. The participant successfully completed the Young Guns Indigenous Program, a five-week unpaid production training course in East Brisbane, where they gained practical skills in pick-and-pack operations, workplace health and safety, and manual handling. Employment references obtained through this program enhanced their employability. Participants take part in AN Employment Plus Indigenous Pre-Employment course. During a difficult period of personal loss, the participant attended Sorry Business for a month. Employment Plus adapted participation requirements, maintained wellbeing contact, and offered allied health referrals, allowing the participant to honour cultural obligations while staying connected to support services. In May 2026, the participant commenced a scaffolding traineeship with Newnham Scaffolding in Park Ridge, within the construction industry. Employment Plus provided ongoing post-placement support, including mentoring, coaching, and practical assistance, such as fuel support, to ensure reliable attendance. Regular communication with the employer addressed workplace matters promptly. Now progressing towards becoming a foreman, Glenn says the participant demonstrates strong skills development, increased responsibility, and promising potential for long-term career growth. “This success story illustrates the impact of culturally responsive support, flexible service delivery, and collaborative employer engagement in advancing sustainable employment outcomes for First Nations people.”

Larissa Heath (left) interviews Lieut-Colonels Liz and Ian Gainsford for the first episode of Frontlines. BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS The Salvation Army International has launched Frontlines, a monthly podcast bringing listeners closer to the people, stories and issues shaping its global mission. Through conversations with people working across The Salvation Army, Frontlines will share news and insights from the frontlines of mission, exploring what faith looks like in action and some of the issues affecting communities worldwide. Recorded at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London, the first episode launched this week. It features Lieut-Colonels Liz and Ian Gainsford who recently took up their roles as Directors of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission (ISJC). In conversation with Frontlines presenter Larissa Heath, they explore the work of the ISJC, including The Salvation Army’s engagement with the United Nations and its advocacy on issues including poverty, human rights, gender equality, migration and care for the environment. They also reflect on the importance of bringing the experience of people and communities into global conversations and on the Church’s continuing responsibility to speak with a prophetic voice on issues of injustice. Frontlines  is part of a growing commitment to share more of what movement is doing internationally. It connects audiences directly with the people involved and creates space for deeper conversations about mission, faith and the challenges facing our world. New episodes are released on the first Monday of each month. Listen to Frontlines on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, or visit The Salvation Army International website. Click on the image below to watch the first episode. To find out more about the International Social Justice Commission, click here. ,

Andrew Hill will head up the Australia Territory Communications Portfolio from January 2027. International Headquarters (IHQ) has approved the appointment of Andrew Hill as the new Secretary for Communications for the Australia Territory, commencing on 1 January 2027. Salvos Online spoke to Andrew about the appointment and what he hopes to bring to the role. BY DEAN SIMPSON Andrew Hill says God woke him at 5am for eight days straight in preparation for saying yes to being appointed the next Territorial Secretary for Communications. Andrew, a senior soldier from Shire Salvos Menai Corps in Sydney, has worked for The Salvation Army in various roles for the past 24 years, including the past eight years as the General Manager for Community Fundraising. Over the coming months, he will work closely with the current Secretary for Communications, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Hateley, before Paul (and his wife Wendy) take up new appointments in the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory in early 2027. “When I first got the invitation to meet with the Chief (Colonel John Chamness) and the Territorial Commander (Commissioner Miriam Gluyas), I asked them if there was anything I needed to prepare for,” Andrew says. “And Miriam said, ‘Nup, see you next Tuesday’, which was in eight days’ time ... in other words, eight sleepless nights! “But what transpired was quite miraculous. I’m not necessarily an early-morning person, but the very next day I woke up at about 5am, and God clearly said, ‘Get out of bed, Andrew, and spend time with me.’ And I woke up at 5am on the dot every day for the next eight days until the meeting. Andrew Hill and his wife Kim. “I just knew it was the Holy Spirit ... and I was led through the book of Daniel. The Spirit clearly said to me: ‘Look at how Daniel led, look at how he related to all the kings and pointed them to the God who was all-powerful. God was clearly saying to me, ‘I want you to point people back to me as you lead.’ “And so, I said to Kim, my wife, I think they are going to ask me to be the Communications Secretary, and she said, ‘Don’t stress, it’s probably something else. But I couldn’t get this thought out of my head, out of my spirit, that this is what it was going to be. “So, when I got to the meeting and they offered me the role, I straight away said yes, because God had prepared my heart over those eight days, which was powerful confirmation. It was obvious that this wasn’t a human appointment; this was God saying, ‘Andrew, this is the step I want you to take.’ “And I know people will be thinking, ‘How is he going to lead?’ ... so, all I can say is what God said to me: ‘Andrew, I need you to get on your knees every day and lean into me. Because you can only do this through my strength.” Salvation Army upbringing The Salvation Army has played a significant role in Andrew’s life, growing up at Hurstville Corps with his parents, David and Diane Hill and sister Catrina, and moving through the various sections, including the band as a solo cornet player. Andrew and Kim with Pasadena Tabernacle Corps Officers Chick and Margaret Yuill. After finishing school, he embarked on a career with the NSW Police Force, serving as a police officer for eight years, mostly as a senior constable. In 1996, he met his wife, Kim, who was touring Australia with the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps Songsters (USA Western Territory). He left the police force and “pursued” Kim back to America, where they married in 1998 and attended Pasadena Tabernacle Corps together. He began working in Fundraising Ministry and College Career Ministries at Pasadena under the officership of Chick and Margaret Yuill. From 2000 to the end of 2002, he worked as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch until he and Kim, now with a newborn, decided to move back to Australia. “At the start of 2003, I began my long association with The Salvation Army in the old Australia Eastern Territory. Wilma Gallet [founding CEO of Employment Plus], who’s had a significant influence on my life, brought me into a role with EPlus. I had 11 years with EPlus before Leigh Cleave and Bruce Harmer brought me across to the fundraising department at THQ. And I’ve loved this department. I now lead a dynamic 20-person team across five fundraising streams – Events, Community Fundraising Strategy, Relationship Management, Evangelical Fundraising, and Capital Campaign Fundraising – and I’m passionate about the work we do. “And I’ve seen all these experiences come together to make me the person I am today ... all these skills I’ve put in my toolbox along the way. Nothing’s been wasted; God’s not wasted anything. And he’s been preparing me for where I am today and who I am today, to be the leader I am today.” Andrew, Kim and their two children, Caleb (24) and Liberty (20), all attend Menai Corps in Sydney’s south-west, which is part of Shire Salvos. Andrew and Kim are involved in various ministries, while Liberty (singer) and Caleb (drums) are part of the worship team. Andrew with his mother Diane, and daughter Liberty. Andrew lists many people who have played a mentoring role in his life, but specifically mentions Chick and Margaret Yuill, Commissioner James Condon and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas as having a profound influence. “And it would be amiss of me not to mention Janine Kewming [The Salvation Army Head of Fundraising] as well. She is one of the best strategic thinkers and one of the best fundraisers I’ve ever worked with. So, I want to pay honour to her leadership and willingness to support me as I step into this new role.” Appointment announcement In announcing Andrew’s role this week, Chief Secretary Colonel John Chamness clarified the appointment of a non-officer. “While the role of Secretary for Communications has historically been a reserved appointment for an officer, in the absence of a suitable and available officer, International Headquarters approved the appointment of a senior soldier of The Salvation Army to this executive position,” he said. “Andrew’s depth of service and long-standing commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army were key factors in IHQ’s confidence in this appointment. “Please join me in congratulating Andrew on his appointment and pray for God’s anointing on him as he prepares to take on this new challenge.” Andrew with his parents, David, who passed away last year, and his mother Diane. The Hill family – Andrew and Kim with their children Caleb and Liberty. (Right) Representing The Salvation Army on Channel Nine during the Red Shield Appeal campaign.

Narelle Harris (left) and Natalie Kistan regularly pray and discuss how to be intentional about creating faith pathways all through the week at Auburn Corps. BY LAUREN MARTIN There is a giant banner out the front of Auburn Corps that reads, ‘A house of prayer for all the nations’. And, indeed, it is. Auburn Corps is located in the heart of one of Sydney’s most multicultural Local Government Areas. Five different congregations worship at the corps on Saturdays and Sundays, and each weekday begins with a prayer meeting at 9.45am in the foyer of the bustling building. The banner that hangs outside Auburn Corps. “We will often be praying, and someone will walk in and our receptionist will say, ‘Sorry, we are just having a prayer at the moment,’ and the person will wait and listen,” says Corps Leader Natalie Kistan. “When you walk in our doors, unashamedly this is who we are, and this is what we do – proclaim the name of Jesus.” With the Auburn Corps building housing a suite of Salvation Army services and corps-based community activities, the constant challenge is to keep everything centred on Jesus. “We’re constantly having conversations about how we can be more transformational and less transactional,” says Natalie. Volunteers Makereta and Barbara with Auburn Corps’s Food Market coordinator, Sereana Tikoimaisenai. Friday ‘family meal’ One change the team made at the end of last year was to its Welcome Café, which serves a $5 low-cost lunch every day of the week. This change is aimed at building deeper connections with community members who access the corps’ popular low-cost Food Market. “We push all the tables together and have two really large tables,” says Auburn Corps’ Community Program Coordinator Narelle Harris. “We invite all of our staff from the different services in the building to come and intentionally connect with people. Everyone stops, and we say grace; it’s really great.” The cost of the meal on Family Fridays has been reduced to just $2, and Narelle says it’s been beautiful to see people start making friends and inviting others to the meal. “A lot of the people come every week. There’s a couple who come, and they do their grocery shopping and come and have lunch, and they love it. Recently they have been bringing their adult kids. They love it here, and they found community here, so they wanted to bring their family here, which is really nice.” Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist Don Callaghan loves being co-located with Auburn Corps. Friendship evangelism Don Callaghan is a Museum Specialist at The Salvation Army Australia Museum – Sydney, located in the Auburn Corps building. He attends the Family Lunch every Friday and loves it. “Anyone in the community can come in, but that gives us an opportunity to engage with the community and have a chat,” he says. “It’s friendship evangelism, and that’s what I like about this place.” Don recounts a story about Salvation Army founder William Booth, who, in the earliest days of the Christian Mission (which preceded The Salvation Army), met a man named James Flawn, who ran a tea shop. James had grown up an orphan, and Don says he was on the London Bridge one day, begging. “‘Spare me a copper, mister, I’m ever so hungry,’ he said to a passing gentleman,” Don recounts. “But he got rebuffed. And that raised some emotion in James, who said with a bright red face, ‘See when I’m a man, mister, I don’t help out boys like me!’” James was true to his word and, years later, opened a tea shop and was always generous to orphans. It just so happened that William Booth frequented the tea shop, got to know James, and as Don says, “When the Christian Mission opened its first headquarters on Whitechapel Road, the ‘People’s Mission Hall’, part of that was a soup kitchen that James ran, serving 2000 bread and soup meals a day! “The good thing about that is all around The Salvation Army it still happens today. Including here at Auburn!” Relationships lead to faith pathways Whilst the Friday meal was building relationships, the team was keen to offer community members and volunteers a faith pathway, and discussed the possibility of a Bible study. God drew a Christian couple, the new pastors of a nearby Baptist Church, into their midst at just the right time, and the idea for ‘Open Circle’ emerged. Weekly sewing classes are popular at Auburn. “It’s a collaboration between us and the Baptist Church,” says Natalie. “It’s a time when we can come together, share a meal, and we get to open up the Bible and read a story about Jesus … These people haven’t read the Bible before, or are from different faiths or no faith.” Even in the weekly English Conversational Classes, faith pathways will soon be introduced so that, in the final segment of every lesson, a Bible story is used to practise English conversation. “If people don’t want to stay, they won’t have to – it will be an optional part at the end of the English class,” says Natalie. “Some people might say, ‘Well, I don’t believe in the Bible,’ and that’s completely their choice, but that is who we are, and that is our faith, and when you walk in our doors, unashamedly this is who we are, and this is what we do.” Narelle Harris is the Auburn Corps Program Coordinator. Narelle says she’s noticed this year that volunteers are becoming more open to prayer and conversation. “The volunteers here don’t necessarily have families, and they would say that this is their family. “Building relationships and actually being invested in their lives and being grateful for what they are doing here and showing gratitude is important.” Discipleship focus On Sundays, Auburn Corps is described as “heaven on earth”, with over 30 nations represented in the worshipping community. Natalie and her family have been worshipping at the corps for 14 years (and leading for the past five), and she says there’s not a Sunday that goes by without at least one newcomer to the service. “That is what has blown my mind so much, is that that never ceases. It’s rare for a Sunday to not have someone new in our midst.” This year, the congregation is about to relaunch small-group Bible studies with a focus on discipleship. A Sunday morning service in progress at Auburn Corps. “Our people naturally gather together in their homes, which is just beautiful,” says Natalie. “They are praying all the time with their families; they are opening up the Word with their families in their household. “But we are focusing on coming back to being in a church and belonging to Christ and belonging to one another – what does that look like for us? We are going to have groups that meet after church on Sunday in our café space, we are going to have online groups, and we are going to have some groups that meet in homes.” She says that’s where God is taking the corps deeper – into relationship with him and with each other. Staying focused on Jesus and being intentional in mission every day of the week is transforming lives at Auburn Salvation Army. Feg, Maz, Ming, Sugaritha and Shirley volunteer in the ‘Welcome Café’ kitchen at Auburn Corps.

Nine cadets of the Rescued session of cadets began their training earlier this year on the road to becoming commissioned Salvation Army officers. In the ninth of a series of profiles on each cadet, we focus today on Bramwell Nemhara. Bramwell, rewind for us ... when did the call to officership hit, and what made you say that big ‘yes’? I’ve always had a sense that officership was my calling, but it became very clear to me in 2000 at an Easter Congress in Zimbabwe. At the final service on the Sunday, the preacher was speaking about giving your life completely to God and responding to his call. Towards the end of the message, he made an appeal for anyone who felt called to officership to come forward. As he made that invitation, something happened in my heart. I began to cry, and I knew God was speaking directly to me. I didn’t have all the answers or know what the journey would look like, but I knew I needed to say yes. That moment stayed with me for many years, and eventually that call brought me to Officer Formation. Where are you serving at the moment – and what’s your role? I’m currently serving at Balga Corps in Western Australia as a Cadet on Placement. It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn, serve alongside others and experience what ministry looks like in the everyday life of a corps. Bramwell bringing a message at Balga Corps where he is on placement. Any standout moments that are shaping you as a future officer? One of the biggest things shaping me has been seeing how God works through ordinary people and ordinary moments. Whether it’s preaching the Gospel, praying with someone, sharing a meal, listening to someone’s story or simply being present, I’m learning that ministry is not always about the big moments. Sometimes the most powerful ministry happens in the small, unseen moments when someone realises that God has not forgotten them. Where are you feeling stretched right now? I’m being stretched to trust God more deeply and to allow him to shape me rather than always trying to work everything out myself. Officer Formation has challenged me spiritually, academically and personally. I’m learning that being prepared for ministry isn’t just about gaining knowledge; it’s about allowing God to transform my character and teach me dependence on him. What strengths do you lean on most? I lean heavily on my faith, my love for people and my passion for the Gospel. I also value prayer and perseverance. When I don’t know what to do, I pray. I’ve always believed that before I put action to a situation, I should first bring it before God. Which focus areas of officership really fire you up – and why? Preaching the Gospel is what really fires me up. I’m a preacher at heart, and I get excited about people hearing the good news of Jesus Christ. I love seeing Scripture come alive, but even more than that, I love seeing people realise that the Gospel is not just a message for someone else – it is good news for them. If I can help someone encounter Jesus and discover the hope, freedom and new life he offers, that is something I will always be passionate about. Bramwell loves sport and watching events with friends at Optus Stadium in Perth. If you could design your dream appointment today, what would it look like – and who would you most hope to impact? I would love to serve in a multicultural Corps that is on fire for the Gospel – a place where different cultures, languages and expressions of worship come together as one family. I imagine a vibrant, powerful, Spirit-filled and prayerful corps where people feel welcomed, the presence of God is sought, and the Gospel is preached boldly. I would love to see multicultural communities impacted by Jesus, with people from different backgrounds discovering that they belong in God’s family. And just for fun ... when you switch off, what do you love doing? When I’m not studying or serving, I love watching movies, playing soccer and going to the stadium with family and friends to watch sport. All are great ways for me to switch off, have a laugh and recharge. Bramwell Nemhara (centre) with his fellow cadets and (far left) Major Gavin Watts (officer recruitment). READ MORE: Rescued and ready to go To read all the other cadet profiles that Salvos Online has published this year, click here.

Continuing a series spotlighting this year’s cadets of the Rescued session, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH chatted with Reuben Van Gaalen and discovered his passion and excitement for corps ministry and how seeing communities come alive is shaping his journey to officership. He also loves bringing energy to a room. And for a tasty treat? He can’t go past Yo-Chi frozen yoghurt! Reuben, rewind for us ... when did the call to officership hit, and what made you say that big ‘yes’? It wasn’t ever like one big moment. It was lots of things that have happened throughout my life as they flowed through – people who came alongside me, saw something in me, created opportunities for me, challenged me in different ways, spoke things over me. All these different things have helped develop the heart for it (officership). I just want to be faithful with that moment. There’s this line that I love from Nathan Finochio: Fall in love with faithfulness, and God will take care of the fruitfulness. Where are you serving at the moment – and what’s your role? I’m at Camberwell Salvation Army as a cadet. I get to serve in the community, learn the community and, for lucky Matt (the Corps Officer), follow him around everywhere. It’s been a good time. Any standout moments that are shaping you as a future officer? For me, probably moments where community happens. Those small moments where you see a word of encouragement that turns into people stepping out of their comfort zone and trying to do more. We’ve got the Ashy House Church, which happens on a Tuesday. I love those moments where we just sit in community and just hear different people’s stories or learn about the Bible, stuff like that, and encourage each other, which is awesome. We’ve also got Monday night basketball teams where half the church rocks up to cheer them on. It’s just beautiful stuff. So, that’s what shapes and really impacts me and gets me going. Where are you feeling stretched right now? My ability to slow down! I came from a role where, in a high school, it was go, go, go. You have to fit everything in within the 10 weeks of that term. It’s very fast-paced – and then coming into the corps context is slower. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it has been stretching in the sense that I just want to get to the end. But there are moments that God calls me to just be still. Sometimes just obedience has shown a lot of fruit, but it’s been stretching. What strengths do you lean on most? Probably energy and pastoral care. I love bringing energy to a room. That’s a lot of fun. But a big thing for the more serious moments is pastoral care and words of encouragement and things like that. They’re important to me. Those are the moments when you are sitting with people, hearing their story and doing life with them. Reuben (second from left, back row) with his fellow cadets. Reuben says pastoral care and words of encouragement are important to him, especially moments where you are sitting with people, hearing their story, and doing life with them. Which focus areas of officership really fire you up – and why? I just love corps ministry. That excites me the most. The idea of just being planted within a community, learning that community story, seeing its needs, discovering its strengths. I like the theological saying ‘having the Bible in one hand and having the newspaper in another’. I love ministry in that context of having the Bible as the source of truth but having the newspaper to be that thing that defines where truth is needed to be seen. If you could design your dream appointment today, what would it look like – and who would you most hope to impact? I’d love to be in a community where the corps believes its best days are ahead. To have opportunities to see young people dream and leaders within that church hungry to see those things where God is moving already and just joining Him in those places. I’d want to help people recognise where God is already at work, equip them to lead, and see the corps become a place the wider community knows is there for them. And just for fun ... when you switch off, what do you love doing?I love the gym, I love basketball, I love going for a drive, and I love Yo-Chi – frozen yoghurt! To read all the other cadet profiles that Salvos Online has published this year, click here.

In this God-defining moment, Major Dean Clarke reflects on the privilege of growing up with a loving father. He also shares a story about his Heavenly Father’s perfect timing. At a prayer meeting in Toowoomba, a stranger prayed that Dean would know the embrace of God the Father, and in that moment, he felt it. Three years later, his dad passed away. But God had already prepared him, giving Dean a glimpse of the Heavenly Father’s arms before he lost his earthly father.

In this God-defining moment, Major Marco Lupis reflects on two defining experiences that shaped his faith and leaderships. Through times of uncertainty, he shares how God taught him to use his gifts in worship and, through sickness, how God reminded him that His presence remains constant through every storm.

The SAID team hosted hosted partners from 10 countries for its recent conference in Melbourne. Daryl Crowden, General Manager Emergency, Aid and Development. (left, second row) led the event. BY SIMONE WORTHING The Salvation Army International Development (SAID) team recently welcomed delegates from 10 countries to its Partner Conference in Melbourne. The theme of the conference was ‘Holistic Mission, Thriving Communities’. “It was a fantastic opportunity to come together, strengthen relationships, and have meaningful conversations about what partnership truly means to us,” said Daryl Crowden, The Australia Territory’s General Manager of Emergency, Aid and Development. Every two years the SAID team meets with its international partners. This year, nine of the partners attended the conference in person. Unfortunately, representatives from Pakistan and Uganda were unable to get visas and joined online. SAID’s partner territories include Kenya (East and West), Malawi, Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands, Rwanda, Pakistan, Uganda and Tanzania. Source: SAID Annual Report 2025. To read the report, click here. Lieut-Colonel Greg Morgan, Secretary for Mission (Australia Territory) and Lieut-Colonel Debbie Clark, International and Development and Engagement Officer (New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory) were also part of the gathering. “Throughout the week, we explored our new partnership framework and discussed our shared commitment to a holistic, integrated mission,” said Daryl. “We also reflected on the importance of gender equality, disability equity and rights, and climate change as cross-cutting priorities that are embedded across all of our projects and programs.” Partners also assisted in the mid-term review of the SAID strategy. “They fed into the review, giving their experience of our engagement with them,” said Daryl. “We are also finalising our new partnership approach as an agency. We engaged an external consultant to help us develop that framework, which is almost complete. In the development of that, that consultant interviewed a number of implementing territories, IHQ, other agencies that engage with us and our own external board members. But we use this excellent opportunity to give our partners the framework as it is now, get their feedback and talk about the opportunities and pain points they envisage. “We will use the feedback we got from them, particularly around the partnership approach of the partnership framework we developed, to finalise it and roll them both out. “This is about co-owning the ‘power’ – SAID and implementing local partners. Both sides have to own the direction we take. So, while we very much want partners to drive the direction that makes sense for their context, we have to be able to own that as well. We’re going to start prioritising that with a couple of our partners. And that’ll happen pretty much immediately.” Mid-term review The mid-term strategy review is also being finalised, after its first audience with the partners, the practice advisory group, the board, and Major Kim Haworth, Assistant Chief Secretary – Mission. “We will focus on integrated mission and, from a development point of view, I’m looking towards our community development and mission support silos being more integrated,” Daryl said. “This means, for example, that while our community development team will always focus on longer-term, sustainable development, we will explore ways to provide a more wholistic offering that builds resilient communities and transforms lives by leveraging our mission and emergency expertise, programming and funding. “We will try to bring those three things together to leverage each of them to multiply and deepen our impact on communities and individuals. And so that’s the goal of the partnership framework and of our next 18 months of our strategic intent. “We look forward to continuing to work in partnership to strengthen our impact for the communities we serve.” READ MORE: Africa visit a ‘relationship-building’ boost