1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it?   I currently serve as the Corps Officer – Team Leader at the South Barwon Corps in the area of Geelong. This area is known as the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, featuring many of the wonderful natural features of the Australian Coastline. Working with all the regulatory, legislative and financial requirements, I get to journey with a wide variety of people – listening, supporting, encouraging and endeavouring to point them to a new or deeper relationship with my Saviour Jesus Christ. I value my appointment because it allows me to fulfil this aim both within the community of Geelong and my faith community.      2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind?   I enjoy running, and on most Saturdays, I am found doing Parkrun at the many different events in the Greater Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula. I also enjoy spending time with my wife, Karen, exploring the many and varied cafes in our beautiful area.     3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?   I don’t know if I have a favourite Christian song because there are so many that connect with my spirit. From a moving piece performed by brass to the quieter piano and guitar renditions of songs. But if I were pushed to name a song, it would be the classic song by Geoff Bullock (Yes! I am getting older), The Power of Your Love. This song has always highlighted to me that it is up to me to come to God – to be changed, renewed, restored and embraced by God’s love, grace and ultimately to see Him face to face.       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?   Oh! There are so many, but perhaps the Apostle Paul. His many letters challenge, encourage and provide much food for reflection. I would love to understand many of the questions that people wrote to him about seeking answers. His letters are like having only one side of the story, and as we know, there are always two sides to a story.   5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?   Would I recommend officership? On the good days, absolutely. On other days, maybe not. So, what am I saying? Officership, I guess, like all jobs, is challenging. There are times when you feel like giving up, and at other times, it is simply the best. So, what has sustained me? Connection with God and a deep sense of being called by my Creator. Before undertaking officership some 30 years ago, I was told to explore this commitment deeply and to journal it, because at times this will be the only thing you have to keep going. No truer words have been spoken to me. So, if God is nudging you in the direction of officership, say “Yes” and trust Him – He will see you through.

Financial inclusion is about people, says TSA Moneycare Manager Kristen Hartnett. READ MORE: Josie finds lifeline in Salvation Army’s care BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army’s Financial Inclusion (Moneycare) team has released its Financial Inclusion Action Plan (FIAP) Impact Highlights Report for 2018-2025 . This release follows seven years of sustained work towards the goal of greater financial inclusion and empowerment within both The Salvation Army and the communities it reaches. The FIAP, which was first launched in 2016-2018, sought to follow seven principles: To build financial capability in money management and promote long-term financial resilience; Act early on financial stressors before they reach a crisis point; Deliver support through trusted, respectful and relational approaches; Tailor services to meet the diverse needs of individuals and communities; Work to change systems and policies which create financial exclusion; Support Salvos personnel by ensuring they have access to financial inclusion support; and Use data to continuously improve services through research, evaluation and feedback. In a note included from Captain Brad McIver, Currently Special Projects Officer - Office of the Chief Secretary, he said that more than being a plan, FIAP was part of The Salvation Army’s purpose to walk with people as they rebuild and reimagine what’s possible – now and in the future. “It’s about reflecting Jesus in every step, helping us all see ourselves as God does— ​loved, valued, and full of hope,” Brad wrote. “Financial inclusion is about more than money –  ​it’s about building a neighbourly economy where no one is excluded from community, services or opportunity.” The four key focus areas of the report were products and services, capability, attitudes and behaviour, culture and diversity and economic participation. The Impact Highlights Report demonstrates a high level of collaboration across teams in The Salvation Army, with Doorways, The Salvation Army Emergency Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministry teams just some of those who have been highlighted as contributing to the work of greater financial inclusion. TSA National Moneycare Manager Kristen Hartnett said that the purpose of co-designing the rollout across teams was to see what was working, spot the gaps and better align for greater impact.  She said the team was keen to learn from everybody, and knew there was a lot of talent within the organisation. She said financial inclusion was about people, and was one thread which could connect much of what TSA does. “Financial inclusion helps bring together everything we do to include people financially, turning potential ideas into real opportunities,” Kristen said. “From here, we can strengthen our system-wide responses and inform the strategic direction of our future.” The Report highlights the following outcomes from the work of the Financial Inclusion team as part of the FIAP: People who have accessed TSA financial wellbeing services are more likely to be financially capable and resilient; There is better targeting and delivery of services based on community needs and consultation; Initial contact and early intervention occurs more effectively; Internal personnel have increased their financial capability and resilience, with improved wellbeing; Internal female personnel are more financially resilient and better positioned for retirement. To find out more about The Salvation Army’s commitment to financial inclusion, see here .

At one point, Josie was forced to live in her car. With The Salvation Army’s Financial Inclusion team releasing the Financial Inclusion Action Plan (FIAP) Impact Highlights Report for 2018 – 2025 , we are sharing the story of a community member who experienced the benefits of financial inclusion when she was experiencing hardship. We are calling this person Josie, to keep her identity protected. Josie faced a series of setbacks and blows to her housing and financial stability over a period of several months, when with no family and friends close by and no other support networks, she reached out to The Salvation Army for help. “The Salvation Army has been a lifeline for me,” Josie said. “They have provided consistent support at every step of my journey.” When Josie first moved into a new property in a new suburb, she did so without essential household items such as a fridge and washing machine. Staff at The Salvation Army corps nearby introduced her to a No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) worker, who were able to process a priority application, which helped them purchase the items they needed urgently. But Josie’s challenges weren’t over. A few months later, she was referred to the Moneycare team as her housemate left unexpectedly after not contributing adequately to their shared expenses, and Josie was left to pay a large bill. Josie was able to be supported to call her utility provider and arrange a manageable payment plan. Moneycare staff also helped Josie organise payments for her water bills and car registration, enabling her to gain greater control of her finances. Sadly, however, Josie was unable to find another housemate, and was forced to live in her car, alongside her service dog, who provided vital emotional support. As Josie lives with PTSD, anxiety and depression, homelessness compounded her symptoms and her life circumstances impacted heavily on her mental and physical health. But, she was determined to stay positive. Josie kept regularly attending her local Salvation Army church and participating in the Celebrate Recovery program. Eventually, she was offered a community housing property. Josie moved in, but then faced another challenge: her car began displaying problems. It needed urgent repairs, and Josie was still trying to get back on her feet. To make matters worse, Josie was targeted by a social media loan scam, and her Centrelink pension money was gone. Josie reached out to NILS for support, and the NILS worker referred her to Doorways, where she accessed a food voucher to help her survive the next fortnight. She also received education on how to protect her identity, as well as referrals to additional support services. Unfortunately, Josie’s car then stopped working altogether. Again, The Salvation Army stepped in, referring Josie to the NILS for Vehicles program run by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand. The Salvation Army supported Josie with providing documentation and communication across services. Josie was also invited to participate in the Positive Lifestyle Program (PLP), and she agreed. She says this helped her to reflect on the challenges in her life, break them down into manageable parts and develop strategies to address them. She says she now finds she often returns to her workbook for continued resources and support options.   Josie has reflected on her journey with The Salvation Army through a time of personal crisis and says the services haven’t just helped her to survive but have enabled her to build a foundation for long-term stability. “The NILS program helped with practical needs like a fridge and car repairs, while the Positive Lifestyle Program gave me the tools to stay emotionally strong,” Josie says. “Doorways helped with essentials like food when I was in crisis, and Moneycare gave me budgeting advice that helped me keep my bills up to date. My local church and Celebrate Recovery have also been a spiritual anchor in my journey and connection to community. “I have learnt I’m not alone, and support is always available when I need it.” To find out more about The Salvation Army’s commitment to financial inclusion, see here .

Lunch at the after-school programs in Moldova is often the only hot meal the children will eat all day. BY DOMINIKA BRODOWSKA Throughout the tiny, Eastern European nation of Moldova, The Salvation Army operates after-school projects for vulnerable children. This vital work provides critical support beyond the classroom, helping to break cycles of poverty, trauma and social exclusion. One of its core initiatives, the ‘See Me Afterschool Project’, targets children aged seven to 16 living near local corps. Priority is given to children from marginalised families – those without parents, with disabled or absent caregivers or struggling with poverty and instability. Compassion and community Over the past four years, around 150 children have benefitted directly from the See Me project. These children regularly attend classes, participate in extracurricular and spiritual activities, and receive support with education, nutrition and social skills development. As awareness of the program grows, so does its reach. Demand is rising as more children and families turn to the project for support. Remarkably, dedicated volunteers lead all Salvation Army child-focused work in Moldova. No paid staff were employed in these roles until recently, and the organisation proudly continues to rely on the strength of its community. The program helps install spiritual and moral values. Children and families report feeling supported, valued and included. There is a visible boost in self-esteem, motivation and active participation in community life. Cooking lessons are part of the program.   Building belonging and breaking barriers The long-term impact of the See Me project is already visible. One of the most significant outcomes has been increased social cohesion. Through shared activities and consistent engagement, children and their families have become more connected to their communities. This has fostered trust, improved relationships across diverse groups, and created a stronger sense of belonging. The project has become a platform for forming meaningful and lasting social bonds – crucial for the overall development of young people. There is also a clear shift in attitudes towards education. Parents are more involved in their children’s learning journeys, and teachers from partnering schools report improved academic performance among participants. READ MORE:   Pray for Eastern Europe Territory Parents note positive changes at home: children are more disciplined, respectful and engaged in family life. In many corps, children are also active in Scouting, which further supports their personal growth by building responsibility, leadership and mutual respect. Scouting has also strengthened family relationships and enhanced behaviour in school. Perhaps most importantly, the program helps install spiritual and moral values. Help with homework is helping the children academically, socially and emotionally. Second home In the small town of Orhei, a humble building belonging to The Salvation Army becomes a refuge of warmth, learning and stability for children who need it most. For more than 10 years, this after-school project has served as a second home for vulnerable children, many of whom face hardship, displacement or a lack of support at home. Officially, the project is designed for 12 children, but its doors are now open to 21 regular attendees, including three refugee children from Ukraine. The need is clearly greater than the capacity. This place is fully self-funded and thrives thanks to strong cooperation with local authorities and communities.  “Children come with great joy and eagerness to the See Me project,” says Orhei Corps Officer Captain Larisa Zaharia. “Here, children are welcomed, heard, encouraged and loved. They learn what friendship and kindness towards one another means, how to integrate into society (school) and they find peace.  “Some children have arrived unable to read or write but are able to learn thanks to the work and attention of the teacher and volunteers. Children receive a hot meal – for some it’s the only hot meal of the day.  “Within the project, children learn Christian songs, attend summer camps and day camps where they socialise with other children and make new friends. “The children not only learn more about God but come to know him personally as their saviour, learning from the Bible during Sunday school. Some become junior soldiers, and their parents and grandparents also attend worship services. “Praise the Lord that we can serve these children and help them grow in faith and obedience to God in a friendly and loving environment.” The children enjoy playing games as part of learning English. Daily program The program runs from late morning until late afternoon, offering structure and support at a time of day when many children would otherwise be unsupervised. Some children arrive as early as 11am and stay until 4pm. Their daily schedule is simple but meaningful. It includes: Homework help in a quiet, focused environment Nutritious lunch (sometimes donated by local business owners operating canteens) Games, crafts, drawing, singing and Scout activities Time to play and be children. The routine isn’t just about filling time; it’s designed to nurture development, self-confidence and emotional resilience. Children must finish their lunch before playing table games – teaching responsibility and structure in small but impactful ways. Games provide an opportunity for children just to have fun. Community and refugee support Beyond its role as an after-school centre, the Orhei Corps is deeply embedded in the local support network for refugee families, particularly those fleeing conflict. There are currently more than 70 refugee families in the town and more than 100 families in the surrounding region. The centre collaborates closely with the local refugee centre in Orhei. When refugees arrive needing food, housing or job support, the centre often calls The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army in Moldova also works with the labour office, helping place refugees into work. The Salvation Army has also become a go-to resource for other non-government organisations groups seeking reliable, local information on the refugee situation. Sport is always popular and a highlight for the children. Community involvement The project’s success is heavily reliant on community engagement. Many of the parents of refugee children volunteer at the centre. Some of the children who once benefitted from the program have returned as volunteers, a testament to the lasting impact of this safe, nurturing space. Promotion is done primarily through social media, city hall, the social department and even local business leaders. Challenges Despite its many successes, the project operates under strain. Six children were turned away in 2024 due to lack of space. The children continue to ask for more diverse activities: computer and dance classes, football, swimming, basketball, badminton, and even simple joys like ice cream or a birthday cake. However, the ongoing challenge of securing additional funding makes it difficult to turn all these dreams into reality. One child tragically discovered their mother deceased at home – a situation far beyond the scope of volunteers, and one that highlights the urgent need for trained social support. The Salvation Army also holds bi-monthly meetings with schoolteachers to monitor children’s academic progress. The children come from seven different schools and, depending on the school, children speak either Romanian or Russian, which adds another layer of diversity that the centre embraces daily. This after-school project is more than a program. It is a lifeline for children who might otherwise fall through the cracks. It fills the space where social services are thin, where families are struggling and where childhood should still have room to breathe, grow and play. With more resources, this program could reach even more children, provide even more security and offer brighter possibilities for the most vulnerable young people in Orhei. But even as it stands, it is proof of what’s possible when compassion, community and commitment come together. By supporting projects like these, all of us can help build a better future for children. This article first appeared in The Salvation Army’s international magazine, All the World .   *Dominika Brodowska is the Ukraine Response Unit Coordinator, based at The Salvation Army International Headquarters in London, UK

The three cadets of the 2024-25  Keepers of the Covenant session are preparing themselves for a sacred event – the making of a covenant that will mark the conclusion of their officer formation journey and their entry into the vocation of Salvation Army officership. The cadets to be commissioned at Parramatta Corps (NSW) on Sunday 23 November are Jonathan Abdulai, Soonsun Kwon and Jose Porcia. (From left) Cadets Jonathan Abdulai, Soonsun Kwon and Jose Porcia. BY CAPTAIN KYLIE HERRING In Officer Formation Stream (OFS), staff and cadets alike have commenced a countdown to Commissioning. Our Keepers of the Covenant  2024-25 are preparing for a sacred event – the making of a covenant that will mark the end of their officer formation journey and their entry into the vocation of officership. The signing of the covenant marks entry into a deeply spiritual relationship with God for sacred service. To be ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army officer, the following covenant is made: Called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as an officer of The Salvation Army, I bind myself to Him in this solemn Covenant: To love, trust and serve him supremely all my days, To live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life, To care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unloved, and befriend those who have no friends, To maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God’s grace, to prove myself a worthy officer. It is our hope and prayer that the journey of formation each of our cadets has taken during their training has prepared them to step into these significant and sacred moments with confidence.   During their formation, our cadets have engaged with the three spheres of formation – personal and spiritual, mission and ministry, education and theological – and have demonstrated their commitment to integrating their learning into their ministry and leadership practice. Covenant Day is the first of our official Commissioning events and will take place in person at Stanmore House in Sydney on Saturday 22 November. We ask you to cover our cadets with your prayers over the coming weeks. Here are some prayer points: • Safety during travel - all gathering in Sydney for these events. • Peace and no anxiety. • That the Spirit would affirm and confirm this step of faith and trust for those being commissioned. • That the meeting would be a time of inspiration, challenge and renewal of commitment to God’s purpose in the lives of all those who attend or watch the ordination and commissioning meeting online. Four auxiliary-lieutenants will also be commissioned over the next few weeks. Aux-Lieuts Amanda and Matthew Pethybridge will be commissioned at Parramatta Corps on Sunday 23 November, and Aux-Lieuts Belinda and David Dobbie will be commissioned in Mackay (Qld) on Sunday 7 December. The Commissioning events will be livestreamed. The link to the Parramatta service is here *Captain Kylie Herring is Leader - Officer Formation/Senior Training Officer - Eva Burrows College

The Salvation Army's Policy and Advocacy team is working to change the perception that someone is a 'problem gambler' with a push towards treating gambling harm as a public health issue. Image: Getty BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army is working steadily to advocate for systemic changes to address the widespread harm caused by gambling in Australia. With 2024 research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies showing that 68 per cent of high-risk gamblers had experienced cognitive, behavioural and mental health conditions and 66 per cent had experienced financial hardship, The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team is working to address the issue of gambling harm  as a matter of public health. “Frontline workers are seeing an increase in children and young people being impacted by gambling harm,” Emily Seiler, Adviser with The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team said. The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team has recently been involved in multiple high-level discussions regarding the topic and has provided submissions on gambling harm to governments across the country, including the Federal government. These have included a meeting with Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek, a submission  last year to the Tasmanian Treasury and Finance Department in response to the public consultation paper on Player Card and Cashless Gaming and a call for gambling advertising reform  in the Australian Capital Territory. Members of the team also recently met with ACT Minister for Gaming Reform Dr Marisa Paterson MLA. The team is currently preparing a submission to the Review and Reform of Western Australian Gambling Laws , which is currently in progress, following consultations with frontline services in the state to understand how gambling harm is impacting those The Salvation Army assists across corps, Youth, Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) and Alcohol and Other Drugs services. Emily said that in their submission, the team will call for the WA Government to centre gambling harm reduction in the review and reform of current laws. “There’s a lot of research out there around what works, and there is the context from other countries,” Emily said. “What we do is highlight the experiences that The Salvation Army is seeing on the ground to back recommendations and existing research. There is so much research. We know the harm that gambling causes. “Highlighting how gambling harm is impacting children is one of our key priorities.” According to 2023 Parliamentary research , two-thirds to three-quarters of children will have participated in some form of gambling in their pre-teen and teenage years. The report also highlighted that children were being exposed to advertising through multiple avenues in the context of sport, including in-stadia advertisements, sponsorship logos and social media. The report noted that according to the Australian Medical Association, the close links and associations created between gambling and sport do not align with public health principles. Emily said the team were looking to foster an approach to gambling which centred on gambling as a matter of public health and moved away from the traditional view that someone was a ‘problem gambler’, and rather as someone experiencing harm within a system which enabled gambling corporations to thrive at the cost of consumer wellbeing. She said the Western Australian Government was looking to update gambling legislation and was interested in receiving contributions. “There is an interest from government in this space, but interest doesn’t always equate to outcomes, and that’s where we are making sure that the voices of people with lived experience who have been impacted by gambling harm are heard in these discussions,” Emily said. For more information on The Salvation Army’s Gambling Support Service, click here :   Phone:  03 9653 3250. The service offers financial and therapeutic counselling, community engagement and venue support.

In this ‘God Defining Moment’, Major Wendy Watts reflects that, slowing down and listening to God is sometimes all that is required. Despite our inability to see ourselves clearly this side of heaven, God always sees us and has a plan.

Street 2 Home staff, Chris Allen (left) and Annie Carr at the recent SleepOut. When a brazen theft stripped the team of critical material aid to assist people sleeping rough, it was devastating. However, the community has united and risen above the adversity with an influx of donations. BY LERISSE SMITH   When a brazen $11,000 theft stripped the Salvos’ Tasmanian-based Street to Home Program of critical material aid to assist people sleeping rough, it could have stopped them in their tracks.   But instead of halting progress, the community united and rose above the adversity. Thanks to a simple callout on ABC Radio, not only were 40 stolen sleeping bags and tents quickly replaced, but more than 100 tents and sleeping bags were donated, along with substantial financial contributions that exceeded anything the team expected. “For the first time ever, we’ve got brokerage that will enable us to actually provide more comprehensive support to people who are sleeping rough,” said John Stubley, State Development Manager of Homelessness at Salvos Social and Community Mission. “We are incredibly humbled by the support we have received, and incredibly appreciative of that support. In Tasmania, when we ask for this sort of support, you can always guarantee that it will be forthcoming.” John Stubley, State Development Manager of Homelessness at Salvos Social and Community Mission, says the Street 2 Home team have been incredibly humbled by the support they have received after the recent theft. And it wasn’t just the donations that mattered – it was what they symbolised. “It (the support) does make our job a lot easier,” he reflected. It helps when someone who is sleeping rough is handed a sleeping bag, and you’re able to say to them, ‘This was donated by a member of the community who didn’t want to see you go cold.’ It has more value to actually feel that someone cares about you than just to give money … It is quite significant for the person who is sleeping rough, because it’s very easy to feel no one cares about you, and it’s a tangible sign that someone actually cares about you.” The Street to Home Program is an assertive outreach support model for people sleeping rough in southern Tasmania. Each day, its two street workers are the only people in southern Tasmania who look for people living on the streets. They provide whatever supports they need. At first, it’s survival essentials such as tents, sleeping bags and thermal undergarments. Beyond that, they help with ensuring they are on the housing waitlist, signed up for Centrelink benefits, and connected to vital services such as GPs. “So, the sleeping bags and tents are the very pointy end of homelessness,” John explained. “It is absolutely critical for those who are sleeping rough on the streets.” The Street to Home program runs on a tight budget. Funded mostly by The Salvation Army, there is no significant brokerage to enable them to buy tents and sleeping bags. Then came the break-in – just before their annual SleepOut to raise awareness and funds for homelessness. For three mornings straight, John took to ABC Radio, determined to turn loss into hope. An urgent appeal was made for assistance to the broader Tasmanian community to donate good-quality second-hand or new sleeping bags and tents. And the response was immediate.  An influx of sleeping bags and tents poured in, along with substantial financial donations. That outpouring of generosity unlocked new possibilities. Now, when someone who has been sleeping rough is offered housing but doesn’t have anything to put in the residence, the Salvos team can lend an extra helping hand. The donation funds enable the team to buy them a mattress, for example, as a starting point to sleep in the house they secured. But the need keeps growing. In 2024, the program supported 300 individuals. This year, they are on track for 400 – a huge feat given that two workers are supporting 400 people. John said it was a ‘light touch’ support, walking alongside the person to help them connect to the services they need, rather than being the service provider themselves. The Salvation Army Bridge Program in Hobart operates from a residential facility in New Town, which offers 12 residential beds and four transitional units. The centre is close to St John’s Park and is set on six acres of grounds, with a community garden, arts centre, gymnasium and commercial kitchen. And the 30 per cent increase comes on top of skyrocketing case complexities. “We are seeing about a 70 per cent increase in the complexity of people presenting for help,” he emphasised. “So, more have mental health issues than they did the year before, more have substance abuse issues and or both.” Contrary to what many assume, it is not drugs or mental illness that led to homelessness generally, but a lack of housing. For most rough sleepers, it is a story rooted in trauma. It generally starts with trauma in their youth, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, seeing someone killed or losing a parent. “Usually, in their case, they have had multiple episodes of trauma,” John remarked. “It can be different events. They have just been unlucky, or with something like domestic violence, that can be more of the same on an ongoing, extended basis, which causes significant mental health issues that go unaddressed. It results in loss of family connection, social networks, loss of home if they ever had one, loss of a job if they ever had one, and ultimately, they turn to substance abuse to dull the pain of their stuffed-up life. So, the mental health coming from trauma is certainly a key factor in the story of someone living on the street.” Every person sleeping rough carries invisible scars of trauma. And not enough services are being provided to help address those mental health issues. The State Development Manager believes that much change could occur if there were readily accessible, affordable mental health services to help everyone address their issues when they arise, as the need is great. Beyond his frontline work, he has taken his message beyond the streets, speaking at public events to educate the wider community about homelessness and challenge the misconceptions that surround it. Through these engagements, powerful insights and stories are shared to help people better understand the realities faced by those sleeping rough – and the importance of compassion and connection in creating change. An important message relayed to the audience is that if a person sees someone who is homeless and gives that person a negative look or makes a derogatory comment, they are doing so because they can see the way the person is looking at them. They can feel that judgment. The audience is asked to think about the following: If you’re living on the street and your life is totally messed up and you’ve got no friends, every person who looks at you does so with the expression that they clearly think you are a loser. John referenced a moment from the SBS television series  Filthy Rich and Homeless , when an exceptionally well-dressed, successful businesswoman, accustomed to being seen as a picture of success, was made over in street clothes, with her hair messed up and dirt rubbed onto her face. Within two hours, the businesswoman was in tears, simply from the way strangers looked at her. “She felt exactly what someone who lives on the street feels like just in the way people looked,” he recalled. “It was a particularly significant point. I think it’s important to remind people that, at the end of the day, we are all human beings. “Yes, some of us have been luckier than others. They didn’t choose that life. And that’s also something I want to point out. They didn’t choose to be where they are, and they don’t want to be where they are – but they don’t know how to get back from that situation.” And ultimately, change starts with compassion. “If you actually stop and say hello to the person sleeping rough and ask, ‘How are you going and do you have everything you need?’, you will have a perfectly civil conversation,” he commented. Yet even compassion alone can’t fix a broken system. Frontline workers continue to face challenges due to fragmented, siloed homelessness services. The system assumes homeless people can find their own way to help – an analogy being like asking a car-accident victim to arrange their own hospital care, added John. “So, what street home workers do is literally be that conduit to connect them to those services,” he emphasised. “There’s two people in southern Tasmania who do that. Everyone else sits in their office and waits for the clients to come to them. Our program is a vital program – and I believe very strongly in what we do.”       ​​

Kwinana Salvos Major Scott Ellery and Chantal Tait meet with the Gilmore Park Student Council.  BY ANTHONY CASTLE   The Student Council from Gilmore College in Western Australia has launched an initiative to support the work of Kwinana Salvos at Christmas time.   The Community Social Responsibility Initiative is an opportunity for the school to give back to their community and make a difference.   Student Councillors met with Kwinana Corps Officer Major Scott Ellery and Ministry Assistant Chantal Tait to learn more about The Salvation Army’s work assisting local families.   Each year, the Salvos support those facing difficulties at Christmas. There is a significant need for support, with people struggling to afford food, gifts and housing.   The Salvos offer food hampers, gift vouchers, and meals, and provide emergency relief throughout the year. Kwinana Salvos will be supporting approximately 200 local families with food hampers and toys this year. Major Scott Ellery speaks with students at Gilmore College. The Community Social Responsibility Initiative will help create and deliver this year’s Christmas hampers, aiming to collect 1000 non-perishable food items. Donations can include tinned foods such as fruit, vegetables, soups, meats or fish (ring-pull tins preferred), meal bases such as pasta sauces, rice meals, curry and stir-fry sauces, meal kits, and Christmas items such as puddings, mince pies, biscuits, chocolates and custard. The Christmas Appeal also welcomes other essentials, such as cereals, spreads, tea, coffee, long-life milk and baby food.   All donated items must be new, unused, and have long expiry dates.   Donations are welcome at the school’s collection boxes in Student Services and at the college’s administration office until Friday 5 December 2025. Gilmore College Christmas Appeal Wish List.

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

Each week throughout 2025, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   The focus territory/region shares prayer requests to help us pray with precision and power for one another.   This week ( 10-16 November ), we pray for the Eastern Europe Territory.   The countries that make up the Latin America North Territory are Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.   The Eastern Europe Territory has 91 officers (84 active and 7 retired); 2 cadets; 37 corps; 1 outpost; 1143 senior soldiers; 783 adherents; 291 junior soldiers; 58 employees.   Lieut-Colonel João Paulo and Karin Ramos lead the territory.   The work includes: ·  Food assistance, winter aid and family support ·  Humanitarian response ·  Community development ·  Emergency response ·  Modern slavery and human trafficking response At a glance: ·   38 faith communities ·   259,000 refugees supported ·    600 children and young people in clubs and youth groups.     The leaders have shared the following points to guide us as we pray: For the territory We pray that soldiers and officers will be confident in the power of the Gospel - anytime and anywhere without fear or shame.   We ask God to bring revival to every corps and region.   We pray for unity and wisdom in leadership, and that the strategic plan will be inspired by the Holy Spirit, not just human reasoning; that leaders will hear God’s voice, see the bigger picture, and lead with love and humility.   We pray that every soldier will live a consecrated life, serving as examples of holiness, sacrifice and commitment to ministry.   We pray for God’s provision of suitable buildings and officer quarters, and for wisdom to review current resources so that all facilities align with the mission.   Pray that God will raise up new leaders – young officers, soldiers, musicians and preachers – to carry the mission forward with fresh strength and vision. Territorial, divisional and corps officers and leaders of the Eastern Europe Territory recently gathered for a retreat in Romania. For Moldova: We give thanks to God for the growing number of children and young people participating in divisional events.   We pray for Moldova’s political situation in the aftermath of the recent elections. Pray for the new Divisional Leaders as they begin their appointments – asking God to grant them wisdom, courage and boldness. Youth camps are a regular and popular part of ministry with young people. For Georgia: We give thanks for the dedicated officers who serve faithfully and work together for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.   Pray for the political situation, which continues to impact the country’s financial stability.   Pray for the current divisional leaders as they prepare to leave for international service, and for the new divisional leaders who will begin their appointments in January 2026. For Romania: We give thanks for the ministry of the small but faithful group of officers serving in Romania.   We pray for more Romanian-speaking officers to be raised up to strengthen the work.   Pray for the new Divisional Leaders as they begin their appointments, asking God to grant them wisdom, courage and boldness.   For Bulgaria: We give thanks to those who have recently joined the corps, become soldiers, and taken on new responsibilities.   We pray for financial sustainability so the work in Bulgaria can grow and be strengthened.   And we pray for the new Regional Officers as they begin their appointments, asking God to grant them wisdom, courage and boldness.   For Ukraine: We give thanks for the courage and dedication of our officers and corps leaders who serve under immense daily pressure.   We pray for God’s provision and wisdom in developing greater financial sustainability to support the mission long-term.   And we pray for peace in Ukraine –  that the world leaders will find a solution to end the war, so innocent people may live in safety and with hope for the future.   To find out more about the Eastern Europe Territory, click here . To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .   To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here .

Four of The Salvation Army’s Veteran Support Team (from left): Erika Willett, Jonathan Dyer, Bethany Wilding, and Justin Hambrook. As Australia pauses to observe Remembrance Day, The Salvation Army’s Veteran Support Team continues its mission to care for those who have served our nation. Through housing support, advocacy and community partnerships, the team provides vital assistance to veterans and their families across Queensland and beyond. Salvos Online journalist SIMONE WORTHING sat down with Jonathan Dyer, the team’s Program Manager, to discuss this unique service, its challenges, and the heart behind the work. Jonathan, can you tell us about the Veteran Support Team and how it began? The Veteran Support Team is, we believe, the only veteran-specific specialist homelessness service in Australia. We started in 2017, initially funded through RSL Queensland. In 2023, the Queensland Government came on board to fund additional services, and earlier this year, our formal partnership with RSL Queensland ended. We have six caseworkers, a team leader, and me as Program Manager. It’s an incredibly valuable service, and we’re so grateful that the Salvos recognised its importance and helped us keep it going. Jonathan Dyer leads The Salvation Army’s Veteran Support Team. What does the team’s work look like across Queensland? We’re a statewide, mobile  case management program. Our caseworkers are based mostly in southeast Queensland, but we have one in Townsville as well. We work with current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force, as well as widows, partners, and dependants – including families escaping domestic and family violence where the veteran is the perpetrator – sadly, a growing issue. Our support is tailored to what each person needs. Sometimes that means lots of face-to-face work; other times, it’s all online or over the phone. We do whatever works best for the person. You mentioned Townsville – what’s unique about the work there? Townsville is what’s called a garrison town – it has two bases, Lavarack Barracks and an Air Force base – so there’s a significant veteran population. The 2021 Census also showed that one in six families in Townsville has someone who has served in the Defence Force, and for the rest of Australia, it’s one in 20. That’s a huge number. Even if people transition from the Defence Force, they tend to stay there. People like it there and employment opportunities are good. All money raised by the Salvos Sleepout was donated to the Veteran Support Team.. Our caseworker there has been doing amazing work, including fostering relationships in the community. The Townsville RSL sub-branch recently held a sleepout and donated all the money raised – $810 – to our program. Every dollar makes a difference and this year, thanks to those funds, we have been able to increase both referral pathways and practical support for veterans and their families. How do you support veterans who are moving or transitioning out of Defence? A lot of people we work with just want a stable home so they can rebuild their community from there. Some don’t really mind where they live, and we can support them with that. About half of the people we work with end up in private rentals, which is pretty unique in the homelessness sector. We help with everything from applications to references and liaising with property managers. And when someone moves interstate, we stay with them until they’re settled and have local supports in place. And they know they can call us at any point in time. It’s all about making sure that transition is as smooth as possible. As   with everywhere in Australia, though, housing services are all stretched and affordable housing options are very few and far between, especially for those on low incomes.    Are there plans to expand this work beyond Queensland? We’d love to. What we bring to this space is quite unique. We engage with all of the veteran homelessness services across the country though, in various ways. Many of these are residential-based services, not community-based like ours, so we focus on providing support in the community of the person’s choice. The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services are also a great resource for us across the country. The Veteran Support Team stand at a recent promotional event at Currumbin. The Queensland Government is developing its first veteran strategy. Are you involved in that process? Yes, and it’s really exciting. Our team has been involved in forums and consultations, and one of the focus areas is housing – which is often missing from veteran strategies. There’s also been increased collaboration across the sector. We’ve borrowed ideas from the US and Canada, where some communities have effectively ended veteran homelessness. So, we work with a variety of government, non-government, housing, veteran support and other organisations and in the past year and a half, our collaborative strategy has already helped house four people. It’s a start and there’s a long way to go, but we’re proud to lead that work. On a personal level, what drives you in this work? I’ve been with the Salvos for nine years, but I’ve worked in community services for over 20. My family has a long history of military service – my father, uncle and grandfather all served in the Australian Army. My grandfather fought at Kokoda in World War Two and suffered with malaria for the rest of his life. My father was a firefighter in the Australian Army and both he and my uncle served at Lavarack Barracks (Townsville) and dad at Gallipoli Barracks (Brisbane). That connection gave me some insight into Defence life, but it wasn’t until I started this work that I realised how complex the veteran experience really is. When we began in 2017, there were just two of us. We quickly learned that the best approach is humility – asking questions and letting veterans be the experts in their own lives. We’re just there to support them wherever we can. It’s a privilege to do this work. Finally, what gives you hope looking ahead? Seeing collaboration grow across the sector and knowing that housing for veterans is now part of the conversation. There’s still a long way to go, but we’re proud to be part of a movement that’s making a real difference. And, of course, the people we serve – their resilience and determination – that’s what keeps us going every day.