For more than four decades, Warrnambool Salvationist Harrison Mcilroy has bought warmth, humility and kindness to Victorian pub and clubgoers through his hotel ministry. He is pictured with the Salvos Magazine he hands out and a ​​donation bag he made himself. (Background photo courtesy of Tripadvisor.com ) BY LERISSE SMITH Harrison Mcilroy loves nothing better than a good old yarn. And for more than four decades, this self-confessed ‘people person’ has turned his gift for conversation into a quiet force for good bringing warmth, humility and kindness to Victorian pub and clubgoers through his work with The Salvation Army’s hotel ministry. Offering comfort, connection and conversation where it’s often needed most, Harrison became a familiar and welcome face in places others might overlook. But now, at 86, he has called time on his extraordinary chapter with the ministry, a 45-plus-year journey that began with a simple invitation and a willingness to meet people where they were at in life. “I have loved it,” he reflected. “I think it’s just the contact with people. They will talk about different things. Sometimes they will have quite a conversation. Other times it is helping them sort out something, or they want to tell me about something good that has happened. I am always open for conversation. Everyone is different; their circumstances are different. The conversations are too. You never know what people are going to ask you. But people are appreciative of us being there.” Harrison’s foray into pubs, clubs and everything in between started with a tap on the shoulder. In late 1978, he arrived from New Zealand with his wife and connected with The Salvation Army in Altona. It was at a Salvos Congress in Melbourne in 1979 that everything changed for Harrison – he became a Christian. “I asked Jesus to be my Saviour and Lord – and my life changed,” he said. “My desire for alcohol went.” In 1988, he began a position in Warrnambool with The Salvation Army to work with homeless people, a position he held for 17 years. He still recalls getting a tap on the shoulder to join the hotel ministry. Harrison had highlighted to the corps officer at the time (Ian Callandar) that he used to go to the pub and stand at the bar. Ian immediately told Harrison he was the right person as he “spoke the language” and knew the hotel scene. And just like that, Harrison found himself stepping into a very different kind of calling, one that mixed community outreach, faith and Friday night foot traffic. Over the years, his quiet presence has touched countless lives – often in ways he may never fully know. So, what was the ultimate goal of the ministry? “To try and spread the Word of God,” he emphasised. “It is basically my testimony of where I came from and where I’ve ended up and that goes across reasonably well. We don’t know the results of that, of course, and whether people make decisions or not (to come to Christ), as we would not hear that in a pub. “But it’s about connecting with people in the pub, sharing your own personal story and the work of The Salvation Army, too.” That kind of authenticity became his trademark. He was not there to judge or convert. He was there to simply connect with others and provide a listening ear whenever needed. The power of a single conversation He still recalls the time a woman approached him unexpectedly at a pizza shop while placing an order. He had met her previously in a hotel and at his work, where she sought help to deal with several life issues. The woman informed him that she wanted to have a chat. Initially unsure as to what was going to be discussed, Harrison was soon moved by her words. “I remember thinking, ‘What have I done wrong?’” he said. “But when we got together, she said, “I want to thank you.” The woman then shared with Harrison how, thanks to him, she had woken up to herself. After dealing with some challenging life situations, she had changed the way she was doing things in life, commenting that “life was great.”   Harrison made his own collection bag to ‘soften’ the sound of donations. Special moments like that reminded Harrison just how powerful a single conversation could be while undertaking his ministry role. Also powerful for Harrison was people’s generosity towards the Salvos over the years. And Harrison’s tool of the trade? A simple Salvos donation collection bag. “Because it’s quiet,” he laughs. “I didn’t want to hear the sound of the money when talking with people!” Unsolicited donations range from small to unexpectedly large amounts. A simple Square electronic payment device became the norm over the years as cash started to fade out. But not every encounter at the pub was easy. Some hotel management did not always appreciate the visits from the Salvos. Others were pleased to see them. And not every person welcomed Harrison with open arms. “I had this once in a pub where a guy came up to me and he was going to threaten me,” he recalled. “He was right in my face and then suddenly he was six feet away. Somebody grabbed him from behind saying “don’t talk to the Salvos like that" and pulled him away.” Harrison later found out the man had been living in one of The Salvation Army’s homes in East Melbourne as a young child. He came back and apologised a few weeks later, and Harrison never saw him again. Special recognition In recognition of Harrison’s hotel ministry service, the Warrnambool Salvos recently awarded Harrison a special certificate for his commitment and devotion to the ministry. Major Brett Allchin presents Harrison with a service award for his commitment to hotel ministry in the Warrnambool area over four decades. Warrnambool Corps Officer Major Brett Allchin also publicly thanked Harrison for his leadership and how he had made a difference in the lives of others. “I love the fact that Jesus went to where people were, I love that he didn’t wait until others felt worthy enough or clean enough to come to a place of worship,” Brett said. “Jesus went where the people who needed his love were. He took the initiative and, in many cases, made the first move. I recognise this spirit in Harrison. He has shown this over the past 45-plus years, as he quietly moved amongst people in his hotel ministry. “Listening to their stories, speaking words that made a difference to their lives, sharing how Jesus has made a difference to his life. Showing by example that Jesus is real. Harrison just lived out his values in the presence of others, and this was a testimony of the difference that Jesus makes when we trust him.”

In this God Defining Moment, the donation of a car to the local corps showed Major Brad Potter that God is always at work, even when we can’t see it. Coming to the understanding that God had already gone ahead helped him realise that he only needed to look and listen to God's promptings and be courageous enough to follow.

Conference presenters (back from left) Phil Inglis, John Marion, Tammy Mohi, Matt Cairns, Richard Wiltshire, Amanda Brummell Lennestaal, Sandy MacDonald. (Front from left) Caleb Smith, Catherine Spiller, Jules Badger, Susan Goldsack, Sue Hay, Lavinia Cope and Sarah Walker BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The 2025 Thought Matters Conference was a “beautiful weaving together” of the three key themes of work, play and rest, according to the conference organiser. The event, which this year was held at Eva Burrows College in Ringwood, Melbourne, attracted long-term attendees as well as several attendees who had never been to the conference before. About 70 people attended, with more joining online via Zoom. Auxiliary-Lieutenant Renata Davies, Corps Officer at Rockdale (NSW), said she was first drawn by the graphics advertising this year’s event and was sold when she realised that the theme would be ‘work, play and rest’. “My co-leader, Matt Cairns, has told me every year that I would enjoy Thought Matters, and I always hesitated, because it sounded like something that would go right over my head,” she said. “However, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from authentic people who write and present in a way that I understand! I will definitely be going back! “I believe all Salvationists (and actually, all Christians) would benefit greatly from the many and unique ‘thoughts’ presented at Thought Matters. There is a curiosity to questions, a longing to learn and see from another perspective, and an unspoken agreement to be quick to listen deeply with a truly open mind and heart. This is all with the purpose of knowing and being immersed in God more and more, and sharing the light and love of Jesus with all.” Conference organiser Major Sandy MacDonald said the conference featured Aboriginal Australian and Māori perspectives as well as a voice from Papua New Guinea through the newest South Pacific Theological Forum member, Major Flora Pala. She said the idea of work, rest and play had been “bubbling under the surface” as a potential conference theme for a couple of years, and what was exciting to her about the topic was that it was not a strictly academic, theological or Biblical topic, and it readily applied to everyone. “I believe all Salvationists (and actually, all Christians) would benefit greatly from the many and unique ‘thoughts’ presented at Thought Matters.” “It is quite difficult to speak about one element of work, play, or rest without reference to at least one of the other two, especially when approaching them in a healthy or holistic way,” Sandy said. “There was a beautiful weaving together of the theme’s components throughout the various papers presented, and they were not pitted against each other in binary ways. “A particular personal highlight for me was the amazing art exhibition that allowed us to consider the theme in visual and tactile ways, particularly the weaving that represented the seven days of creation. It’s also a joy to see and hear people from such a variety of backgrounds, qualifications and level of engagement with TSA creating a community of thinkers. “We were all challenged to think more holistically about the way we embody work, play, and rest in our own lives as well as how these are evident in the character and activity of God. For me, whenever I now encounter the concept of work, play, or rest in a song (or even Scripture!), I play around with substituting the other two words to see how that impacts my thinking.” Sandra said her hope moving forward was that there would be first-time presenters and attendees at Thought Matters each year alongside seasoned academics and committed attendees, and that the conference would continue to draw in broader cultural perspectives. “The excitement that comes with first-time-attendees and second-time-returnees brings energy and joy,” Sandra said. “Sometimes it can be hard for people to realise just how meaningful Thought Matters can be for them personally or for their ministry until they’ve experienced it for the first time, especially when there are so many other events to choose from. Yes, it is a bit of a niche community but it’s incredibly valid within TSA to provide space where people can explore and think deeply about theological ideas, not restricting this kind of activity to the academics or professionals.” Other attendees reported back after the conference that it was “so good to be connected to theological thinking and practice in our part of the world” and that they really appreciated “this space to be with others who are keen to think critically and allow our God-given minds to help us shape a more elective, Jesus-following life, church and movement”. Another attendee said, “I need to continue to question assumptions I make. God has made us whole beings and delights when we delight – play and rest are not optional, nor frivolous, but just as important as any mission works”. The South Pacific Theological Forum is looking into ways to share papers and recordings from the conference in new ways over the coming year, culminating in the publication of the journal of conference proceedings. Edition 11 of the Thought Matters Journal, arising out of the 2024 Conference (To serve the present age: Ekklesia for the 21st Century) is now available. Copies may be borrowed from Eva Burrows College library, where the full back catalogue is also available.

General Lyndon Buckingham, supported by Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, is expected to make a full recovery. BY GENERAL LYNDON BUCKINGHAM By now, many will have heard that I had a medical incident whilst celebrating the 95th anniversary with Hong Kong Salvationists. I was admitted to hospital where I received excellent intervention and treatment, in the form of heart angioplasty to clear a blocked artery. I have responded to this procedure well and am expected to make a full recovery. I have been discharged from hospital and am now resting, awaiting a follow up consultation with the cardiologist next Monday. Bronwyn and I express our heartfelt gratitude for the many prayers and messages of support we have received since Saturday. Our thanks to Territorial Leaders Colonels Phil and Deslea Maxwell for their tremendous care and support. We feel wrapped in the love of the global Salvation Army and give thanks to God for his providential care

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Salvation Army Emergency Services volunteers preparing for the two sausage sizzles in Perth. BY ANTHONY CASTLE   Volunteers from The Salvation Army Emergency Services in Western Australia have come out in support of the upcoming Perth Bikers Charity Ride by hosting two Bunnings sausage sizzles.   Emergency services teams prepared in the kitchens on Friday 10 October before firing up the barbies at Malaga and Belmont Bunnings outlets on Saturday 11 October to raise funds and awareness of the charity ride, which will be held on Sunday 7 December.   The Perth Bikers Charity Ride is an annual community event that supports The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. It is now in its 49th year and is among the longest-running events of its kind in Australia.   This year’s ride will be led by Perth Bikers Charity Ride ambassador, former Police Commissioner Carl O’Callaghan. The bikers will gather food, toys and monetary donations along the way for those most in need at Christmas time. Participants ride together from different start points and gather at the end for a family-fun event.   The ride departs from Kewdale at 10.30am and will follow a route to Mussel Pool, Whiteman Park. Food trucks and family activities will be at Mussel Pool, and family and friends are welcome at the finish line to support participants.   Participation is free, but riders must register and bring a Christmas gift or donate financially at the finish point.   All information and registration details can be found here .

The Salvation Army’s Emily Seiler says the ACT Government is willing to implement better wraparound support. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE As the ACT Government and ACT Revenue Office work to review the administration of the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, The Salvation Army has advocated for and highlighted the experiences of people experiencing disadvantage. The Salvation Army recently submitted a series of recommendations to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Administration in the Australian Capital Territory following the commencement of a review into the administration of the ACT Home Buyer Concession Scheme. Following this, and engagement with the ACT Revenue Office, there has been a positive shift to be more responsive to experiences of financial hardship. The scheme, which launched on 1 July 2019, allows eligible home buyers to receive a concession on stamp duty fees, enabling them to purchase a property with less additional costs. The scheme has relied on self-assessment, ensuring a more streamlined process for obtaining the concessions. This year, however, between 2000 and 3000 users of the scheme found themselves indebted to the ACT Government, as they had been found to be ineligible for the scheme. Notices were issued to these community members requiring payments, often of tens of thousands of dollars, due in as little as three weeks. Many of the reassessed scheme recipients claim they had not known they were ineligible when they applied and had sought the concessions in good faith. Formerly a Moneycare Financial Counsellor working in the ACT, Emily Seiler is currently on a secondment to the Policy and Advocacy Team as an Adviser. “I’ve seen a very diverse range of people who are experiencing financial hardship in the ACT [with] a lot of very complicated life circumstances, and I think there’s this perception that if you own a home, you’re well off,” Emily said. “What Moneycare deals with a lot of the time are people who are homeowners and are experiencing profound financial hardship, whether trying to keep their home is putting them in financial hardship, or their financial hardship is impacting their ability to keep their home.” She said the main concern in this matter was that the first time The Salvation Army had heard of the debts was when the media reached out for comment. According to records, three ACT Revenue Office clients out of the thousands impacted had been referred to other financial counselling services. “We (Moneycare) had not actually received any referrals for people who had these reassessment debts,” she said. “What that indicated was a bit of a breakdown in people who were experiencing vulnerability being identified and adequately referred for supports.” Emily said once clients received letters informing them of their error and the requirement to pay back the cost of the concession, they had only three weeks to pay tens of thousands of dollars, which included interest charged from either when the purchase was made or when the client became ineligible for the concession. “It’s a very large number of people,” she said. “If you look at the submissions to the inquiry, you can actually see people’s individual submissions where [they] talk about their experience with having the debts reassessed, and they mentioned financial hardship, feeling scared [and] not being able to pay this debt.” “And what’s not happened is that referral to support.” Emily said the key message from The Salvation Army to the ACT Revenue Office was the importance of earlier engagement with customers. She said that, instead of the first contact being a debt notification, once a reassessment had been undertaken and it appeared there was an issue, a better system going forward would be to reach out to seek clarifying information from the customer. Emily said there was a great deal of willingness from the ACT Government to take on The Salvation Army’s recommendations, and that the team was really encouraged by the government’s commitment to approaching people with more wraparound support going forward. She said the team at the Revenue Office were already implementing changes to their systems prior to discussions and is now considering further options. “What is very well-documented, and we’ve got experience with as well, is that community members are less willing to engage with appeals processes,” she said. “They can find that a lot more difficult to engage with, and so immediately applying a debt and then requiring the customer to engage with an appeals process is a larger administrative burden on them. “Whereas what ACT Revenue is actually doing now in response to the feedback they’ve received is they are, in that first instance of reassessment, reaching out for information.” Emily said that once people have been referred to financial counselling, there is a lot of hope for financial freedom from debts such as this one. “Once people are engaged with the right support, there are lots of different options that we can look at [and] lots of different support services that they can be linked in with,” she said. “But it’s really about that first point of contact and making sure that people who are needing support are referred to support.”

General Lyndon Buckingham has been The Salvation Army’s world leader since 2023. “The passion of my heart is that every young person in The Salvation Army and indeed on the planet would know in their heads and hearts just how important they are to the Creator of the universe.” These are the words of General Lyndon Buckingham, world leader of The Salvation Army, in a recent interview with Peer magazine.   Peer is a Salvation Army youth publication designed to ignite a faith conversation that will deepen biblical perspective, faith and holy living.   General Lyndon Buckingham took office as the 22nd General of The Salvation Army on 3 August 2023. He and his wife, Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, were commissioned as officers in 1990. Interview with General Buckingham   PEER MAGAZINE:   How did you come to know the Lord?   General Lyndon Buckingham:  You know, it’s an interesting story, and it comes in two parts. When I was about six or seven years of age, I was with my parents at a [Salvation Army] congress, and the preacher issued an invitation at the end of his sermon and said, “If anybody would like to meet Jesus, come down to the front.” I got up out of my seat, and I went down to the front to meet Jesus. I went and knelt at the mercy seat, and in my young mind, I was absolutely convinced that I was about to meet Jesus.   I felt an arm come around my shoulder. I got quite excited. Then this person started speaking to me, “Lyndon, God bless you.” And I thought to myself, “Jesus sounds like my Uncle Wes.” Then I had to have a look. And I had a look, and it wasn’t Jesus. It was my Uncle Wes. And I have to tell you that in that moment, there was a real disappointment in my heart because in my young mind, I thought I was actually going to meet Jesus. But the person I met was my Uncle Wes. I was confused and disappointed.   I later became a junior soldier. I played in the junior band. I sang in the singing company. My parents were officers. I became a cultural Salvationist. I was doing all this stuff. But in the back of my mind, there was this kind of disappointment and doubt. It’s not that I didn’t believe. I just kind of lost interest. I was going through the motions.   When I was 17, I attended a youth council, and it was in the Sunday meeting of that youth council that ‘boom’, just like that, God made himself real to me. And I suddenly became aware that God was revealing to me the depth of His love, the depth of His concern, the depths of His passion for me as an individual; that this good news was good news for me; that it was [good news] for me personally. I can only describe it as just an incredibly emotional experience. I found myself at the mercy seat. I don’t even remember going there. I kind of found myself there, full of gratitude, full of joy, full of repentance. I was kind of crying and laughing at the same time. And I felt like the presence of God was coming alive in me.   What enabled you to keep and grow in your faith as a young person?   The reality of that experience of [meeting Jesus] became undeniable in my life. So, if there were moments in my maturing years of doubt, disappointment or frustration, that experience was an undeniable experience. I had to track my current feelings, frustrations or temptations through the reality of that experience.   Also, I would credit the discipline of staying connected to a community of faith and not connected on the fringe, but in it all, allowing people to speak into my life; also, being committed to reading the Word and understanding what it’s saying to me in terms of my life. Some of those disciplines of the faith God definitely used to sustain me. General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham with young people at a youth forum in London earlier this year. What’s something that you wish every young adult in The Salvation Army knew?   The passion of my heart is that every young person in The Salvation Army, and indeed on the planet, would know in their heads and hearts just how important they are to the Creator of the universe. I just wish kids would know that He has made incredible overtures towards all of us, and most intimately in the person of Jesus Christ, to help us to understand how for us He really is.   If every young person could have an understanding of the extent of God’s love and interest for them that leads to an inquisitiveness about the nature of that relationship and how He might want to use me going forward. Right? That understanding that God has a plan, purpose, dreams and ideas about you and what you can accomplish on the planet, I would want young people within the Army to know that and that He has a vision for the people of God on the planet and that The Salvation Army provides a beautiful platform to give expression to that.   What would you say to those who are worrying about the future?   There is a growing uncertainty on the planet right now. You know – wars, greed, selfishness and misuse of power, challenges to morality and fidelity – there’s a lot to be concerned about on the planet. There’s no doubt about that. It can become incredibly distracting to young people. Some people just throw in the towel. What’s the point? Things are going to pot anyway, so why should I worry? There are others who just become completely despondent about the state of the world. And whilst I understand it, I think against the backdrop of that is that, for the people of God, our faith and our hope are living, they’re real and they’re based on the promises of God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ who invites us to not listen to the noise of the world but to engage in the work that He’s doing on the planet, which is redemption, reconciliation, new life, transformation, hope, grace and love.   These tools bring about change. So, for a young person to have hope in this day, I would say get on with being the people of God on the planet and not only will you experience hope yourself, but you’ll be a hope bearer to others and to your own generation. Whilst it might appear dark, there is a beautiful opportunity for all of us, regardless of our age, to bring light onto the planet, to bring hope onto the planet. If you spend whatever days the Lord’s going to allow you doing that, you won’t be disappointed.   • To read the General’s interview as it appeared in Peer magazine, click here .   • Do you know the General’s preferred social media app? His favourite video game? Have you read his advice to young people about marriage? Click here to read more and get to know General Lyndon Buckingham.

The lack of housing in Australia means so many more people are now entering into homelessness than ever before, says Sally-Anne Clark.   This past week has marked Anti-Poverty Week , a time to recognise and work to overcome poverty and hardship across the globe. The Salvation Army's Queensland Homelessness Regional Manager SALLY-ANNE CLARK has a special task of caring for those who find themselves with nowhere to go, and as it happens, she is no stranger to this feeling herself. In this interview with SIMONE WORTHING, she talks about the complex reasons why homelessness is becoming more common across the nation, and what we can do about it. Can you give us an overview of your work in homelessness? I am a Regional Manager in the Queensland Homelessness stream. I’ve been working for The Salvation Army in homelessness and domestic and family violence (DFV) for 19 years across a whole range of regions and roles in Queensland. I'm based in South East Queensland where we have several programs and teams, including services for women, a temporary supported accommodation service, mobile support teams, first response teams and the veterans support team. Why does homelessness exist in such a wealthy country? This is a good question and it is complex. Essentially, the housing and homelessness policies at the federal and state level over the years have led to where we're at with homelessness in Australia. There's been an under-investment in social housing for many decades which, with a range of other contributing factors – including natural disasters, the pandemic, interest rates – have led to housing simply being unavailable and unaffordable. As a whole community, we need to change how we think about housing and homelessness and we need to change the paradigm.   We need all levels of government and community investing into having the right housing, including long-term housing, supportive housing, social and affordable housing.  It's about good planning and the right supports and investment for some of our most vulnerable citizens, many of whom have complex needs. It’s about priorities and dispelling misconceptions.   Are there other drivers of homelessness? While it is structural and systemic issues that have caused homelessness in Australia, some groups are more at risk. These include those who have experienced family and domestic violence, young people, children on care and protection orders, First Nations people, individuals leaving health or social care settings, and older Australians. People have marriage breakdowns, experience domestic and family violence, mental ill health. They fall sick. They can’t pay their mortgages anymore and lose their homes. A lot of us could end up in that situation, and sometimes the only thing preventing it is having supportive family and friends with resources to help. Sometimes people experiencing homelessness just don't have that and they’re on their own.   How does a person go from having a job, a family and a home on one day, and living on the street the next? There are so many scenarios, and so many stories. Domestic violence and marriage breakdown is a reason, particularly for women over 50 who often don’t have the savings or the superannuation to afford housing. These social and personal drivers have existed for decades, but the lack of housing means so many more people are now entering into homelessness than ever before.   In the current housing climate, rental vacancy rates are very low and rental costs just keep increasing, to the point of being unaffordable for many. We are often seeing people reaching out for support, who never have been in situations like this basically because their rent has gone up so much they simply can’t afford it anymore.   Can you share something of your own homelessness experience? We were a normal family – paying off a mortgage on our home, we had a business that was successful, and I worked in community services. We were involved in our church, local sporting clubs and community, and our three sons attended a private school.   The marriage broke down in 2010 as a result of domestic and family violence, mental ill health, drug and alcohol misuse. Then we lost our home in 2011, which led to myself, my 3 sons and my husband being left with no home. My sons and I couch-surfed with family and friends, and everything we needed of value was in the car. We had to manage work, school and daily life from that car. One of the boys was separated from us for a while. It was difficult to find places where we could stay together. I wasn’t eligible for social housing due to complications around eligibility and having owned a home. There was stigma and shame, grief and loss.   My ex-husband found himself in various unstable and often unsafe environments, including boarding houses and crisis accommodation services.    We faced multiple challenges, but we had people who could support us, and housing at the time was much more affordable, which is how we were able to eventually find our way out and made our way back into the rental market,   How can we change the paradigm through which we see homelessness?  Well, firstly, it is about examining what you believe about people and housing. Do you believe all people have a right to a home? We need our communities to value people enough that they consider housing a human right for all.   It’s about focusing on the human story. It can be as simple as talking about it at the family barbecue, in your community groups, church, sports teams – talk about what you know, raise awareness, talk about the drivers of homelessness and people not choosing this situation; and be willing to challenge negative stereotypes. Talk about your own experiences and those of people you know.   Sometimes we hear very negative conversations or see things on social media that paint people in a negative light. Be willing to challenge this thinking, be willing to see people as people. The stigma around the homelessness cohort is one of the biggest barriers to seeing the issue differently.   If you know people who have investment properties or are landlords, talk to them about how they may be able to contribute to the solutions.   Perhaps, for example, if people see housing as a way to increase their personal wealth, encourage them to also see it as a way to improve and build healthy communities.   Do people have a spare room? A spare house or unit? A granny flat? Some people might be afraid to consider that, but if it’s an option, perhaps they could talk to their local homelessness and/or housing providers about what they could do, or whether it’s something they should think about? Sally-Anne (second from right) with her team at the breaking ground ceremony for the Peninsula Support Hub (Homelessness) in Moreton Bay, Queensland last year. Can we really end homelessness?  Yes, absolutely we can. We can see it happening in other parts of the world already.   And by ending homelessness, we’re referring to a person’s experience of homelessness becoming brief, rare and non-recurring. People will still fall into homelessness, even once we've got all the houses and all the support we need. Life events will continue to happen. Someone will still be escaping domestic violence and won’t have anywhere to go, so they will need some form of temporary accommodation. So that’s the brief part of it.   The rare part is that, while homelessness will still happen, it will happen a lot less because we have enough available and affordable housing.   It will be non-recurring because we will have adequate support for people so that they aren't cycling in and out of homelessness.   So, this is absolutely achievable.   Churches and community groups also play a vital role in ending homelessness. Its not just about money and resources, it is also about relationships and healthy communities.   It's about people needing genuine connection. Not as a client of the service and not as someone who needs to be helped, but as someone who has something to contribute, and as someone who has the same need for genuine relationships as everyone else. Sally-Anne Clark has worked in homelessness, housing and domestic and family violence for the past 18 years. She holds qualifications in social welfare, management and more recently, a master’s degree in leadership. She’s passionate about leading people to change the way we serve and see our communities.

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? My husband Russell and I are currently the Corps Officers at the Bairnsdale Corps in East Gippsland, Victoria. Bairnsdale is a beautiful part of Victoria with the Mitchell River running through it and a number of other rivers and lakes in the area. It is also only a short drive to the coast, where you can sit and watch the waves roll in.   What is most satisfying is a hard question, but I think that one of the most satisfying things is broadening our connection with our community. Our Thrift Shop has recently transitioned to a Salvos Store and moved to a new location, which has left us with a large space one street back from the main street of Bairnsdale. We have moved our Community Connect/Doorways service into this space. This makes us a lot more accessible to our community than when we were operating out of our hall, which is further from the centre of town and harder to get to. This change, which only took place on 15 September , has worked really well so far as we now have community people popping in for a chat and a cuppa as they walk past our shop front, as well as those who need assistance coming in. The extra space we have is enabling us to set up refreshment stations, comfortable places for people to sit and relax, tables to share a cuppa and a toastie, and a safe space where people are welcomed in. It is incredibly satisfying to be able to walk alongside people, help out where we can, and to have people offer us their support and ideas as to different ways we can use our new expanded space. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind?  I love just sitting and reading a book to unwind – usually a murder mystery. I don’t know why they relax me, but they do. Also, we are so fortunate to be close to a number of rivers and the coast, so that I can just go and sit and watch the water. That always brings me a feeling of peace and calms me.   My husband and I have become LEGO addicts, and I find that concentrating on the building of different models helps me to focus on something other than the things going on in my appointment, which brings some downtime and helps with focus. When the opportunity presents itself, spending time with our adult sons and other family members who live a few hours away is also wonderful.   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?  There are so many songs that I love, and my favourite probably changes depending on the things I am experiencing during the different stages of my life.   In the last few years, we’ve had some pretty tough situations that we have had to deal with and during one of those times, I came across the song Do It Again by Elevation Worship and the lines:   Your promise still stands Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness I'm still in Your hands This is my confidence, You never failed me yet, speak to me all the time.   This song always brings me back to the knowledge that God is always working, always involved, always with me, and I can have confidence that He will make the way and resolve the situation in His time and in His way. All I have to do is stay close to Him. 4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about?  I have been doing a sermon series on Daniel, so he is the person my mind immediately went to – a man who held on to his faith and his convictions even in the face of death. I would like to hear his story in his own words. I would love to know what went on in that lion’s den, how did God close the mouths of the lions, how did he sleep surrounded by lions, how could he speak so calmly the next morning to the king even before he was released?   I would like to speak with him about his prayer life, about his commitment to his faith, even when he was so far away from his home, his absolute assurance that no matter what happened, God was with him. I want to be the person who knows that, no matter what, I am held in God’s hands and I can have the confidence to do what He requires of me. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?   Officership is a calling, and if you feel that God is calling you to officership, then I would say jump right in. Doing what you know God is calling you to do is amazing. It’s not always easy, and there are times you might wish that you were doing something else, but knowing that you are walking the path God has called you to is so important. Officership is frustrating; it can be painful at times, but more often than not, it is so fulfilling. You get to do things you probably never thought you would be doing, and you get to walk alongside incredible people.   Every one of us is called to ministry in some form or another, and if for you that is officership, then just step out in faith knowing that God is always with you.

Carts full of second-hand goods outside The Anchorage in Abbotsford, Melbourne, in the late 1800s, ready to be distributed to local op-shops and communities in need. BY LERISSE SMITH A world-first celebration is lighting up the calendar this week for a beloved community icon – our op shops! This Saturday, 18 October, everyone is invited to join the fun as Salvos Stores celebrate 100 years since the term ‘op shop’ was coined. In honour of the inaugural World Op Shop Day , customers can enjoy exclusive discounts and special in-store promotions at participating stores. Salvos Stores General Manager of Customer and Strategy, Sarah Knop, says op shops have become part of the fabric of Australian society. “As we mark the inaugural World Op Shop Day, we invite our valued customers and donors alike to learn about the incredible impact of our op shops,” said Sarah Knop, Salvos Stores’ General Manager of Customer and Strategy. “We want to celebrate the power of second-hand. Whether people are donating, shopping, or volunteering, their involvement helps create positive change. By supporting op shops, they are not only helping to deliver the life-changing programs of The Salvation Army but also championing a more sustainable future.” Who invented the ‘op shop’? Australia’s century-long love affair with op shops goes back to the 1920s. It all began with Lady Millie Tallis in Melbourne, who envisioned a dignified space for second-hand goods that could support community causes. She invented the phrase ‘op shop’ (a shortened version of ‘opportunity shop’) – a term that remains uniquely Australian. But the story began earlier for The Salvation Army. The Salvos’ innovative approach to recycling had already taken root in 1880, sparking a nationwide movement of op shops that continues to thrive today. The first Salvation Army recycling depots opened in 1883, in Melbourne and Sydney, providing both employment and housing support to those in need, while promoting local environmental awareness. They also offered something deeper: hope. Clockwise from top left: Bedford trucks arrive with donations; repairing donated items; a Salvationist sorting clothing; the ‘toy repair’ department at Abbotsford. These depots provided work, accommodation and food for men leaving prison. Items were repaired, sorted and sold to help with running costs. ‘Jumble Sales’ (essentially early versions of op shops) allowed families to access low-cost clothing when they needed it most. Long before ‘circular economy’ became popular, The Salvation Army was already pioneering sustainable practices. Since the late 19th century, the Salvos have been collecting, sorting and recycling used goods, clothing and materials. A leading example was The Anchorage Hostel in Abbotsford, Victoria, where items were repaired and repurposed into new garments or woven into mats for local businesses.  These early initiatives laid the foundation for what the Salvos now recognise as circular economy thinking – extending the life of goods through reuse, recycling, and repurposing. Salvos Store in the 21st century Today, Salvos Stores leads the way. With more than 400 store locations, they remain sustainability powerhouses. Each year, more than 40 million items are diverted from landfill through the resale and recycling undertaken by Salvos Stores, and in the past 25 years, this has accumulated into 575 million kilograms of textiles, electronics, and home goods that would have otherwise become waste. And it’s community connection that forms the backbone of its mission. “What I think is really special about op shops is that they've really become part of the fabric of Australian society,” Sarah reflected. “They are not just about being an income source for charities. They are a really vital community hub where Australians from all walks of life can belong and find purpose … op shops are also a great way to contribute to a meaningful cause by generously giving your time and your valuable donations.” At the heart of every store is the desire to make sure that everyone who walks through the doors feels welcome, connected and part of something bigger. “We really want to offer a welcoming environment where people know that every purchase they make, donation they give, or hour they spend volunteering helps people and the planet,” Sarah added. As op shops have evolved over the decades, so, too, have the Salvos. From rethinking store layouts to reimagining the shopping experience, the Salvos have modernised how goods are displayed, grouping items by category and size to improve accessibility and customer experience, and using data tracking to manage inventory more effectively. Some stores now feature curated sections catering to those seeking a seamless, easy-to-shop retail experience called ‘O by Salvos’. This space features classic, timeless pieces that are styled to work well together. “We are proud to provide ways for Australians to participate in the circular economy.” The digital world is part of the journey, too. Customers can purchase a wide range of clothing, accessories, collectables and even convenient donation and textile recycling bags via the Salvos Stores e-commerce platform. And there’s more innovation coming. Supported by the Queensland government, Salvos Stores is installing Australia’s first automated textile sorting and decommissioning facility, set to open in February next year at its Queensland warehouse. The cutting-edge facility will do more than sort. It will process donations for resale, and non-resellable items will be processed by colour and fibre type and then cut down into high-quality textile swatches for future recycling. “It is a really exciting Australian first initiative,” Sarah remarked. “We are proud to provide ways for Australians to participate in the circular economy – and we are always working to deliver better sustainability solutions for those items that can't be resold in our stores.”

International Emergency Services personnel trained 35 delegates from Anglola in disaster risk reduction. This week, the world observed the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 October). Captain Matthew Beatty* , of the International Emergency Services team at International Headquarters, shares how The Salvation Army is working in neighbourhoods around the world to promote the power of preparedness, creating safer and more resilient communities. Every year, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction reminds us of a simple truth: disasters don’t wait. Whether it’s a flood, earthquake, conflict or pandemic, communities around the world face threats that can strike without warning. The Salvation Army has an important role to play, not just in responding to a disaster (such as providing food and relief items) or assisting communities in their recoveries (such as rebuilding homes), but also in reducing disaster risks, building resilience and strengthening communities. Many of our colleagues live and serve in the very places most vulnerable to disaster. They are often the first to respond when tragedy strikes, and they know firsthand the difference that preparation can make. Training that transforms To support personnel on the frontline, The Salvation Army’s International Emergency Services (IES), based in London, United Kingdom, runs intensive disaster preparedness training – both online and in-person. Our flagship program, Prepare (Prepare to Respond to Emergencies – Planning and Readiness), equips teams with the tools to plan, respond, mitigate, monitor and evaluate disaster risks effectively. Prepare covers everything from humanitarian standards and child protection to coordination with governments and non-government organisations. It teaches how to assess needs, uphold accountability and build trust with communities. In the past three years alone, IES has delivered seven Prepare trainings, reaching delegates from 25 countries. These sessions have sparked real change, helping local Salvation Army teams develop contingency plans, stockpile supplies and establish clear communication systems – all vital steps in saving lives. Preparedness also ensures a swift response, reducing chaos and confusion during emergencies. First responders, trained volunteers and citizens who understand basic emergency protocols can act decisively and quickly to protect themselves and others. Moreover, disaster preparation strengthens community resilience. When The Salvation Army coordinates with individuals and organisations to prepare for emergencies, they build stronger networks of support. Communities that are well-prepared can recover faster, reducing long-term societal and economic consequences. *Captain Matthew Beatty is Programme Officer – Strategy, Security and Project Support Officer, part of the International Emergency Services team at The Salvation Army International Headquarters in London, UK   Angola: A case study in action Delegates at the five-day Prepare course in Angola enjoy a team-building exercise. BY CAPTAIN SHADRECK BANDA Mission Support and Emergency Services Secretary, Mozambique Prepare training in Luanda, Angola, showcased the power of local collaboration. Delivered entirely in Portuguese, thanks to the host country’s translation and technical support, the five-day course brought together 35 delegates from across the country. Over five days, they immersed themselves in disaster-risk reduction, learning how to protect their communities and respond with confidence. Delegates left with practical skills, renewed purpose and a network of support that will serve them long after the training ends. Prepare training was an eye opener that left me feeling less anxious and more equipped to handle emergencies. Looking ahead Disaster preparation and mitigation are essential for safeguarding lives, property and the environment. They require collaboration among governments, organisations and individuals, as well as investment in education, technology and infrastructure. By proactively addressing risks and being ready to respond, The Salvation Army can help reduce the devastating impacts of disasters and build a more resilient future within the communities in which we serve. To read the original article, click here .