Otway TentCare, launched late last year by Colac Salvos in partnership with Vinnies Colac and Blue Sky Outdoor Experts, has been an overwhelming success , giving real hope to those experiencing long-term homelessness through the provision of free quality tents. BY LERISSE SMITH What started as a single call-out for a tent in Victoria’s Colac community to assist a person desperately needing shelter has exploded into a nationwide movement. Otway TentCare, launched late last year by Colac Salvos in partnership with Vinnies Colac and Blue Sky Outdoor Experts, is giving real hope to those experiencing long-term homelessness. It all began with a simple act of kindness – a call-out to assist someone in desperate need. But no one imagined that one request for shelter would grow into a powerhouse of compassion and collaboration. Now, a year on, the response has exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations. Tents have poured in from across the country, including Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia, far beyond what anyone could have imagined. “We ran out of room!” remarked Josiah Van Niekerk, Colac Corps Leader. “We would be easily sitting on over 600 pieces of camping equipment, and about 400 of those are just tents.” The gear isn’t just stored. It is sorted, assessed, repaired, and when needed, repurposed. Damaged tents are not discarded; they are stripped for useful parts like poles and zippers to refurbish others. Nothing goes to waste. And not wasting anything is the top priority for the project that began with humble beginnings. Josiah says the Otway Tentcare project has far exceeded expectations, with tents pouring in from across the country. Photo courtesy of ABC News: Emily Bissland Born out of a simple Facebook post by former Colac Salvos volunteer and support worker Susan Perkins, who had been prompted to put out a call for tents on Facebook as a client was facing homelessness without a suitable shelter, the worker asked for a simple request: If anyone had spare tents. The reaction to her post was immediate and powerful. About 40 people stepped up offering to donate tents. Seeing the flood of responses, Josiah offered to get involved. The pair then quickly discovered that many of the donated tents were not in working order, so he got creative. He approached Blue Sky Outdoor Experts in Colac, and the owner agreed to generously donate multi-room tents to the cause. The larger tents were not just bigger – they gave people back a sense of dignity. Josiah said these larger tents offered much more dignity to those facing long-term homelessness due to substance addiction or mental health concerns than a standard single-room tent. He said the problem of long-term homelessness was so complex that it required creative solutions. A key to Otway TentCare’s success has been community collaboration. Several Colac institutions have stepped in, offering both manpower and enthusiasm. “The only way that we can have any sort of lasting impact at the scale that is needed in the community is to collaborate well with that community,” Josiah said. “So, we collaborate really well with the 3rd and 4th Colac Scouts, the Colac Secondary College, Saints College Colac and Colac South West Primary School. The young people have all been fixing tents for a homelessness epidemic throughout the Barwon region.” And that epidemic is growing. A survey three years ago found 320 people without a home in the Colac region. Today, Josiah says, that figure is “well and truly over 400.” The TentCare team now hand out a fully equipped tent every week. It’s a lifeline for many coming from nearby Geelong down to Colac because they have no options for safe camping. “We are able to keep on top of it,” Josiah commented. “We are nearly at the point now where we can start accepting donations of tents and camping equipment again.” Generosity keeps rolling in, too. The Salvation Army’s Josiah Van Niekerk and Peter Gavan, owner of Blue Sky Outdoor, with donated tents.  Photo courtesy of ABC News: Emily Bissland The local Quilting Association recently donated a substantial sum, helping improve storage and management of the growing inventory. The team has now started delivering gear across the state. “We have the means to be able to do a bit of a run around the state and do some drop-offs,” Josiah said. “So that might be something we do every six months, or so. We will just do a big run, get on top of our tents, send out a message to everyone and say, ‘Hey, do you need tents? Or reach out to us.’ It really is an exciting time for us as we see our community supporting a larger need.” More than 400 people have no home in the Colac region. The TentCare team now hand out a fully equipped tent every week. It’s proving a lifeline for many, including those coming from nearby Geelong down to Colac, due to having no safe options for safe camping. Photo: Bernd Dittrich on unsplash

The Kyabram Thrift Shop team (from left) Manager Carmel Phillips and volunteers Lauren Gillie, Kim Mellis, Jo Blyth, Lisa Stow and Paul Marshall.  (Photo courtesy of Jemma Jones, Kyabram Free Press). BY LERISSE SMITH When fire tore through Kyabram Salvos Thrift Shop in May this year, it could have ended a decade of service to the community – but instead, a vibrant new temporary home has risen from the ashes. Just three months after the deliberately lit blaze shattered the Goulburn Valley community in northern Victoria, the shop team has rallied and reopened in an interim location, the vacant Kyabram Salvation Army church located at the rear of the burned-out building in Unitt St. Now transformed into a bustling pop-up store, the space has reunited the close-knit community after the sudden loss of their much-loved shop, which served Kyabram for 10 years. “We are actually bursting at the seams!” said Carmel Phillips, Kyabram Thrift Shop Manager. “We have got so much stock, and because the space is smaller, we have nowhere to put it all. So, we have started to have a few sales just to keep it moving. The support and kindness from the community has been incredible. The fire was a big loss. The volunteers were devastated. It was more than a shop; it was a place to connect. The shop meant a lot – it was a real hub where people came for bargains or knick-knacks and felt part of the community. It was the largest thrift store in the area.” Ceiling damage from the fire. Since opening five weeks ago, the temporary shop has drawn in volunteers from both Kyabram and Rochester, working side by side to serve the community, with the teamwork forging a special bond. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, a team of volunteers commuted to Rochester for nearly two months to keep them involved in store operations, with Rochester now returning the favour at the Unitt premises. New friendships blossomed during the eight weeks spent together at Rochester, with a deeper connection quickly formed between the two stores. But soon, the Kyabram community started asking: “When is our store coming back?” That simple question then lit the spark for an exciting new venture. Carmel, together with Majors Greg and Lynne Turnbull, Corps Officers at Campaspe Shire Salvos, took a look just behind the burned-out site at the unused Salvation Army church building, and saw potential for a temporary store. Permission was granted, and within two weeks, a Facebook post announced the new pop-up shop. The response? Immediate and overwhelming. Donations poured in. Stock also arrived from Rochester and Echuca stores to help out. “It was really amazing,” recalled Carmel. “Everyone just got involved. We probably spent a good week, weekends too, getting everything ready. Despite the devastation, the corps and community have really come together. Greg and Lynne have been great supporters.” With Aaron Rausch, Salvos Thrift Shop Business Consultant, Divisional Governance, sourcing racks, benches and shelves, and volunteers turning the back section of the interim premises into a sorting zone, the church space quickly evolved. And its location, right next door to Salvos Doorways, adds even more value – clients seeking support can now pop into the store too. Additional features include a cosy community corner that now welcomes anyone needing a cuppa, a chat, or simply a quiet moment. Support from Greg, Lynne and Aaron behind the scenes has helped keep things running smoothly for the team, too. The local community has generously donated an array of items from clothing to bric-a-brac to establish the interim premises. For Lisa Stow, a long-time volunteer at Kyabram’s store, seeing the interim premises so warmly embraced by the local residents has been a huge morale boost for the dedicated team. “The community love it,” she said. “They are all just happy we have opened up and they can come in. They have been asking, ‘When is the new shop coming?’” Word of mouth and the local media have played a vital role in bringing the regulars back to the Unitt St premises, in a community grappling with the cost of living. The store draws in people from all walks of life, from young families to locals from diverse backgrounds, even seasonal tomato pickers. The store has provided community support for them, and been a safety net, a lifesaver for them, Carmel added. And despite losing their beloved store, with no timeline yet for the much-anticipated rebuild due to the presence of asbestos, the spirit in Kyabram remains unshaken. “It’s a place where it doesn’t matter who you are – we talk to everybody,” Carmel emphasised. “That is the difference with the Salvo store. It puts us in our own unique little corner. Because of what we give to them, they give back. The volunteers and community know they have not been forgotten. We are back here – and that is the important thing. We are supporting each other.”

The Salvation Army’s Bindy Lupis (centre back) with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation team of volunteers and the Buddy Bags. BY LERISSE SMITH   A simple random email has ignited a lifeline of comfort for children experiencing trauma.   A powerful new partnership between The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation will provide vital support and comfort to many children who have been impacted by trauma.   This collaboration has been made possible through the Foundation’s ‘Buddy Bags’ program, developed for vulnerable children across Australia who are experiencing crisis, trauma, or just doing it tough.   The bags are special: quality backpacks carefully designed to help meet immediate material and personal care needs of vulnerable children, and to give them a sense of security and comfort as the first step on their journey to safety and recovery.   With the Victorian SAES team attending an alarmingly high number of single-incident house fires across the state, these bags will provide vital comfort and care to children – not only those impacted by house fires, but by natural disaster events too.   “Often there are kids who have just lost everything,” said Bindy Lupis, SAES National Response Manager.    “So, straight away, the buddy bags will be used heaps within Melbourne – and the team are stoked. I was able to share that with the Foundation and its volunteers. There have been many times in my different roles [that] I have supported families and children experiencing crisis and trauma. So, this is something very close to my heart. I can picture kids who will be getting this bag.   “It doesn’t give them back everything they have lost in their house or make everything better as they sit in an evacuation centre following a flood or cyclone. These kids have lost everything. But if you can hand them a bag with a teddy, a book, a few comforts, it tells that kid that they are seen, and they are heard, and they are loved, and it tells the parents that too. Often it helps the parents just as much as the kid.”   A single random email sparked the exciting new partnership.   Late last year, Bindy and the Salvos’ Emergency Aid and Development General Manager, Daryl Crowden, received a random email from The Salvation Army Corporate Partnerships department regarding their corporate partner, the National Australia Bank. The bank is a supporter of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, and the charity wanted to know if their Buddy Bags could be used within the emergency services work.   It was a quick yes from Bindy as she knew they could find homes for them in evacuation centres or similar settings.    But as time passed, the email conversation faded into the background until, suddenly, everything moved swiftly a few months later.   “All of a sudden, we received this email to say we (the charity) are packing 200 bags for you!” Bindy recalled.   A request then quickly followed – for someone to jump online to say thank you to the corporate volunteers who were packing them.   But Bindy had other plans.   Being in Melbourne, she informed them she would love to visit in person. It then led to meeting a group of corporate volunteers from Choice Hotels who were packing the bags at the Alannah and Madeline city premises, and the opportunity to share with them and the Foundation team the vital work of the emergency services, including the many house fires they attend throughout the year, including 16 in one week recently. The visit was an amazing experience, she remarked.    Each backpack is filled with carefully selected items that focus on the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of children and young people, including new pyjamas, underwear, a toothbrush, a book, a trauma-informed toy – and an all-important teddy bear to cuddle for emotional comfort.    The 200 Salvos Buddy Bags for children aged 0 to 16 are all packed and ready to go, with most in Melbourne to be used by the emergency services team for logistical purposes.   But their reach is growing.   A few boxes have already been sent to North Queensland, with the WA team expressing interest. When the opportunity arises via courier or vehicle transportation, the Victorian team plans to distribute some around the country. They will also be used in evacuation centres and recovery centres during disasters.   However, many of them will be used to support children impacted by house-fire incidents in Melbourne, a unique aspect of the emergency services role in the community.   Feedback from frontline service personnel who have already distributed several Buddy Bags at house-fire incidents has been powerful.   “It was a blessing for the child – and the family that received it,” Bindy explained.   “It was that excited moment in the middle of chaos, in the middle of a really awful night, that there was still this little moment of joy. Kids are still kids. And even in the middle of tragedy, they can get excited about something; their face lights up at a toy and a gift. It doesn’t change the tragedy, but there is that moment where you get a smile, you get a little light of a face, you get this little brief moment. So, it was really special.”   For the team members, the provision of the bags has been a much-needed gift as they often can feel really helpless amidst tragic situations, Bindy added, and often found themselves scrounging to find comfort gifts for children. But they have purchased colouring books, toiletry packs and other items – an amazing act of service.   “I think the relief for them (SAES team) to be able to just go, here is this beautiful bag of stuff that’s already been prepared, it was a real gift for them too,” Bindy remarked.   “And so, they then leave feeling a little bit better about what they have been able to give. Those little moments of joy that you see in the middle of, for some families, their worst night ever. To be able to have that little moment, I think, is really special. And there has been a few of those moments recently, which is really beautiful.”   Erin Mains, Assistant Response Coordinator in Victoria, recently gave buddy bags to a 13-year-old girl and her eight-year-old brother following a house fire at 2.30am. Erin texted Bindy later that day to say, “they were excited to get toothpaste!” and that their reaction to the bags was “gorgeous”.   A special mission is on the horizon, too.   Bindy would love the SAES team to spend a day with the Alannah and Madeline team to help pack the bags.   “I would welcome and love the opportunity to do anything we can to support them the same way they have supported us,” she said.   “Because ultimately, both of us – The Salvation Army and Foundation – have, as our priority and goal, the community member, that kid, that family in front of us, who need to know they are cared for, and they are loved and they are seen. To bring some hope into this really dark place. So, if we can work together on that, it would be great.”

Many women from Auburn Corps in Sydney’s west attended the first Villawood Salvos community lunch. (From left) Kim from Villawood Salvos, Nuria and Sereana from Auburn Corps, Jenny from Villawood Salvos, Mary and Sai from Auburn Corps and a Villawood Salvos community member.  BY LAUREN MARTIN   Members of The Salvation Army’s Villawood Community of Hope were treated to a Fijian feast last month, prepared by Fijian community members. The lunch marked the first in a series of monthly gatherings, centred around food and testimonies.   The suburb of Villawood in Sydney’s south-west is one of Australia’s most disadvantaged. The Salvation Army’s Villawood Community of Hope is situated inside a NSW housing complex community room and operates three days a week to provide help and hope to residents.   The Community of Hope runs weekly assistance days where people can pop in for a cuppa, access food, SAL vouchers, and meet with representatives from Centrelink and NSW Housing.   A weekly coffee, games and connect time has just started, to encourage residents to meet each other for friendship and fun, in an area where many cannot afford the social privilege of going out to a café. And now, a monthly lunch has begun, built on a vision from the local community.   “One of the ladies in our community is Fijian-Indian and she makes meals for people in need,” said Villawood coordinator Lawrence Besant. “She is a Christian, and we will often encourage her about her ministry, and take leftover food hampers to her to assist with her meals.   “When we were talking about bringing the community together for a lunch, this woman offered to cook it. We provided the food, and she and members of the Fijian community cooked it. It was beautiful!” Sereana Tikoimaisenai from Auburn Corps shares her testimony at the Villawood Salvos community lunch. Members of Auburn Corps’ Fijian-Indian community also attended to assist and spoke to the community about Auburn Corps and its services.   Doorways Emergency Relief Assessor Sai Ralulu said she had meaningful conversations with many community members who attended. “It was a great day for me personally to see such a small centre full of warmth and compassion with Christ at the centre of everything. The volunteers there were absolutely beautiful,” she said.   Lawrence said the vision of the Villawood Community of Hope is that it be a safe place where people discover purpose and meaning and where lives are changed with the love of Jesus. The community lunches, which have evolved out of the desire and vision of community members, are a way that vision is becoming reality. “There was a real sense of community, transformation and a sense of belonging,” he said.   The community was invited to discuss what kind of event they would like for the month of September, and they have planned a high tea.   Please keep the Villawood Community of Hope in your prayers. If you feel called to assist the ministry through volunteering or in other practical ways, you can contact Lawrence on: lawrence.besant@salvationarmy.org.au

Sing and Strum at Mornington Salvos is a place where people can come and experience community and a sense of belonging. Dave Parker (Community Activities and Music Facilitator) says it's about one word - "joy", the joy of making new friends, and the joy of singing and music. This weekly program is creating opportunities for people to fellowship beyond Sunday mornings, allowing them to share in the love of music and support one another at different stages in life.

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 (22-28 September), we are praying for the Mali and Burkina Faso Region of West Africa.   Lieut-Colonels Blaise and Evelyne Kombo lead the region. The Mali and Burkina Faso Region has  23 officers (all active); Envoys 27; corps 8; outposts 15; senior soldiers 1334; adherents 581; junior soldiers 903; employees 8. The Salvation Army has been working in Mali since 2007, and in Burkina Faso since 2012. Motivated by Christian faith, the Army respond to community needs with programs for street children, new mothers and small-scale farmers. The work in the region includes: ·  Education ·  Health services ·  Work with street children ·  Climate resilient farming projects ·  Modern slavery and human trafficking response   Praise points We thank God for the Regional Leaders, Lieut-Colonels Blaise and Evelyne Stella Kombo, and the clear vision he has given them. May God continue to guide and empower them for the advancement of his Kingdom.   We give heartfelt thanks to God for the five years of faithful and impactful service of the outgoing Regional Secretary and Regional Secretary for Women's Ministries, Captains André and Nana Togo. May God continue to use them mightily for his glory in their new roles at International Headquarters.   We praise God for the promotion of eight candidates to the rank of auxiliary captains. May the Lord fill them with his Spirit and use them to prosper his ministry wherever they serve.   Prayer requests We pray for the incoming Regional Secretary, Captain Boaz Thera, and the new Regional Secretary for Women's Ministries, Captain Lidie Thera. May God grant them wisdom, discernment, humility and strength to lead his people according to his will.   We pray that God would open new doors of opportunity: spiritually, materially and strategically for the work of the ministry in the region. May he make a way where there seems to be no way.   Let us pray for the work being done to empower women, that it may bring lasting impact, transform lives, restore dignity, and open doors of opportunity for every woman involved.   To find out more about the Malia and Burkina Faso Region, click here .   To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here .   To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .

Sarah says gambling is a ‘disease’, but the Salvos Gambling Support Service provides a cure. When Melbourne resident Sarah* started gambling in her late teens, it felt like harmless fun. In her Lebanese culture, card games and casual bets were everyday norms, with money changing hands freely. But little did she know that the ensuing years would see her lose over $100,000 and her husband incarcerated – all because of what she now calls a “disease”. Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH spoke with Sarah about turning her life around from shame to strength in a journey marked by loss, courage and healing.    Sarah knows exactly what it feels like to be seduced by the lure of flashy gambling machines.   She recalls the flashing lights, the hypnotic sounds, the surge of hope – and being in a vault-like atmosphere.    But she also remembers the crushing pain of regret and the shame-filled silence on the drive home.   “It’s a disease,” she says simply.   “Just like an alcoholic can’t resist alcohol. It’s something with the brain. People use it to escape. You are just zoned in on this machine. Logically, you know you’re going to lose. But it gives you something … a feeling I can’t explain. It’s escapism. And for that hour, or those five hours, you’re just numb. It’s the after-effect too – the drive home. ‘Oh, why didn’t you just leave it? Why did you go back to the bank account?”   From her early 20s through to her 40s, Sarah described herself as a “big gambler” and lost a substantial amount of money.   What started as a cultural pastime became an emotional crutch, a way to escape life’s grief and complexity, especially after enduring multiple family deaths in her formative years.   Her addiction eventually spiralled into a destructive force that cost her more than $100,000. She was also left to raise three children alone while her husband was incarcerated for a significant amount of time – partly due to gambling-related issues.   So, where did the allure of gambling first take hold?    Living in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Sarah was born in Australia to Lebanese parents who migrated in the 1970s. The eldest of four children, her early years were filled with love and tradition – but also profound loss. She suddenly lost her much-loved and adored father at just 17.    “That was very, very difficult,” Sarah recounts. “He was my everything.”   In the wake of that grief, Sarah sought distraction and found it in the pokies. She begged her parents to take her, and she found herself drawn to it. In retrospect, she believes it may have been her way of coping with her father’s death. She remembers the early 1990s when a new casino enticed her – and by then, gambling had already taken root.   Culturally, gambling was normalised.    Every Christmas, they would gather at someone’s house and play cards. Money was always involved. It was part of the culture. In the Middle East, people like to gamble; to wager a bet. Sarah met her husband, John*, in 1990, and they married soon after. His parents were also heavy gamblers. The couple had three children. But marriage brought new challenges.   “John’s family didn’t really accept me,” she recalls. “We eloped without telling them … That put pressure on the relationship. I think gambling became my way of escaping life’s problems.”   Adding fuel to the fire, they lived right next door to a pokies venue.   “It’s just the machines. It’s just a light. That’s all it is,” Sarah remarked.   “And we used to say, like, if we were ever tired at the casino, they must put something in the air because you don’t feel tired. I don’t know what it is, but once you walk into those places, you are fully awake. You just gravitate toward it. It just sucks you in.   “I racked up nearly $30,000 that I owed. I didn’t have money for rent. I’d borrow from relatives or get my husband to borrow to take out a loan to pay the bills. The most I ever lost in one go was probably $2000. But I’d lose whatever I had in the bank account back then.” Photo: Dylan Clifton on Unsplash Sarah was open with John about her gambling. She never lied. Whatever she lost, she told him. But there was something she didn’t know. John was gambling, too. And hiding it. He had a separate account she knew nothing about.   And then their world fell apart.   John’s gambling and living beyond his means, and other circumstances, led to him being arrested. He was sentenced to prison. Being a sole parent during that time was extremely tough.   But it was also a turning point. John’s incarceration forced Sarah to confront her addiction. Since then, she’s only been to the pokies five or six times.    But she’s the first to tell you: the pull is still real.   “The last month has been really tough,” she reflected.   “We didn’t know if John was going to get his parole or not. So, that was the first time in a long time that I wanted to go and gamble as a form of escapism. But I did not go. I’ve probably thought about it once, but I haven’t acted on it, because now I know, through the counsellor, it’s not going to make me feel better.”   Turning point A major shift began when John connected her to the Salvos Gambling Support Service based in Melbourne. She notes that while in jail, John had access to therapy, but out in the community, people are often left to struggle alone.   Through John, Sarah found the Gambling Support Services and began regular sessions with her counsellor, Ifraah Hassan.   It changed everything.“Meeting up every week with Ifraah has been such a positive impact on my life,” she said.   “It’s really just someone there to listen to. It helps me to unload whatever’s going on in my week and have someone who won’t judge you but just listens.” “And gets you to think about the gambling, to dissect it, to know what’s going on internally. It just helps. Talking to her gives me that comfort. If I want to unleash, I can unleash, and it’s a safe place to do so, and there’s no judgment.”   In those sessions, Sarah finally unearthed something she hadn’t dealt with her belief that her father’s death was somehow her fault. She carried guilt for not seeing the health signs, for not preventing it.   But in working with Ifraah, she realised his death wasn’t her fault and that her gambling had been a way to bury that pain.   She also learned strategies from the support service that made all the difference.   “They are not trying to tell you what to do, to do this or do that … they let you come to that result,” Sarah explained.    “You are never really cured because life always throws things at you. You just have to recognise it and put those strategies in place. Okay, yes, I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’m feeling this.”   READ MORE: Helping multicultural families reconnect after crisis Gambling is now something Sarah manages well because she knows how much it can destroy.   “I still go occasionally,” Sarah said.    “I’m going to the casino in September for a family staycation. I play Powerball if there’s a $50 million jackpot. Sometimes I’ll play blackjack socially. But I have to be conscious and not go over what I am going to spend. I don’t gamble when I’m upset. It’s now just social outings a few times a year.”   And John? He’s home.   Despite everything, their 25-year marriage has survived.   A key element is that they are now older and wiser. They also have both got therapy to deal with whatever comes up in life in a healthier way. To deal with issues as they arise. John is also a better communicator.   Sarah also believes gambling is not just a personal issue – it’s cultural and systemic. She knows people who come from war-torn countries who use gambling to escape. One particular major concern is the next generation.   “My son watches the AFL and all these Sportsbet commercials come on,” Sarah said. “It’s been ingrained in our children. We say we care about it – but it’s a money-making business for everyone else.”   Her message to the governments and policymakers?   “Stop putting your commercials during our footy games … I turn on the TV, and it’s infiltrating young minds. Put restrictions on stuff like that.”   And to those silently struggling with gambling, she has one clear message.   “No one can help you but yourself in the end. It has come from you,” she reflected. “It is something you’ve got to make a conscious effort. You might falter … but if you’ve got the right supports and you recognise it’s a problem, that’s the first step.”   As for the future, her husband has returned from incarceration a different person – thanks to many sessions of counselling with the Salvos.   “He’s had a lot of counselling. We’ve grown. We see a family therapist. It helps with communication,” she emphasised.    “We have survived such a long time whilst my husband was incarcerated - not many people can say that. But you know, we’ve survived it. I would say to people struggling with gambling – talk to someone. Even just once. That conversation could be your turning point. It was mine.”   *Not their real names. Their identity is protected due to confidentiality reasons.

Rebuilding family relationships in multicultural communities after being impacted by gambling harms was the key focus of a recent special workshop hosted by The Salvation Army Gambling Support Service and the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence.  (Images supplied by  pexels.com : Mohammad Nizar, Kevin Malik and Greta Hoffman)  Rebuilding multicultural family relationships after gambling them away can be tough, very tough. When gambling becomes a form of escape, it often brings family violence in its wake. And when it tears families apart, the damage runs far deeper than lost money. But there is hope. In Part 3 of her series on gambling harms, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH spent a morning with the team from the Salvos Gambling Support Service and leaders from a diverse mix of Victoria’s multicultural organisations to take part in a special workshop focused on rebuilding trust, restoring families and opening doors to support those impacted by gambling and family violence. GAMBLING HARMS Part One: Gambling Support Service – new name, same committed service   GAMBLING HARMS Part Two: The addiction invading young lives   Families torn apart by gambling-related harm and family violence in multicultural communities are suffering in silence.    But key players in Victoria’s multicultural communities – including service providers and advocates – are determined and united to change this sobering fact and drive positive change thanks to a special interactive workshop. Hosted by The Salvation Army Gambling Support Service and the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence (MWAAFV), the ‘Rebuilding Family Relationships After Gambling Them Away’ workshop focused on practical strategies that have helped multicultural families reconnect after crisis. Additionally, it featured shared lived experiences from counsellors and those directly impacted by gambling harms and family violence. “A lot of family violence is happening as a result of gambling harms, unfortunately – and we see it everywhere,” said Michael Kheirallah, Manager of The Salvation Army’s Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Gambling Support Service.  Michael Kheirallah is the Manager of The Salvation Army’s Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Gambling Support Service. “It is a massive problem, especially for the multicultural community. We see it through the counselling we provide to the family or to the affected person. Gambling and family violence are well-connected. So, the aim of the workshop was to get the message out and educate those community leaders about gambling harms and to know where to go and who to approach to receive help. We provided them with our contact details to give them a better idea how to refer clients or to get help when they need it.” Key Victorian multicultural agencies gathered together for the event held at the Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre in Melbourne’s CBD on 27 August. The list was extensive. Attendees included the Bakhtar Community Organisation, Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts, the MWAAFV,  Ethnic Community Council of Victoria, Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts, SBS Radio, Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE), Filipino Community Council of Victoria,  Friends For Good, Melbourne City Council, and the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Conversations focused on an array of topics, including the economic abuse associated with gambling, family violence and its link to gambling as a form of escape, and how counsellors address the coercive acts resulting from gambling following the criminalisation of coercive control in NSW and Queensland.   Experts from The Salvation Army’s Gambling Support Service guided the sessions, blending clinical expertise with powerful stories of survival, healing and resilience. Michael Kheirallah, Manager of The Salvation Army’s Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Gambling Support Service (third from left), discusses effective strategies to rebuild family relationships with several workshop participants. Jane’s story One powerful testimony was given by Jane*, a migrant, who shared her story of gambling and family violence. She recalled meeting her “dream guy”. However, unbeknownst to her, behind that charm was a gambler. The ensuing years were to be dominated by gambling and family violence.   “Every dollar he touched vanished into casinos, pubs, clubs, horse racing and the TAB,” she recalled.   “To feed his addiction, he lied, he borrowed, he stole ... When confronted, he always denied it. He was clever with words … Arguments became a constant occurrence … When I tried to leave him, that’s when the real battle started. Addiction left me mentally, emotionally and financially broken. I lived in fear.”   Jane’s husband was eventually jailed for a period of time. It gave Jane space to “breathe and to become human.”   Counselling and trauma therapy changed her life, too.   “I am no longer ashamed,” she emphasised to workshop participants. “Life today is full of love, happiness, empowerment and gratitude. I have learned to trust and respect myself. My journey taught me who I am. Life is beautiful. Remove toxic people from your life. Stand up for yourself, surround yourself with positive voices and most importantly, learn to say no.”    Workshop benefits Professor Supriya Singh, Co-chair of the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence and Adjunct Professor, Department of Social Inquiry, La Trobe University, said the workshop was important because it helped the participants recognise that “problem gambling is family violence.” (From left) Nisha Gull-e-Nishat, Professor Supriya Singh and Dr Veena Barsiwal represented the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence. “It was also useful to give hope that counselling can help rebuild trust and families,” she said. “The Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence is an advocacy organisation. We advocate for more culturally specific funding, services and resources to prevent and address family violence. We also seek to learn how different multicultural communities have successfully addressed family violence.” Patterns are emerging with most regions hit hardest by gambling harm also home to large multicultural populations where gambling is often woven into cultural and social norms, Michael added. Topping the list of regions losing the most money each day to gambling is Brimbank City Council, which ranks highest across Victoria, with local residents losing around $450,000 daily. The municipality has one of the most diverse multicultural populations in the state. “A lot of people from multicultural backgrounds who come to Australia feel isolated,” reflected Michael. “There is no social connection, and that’s why they find gambling venues attractive, as they can be open for almost 18 hours a day. They can go there and they feel welcome. They are served free tea and coffee and a welcoming environment, so it’s very attractive to them. Then they start bringing friends. Sometimes they bring their family and end up spending big on those venues, and that’s where they can experience a lot of issues, especially with mental health. Family violence, drugs and alcohol can lead to so many different issues, unfortunately.” Sarah’s story Few people understand the pull of gambling machines and venues better than Sarah*, a mother of three. Growing up in Melbourne, she started gambling in her late teens, at first just for fun. In her Lebanese culture, casual card games and betting were part of everyday life. But over time, the losses stacked up. Sarah lost more than $100,000. Her husband was also incarcerated, partly due to gambling. “It’s just the machines. It’s just a light. That’s all it is,” Sarah remarked. “We used to say if we were ever tired at Crown Casino, they must put something in the air because you don’t feel tired. I don’t know what it is, but once you walk into those places, you are fully awake. You just gravitate toward it. It just sucks you in.” READ MORE: Sarah’s story – Shame-filled silence and the crushing pain of regret Sarah’s turning point came when she finally reached out for help. Support from the Gambling Support Service became the foundation for rebuilding her relationships and reclaiming stability. But for many in multicultural communities, seeking help is far from easy. Stigma and fear of shame continue to be powerful barriers, Michael emphasised. “If you have been identified as a gambler, you know you’ll be isolated,” he said. “You will know that they will struggle within their own culture. So, that’s why it’s important to raise this awareness within multicultural communities, to know exactly how to seek help and to encourage family members of anyone they know who needs help, to encourage them to come and seek help. That was the whole aim of our workshop. We wanted to reach out to as many multicultural agencies as possible.” The Victorian Multicultural Commission is a key organisation within the State Government, along with the Ethnic Community Council of Victoria, which represents many different organisations within the multicultural community. Professor Supriya Singh from the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence (third from left) shares her thoughts and experiences with representatives from Victorian multicultural communities. Their presence at the workshop, Michael commented, was important – not only to gain insight into the services offered by the Salvos, but also to fully understand the ripple effect gambling harm has in multicultural communities. And feedback from workshop participants was overwhelmingly positive. “They were very engaged and willing to learn and listen,” he remarked. “So, this is a great outcome. I think we met that expectation to fully understand what gambling harms can cause to a lot of people. So, we were really pleased to see those people at the workshop. They have been willing to take the message back to the community or the people they work with and probably will see some results in the near future, by getting some clients, who urgently need help, referred to our service.” *Not their real names to protect their confidentiality. 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. Key players in Victoria’s multicultural communities, including service providers and advocates (pictured), attended the workshop and are determined and united to drive positive change in multicultural communities where gambling-related harms and family violence are tearing families apart.

The Salvation Army emergency services department and the international development department have merged to create a new stream – Emergency, Aid and Development. BY SIMONE WORTHING As The Salvation Army Australia restructures under its Organisation Design for Future Sustainability, some departments, teams and services are being streamlined and amalgamated into new entities.   The newly formed Emergency, Aid and Development stream is one of these. This stream brings together The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) and International Development (SAID) teams, both of which will continue to operate within Emergency, Aid, and Development.   Daryl Crowden, formerly General Manager, Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES), is now General Manager, Emergency, Aid and Development, which sits under the Secretary for Mission, Lieut-Colonel Gregory Morgan. Daryl Crowden is now General Manager, Emergency, Aid and Development, after the recent amalgamation of SAID and SAES.  “The essence of what both teams do, the care we provide and the support we give each other, of course, is not going to change,” said Daryl. “The structure of the amalgamation will continue to be tweaked until the full redesign has been finalised and approved. The Salvation Army Australia, through its Emergency Services (SAES) and International Development (SAID) teams, delivers compassionate, inclusive support to communities facing crisis and vulnerability.   “SAES provides emergency response and early-recovery services across Australia, offering food, aid and emotional care to disaster-affected individuals and first responders,” said Daryl.   “When the disaster is over, The Salvation Army steps up our services to reflect the medium and long-term needs of the community. Our focus is not just on the reconstruction of physical infrastructure, but on the restoration of physical, emotional, environmental and economic wellbeing. The Salvation Army Australia’s vast network of services means that SAES can draw on experts in a range of fields to assist the recovery journey. “For The Salvation Army Australia, it’s a really good opportunity to tell a story from local to global and from global to local ...”   “SAID partners around the world strengthen civil society and improve wellbeing through locally led development in areas including water, food security and child rights. “Together, they embody The Salvation Army’s mission to care for people and work for justice, ensuring individuals and communities – locally and globally – receive timely, respectful, and empowering support to thrive in the face of adversity.” Daryl explained that there are some “synergies and benefits on both sides for each other” in the amalgamation. These include the SAID staff who monitor program effectiveness – “essentially monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning which are critical to program effectiveness. We don’t have that capacity in SAES. Although their frameworks are international, I am hoping that we can use some of that capacity within SAES operations.   “We also have some finance capacity in SAID that we don’t have in SAES, and some operations functions within SAES that can support SAID as well. “For The Salvation Army Australia, it’s a really good opportunity to tell a story from local to global and from global to local, as we learn some good lessons from international development expectations and integrate them into a domestic response. The potential for domestic resilience with this amalgamation is far greater than it was before.”

War, political instability, economic insecurity, and climate disruption are some of the “thieves of hope”, writes Lyn Edge. Today marks International Day of Peace , which this year feels more like a reminder of how much turmoil the world is facing. The United Nations describes it as a time of “turbulence, tumult and uncertainty” in which it is “critical for everyone to take concrete action to mobilise for peace”. As believers, we know that striving for peace is one of our God-given mandates and a solemn duty. This Viewpoint from LIEUTENANT-COLONEL LYN EDGE , which is the second in a two-part series on hope, reminds us of what should spur us on to keep seeking peace and working for justice amid increasing polarisation and polycrisis. It’s not empty ritual; it’s hope itself. This year, I am keeping a gratitude journal, intentionally reflecting each day on something I am thankful for. Yet, as I write, the news plays in the background, reporting wars, racism and poverty. This is the tension of the world we live in, where hope and despair exist side by side. Fires rage, communities fracture, and uncertainty presses in. And yet, at the same time, neighbours help one another, scientists make breakthroughs, and small acts of courage ripple through the world.   Hope persists amid the pain, but recent research called The Global Hope Project, published by Tearfund, shows that it is a diminishing resource.  In 2024, almost one in four Australians described themselves as “hopeful” or “very hopeful” about the future of the world. Fast forward just one year, and that number has dropped to less than one in five. Even more sobering, 16 per cent now say they feel “no hope at all”.  Why is hope drying up?  One explanation is that we are living in a time of poly-crisis. We are experiencing the coming together of multiple crises, with the effect that the whole is worse than the sum of its parts. This includes the overlapping weight of war, political instability, economic insecurity and climate disruption. These are some of the “thieves of hope”. But you may have felt other thieves closer to home – anxiety, loneliness, fear.  So, for an article on hope, this has been a bit of a bleak start, so let’s now ask if there is anything we can do about this growing scarcity of hope?   Dr Martin Luther King Jr once said, “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” That’s where we begin.   Before we talk about what helps hope grow, let’s pause to define what we mean by hope. Hope is not just wishful thinking – it’s about having a confident expectation. Hope isn’t simply something we possess; it’s something we practise. Hope is less about a feeling and more about an action.  Hope is a verb As Emma Wyndham Chalmers from Tearfund puts it: “Hope is not an ethereal concept. It’s boots-on-the-ground work. It’s action-oriented. Christian hope is hope in action.”   If hope is a verb, then is it something we do? So how do we “do hope”?   The research is clear: hope grows when three things come together – faith, community and action.   Hope through faith: People with an active spirituality are more hopeful. Faith gives purpose, meaning, and a bigger story to lean on. Church attendance, prayer and Christian practices all nurture hope, as evidenced in research, where 33 per cent of people who are “very hopeful” attend church monthly, compared to only 15 per cent of those with no religious beliefs.   READ MORE: Part One – A hope deep within Hope through community: When asked, “Can I  make a difference?”, 40 per cent said yes. But when asked, “Can we  make a difference?” that number leapt to 72 per cent. There is power in togetherness. Hope multiplies in community.   Hope through action: Hope grows when we act. Not necessarily in grand, world-changing ways, but in simple, faithful steps: doing what is possible, what is right in front of us, the next right thing.  So, we face the challenge together, trusting that we can make a difference, because every action we take can be a step toward building a better future.  Safina Stewart, an Indigenous leader and artist, said, “Hope is not a naïve absence of reality. Hope is a defiance against these things that would come against us to stop us.”   Hope derives from action, and from action we derive hope.  The Tearfund report concludes, “The Bible has several words for hope. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word qavah  captures that feeling of tension and expectation of living in the now and not yet. Qavah refers to the word qav , or cord. Like a cord or rope being stretched tight, this kind of hope recognises the pressure it’s under – tense and tight – but doesn’t snap. It sees a world that is broken and hurting, and it ... waits. “As we live in both the now and the not yet of God’s big story, it’s normal to feel the tension. But as Christians, we can choose hope in uncertain times because we know the end of the story: love wins, the last shall be first, and justice will prevail. For He has a plan to heal and restore all creation to Himself, so we can choose to wait in hopeful expectation.”    Hope lives in the tension of now and not yet. We see it when a refugee family is welcomed into safety, even while millions remain displaced. We glimpse it when a community garden restores life to barren soil, though creation still groans under pollution and climate change. We celebrate moments of forgiveness in broken relationships, though reconciliation in our world is far from complete.   Hope leans into the reality that we live in the now and not yet, it acts, recognising what God is already doing now while trusting in the promise of what is not yet fully revealed.  As we practise hope together, may we see it grow, holding on to the prayer of Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may overflow with hope.”  To view the full report and resources on practising hope go to tearfund.org.au/hope     Lieutenant-Colonel Lyn Edge is a Salvation Army officer (pastor) in NSW.

The Salvation Army is encouraging as many people as possible to sign a petition to establish Flannel Flower Day, an initiative borne out of grief, with the goal of caring for communities that are facing immeasurable loss. The Salvation Army’s Defence Veteran Ministries team is a proud partner of The Flannel Project , a registered charity supporting families and friends of veterans lost to suicide. The Flannel Project is calling for the establishment of Flannel Flower Day, a national day of remembrance.  Shannen Box (left) with one of her closest friends, Alana Rosten. Defence veteran Elena Rowland launched the Flannel Project after her friend and fellow veteran Shannen Box tragically died by suicide at the age of 29. With the impact of her friend’s death creating waves of grief throughout friend, family and colleague groups, Elena, who goes by El, felt something needed to be done. “When somebody you know dies, even in the best possible way, it sends ripples and shock waves and everything, and you’re kind of shocked and not knowing what to do,” El said. The military uses a card system to offer veterans the supports that they need following their retirement from active service. This gave El the idea of creating the SOS card, which friends, family and colleagues can use to request food, shopping vouchers or help with running errands. The name Flannel came from Shannen’s beloved dog, and the flannel flower is also the national symbol of mental health awareness. While Australia honours the service and sacrifice of its defence forces in many ways, there is not yet a national day which aims to recognise those lost to suicide or to support their families. The goals of Flannel Flower Day are to give families a place to honour loved ones lost to suicide, break silence and stigma surrounding veteran suicide and show that every veteran’s service matters. The Salvation Army partnered with The Flannel Project in the #WearaFlanforShan walk earlier this year. Images: Supplied “For those of us who have lost someone to veteran suicide, this day represents more than remembrance,” El said. “It is a way to honour their lives, break the silence around suicide, and remind families left behind that they are not alone. Creating a national day gives people permission to grieve openly, while also fostering compassion and understanding within the broader community. “Flannel Flower Day is about making sure Shan, and others like her, are never forgotten and about ensuring that the families, friends, and communities left behind are recognised in their grief. Whether it’s lighting a candle, sharing a memory, wearing a flannel flower, or simply reaching out to someone who is struggling, it’s about creating space for remembrance and unity.” Sadly, Shannen’s story is not an isolated one. More than 1,600 veterans have died by suicide since 1997, with the ripple effects felt by over 216,000 leaving over 216,000 families and mates carrying the weight of grief. Even after the Royal Commission’s Final Report in 2024, another 96 veterans have been lost.  Signatures must be submitted by 24 September 2025 . Sign the petition here   – Kirralee Nicolle If you have any questions, please reach out to:  Elena Rowland, the Flannel Project: el@theflannelproject.com    Ali McKeand, TSA Defence Veterans Ministries Coordinator; Alexis.McKeand@salvationarmy.org.au   For more information, click here READ MORE: Salvos adopt flannel shirts

The international leaders with corps member Joan Papp, who is No.1 on the roll at Dunstable Corps. The international leader of The Salvation Army, General Lyndon Buckingham, has challenged Salvationists to remain bold and compassionate witnesses in a world increasingly marked by toxicity, division and uncertainty.   Speaking on Sunday 14 September during a celebration service marking the 140th anniversary of Dunstable Corps, United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, the General acknowledged the faithful service of the corps and turned the congregation’s focus to its critical role in the present.  General Buckingham urged: “We are now the witnesses here in 2025 in Dunstable. Amidst the backdrop of increasing uncertainty, violence, hatred and people becoming increasingly vocal and unkind, Christ calls us to be in the world and be different: counter-cultural, radical.” The General’s message, drawn from Hebrews 12, served as both a celebration and a rallying cry. He implored the congregation not to withdraw in the face of societal challenges, but to step into them as agents of hope.  “The world, though it might not want to admit it, needs us right now. This is not the time for us to shrink back, to hide, to circle the wagons and just look after ourselves. We are witnesses in the world that grace matters, that forgiveness and long-suffering and perseverance count, that mercy and grace shift the world.” He emphasised that this mission is expressed through practical action and compassionate living, not just words.  “It is the practising of these principles and not the reciting of them that turns communities around. It’s the giving of ourselves fully to it that brings transformation.’  The anniversary events had commenced the day before, with a concert in the local shopping centre led by guest choir Una Voce . At a Sunday afternoon praise party, Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham (World President of Women’s Ministries) discussed Compass, The Salvation Army’s new Global Strategic Framework, and encouraged Salvationists to look forward, quoting Isaiah 43:18-19 : “Do not cling to events of the past ... Watch for the new thing I am going to do” ( Good News Translation ).   The weekend commemorated a long history of The Salvation Army serving the Dunstable community through food banks, family support and community programs, while outlining a vision for its future as a beacon of hope. – Reporting by Simba Nembaware, Sue Hall and Neil Burns