Commissioners Peter and Jenny Walker retired from active officership in 2020. 1. Which corps do you both currently attend, and how are you involved? We attend the Perth Fortress Corps and find great fulfilment in our roles there. We both participate in the musical sections, together as songsters and Peter in the brass band. We also provide spiritual counsel to these groups, as songster sergeant and deputy band sergeant. We regularly participate in a small group Bible study. And Jenny is part of the pastoral care team and often visits elderly corps members either in aged care centres or their homes. 2. When did you both attend training college, and what was your sessional name? Did you like that name (why or why not)? We were fortunate to be part of the God’s Soldiers session that trained from 1980 to 1982. This was the first session to complete their training at the newly purchased training college in Parkville, Melbourne. We were very proud of our name and believe the Holy Spirit anointed us to be ‘soldiers’ at the forefront of spiritual warfare in every appointment. We love singing the song, ‘God’s Soldier’, as it fits perfectly with our calling and commission as officers. 3. Looking back on your years as active officers, was there a particularly memorable appointment, and why? Jenny: There have been many fulfilling and memorable appointments; however, I mention just two. The first was our term at the Hobart Citadel Corps (1997-2006), where we saw much numerical and spiritual growth in the congregation as well as meaningful and lifelong friendships develop. Our two sons remained in Hobart and have established their families and vocations there, so we visit (from Perth WA) at least once a year. Members of Hobart Citadel Corps when the Walkers served there for nearly a decade. The second was our term as Territorial Leaders in the Indonesia Territory (2015-2019). The experiences and learnings during that period transformed our values and faith in a God who can do the impossible. The Salvation Army in Indonesia (called Bala Keselmatan) is a vibrant, youthful and growing Army. The Salvationists have an enormous capacity for prayer, an unrelenting trust in an Almighty God, and demonstrate a tremendous resilience, especially in the face of adversity. One particularly memorable event happened in 2019, shortly after a devastating earthquake, tsunami and soil liquefaction that occurred in central Sulawesi. Thousands of people died and are still missing to this day. Hundreds of homes and buildings were completely destroyed (including corps buildings and officers’ quarters). A few months after this traumatic event, General Brian and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle visited the city of Palu to offer support and encouragement to the Salvationists in that region. Early on a Friday morning, 17,000 Salvationists gathered together on a crude oval outside the city for that meeting and following the General’s talk, hundreds of people literally ran past us to the front of the podium, seeking prayer for healing and restoration and rededicating their lives to God. It was truly an amazing sight and soul-stirring moment! Peter: My thoughts very much align with Jenny’s. We spent nearly 10 years at Hobart Corps, and I learned to become much more dependent on God during that time. We saw God working in so many individual lives and in the corps as a whole, and we also developed a philosophy of leadership and ministry that focused on discipleship and spiritual growth. We spent the next 10 years in leadership roles before the appointment to Indonesia. I will always be grateful to God for the experiences there. It was and still is a large and growing Salvation Army, with 45,000 soldiers, most under the age of 40, and many corps, schools, hospitals, clinics and children’s homes. The genuine faith and enthusiasm of the people for God was a tonic for my heart. Peter and Jenny Walker during their time serving in Indonesia and Malaysia. 4. Is there a specific Bible verse or passage, or even a song, that has anchored your spiritual lives over the years, and if so, why? Jenny: After returning to Australia from an appointment in Malaysia (1994) due to health reasons, we received three consecutive appointments, 12 months apart, and lived in three different homes during that time! It was a difficult period that included treatment for cancer. Finally, when the third appointment came that required us to relocate from Perth to Hobart, I was completely devastated. However, it was the Holy Spirit that spoke Romans 8:28 into my heart and promised that “All things will work together for good”. He was not wrong, and as you have already read, our time in Hobart was a rewarding and fruitful time for our lives and ministry. The verse has become my mantra through life, and I pray and speak those words over my family every week. My favourite chapter in the Bible is Psalm 34, full of so many meaningful verses. A verse in the Psalm became my reality during our term in Malaysia when I was attacked in the town centre by a man. After he grabbed hold of me, I screamed, and he immediately released his hold on me and quickly ran away. The verse I often quote is, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:7). I honestly believe an angel of the Lord rescued me during that horrific incident. Peter: 2 Chronicles 16:9: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” This verse came to me after a time of personal trial, and it served as a call to give myself more fully to God. I have it written inside the cover of my Bible, and it is a reminder that we serve an active God who is searching for people who are devoted to his cause, to strengthen and use them. 5. If you were speaking to a young Salvationist who asked whether you would recommend officership, what would you say? Jenny: You need to be thoroughly convinced that God has placed a calling and anointing on your life for full-timeministry because it is a supernatural task. Secondly, obedience to the call equates to inner peace and fulfilment. From experience, I can say that God will keep pursuing you if you choose to deny his call on your life. Finally, if you feel inadequate to the task, God is faithful and will equip and strengthen you in ways you never thought possible! Peter: Officership is a calling that comes from God for leadership in his church. The world has changed incredibly since we answered that call in 1979, but God still needs leaders for his church, and while today there are many different ways available to serve, I still see a need for that open-hearted response that simply says, “Speak Lord, for your servant heareth …”. APPOINTMENT HISTORIES To view Peter’s appointment history, click here. To view Jenny’s appointment history, click here.

Onlookers is the third book of Valerie Volk’s series of biblical fiction. REVIEWED BY QUENTIN CASTLE* History is full of people who become footnotes or disappear from the historical record altogether. Others might poke their faces into the story for a moment while others occupy centre stage for much longer. Whatever the case, we are often left none the wiser about their thoughts and inner experiences as their part in the story unfolds. However, Valerie Volk has once again chosen to explore these individuals’ possible experiences in her new book, Onlookers. As with her previous books, Bystanders (2015) and Witnesses (2023), Volk has selected a range of biblical figures, some more central than others, and stripped back their roles in the narrative to explore the possibilities of their life situations and inner reflections. Biblical fiction is a genre I have long enjoyed, and Volk once again shows she is adept in this style of storytelling. Volk writes with a warm style that is easy to read but not simplistic. Each vignette is engaging and often surprising. Some characters have their checkered reputations redeemed. Others have their evil machinations laid bare. However, where Volk succeeds is in giving voice to those who have no voice. One of Jesus’s unnamed sisters is given a voice and a name, as she tries to come to terms with her older brother’s unusual life choices. An aging prophet, known only for his oracles, is given personality and struggles with disappointment and despair as he faces the stubborn disobedience of those who failed to heed his divine warning. Even one of history’s most famous femme fatales is shown to be human and regretful for the part she played in the downfall of a mighty Israelite warrior and enemy of her people. Although there is reverence for her source material, Volk doesn’t whitewash the characters or back away from the realities the biblical narrative describes or suggests. By sharing these untold tales, Volk undertakes the ancient practice of exploring the Bible through creative storytelling and using undeveloped elements of the text as a jumping-off point for devotional exploration. This is supported by discussion notes that present a series of questions connected to each of the sixteen stories and the biblical passages behind them. This encourages the reader to explore the biblical figures for themselves and acquaint them with some of the more obscure passages of the Bible they may not be familiar with. Once again, Onlookers is another enjoyable offering from Valerie Volk that encourages us to peel back the words of Scripture and imagine the flesh-and-blood lives behind the words on the page. But not only that, we too are encouraged to investigate these stories for ourselves and join the journey Volk has led us through by engaging with these characters and the stories from which they sprang. To purchase the book or for more information, go to valerievolk.com *Major Quentin Castle is the Corps Officer at Golden Grove Corps in South Australia

The Alpha program in progress at Noarlunga Corps. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE A corps in the southern suburbs of Adelaide has found an innovative way to offer the Alpha Course within their faith community, growing it in both size and depth of faith engagement. Noarlunga Corps Officer Auxiliary-Lieutenant Deb Strapp observed that her community held diverse levels of understanding when it came to faith and Christianity. She said this presented challenges when preparing sermons to deliver to the large group. “One of the things that makes it hard when you’re ministering to a congregation is not quite knowing where people are at spiritually,” she said. “We can assume a lot of things, without really knowing. My heart for our people is for them to know Jesus intimately and for us to be a united body of Christ. “The desired outcome is for people to love Jesus and each other more.” With this goal in mind, but also an awareness that time was limited for both the ministry team and the church members, Deb was prompted to launch the Alpha Course with a difference. She said that while she always aims to make her language and sermon illustrations relatable to all, she was aware that many new people coming into their congregation had little or no knowledge of the Christian faith or of church itself. READ MORE: Holy Spirit ‘fanning into flame’ a passion for commitment at Noarlunga She encouraged those who were strong and faithful Christians to embrace Alpha through the mindset of “What wisdom and understanding do I have to impart, and how can I encourage others?” This gave seasoned Christians the opportunity to step up and disciple others, with the desired outcome of fostering greater unity amongst the body of Christ. She also believed it would serve as a reminder to the faithful of some of the fundamentals of Christianity, which she said we can easily lose sight of along the way. Besides, this wasn’t the first time Deb had done something of this kind. When she was previously in ministry at Marion Corps, she ran a similar Alpha program on a Sunday morning. “I felt God absolutely leading us in this,” Deb said. “I brought my leadership team together and shared what I felt that God wanted us to do.” “It’s [about] creating a level foundation for us all to grow. If they’ve got missing parts, how can their faith grow? If they don’t know the foundational truths of the Christian faith, how can they learn to trust a God that they can’t see? Deb’s leadership team embraced the idea, and together they set about planning how the Alpha course would be delivered. They decided to mix the Sunday congregation of between 60-70 people into groups of seven to nine per table, creating groups containing both newer Christians and mature Christians, all from a variety of ages and backgrounds. Auxiliary-Lieutenant Deb Strapp with Julie Norton, who was enrolled as a senior soldier last year. Noarlunga’s youth were not overlooked through this process, with Youth Alpha being facilitated concurrently by two young adult leaders in the neighbouring hall. Since there is not a specific children’s program in the Alpha Course, the team came up with a backpack system, where the young children of attendees were given a backpack at the commencement of the course which stays in the church until the end of the Alpha program. Each week new activities are added for them to work through during the morning service. “The Lord has brought in five new people over the past seven weeks who have been regularly attending, and a further four people who have attended more than once,” Deb said. This number includes one dedicated Noarlunga Corps volunteer who had been invited in through their established relationships in the corps. Deb said that integrating them all into Alpha had been surprisingly seamless, with people being very open to engage with the program and a different “style” of church. READ MORE: Meet the Officer – Auxiliary-Lieutenant Deb Strapp She said the space has become one of sacred sharing, where participants have felt free to openly discuss difficult parts of their lives, and their struggles with faith. Deb also said there is an increasing love of God among participants, with attendees revealing that they have felt compelled to accept Jesus and have a greater understanding of the peace which comes from salvation. “It is giving people permission to be real,” Deb said. “Alpha has brought to our Sunday congregation not only a greater knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith, but also a greater understanding and love for each other. “It has far surpassed simply learning about the Christian faith. It’s having a way bigger impact than that. It is truly transforming lives, and as such transforming our church,” Deb said.

Amelie (left) and Paige with Major Lindsay Frost from Warragul Corps. Image: B. Morris BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE Two Victorian Christian school students have dedicated their time to creating special birthday packs for families accessing Salvation Army services. Amelie (12) and Paige (13) were tasked by their school to undertake a project which benefited either the school or community, or was centred on sustainability, creativity or STEM. As their project, the pair decided to create birthday cake packs for distribution through nearby Salvation Army centres in Pakenham, Waverley and Warragul. Amelie and Paige with a baked cake. Image: Supplied “We made birthday cake boxes and gave them to three of the Salvos’ food pantries to help people who find it hard to get enough money to have a cake for their birthday,” Amelie said. “We want them to have a fun birthday.” The boxes contained a can of soft drink, a packet of cake mix, icing and decorations including balloons and candles. The pack even came with its own foil tray for baking the cake. While the girls originally planned to create 20 packs, through generous donations from local businesses, they gathered enough ingredients for 90 assembled packs. As best friends, the pair said they enjoyed getting to spend time together offering other children a chance for more celebration. “We got to hang out more, and we got to help the community together by giving something back to help other families celebrate birthdays,” Paige said. All images supplied. The boxes have already made an impact on community members. A Pakenham mother became emotional when she received a cake box for her young son’s birthday. “She wanted the girls to know how grateful she was and how such a small thing made such a difference to how they would celebrate the day,” Pakenham Corps Operations Manager Leanne Martin said. All images supplied. Paige and Amelie were featured as Champions in an August edition of Kidzone Magazine.

Territorial Commander Colonel John Murray and Territorial President of Women's Ministries Colonel Brenda Murray with Mayor Peter Abrahams Irar in Uganda. Image: Facebook We’ve compiled news from four continents today, with food relief in Uganda, the General's visit to India, scouts in Ukraine and care for older persons in Argentina rounding up this week’s international briefs. Ugandan food relief With drought having destroyed the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of households in the northeastern region of Uganda, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Response Team recently entered the Kotido District in Northern Uganda with live-saving food relief. Two-hundred and fifty vulnerable households each received 25kgs of maize flour, 10kgs of beans and three litres of cooking oil. The team prioritised elderly community members, who have been hardest hit by the drought. The drought has destroyed crops, wiped out pastures and starved both people and animals. Kotido Municipality Mayor Peter Abrahams Irar thanked The Salvation Army for its intervention, confirming that some human and animal fatalities had occurred in the region due to food, water and pasture scarcity. “Our gratitude goes to the International Headquarters in London and The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory for making this possible,” the Uganda Territory team wrote on Facebook. Images: Facebook General’s India visit The India Northern Territory welcomed General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham to the recent Board of Directors meeting in Kolkata, where the TSA National Office is located. General Lyndon Buckingham with Colonel Abraham Lincoln Mudda. Image: Facebook Along with the General and World President of Women’s Ministries, International Secretaries of South Asia Zone Commissioner John Kumar Dasari and Commissioner Mani Kumari Dasari also attended. “The auspicious occasion was graced by the presence of our Territorial Commander, Colonel Abraham Lincoln Mudda, and Lieutenant Colonel Sunita Robert, Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries (TSWM) along with all the other distinguished members of the Board of Directors,” the India Northern Territory team posted on Facebook. “It was a truly memorable occasion marked by fellowship, unity, and the shared mission of advancing God’s Kingdom through the ministry of The Salvation Army.” General and Commissioner Buckingham also visited the India Eastern Territory, as seen in the rally snapshot below. Preserving childhood In corps across war torn Ukraine, staff and volunteers are working hard to give children and young people as normal a childhood as possible. In the almost five years of full-scale war, this has been difficult, especially in those corps in Eastern Ukraine and now, across the country. In Kropivnitsky, art classes for both children and adults provide a fun and creative outlet. “Creativity helps us grow and inspires us, while our souls praise the Creator of this world!,” the organisers say. The scouts have also been active during the northern summer and autumn. The junior and senior patrol groups combined for a joint session, learning to prepare firewood, light a campfire, make a tripod, and boil water for tea – which they all enjoyed afterwards with some treats. And everyone received a badge for passing those skills. In Kyiv, scouting is also popular. “At Scouts, children don’t just play and learn new and useful things; they also share their struggles with one another and pray for each other,” shared the leaders. Painting, prayers and scouts help give childhood a reprieve from war. A place to call home At Hogar Eliasen in Buenos Aires, Argentina, what makes this Salvation Army residential home for older people so special are the relationships, the freedom to make your own choices and the everyday moments shared with others. It is a place where professional care is combined with companionship, where residents are encouraged to retain their independence, enjoy the things that matter to them, and where becoming part of a caring community can soften what is often a difficult transition in later life. For residents and staff, that sense of home is found in the relationships they build: María has lived at Hogar Eliasen for around a year. Her transition from living alone wasn’t easy but now, when asked what she likes about the home, her answer comes quickly. “Everything. The plants, my companions, the older people, the staff. The staff are magnificent.” Bernabé has lived at Hogar Eliasen for approximately two years. Residential care was not something he had originally imagined for himself, but his circumstances changed after his wife became unwell. “I didn’t come here just because I wanted to come,” he says. “I had to come. But the care is very good. Very good. The team here are very helpful.” The balance between providing support and preserving independence is central to the way staff member Vanessa Paniagua describes her role. “I like working here because I like caring for older residents,’ she says. ‘I like assisting them, accompanying them and helping them with everyday tasks … I used to have two grandparents, and now I have 40!” To read the full story from All the World, click here.

Darwin Salvationists Karl and Sheldron (standing centre) with Defence Force personnel. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE Australian Defence Force personnel stationed in the Northern Territory have a welcoming place to find a cuppa, a biscuit and an understanding ear thanks to the work of The Salvation Army. To this day, The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Defence Services (RSDS) carry on the historic work of the Sallyman and Sallyma’am, a role which first appeared during the Second Boer War in 1899. In Darwin, these roles are currently filled by husband-and-wife pairing, Karl and Sheldron Adams-Brown. The couple, who attend Darwin Corps, were enrolled as Senior Soldiers last year. Sheldron with young Defence Force personnel. Image: Supplied Between them, the pair, who are parents to three children and grandparents to two, come with many decades of experience in military service, paramedicine, midwifery and more recently, psychology and social work. Karl and Sheldron met while working as paramedics in the NHS Ambulance Service in the UK. Since moving to Australia, Karl continued to work in the Queensland Ambulance Service, then the army. Sheldron retrained in Australia as a midwife, then went on to study psychology and work in social services. They have found their combined training to be an invaluable preparation for their work with defence personnel. “I don’t think there’s a lot of difference – other than [we’re] not catching babies or [treating] physical injuries – but just that visual assessment [and] verbal assessment and just being able to be comfortable to sit in those uncomfortable spaces with people, those things are very similar,” Sheldron says. The pair have also walked the sometimes long and emotionally draining road of basic training and long months apart. Karl at one point spent 10 months away from home, and their son Jarvis also joined the army and was forced to leave his wife and child behind for long periods. “There’s quite often people who reach out on social media to [community pages] who are struggling at home with a baby, no family up here, husbands, boys are on exercise wherever for however long,” Sheldron says. “There’s a lot of isolation for the spouse.” When not out on a job, Sheldron spends her time seeking to care for those left behind. She says some spouses are left confused and upset when their partners don’t return their calls or text messages. She can then gently explain to them that when personnel are out on exercises, phone access is often prohibited and reassure them that their partner is not purposefully ignoring them. On the other end of this scenario, they have also been out on exercise with personnel who are worried about their partners or children at home. “If they’re really, really concerned about something that’s happening at home, we’ll let them use our phone or we’ll send a message on their behalf, just to reduce the stress really,” she says. Karl and Sheldron out and about with RSDS - serving drinks and snacks, chatting with ADF recruits and members of the Thai Army, and fixing wheels on the Sallyman truck. Images: Supplied When dealing with other causes of stress, Karl says he enjoys sitting with those who are having second thoughts about their choice to join the military or what has come with that decision. He says this experience is one to which he can deeply relate, and he likes to reassure them that they can change their minds, and their life plans are not set in concrete. “Because I’ve done it [too], whatever they say, I can empathise with,” he says. Karl encountered the Sallyman himself when he was in the army, and the pair say he knows exactly what is important to servicemen and women who “have been out there sitting on the dirt for hours and hours and hours, waiting”. “When you’re in basic training, everything revolves around food and sleep,” he says. “It’s just [about seeking] a distraction. That’s the kind of thing that a Sallyman can do – bring a complete deflection from the hardships and the mental strain that you’re under at the time,” Karl says. “It’s always a happy event when the Sally truck turns up. You don’t try and make anything sad and morbid; you try to keep it elevated and keep [them] distracted. Give them a few laughs and always try and make it nice and light-hearted.” Sheldron says because Karl also looks the part of a serviceman, defence personnel give him a lot of respect, some even calling him ‘sir’. “Especially the younger ones coming in just out of training school – they look to him for a bit of advice, how to do this or how to handle that,” Sheldron says. “Karl’s very humble, but he will support younger soldiers [with advice].” The pair represent TSA and RSDS at defence and community events. Image: Supplied Karl says ADF staff have even noticed the difference in scores at the shooting range when the Sallyman truck was there, and when it wasn’t. “The [personnel] that have been in the army for years and years, they know the difference that it makes to people. The [RSDS] really reduces the risk of depression. “Just that morale booster – it’s a no-brainer. It’s a definite boost to performance.” And it isn’t just the ADF and visiting international military who benefit from what the Sallyman and Sallyma’am roles can offer. “It’s the best job in the world,” Karl says. “Everyone is pleased to see you.” “There’s never anybody who’s not pleased to see you,” Sheldron adds. For more information on the Red Shield Defence Services, click here.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaking alongside Aleks Spaseska (Managing Director of the Kmart Group) at the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal Launch. Image: Nadia Benussi Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched the 2026 Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, with a call for Australians to help brighten Christmas for those doing it tough. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (Territorial Commander) and Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Hateley (Secretary for Communications) represented The Salvation Army at the launch on Monday 26 October at Parliament House, alongside other dignitaries including the Honourable Angus Taylor MP, Leader of the Opposition, and Managing Director of the Kmart Group Aleks Spaseska. With the Kmart Wishing Tree now in its 39th year, the Prime Minister said he was proud to support the appeal. He said the appeal captured the generosity of Australians and the power of communities looking out for one another. “For almost four decades, the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal has given Australians a simple way to show generosity at Christmas,” the Prime Minister said. In 2025, Australians donated more than 350,000 gifts to the Appeal. Each gift supports a child, adult, senior or family experiencing hardship. The Salvation Army’s Paul Hateley said every donation helped bring joy at Christmas and practical support throughout the year. Images: Nadia Benussi “Every year, Australians support The Salvation Army and the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal to bring hope to people in our community who need a hand. Through the generosity and kindness of people who donate a gift, we are able to help make Christmas a little brighter while also providing practical support to people throughout the year,” Paul said. The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australia’s largest and longest-running gift collection drive, and since its inception, more than 14 million gifts have been distributed to people in need. Aleks Spaseska said as the Kmart team looks towards 40 years of the Wishing Tree in 2027, they wanted this year to be the biggest yet. “For 39 years, our customers and communities have made the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal what it is today – one of Australia’s most powerful traditions of giving. It starts with one simple act: choosing a gift and placing it under the tree. For the person who receives it, that gift can mean so much more. It says to them that they matter and that their community cares,” Aleks said. “At Kmart, our purpose is to make everyday living brighter. That includes using the reach of our stores and the strength of our partnership with The Salvation Army to make it easy for customers to support families facing hardship in their own communities. We’re incredibly proud of what Australians have made possible through this Appeal.” This year, the most-needed gifts are for teenagers, along with family-focused gifts such as board games, outdoor equipment, arts and crafts as well as headphones, backpacks, educational toys and gift cards. You can donate a new, unwrapped gift (does not need to be purchased at Kmart) at a Wishing Tree in any Kmart store. You can also make a financial contribution via QR code, $2 donation cards, self-serve checkouts or collection boxes, or through the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal website: kmart.com.au/kmartwishingtree. Image: Nadia Benussi This article was prepared using information contained in a media release about the event.

BY DEAN SIMPSON Commissioner John Clinch, Territorial Commander of the former Australia Southern Territory from 1993 to 1996, was promoted to glory in Melbourne on Saturday 24 October 2026, aged 95, after a short illness. John faithfully served as a Salvation Army officer for 70 years and was married to Commissioner Beth for 73 years. John and Beth had been attending Camberwell Corps in retirement. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Australia Territorial Commander, said John was “a man of integrity, compassion, discernment and wisdom”. “I met Commissioners John and Beth recently at Camberwell,” Miriam said. “John told me his age and how he was still driving to the corps. Remarkable! “And I remembered back to when John was Chief Secretary (Australia Eastern) and Beth Territorial Secretary of Women’s Ministries when I was a young officer. A wonderful partnership – John being a great administrator and Beth so very caring, and together, such great hearts for God and the Army. Well done John!” Commissioner John Clinch at his desk as Territorial Commander at Christmas time in 1993. John entered Officer Training College in Melbourne from the Fairfield Corps and trained in the Soul Winners session of cadets, being commissioned as an officer in January 1956. Over the next 14 years, he served as a corps officer in places such as Korumburra, Dandenong, Morwell, Bentleigh, Chelsea and Launceston. John officially opened a number of buildings. From 1970 to 1996, he served in various roles at Divisional and Territorial Headquarters, including Divisional Commander of South Australia (1979-83), Chief Secretary of the Australia Eastern Territory (1987-89) and Territorial Commander of Australia Southern Territory (1993-96). He retired in 1996. He held one International Headquarters appointment – International Secretary for the SPEA Zone (1989-93). John’s daughter-in-law, Lieutenant-Colonel Robyn Clinch, posted a heartfelt message on her social media on Monday. “[John] was a great bloke who lived an adventurous life and, with us, was always helpful and caring and interested and kind,” she wrote. “As a Salvation Army officer, Dad led with integrity and compassion, discernment and wisdom, and, even in retirement, was very active in showing God’s care and love for others. “He will be missed especially by the clan, which includes some 18 great-grandchildren. Beautiful Beth, his partner of some 73 years in marriage and ministry, will miss him terribly.” An excerpt from a 1994 War Cry when Commissioner John Clinch met rocker Billy Thorpe. The Salvation Army community’s love and prayers cover Commissioner Beth and children Ron, Allan, Greg, Carolyn and Andrew, and their families. The funeral will be held at The Salvation Army, Bowen Street, Camberwell on Friday 30 October at 2.30pm. Lieut-Colonel Robyn Clinch said: “In lieu of flowers, it would be wonderful if you would like to donate to Operation Generosity, a cause very close to John’s heart, that sees retired officers being supported in developing countries where they have very little financial support: TSA RETIRED OFFICERS FELLOWSHIP BSB: 033112 ACC: 387378 (Add OG on payment details and include name, if you would like a receipt.) To read John’s Promoted to Glory notice and appointment history, click here. The Salvation Army Museum (Melbourne) Specialist Barry Gittins sourced the following photos of John from the archives. Commissioner John Clinch speaks at the official opening of Territorial Headquarters (Australia Southern Territory) in Melbourne in 1994. At the 1993 High Council at Sunbury Court, London – (from left) Commissioner Robert Bath, Commissioner Ian Cutmore, Colonel Verna Skinner, Commissioner John Clinch and Commissioner Earle Maxwell. John with his sister, Commissioner Merle Linnett. Then-Colonel Norman Howe presents John with a book. John marching at the front (righthand side). Commissioners John and Beth Clinch (centre) with Colonels Frank and Jean Linsell in Melbourne. John with a Sallyman during a visit to an Australia Defence Force base. A youthful John (on the left) at the wedding of Ron and Valma Warwick at Fairfield Corps. Also present are May Adams, Tom Lillico, Beryl Goscombe, Bruce Dench and flower girl Heather Lillico. John (then a Colonel) with a senior soldier and two junior soldiers at the opening of a new hall in the Illawarra region in 1988 when he was serving as Chief Secretary of the former Australia Eastern Territory. Photo courtesy of the Illawarra Mercury

As we approach the Festival of Mission next month, Major Brendan Nottle shares a compelling call for The Salvation Army to return to its mission of serving the most vulnerable. Drawing on the example of Jesus, who reached out to the poor, the broken and the forgotten, Brendan encourages us to live out our mission through sacrificial service. Join us in praying for and participating in the Festival of Mission with guest speaker General Lyndon Buckingham.

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

The victorious Salvo Hawks celebrate their premiership victory in the Reclink Football League. The Salvo Hawks have won the 2026 Reclink Football League premiership, a fairytale finish to a season that, 12 months ago, seemed unlikely to happen. This time last year, the Hawks had just three or four players engaged in the Victorian Australian Rules competition – but by the time the siren sounded on grand final day in September, around 30 players had come through its doors, and the club had a premiership cup to show for it. “It was a season of growth. A lot of hard work went into building this group back up, and to finish with a win makes it extra special,” said James Maxwell, Salvo Hawks Coach. The grand final was held at Frankston Park, with the Salvo Hawks defeating the Gippsland Wellway Panthers 80-40. Brad, Rai and Erin with the premiership trophy. The Reclink Football League is an all-ability, open-gender Australian rules football competition run by Reclink Australia for people facing disadvantage, mental health challenges, or social isolation. It features teams across Victoria, including the Geelong PowerCats, Collingwood Magpies Community Team, Ballarat Bushrangers, Southern Peninsula Swans, Cohealth Kangaroos, Monash Demons, Sunbury Phoenix, Wynbay Tigers, Wellway Panthers and Salvo Hawks. Fortnightly games feature modified, inclusive rules, sometimes including coloured vests that prevent tackling or contact. James (Hawks coach) works for The Salvation Army as a Reclink Recreation Worker under the banner of the Homelessness East Metro portfolio. “The Salvo Hawks give people living with disability, experiencing homelessness or in AOD recovery a footy team to belong to,” James said. “The Hawks operate as a Salvo team in partnership with Reclink. But 12 months ago, low numbers had the program’s future in doubt. This season, strong support from The Salvation Army Eastern Bridge Program helped turn that around, giving the us a solid base heading into the season.” It was the 27th season of the Reclink competition and the SalvoHawks’ first premiership since 2019. They also won in 2016. The Salvo Hawks line up before the grand final. The grand final Played in front of a large crowd, under blue skies and not a breath of wind, the scene was set for a strong display of football. The Hawks won the toss and elected to kick to the traditional scoring end. The first quarter opened as a tussle, with the scores at 18-12 in the Salvos’ favour. By quarter’s end, the Hawks had kicked away, finishing the term 36-12. The second quarter saw the Hawks push the lead past six goals, with the work done at centre clearance, as Jayden and Matty got the ball forward as much as possible. By the last change, it looked done and dusted, with the Hawks having stretched the margin past nine goals and the premiership cup all but theirs. In the final term, positions were shuffled, giving players the chance to try different roles, get more involved and kick a few goals of their own, all with big smiles on their faces. In the end, the Hawks won by a clear margin of 40 points. “The premiership is only part of the story,” James said. “The Hawks also welcomed participants from a wide range of backgrounds this season, making sure the group stayed warm, welcoming and open to any player, regardless of skill level. “For the group, the highlight of the season hasn’t been the scoreboard; it’s been the chance to bring people from all walks of life together, and to build hope, purpose and a sense of connection along the way. “For many, the Reclink program has become a springboard toward building a fulfilling life off the field as well as on it.” James said the Salvo Hawks will continue to offer sporting opportunities over the summer, before returning for the 2027 football season. If you have participants who’d be interested in joining a free sporting program, reach out to James Maxwell at james.maxwell@salvationarmy.org.au for more information. Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton was a special guest at the grand final, with Brad, Erin and Rai taking the opportunity to get a photo with the former AFL star.

Each week through 2026, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for the same territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another. This week (26 October-1 November) we pray for the India Western Territory. This territory has 618 officers (381 active, 237 retired); 15 cadets; 200 corps; 70 outposts; 30,122 senior soldiers; 1396 adherents; 4742 junior soldiers; 345 employees. Commissioners John William Polimetla and Ratna Sundari Polimetla lead the territory. The work of the India Western includes: • Education • Hospitals • Food services • Support for street children • Modern slavery and human trafficking response. The official opening day of Fakir Singh Chapel, in Atmapur. Praise points: We give praise for recent events which we joyfully celebrated: • Founders’ Day, 2 July • 80th Independence Day, 15 August • 145th Anniversary of The Salvation Army, 19 September. We also thank God for the successful completion of: • Senior Officers Council • Divisional Orientation Meetings and the Revive Program. All these events were accomplished successfully by God's grace. To God be all the glory for his faithfulness, guidance and abundant blessings upon every ministry and activity. General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham visited the India Western Territory in 2025. Prayer requests: Please pray for the impact of the following programs: • Candidate Sunday - pray that young people will open their hearts and minds to God’s calling. May they respond faithfully and be led into Salvation Army officership. • The International Day of the Girl Child • The Self-denial Altar Service • October Family Sunday • The Brengle Institute for officers and soldiers in October • Bible Oratorical Contest at territorial level • Retired and Living Alone Officers’ Get-together. Pray for the territorial sustainability and strategic plans: • Territorial headquarters redevelopment plan • The spiritual life of officers, soldiers, youth and children and cadets • Officers Councils, February 2027 • Youth Congress, 7 -12 February 2027 • Program to Program, October 2027 • The Sustainability Team visit in 2027. To find out more about the India Western Territory click here. To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, and to download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here.