Bequest Update 2nd Edition, 2012

2nd edition 2012

this issue: - A LITTLE HELP FROM ABOVE - ESSENTIAL WOMEN’S SERVICE EXPANDS - NEW MOBILE CLASSROOM TAKEN TO DISADVANTAGED YOUTH

Wills Update

YOUR WILL A GIFT OF A LIFETIME

News & stories from The Salvation Army Wills & Bequests team

A little help from above Photo: Shairon Paterson

immediate emergency, many people who have been disaster-affected, including farmers, often start to withdraw, and aggression or depression can manifest.

He says: “A disaster is a bit like a death in the family.

Everyone provides support initially, but often as time goes by, the surviving person is left to grieve alone.”

Recovery can take years, Mark says, and the possibility of suicide, depression, loss of a farm that has been in the family for generations, and family breakdown are all too real.

Captain Mark Bulow dropping off a hamper of essentials to a family isolated during the 2012 floods.

Captain Mark Bulow believes the redeployment of The Salvation Army’s Robinson 44 Raven II helicopter from Mt Isa to Dalby, will greatly assist in what he believes is essential follow-up for those devastated by flooding in recent years, as well as others in need.

Last year, after a donation from Parmalat, makers of Pauls Milk, The Salvation Army purchased a new helicopter for its Outback Flying Service in central Queensland. This allowed the Army to redeploy its existing Robinson 44 Raven II helicopter - a bequest from Queensland grazier ‘Wild Horse’ Dawson - to Dalby.

“The helicopter will mean that I can get out there quicker and visit more people in remote areas,” says Mark, a Salvation Army officer who heads the new South Queensland Salvos Flying Service.

In addition to being the helicopter’s pilot, he also leads the Dalby Corps (church) and coordinates a Salvation Army ‘rural hub’.

Mark flies where needed in coordination with other rural chaplains and emergency services around an area bordered by Toowoomba to the east, the South Australia-Northern Territory border to the west, the NSW border to the south and Bundaberg to the north.

He offers welfare support, referrals and emotional and spiritual help.

Mark’s father, grandfather and brothers all were, or are, farmers.

Mark and his wife (fellow Salvation Army officer Captain Joanne Bulow) have lived and worked on Joanne’s father’s farm, so he understands some of the challenges farmers and others who are isolated can face.

Mark says that in the weeks, months or even years after the

The recent employment of a professional counsellor, through The Salvation Army counselling service, to serve the rural hub is also a tremendously positive initiative, says Mark.

This counsellor can be flown by helicopter to visit those in need in remote areas.

Mark says: “I am currently supporting a family of cotton farmers who lost everything in the floods.

The floods came and absolutely devastated them. They had water all over the farm, all through the houses. They are really, really struggling and it is really sad.

“I can talk to them, but they need a professional. To be able to sit down with the counsellor now at their own place around their own kitchen table and pour out their hearts is just wonderful.

“When independent farmers ask for help, you have to act straight away because they might not ask again.”

Wills Update

2nd edition 2012

Essential women’s service expands The Salvation Army’s Catherine Haven centre in Broken Hill - the only crisis refuge for women and their children for at least 300km in all directions recently underwent a much-needed expansion. The work has been made possible through the generosity of bequests made to support the ongoing work of the Army.

Catherine Haven was initially set up in the 1970s by Salvation Army officers Stan and Connie Hindle, who saw a desperate need in Broken Hill for a refuge for women and children who were victims of domestic violence.

Current manager Major Kelvin Stace says demand grew steadily over the years to the point that “there were times when the women and their children being accommodated were (proverbially) almost hanging out the windows”.

In the early 1990s, the beginning of a relocation and rebuilding process was made possible through bequests.

Major Kelvin says: “After much thinking, planning and prayer, plans for six units were put in place.

However, funding meant only three were initially built.“ By late 2009, when plans for the final three units were made, he says, changes in government requirements meant the originally planned duplication of units was modified.

Three separate relocatable-style cottages, each with their own bathroom, laundry, family/lounge room, kitchen and three bedrooms, were built.

Major Kelvin says: “These new houses mean women and children escaping violence have a place to stay and time to sort through problems and issues. We’ll work to help them come to a place of confidence to re-enter our community and begin to rebuild their lives”.

Grateful for the support that made the expansion possible, he says: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks on behalf of The Salvation Army, and the workers of Catherine Haven, to the community and council of Broken Hill, as well as to the valued ‘Honoured Friends’ of The Salvation Army who think of us and our work when they make a will.

Photo: Gavin Schmidt - Barrier Daily Truth

“We praise God for people who help us help others in need.

“Our 125-year history is one of service to the community of Broken Hill in times of drought, storms, strikes, and various other situations.

The vision of the officers back in the 1970s was one of service to a community in need and current management and staff still hold this same vision.”

Technology to the community A new Salvation Army centre in Newcastle, which houses a number of services including the relocated Oasis Hunter Youth Network, has been opened recently.

Oasis supports young people, often from highly disadvantaged backgrounds, by offering a wide range of accredited training, life skills programs and housing support, and cares for more than 500 young people each year. Thousands more are contacted annually through community recreational events and outreach.

A new mobile IT bus - which features a classroom - known as ‘Ourspace’, also runs from the centre which was built in part with bequest funding.

Ourspace was developed by Oasis and the NSW Department of Education and Training.

The bus is used to take nationally accredited vocational training and other educational programs to isolated suburbs and schools within the region. After hours, Ourspace delivers outreach programs to youth hotspots in the region such as hip hop workshops, creative writing and safe internet use.

One of the latest uses of the bus, according to Oasis’ James Cameron, is the new Grandparents Support Program (GPS). This program helps people who are raising their grandchildren, to understand the use - and potential danger – of modern social media and technology.

James says: “(Oasis) is about not just being able to get out and support young people, but also being able to support the people who support young people”.

Major Kelvin Stace is so grateful for your support.

For credit card donations phone 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or visit salvos.org.au | Letters and feedback welcome Published by The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory Communications and Public Relations Department PO Box A229, Sydney South NSW 1232 Editor: Communications and Public Relations Secretary Phone: (02) 9266 9631 ©The Salvation Army 2012 Wills & Bequest Freecall Number 1800 337 082 | salvos.org.au/wills

Please remember The Salvation Army when you next prepare or update your Will