“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.”
– Anthony J D’Angelo
PHOTO BY BRUCE COMBER ON UNSPLASH
What is The Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.
Vision Statement
Wherever there is hardship or injustice, Salvos will live, love and fight alongside others to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus.
Mission Statement
The Salvation Army is a Christian movement dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus by:
• Caring for people
• Creating faith pathways
• Building healthy communities
• Working for justice
The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders, past, present, and future. We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.
Be the hope
The statistics presented in The Salvation Army’s latest annual report tell the stories of thousands of everyday Australians. These are people – children, young adults, families, the elderly, those who are unwell and isolated – who were helped, supported and loved at a time when they needed it most.
Did you know that in 202425, the Salvos gave out food parcels to more than 52,000 people and 1.4 million meals to those accessing homelessness services? Or that they supported more than 12,600 people experiencing family violence and provided more than 59,500 ‘bed nights’ to young people at risk of becoming, or who were, homeless? These sobering statistics – and many more – are detailed on pages 8 and 9.
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Founders: William and Catherine Booth
Salvation Army World Leaders: General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn
Buckingham
Territorial Leader: Commissioner Miriam Gluyas
Secretary for Communications and Editor-In-Chief: Lieut-Colonel Paul Hateley
Publications Manager: Cheryl Tinker
Editor: Simone Worthing
Graphic Designer: Ryan Harrison
Enquiry email: publications@salvationarmy.org.au
All other Salvation Army enquiries 13 72 58
Press date: 24 April 2026
Printed and published for The Salvation Army by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas at Focus Print Group, Chester Hill, NSW, Darug Nation lands.
The Salvation Army holds the Red Shield Appeal every year so that they can continue to come alongside those going through difficult times. The appeal’s theme, ‘Be the hope people need’, gets to the heart of the matter. When someone is given a meal or provided with a safe place to stay, they are also given hope – a hope sparked by knowing people care and that life can be better.
Faye Michelson Acting Editor
What is The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal?
A symboi of care
It was in France, during World War I, that a red shield was first used to point soldiers to the Salvos’ huts and coffee points in the middle of conflict – a welcome symbol of presence, care and provision. Used more broadly during World War II, the red shield eventually became the most recognised symbol of the international Salvation Army.
The Red Shield Appeal, conducted in Australia from April to June each year, is a major weapon in another kind of war: the fight against injustice, hardship, poverty, violence and suffering.
When you donate to the Red Shield Appeal, you are helping to provide accommodation and housing, financial assistance, meals and food vouchers, addiction recovery services, shelter from domestic violence, case management, financial counselling, immediate and long-term disaster recovery aid, and centres where people can find day-to-day support and community.
The proceeds of this appeal are not used to run Salvation Army churches.
Responding to need
When we meet people where they are at – in their current state of housing, dependency, fear, sadness, loneliness, shame and need – we can wrap them with the care and kindness that accepts and loves them and helps them to move forward towards the life they want for themselves.
Despite the overwhelming, selfless contributions of an army of volunteers, there are huge costs involved in providing these services: renting, building or purchasing accommodation; building maintenance; buying food and vouchers; providing meals to those in residential services; equipping emergency service vehicles; helping those who have lost everything with furniture, clothing and hygiene needs; and tailored individual support. Every donation has the power to be the hope and help people need to move beyond hardship.
Donations to the Red Shield Appeal can be made in person at your local Salvos centre or at collection points such as shopping centres on the last weekend in May, or online any time at redshieldappeal.salvos.org.au/donate – Fay Foster
Stories of hope
There are many inspiring stories about how the money raised through the Red Shield Appeal helps to fund Salvation Army programs that transform lives and give people hope for the future. Read more in The Salvation Army 2025 Impact Report tinyurl. com/4cfw7pv6
Paul’s story
Paul* is 36, Indigenous, employed parttime and recently separated from his wife and children due to a domestic violence situation.
He was living in “a shack in the scrub”. Paul was drinking alcohol, gambling and suffering from mental health issues. His current vehicle required attention. Police issued a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) against him. He was placed on parole and reported weekly to police.
The Salvation Army referred Paul to their Bridge Program, a 10-week therapeutic drug and alcohol recovery program that offers clients complementary, wraparound services to support their ongoing rehabilitation.
Doorways assisted Paul with his application to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, referred him to a local Indigenous service for physical health and assessments, and to The Salvation Army’s NILS (No Interest Loans Scheme) for car repairs. Legal Aid assisted Paul with a DVO amendment, allowing visits with his wife and children.
Paul’s mental health is improving with counselling. He completed the Bridge Program and has remained abstinent from alcohol and gambling.
*Name has been changed
PHOTO BY FETHI BENATTALLAH ON UNSPLASH
PHOTO BY CHRIS LYNCH ON UNSPLASH
Sophie’s story
In early 2025, Sophie*, a 31-year-old mother of two teenage daughters, found herself in a distressing situation. Referred to Salvos Moneycare from The Salvation Army Employment Plus due to overwhelming concerns about her utility bills, her initial Moneycare appointment revealed the depth of her financial struggles. Unable to work due to a broken foot, she was at a loss for how to manage her household expenses and provide for her daughters.
Services working together
Recognising the immediate need to restore essential services, Moneycare staff assisted Sophie with the reconnection of her phone, securing a waiver for two months of bills and a 12-month discount on future charges. Additionally, a Utility Relief Grant Scheme was applied for Sophie to reconnect gas and electricity, and a minimal affordable payment plan was established to ease the financial burden until Sophie could return to work.
Understanding that housing stability was crucial, Sophie was referred to Doorways Casework, where she was supported to apply for private rental assistance to cover rent arrears. This step ensured that Sophie and her daughters could remain in their home without the looming threat of eviction.
Basic needs were also addressed through referrals to the Salvos Community Connect site, which provided school uniform assistance and food support. Further assistance was arranged through Doorways Emergency Relief, which provided a Salvos Stores voucher and
an EFTPOS voucher to cover medication and petrol expenses. Recognising the importance of mental health and extracurricular activities for her teenage daughters, referrals were made to a corps (local church) youth program. This program offered mental health support and a karate class, providing her daughters with opportunities for personal growth and engagement that Sophie could not afford on her own.
As a result of these comprehensive efforts, Sophie now feels a renewed sense of hope and capability.
The assistance given has not only stabilised Sophie’s immediate situation but also laid the groundwork for a brighter future for her and her daughters.
*Name changed for privacy reasons
PHOTO BY DANIQUE VELDHUIS ON UNSPLASH
The Waterhole: a gathering place
Red Shield funding builds community in Alice Springs
The Waterhole in Alice Springs (NT) is a drop-in centre that has become a vital gathering place for hundreds of people in the local community. It’s more than just a place for a meal, a shower and laundry facilities, The Waterhole offers friendship, a sense of home, and the opportunity of spiritual connection, making it an essential service in Australia’s Red Centre.
“When I first started about three years ago, we used to have about 70 to 90 people come,” said Ann, Team Leader at The Waterhole. “We now have anywhere from 150 to over 300.
“The Waterhole is a drop-in centre that's a safe place where people can come and get something to eat, have a shower, wash their clothes.”
Majors Claire and Tim Watson are the corps officers (Salvo pastors) at Alice Springs. “It's a place where people can feel at home, and where people who may not have much in the way of material possessions can come and just be with other people and have that interaction,” said Tim
The majority of them sleep rough.
“Getting to know the people at The Waterhole has helped me to broaden my understanding of Aboriginal culture and spirituality,” said Claire. “It's also helped me to slow down and to sit with people, to be quiet, not to ask too many questions. And then when people are ready, they will share more of their lives.”
“We have a great team who do a wonderful job of caring for people,”
said Ann. “Minnie and Netty, they are so dedicated …. They will clean and prepare stuff, have whatever we need for the next day. They are fantastic.
“The Waterhole does not get funding from the government. They are reliant on Red Shield Appeal donations and whatever the corps (Salvo church) has.”
“Jesus spoke about being living water and he came to give us life in all its fullness,” said Claire. “My hope for The Waterhole is that it will be a gathering place, not just for people's physical needs to be met, but … that their spiritual needs might also be met and that they might rise up as spiritual leaders in our community.”
To watch The Waterhole video, go to youtube.com/watch?v=7Aqr1biYtUo – Fay Foster
The Salvation Army Australia Highlights 2024-25
Nearly 1.75M sessions of care provided.
228,500+ people assisted.
ACROSS ALL OUR SOCIAL PROGRAMS
22,600+ people supported through chaplaincy.
11% increase in number of church attendances compared to last year.
$18.3M+ of financial assistance provided 136,700 people assisted
1.05M+ nights of accommodation were provided across all our social programs.
$24.1M+ of financial assistance provided in cash, gift cards, vouchers, bill payment and disaster relief
548,000+ of church attendances on Sundays and weekdays
266,000+ meals provided by corps (church/faith communities)
52,000+ people received food parcels
29,000+ people received material aid
MONEYCARE
Nearly 11,000 people provided financial counselling
FAMILY & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
12,600+ people supported who experienced family violence
YOUTH
59,500+ bed nights provided to young people at risk of, or experienced homelessness Nearly 1050 young people assisted with learning how to drive
HOMELESSNESS
38,000+ people assisted who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. 1.4M+ meals provided to people who accessed homelessness services.
EPLUS
More than 42,000 job seekers assisted to look for employment
10,300+ job seekers gained employment
AGED CARE
More than 157,700 visits to people who received in-home care
ADDICTION
More than 220,000 sessions of care provided to people impacted by addiction
52M items kept in circulation and out of landfill
EMERGENCY SERVICES
650 responses to disasters such as fires, floods or power outages.
46% increase in the number of volunteers
600 families served with ‘at-need’ funeral services
SALVOS STORES
SALVOS FUNERALS
Compassion in action
One day Jesus was talking to his friends about how to live a kind and compassionate life.
No act of humanity is too small or insignificant, he told them, when it’s done because you love God. It’s as if you were being kind to God himself.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
PHOTO BY AKHIL NATH ON UNSPLASH
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew chapter 25, verses 35-40 New International Version
Free at last
Danielle’s story of survival and second chances
by Naomi Singlehurst
Now 33, Danielle lives in Brisbane with her partner Clayton and their two children. She is a full-time mum, carer and advocate for her son who lives with disability.
Childhood trauma
Danielle grew up in Queensland in a home marked by instability, neglect and addiction. From a young age, she experienced severe trauma, living without safety, care or protection.
When she was 15, her older sister died after battling addiction, trying to cope with the same trauma Danielle had experienced. Her sister had given her some sense of protection, and Danielle says, “When that happened, everything fell apart. I lost my way.”
She was soon out of home, disconnected from school and surrounded by older people who offered little protection and much manipulation. Looking for comfort, Danielle turned to drugs, sparking an addiction that would take hold of her life for almost a decade.
Addiction takes hold
At 19, Danielle entered a relationship with an older man, seeking protection and security. Instead, she says, “Domestic violence, abuse and torture are the only ways I can describe that relationship.” Ten years ago, Danielle nearly died after being stabbed.
By then, drugs consumed her life every day. She worked hard, but only to support her addiction. There were drug-related crimes,
court appearances and probation orders. Survival, not hope, shaped her decisions.
“This part of my life was incredibly lonely,” she says.
Search for support
Eventually, desperation drove Danielle to beg a drug addiction support charity for help. It was there she first heard about The Salvation Army’s Brisbane Recovery Services – Moonyah – a word in Bundjalung language meaning ‘a safe place’.
It would become exactly that for Danielle –but not immediately. She detoxed, entered the long-term program and left after just three days. She returned in 2016, detoxed, stayed for a short time and relapsed.
Yet something had shifted.
During one of those attempts, someone suggested she visit God’s Sports Arena (GSA), a unique Salvos church that supports many people battling addiction, homelessness, isolation or recovery. It was the first time she had ever been to church.
Only weeks sober and overwhelmed, Danielle stepped forward to be prayed for. “I was changed forever. I believed.”
That faith did not instantly end her addiction. She relapsed again and was asked to leave the program. As she packed her bags, a Moonyah support worker sat with her and prayed, telling her things could still be different.
Even outside the program, she was not forgotten. Salvo Bill Hunter, founder of
GSA, continued checking in, even when Danielle was too ashamed to reply.
Journey past addiction
By late 2018, Danielle was again exhausted, frightened and broken. She feared she would die if nothing changed.
“I was on my knees,” she says. “I was begging God to save me.”
She felt God urging her to return to GSA. She cried with Bill, asked for help and prayed. The following week, Moonyah called her back with a place in detox and rehab.
It was her fourth attempt – and this time, she stayed.
Danielle completed detox and entered the longer-term recovery program, remaining for seven months.
Danielle with Bill Hunter, founder of God’s Sports Arena.
In 2019, she graduated from Moonyah.
Danielle now regularly shares her testimony, particularly with women who are early in recovery or leaving family and domestic violence.
She says her calling is simple – “To let people know there is hope.”
“I have been shown God’s grace and mercy time and time again,” she says with a smile. “No matter how many times I turned my back or failed, his love didn’t waver.”
For Danielle, her faith is summed up in one line from the Gospel of John (John chapter 8, verse 36): “So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
For the full version of this story, go to salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/ news-and-stories/stories/ danielles-easter-story
Danielle with Salvos officer Major Sharon Clanfield at God’s Sports Arena church.
�� Rice pudding in a mug
Ingredients
1 cup milk; 1 egg; 2 tbsp sugar; pinch salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ tsp cinnamon; 250g packet of microwave white rice
Method
Whisk together milk, egg, sugar, salt, vanilla and cinnamon.
Divide between two 250 ml microwave-safe mugs.
Divide the rice between the two mugs, mix together.
Microwave for 4 mins, then at 1 min intervals until cooked.
Stand for 2 mins before serving.
☺ Believe in Good: Tips
Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.”
Job chapter 12, verses 7-8
New Living Translation
This week be aware of the environment around you. What can we do to have a positive impact on the environment?
1. How many years does it take for a tea bush to grow for harvesting?
2. Which part of the tea plant is used for tea making?
3. What matters most when steeping tea?
4. What innovation was introduced by Tetleys in 1953?
Tum-Tum
On which page of this week’s Salvos Magazine is Tum-Tum hiding?
PHOTO BY TOWFIQU BARBHUIYA ON UNSPLASH
PHOTO BY FARZAD MOHAMADI ON UNSPLASH
❓Did you know?
The peregrine falcon can dive-bomb a target at over 320 km/h. They are highly adaptable and often nest on high ledges and skyscrapers. They are 34-58 cm long with a 74120 cm wingspan. Females are larger than males.
Giant pandas spend 10-16 hours a day eating, consuming 11-38 kgs of bamboo daily. Males can weigh up to 135kg. Cubs are born blind, pink and small, weighing 85 – 141 grams.
Red Pandas have opposable thumbs. Their cubs are born with blonde hair, in nests.
Tigers are the largest cats, with males weighing up to 300kg. A tiger’s roar can be heard up to 3 km away.
✏Answers
The leaves 3. Time and temperature 4. The teabag Tum-Tum: is hiding in the bucket on page 4.
Quiz: 1. 3-5 years 2.
�� Sudoku
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. Puzzle #1
�� Have a laugh
How does the bread court his sweetheart?
How does bread relax?
What’s the worst thing about a bread pun?
Why does bread look bad in photos? With lots of flours. It gets stale. It loafs around. It’s too grainy.
“His hand cradles the life of every creature on the face of the earth.”
