“You’re going to make a difference. A lot of times it won’t be huge, it won’t be visible even. But it will matter just the same.”
– Ed Brubaker
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.
Everyday hope
Our world is facing some huge crises – wars, disasters, violence, poverty, loneliness, injustice. It’s easy to feel hopeless and helpless – but hope is out there and there is always something, however small, that we can do.
In Australia and around the world, people, organisations and agencies are working hard to bring change, positive outcomes and hope to many. These include charities, researchers, emergency workers, medical teams, churches, scientists and more.
Everyday people of all ages and backgrounds are also changing their corners of the world and using their time, skills and values to respond to needs and spread kindness, help, hope and encouragement. Their efforts are changing local communities and bringing light to an increasingly dark world.
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: Colonel Rodney Walters
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: 27 June 2025
Printed and published for The Salvation Army by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas at Focus Print Group, Chester Hill, NSW, Darug Nation lands.
In this edition, we feature some of these local heroes – a musician, emergency services volunteers, a young chef and Salvos personnel in war-ravaged Ukraine. And there are many more.
Loving our neighbours, as God intended, will help to change the world.
For these stories and more, go to salvosonline.org.au
Simone Worthing Editor
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Everyday heroes
Ordinary people, extraordinary impact
by Colonel Rodney Walters
It would be easy for people to discount the word ‘hero’ today due to proliferation by Hollywood of heroes identified with supernatural powers.
Far from the truth!
I obtained my bus driver’s licence early in my working life and, as a parttime driver, I used to fill in for the regular drivers who were unable to do shifts.
I take my hat off to bus drivers who, day in and day out, drive students to and from school. They are everyday heroes.
Then to our frontline personnel who give their lives to work shifts in emergency, health, defence, fire, ambulance and police services. Very rarely are two days the same, nor do they allow the service personnel the opportunity to stop and rest on their laurels.
As a police chaplain for more than 10 years, I travelled with highway patrols, worked on-site
with police and other service personnel at fatal accidents, and cared for probationary cadets who had turned up to a horrific train accident.
Legends next door
There are teachers, aides, P&C (Parents and Citizens) personnel who turn up every day to classes of students, some who want to be there, some who definitely don’t want to be there, and then the indifferent ones who, if the teacher/ lecturer didn’t turn up, wouldn’t complain. These people walk into rooms of various states of hygiene, wellness, comprehension and awakeness, to provide curriculum and learning that may not ever be provided outside the classroom.
There are those carers, professionals, cleaners and helpers who, 24 hours a day, care for seniors who may be unable to care for themselves, or who are losing or have lost memory of what to do next.
We love our seniors and
thank God for those who have dispositions to care for and support them during these days. Often these people are regularly saying goodbye to people who have become good friends, nearly family.
Finally, but in no way the least, the everyday heroes who are bringing up children in today’s environment. Caring for special needs, being a source of truth and care. For this cohort there are no time-off provisos, no ‘not today’ responses.
You see, everyday heroes turn up when others leave, stay when they really want to go.
They take safety, care and punctuality seriously. They function, at times with little or no sleep, because the demands are great. You are possibly close to one right now!
Why not thank them today for staying vigilant and committed.
This is not an exhaustive list but just a short snapshot of those who
don’t seek accolades or medals for what they do but, in my opinion, encouragement and appreciation given to them would mean a lot!
‘Everyday heroes’ can be a banner given to anyone who gives themselves totally to others without requiring anything in return.
Today we say a big THANK YOU!
Colonel Rodney Walters is the Communications Secretary for The Salvation Army Australia.
Ania brings concerts to Salvos Stores
Every Saturday at the Taylors Lake Salvos Store in Melbourne, shoppers often find themselves doing a doubletake when entering its doors. For amid the clothing, crockery and collectibles, beautiful sounds resonate from multi-talented musician Ania Reynolds.
A gifted pianist and saxophonist, Ania treats customers to musical pieces of all sorts, turning an ordinary shopping trip into an unexpected delight.
Ania generously donates her time and talent each week to bring music “to those who may not have the means, access, or knowledge to attend musical or artistic performances”. For her, it should be a spontaneous encounter. That’s precisely why she chose Salvos Stores – safe, inclusive, warm, diverse spaces with a clear mission to build community.
– Steven Gutiérrez Restrepo
Crisis volunteers serve behind the scenes
Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) volunteers around the country regularly provide catering for first responders and those impacted by natural and other disasters. Their work includes immediate, short- and long-term support during and after floods, cyclones, storms, traffic accidents, police incidents and more.
SAES teams also regularly support community and outreach events.
Volunteers include people like Yvonne in Western Australia, who recently received an SAES award for her dedication, compassion, and tireless work serving communities in crisis across the state.
John and Michelle in South East Queensland love to be a positive and encouraging presence as they help cater for and talk to people facing loss, uncertainty, fear and exhaustion during an emergency.
Michelle and John serve coffee during Cyclone Alfred in February.
Volunteer Yvonne, centre, receives her SAES award.
Compassion and care in war-torn Ukraine
“The sky over my Kyiv 17 June. Thank God we are alive! But, unfortunately, not all Ukrainians met the dawn today.”
These are the words and images from Major Irina Shvab, who oversees The Salvation Army in Ukraine with Major Konstantyn Shvab, the morning after Kyiv experienced one of its worst Russian bombardments since the beginning of that nation’s full-scale war in 2022.
As Russian attacks in Ukraine continue to rage, cities across the country, including the capital, have been subjected to
The Salvos in Ukraine continue to meet and serve local communities, despite more than three years of war.
Kyiv was hit from multiple directions during the 17 June bombardment.
The sky above Kyiv on 17 June after a night of sustained Russian attacks.
increasingly sustained and intense missile and drone strikes. These have killed and injured tens of thousands of people, and destroyed apartment blocks, schools, playgrounds and other civilian infrastructure.
Despite this onslaught and the impacts of more than three years of full-scale war, Salvation Army staff and volunteers continue to serve local communities through regular Sunday services, Bible studies, youth and children’s activities, groups for the elderly, and, as (northern) summer begins, scouting
and camps. They strive to give children and youth particularly, as normal a life as possible.
Teams also provide vouchers, clothing and other essentials to locals and internally displaced people impacted by the war; psychological and emotional support; and a caring, hope-filled and actively compassionate, faith-filled presence.
The Salvation Army in Ukraine is also developing a range of partnerships with civic, faith and humanitarian organisations to increase their impact in communities across the country.
Popular space opera offers a parable for our times
by Anthony Castle
Andor Season 2 continues the thrilling Star Wars story of the first rebels who gather to fight against the fascist Galactic Empire.
Created by Tony Gilroy for the streaming service Disney+, Andor: A Star Wars Story is a prequel to the 2016 film Rogue One, which in turn is a prequel to the 1977 original Star Wars: A New Hope.
The eponymous lead, Cassian Andor, is played by Diego Luna, who also serves as executive producer, completing the character arc of the thief-turned-revolutionary.
Season 2 furthers the story’s timeline, set in the years leading up to the original Star Wars. Fans will recognise classic heroes like rebel leader Mon Mothma, a layered performance by Genevieve O’Reilly, and Princess Leia’s adoptive father Bail Organa, a role recast here with Benjamin Bratt.
Season 2 also continues the compelling exploration of its villains, detailing the naivety and ambition of imperial power couple Syril Karn and Dedra Meero, played by Kyle Soller and Denish Gough.
Andor’s premise dances between several genres: part science fiction, part spy thriller, and part dramatic tragedy.
People and politics
Star Wars creator George Lucas has often described the franchise as a modernday myth, offering guidance for younger viewers and those young at heart. Andor
is no children’s show, however. The first season saw Cassian Andor undergo a moral transformation after being targeted by police, falsely imprisoned, used for slave labour, and recruited by spymaster Luthen Rael, Stellan Skarsgård, to undermine the injustices of the Galactic Empire.
The series garnered praise and awards for its gritty depiction of people and politics. Those wanting the imaginative aliens, puppets, and youthful banter traditionally associated with the franchise might be surprised to find a nuanced exploration of the psychologies of fascism and resistance. Despite the more familyfriendly tone, the original Star Wars was deeply political, with the subtext of those films evocative of the struggle against the Third Reich, as well as a critique of oppressive empires, extending even to America’s own involvement in Vietnam.
Gilroy and the writers are aware of the franchise’s political legacy and have invoked moments from Russian and Haitian revolutions and the Nazi occupation of France, creating scenes eerily reminiscent of Tiananmen Square and Bloody Sunday as well.
Such gritty politicalisation of family entertainment might seem tiresome for some audiences, particularly in a time of polarised perspectives and politicised media, but Andor’s deft use of such complex topics is a point of difference.
Andor functions as a parable about what attracts people to power and why we strive for justice.
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor.
Denise Gough as Dedra Meero.
Andor as a parable
Parables use simple stories to explore complex ideas. The parables of Scripture don’t state their meaning directly but use symbols to explore larger truths. The metaphor of parable disarms the audience, inviting them to process the difficult and abstract ideas. Andor functions in the same way, as a parable about what attracts people to power and why we strive for justice.
Almost 50 years after the first film, Star Wars continues to offer its audiences guidance. In a time of populism and
polarisation, Andor offers more than just political noise.
While this series’ storytelling is never simplistic, the symbols of stormtroopers and spaceships invests its audience in experiences of incarceration, deportation, occupation, taxation, oppressive policing, and the limits of free speech.
While many audiences may watch, hoping to visit that familiar galaxy far, far away, many will be left wondering about the struggles of our own world, of our own time, and whether we play the role of hero or villain.
Photos courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd
Let’s go fly a kite
A lesson in grief, grace and perseverance
by Belinda Davis
In 2016, my husband and I spent the Easter weekend in Adelaide. I was still in the early stages of grieving the loss of my dad to cancer, and was trying to make sense of the world and what my ‘normal’ looked like now.
On the Monday, my husband suggested we check out the Semaphore International Kite Festival (pictured). I was a little underwhelmed by this idea, but kite flying was something my dad loved to do and to honour his memory, we went.
Parking was difficult, and we needed to walk a distance to where the festival was happening. As we approached the beach, we saw a couple of colourful shapes in the sky but nothing too spectacular. As we got closer we could see the ‘professional’ kite flyers separated to one side of Semaphore pier.
We walked out to the end of the pier and I noticed that on the ‘non-professional’ side, there were about 70 kites of varying shapes and colours soaring high on the breeze. After five minutes,
however, the few kites on the professional side were drifting to the ground.
The wind had changed both direction and velocity, and while the $15 kites were flying, the $1000 versions were lying limp on the shore.
Many in the crowd started to leave, and while that was a tempting option, we chose to hang around for a little while longer. On our way back from the end of the pier, things began to change.
Slowly, one by one, the professional kite flyers
were able to get their kites up in the air. As each new kite went up, others soon followed.
The sky was soon filled with an amazing array of colour and movement –a breathtaking sight. The public address announcer commented that on this, the last day of the festival, there had never been as many kites in the air as at that moment.
I stood watching those kites and thought fondly of my dad and his perseverance, particularly when we would attempt to fly kites. I shed tears of joy at precious memories, alongside the pangs of loss, that I could not share this moment with him by my side. I am pleased that we persevered on that day.
Not giving up
The Bible has much to say about the importance of perseverance, especially when things don’t appear to be going the way we would like. My go-to favourite verse is this:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James chapter 1, verses 2-4).
Perseverance is built when you are facing difficulty in some way and you do not give up. Despite the challenges, you continue to work, to hope, to wait,
to pray; and these choices increase maturity.
Imagine the blessing we would have missed had we not persevered at the festival. Imagine the disappointment if all the kite flyers had abandoned hope of getting their kites in the air.
I believe that God knew what I needed in that point of my grief journey and provided for me. I am so grateful for his gift of grace on that day, and the persistence of my husband in insisting we go.
What is it that you might need to persevere with?
Major Belinda Davis is a Salvation Army officer (pastor) and prison chaplain. She blogs at a-blessed-life.com
Alex Makes Meals
Cooking up change for vulnerable communities
by Lerisse Smith
“There is nothing more valuable than your energy.” This is the powerful motto that guides 25-year-old Alex Dekker every day in his busy life ... and it’s clearly working.
In the heart of Melbourne, his thriving food charity, Alex Makes Meals (AMM), pulses with energy and passion as his team prepares and delivers warm, nutritious meals to those in need, including the homeless, disadvantaged communities and struggling families across the city.
Each week, more than 3000 meals are distributed across over 50 diverse locations in Melbourne, including various Salvation Army sites, and the demand continues to increase. Local charities have requested an additional 10,000 meals per week from AMM, which relies on both practical and financial support to help reduce the waitlist.
“No individual, especially in a city as vibrant as
Alex, right, with one of his volunteers.
Melbourne, should face the uncertainty of their next meal,” said Alex.
“Hunger affects one’s ability to function both in daily tasks and socially. With financial support from the community, our organisation can donate meals, provide sustenance and hope to those in need.”
Some of Melbourne’s finest and well-known chefs volunteered to take part, including Matt Preston, Telina Menzies, Gary Mehigan, Alice Zaslavsky, Alessandro Luppolo, Ross Magnaye and Lee Dang.
The goal? To raise $100,000.
Alex, centre, and his highly valued volunteers celebrate 200,000 meals. The charity has now prepared and delivered close to one million meals!
Every dollar from the fivecourse dinner contributed to AMM’s mission: to bring comfort, security and resilience to vulnerable communities across Melbourne, including those supported by The Salvation Army.
Salvos connection Alex’s connection with the Salvos started with the Sunshine Salvos in Melbourne’s north-west, during the early days of COVID, when existing food relief systems were overwhelmed.
Since then, AMM has delivered hundreds of free meals to Salvos partners each week. Some of these meals stock community food pantries, and others are used to host community dinners.
Vital volunteers
“Beyond meals, we are a symbol of unity, illustrating that when a community comes together, no challenge is too great,” Alex remarked.
“We want people to explore our mission, share our vision, and help us ensure that hunger doesn’t stand in the way of a human’s potential.”
From job seekers and students to professionals, AMM unites more than 80 passionate volunteers. The roles can be varied and include delivery drivers, chefs, kitchen hands and critical behind-the-scenes players in marketing, legal, human relations and fundraising.
When it comes to the menu items, variety,
seasonality and taste are top priorities. The team cooks a wide variety of meals, around a dozen core recipes in regular rotation, and many more when counting seasonal specials. They also aim to cater for different tastes and dietary needs.
“People tell us that our meals feel home-cooked, which makes me so happy because that’s exactly what we’re going for,” Alex commented.
“Every person deserves to eat well, and we are very lucky to be a part of the solution.
“Every meal we serve is a chance to make someone’s day a little better.”
For more information on Alex Makes Meals, go to alexmakesmeals.com
�� Lamington slice
Ingredients
1 1/3 cups self-raising flour; 2 tbsp cocoa powder; 2/3 cup sugar; 125g butter, softened; 1 egg, lightly beaten; ½ cup raspberry jam (optional) Coconut topping: 2 egg whites; 2/3 cup caster sugar; 1 1/3 cups desiccated coconut Method
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease slice pan (18cm x 28cm).
Sift flour and cocoa into bowl. Stir in sugar. Add butter and egg into the centre; stir until well mixed. Press mixture into the base of the pan and bake for 20 minutes.
Topping: Lightly beat egg whites. Add sugar and coconut. Spread hot base with jam, then top with coconut mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool before cutting into squares.
Believe in Good: Tips
20 July – Space Exploration Day
“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place – what are mere mortals that you should think about them ... you crowned them with glory and honour,” Psalm 8, verse 3-5.
As we ponder on the night sky, think about the many things you’re grateful for and share them with those around you.
Quiz
1. What shape is the Milky Way?
2. How many planets are there in the solar system?
3. What is the largest planet in the solar system?
4. Which is the largest moon of Saturn?
5. Which planet orbits the sun four times in the time it takes the Earth to go around once?
6. What is the force which keeps the planets in orbit around the sun?
On this day
20 July, 1969
Apollo 11 lands on the moon, on the Sea of Tranquility, carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin who became the first humans to walk on the moon.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN MASTERS
Have a laugh
What is a spaceman’s favourite chocolate?
Why did the sun go to school?
How do you know when the moon has enough to eat?
Mars bar. To get brighter. When it is full.
What is an astronaut’s favourite key on the keyboard?
Why was the restaurant on the monn unpopular?
The space bar. Because there was no atmosphere.
�� Word search
Words are hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, forwards and backwards. Enjoy!
On which page of this week’s Salvos Magazine is Tum-Tum hiding?
Answers
is hiding amongst the kites on page 10.
Gravity
“His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine.”
Ephesians chapter 3, verse 20 Contemporary English Version
EVA BURROWS EVA BURROWS
The 2025 scholarship will be awarded to a female who has undertaken substantial paid or unpaid work in the delivery of the mission of The Salvation Army in the previous two years and is seeking support to develop their leadership capabilities.
A scholarship of up to $25,000 AUD, for study at Eva Burrows College or another institution, will be granted to a female who exhibits General Eva Burrows values of leadership and commitment to serving on the frontline.
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community.
Applications close 8 August 2025.
To find out more log on to: https://evaburrowscollege.edu.au/students/scholarships/australianleadership-scholarship-for-women/
