Feature | SAGALA SAGALA is thriving in the NSW central west town of Dubbo with both the Legion and Guard sections attracting many children. (Bottom left) Dubbo Corps Officers Majors Colin and Kate Young with their son James. Photos: Shairon Paterson
15, will also join the Dubbo group as they fly across the other side of the world to meet other SAGALA enthusiasts around the world. Also, Thomas Hatton, 16, from Deniliquin Corps will be tagging along with the Dubbo crew to Jamboree.
Community investment
For roughly 25 years, on and off, Dubbo Corps has run a SAGALA group from their corps. Having seen members come and go, Major
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Young says he has witnessed exceptional growth in the group over the past five years. Owing the success of SAGALA to its current leaders, the group has grown purely by word of mouth. “We’ve had good leadership – leaders who have taken complete responsibility for it. They invest in the kids and follow them up. They also invest in the parents and follow up them as well,” says Major Young. There are a number of large
families who attend SAGALA, including Alan’s family, which includes 10 children, and a majority of the families are from Dubbo Corps or other churches within their local community. “We’re investing in the community as a whole, not just this little corner [referring to their corps],” says Major Young. While most corps have six SAGALA groups (Moonbeams, Explorers, Sunbeams, Adventurers, Guards and Rangers) to divide age