Bairnsdale needs Salvation!
With there being Salvation Army Corps, offices and relief centres across 116 countries today, why is it that Bairnsdale lacks in funding and facilities for such a valuable organisation?
To the public eye, The Salvation Army helps the people in need: the neglected, the homeless and the abused. But behind the scenes there is a lot more happening:
- Social work
- Welfare work
- Responding to disasters and providing relief
- Church work
- Age care
- Pastoral care (counselling)
- Child/adolescent care
- Bands and choirs
- Soup kitchens
Refuge work and naval/defence force work are just some of the many areas that the Salvos work in.
The history of the Salvos
Originally called The Christian Mission, The Salvation Army was started in 1878 by a man called William Booth and his wife Catherine. In those times, woman didn't have the same rights as men, so Catherine - being a gifted public speaker - was a pioneer of her time.
William set out to begin helping the homeless by giving them a place to sleep and some food to eat. He then began helping in disaster-affected areas. For example, helping the people flooded by the Tennessee River, otherwise known as the Submerged 10th.
William didn't believe in forcing his religion on other people, instead using the church's influence to provide relief to those in need. It wasn't long until other people became involved, and today The Salvation Army shield is one of the most recognised logos in the world.
Structure of the Salvos
There are six levels of command in The Salvation Army Corps:
- Officer
- Divisional Officer
- Divisional Commander
- Territorial Commander
- Region Commander
- General
The General is the highest ranking, and he/she travels the world, often based in London. Cadets are trained over a period of two years at a tertiary level and they are given duties of their own to do.
So many opportunities arise from getting involved with The Salvation Army (for example, being able to go to other countries to help the severely disadvantaged). After just five years of training you could be sent off to a language school, and then the world! Or, maybe you would rather work in the famous 614 Corp in Melbourne, helping the abused and forgotten get back on their feet, or just listening to some of the stories that they would like to share.
The Salvos in Bairnsdale
So what is available in Bairnsdale? There is a relief centre in McCloud Street, and there is our well-known opportunity shop, but there still isn't anything in regards to offices and housing.
We need more help for people who need a place to sleep or eat. We need more funding to set up training programmes to support this worthy cause. So next time you hear a rattling tin, don't shy away or pretend you're busy. Help them out so that they can help us!
Articles Written by Melody
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