High-achieving Salvos awarded for their efforts on Australia Day
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
Salvationists, volunteers and supporters of The Salvation Army across Australia have been recognised for their contributions to their communities and the nation with Australia Day awards.
Each year, the Australian Federal Government and regional councils award individuals and organisations that have greatly contributed to the community with their skills, time or other resources. This year, several Salvation Army staff and volunteers were recognised, and one corps was awarded for its community efforts.
In South Australia, Riverside Corps Officer Major Darren Dwyer was recognised as Gawler’s Citizen of the Year for tireless efforts to the Gawler community, especially in homelessness support. You can read more about Darren here.
Also, in South Australia, Playford Corps was awarded Community Group or Initiative of the Year by the City of Playford for consistently providing gifts to families in need at Christmas. Over 300 families received support from the corps during the 2024 Christmas period and more throughout the year, and The Salvation Army Playford was congratulated for its far-reaching support across the city.
Queensland land developer and Salvation Army philanthropist Bill Moorhead was recognised by Bundaberg Regional Council as Citizen of the Year for his dedication to the Bundaberg region.
Bill’s work with The Salvation Army Bundaberg has been ongoing for the “best part of 20 years”, according to Corps Officer Major Chris Millard.
“He’s one of our biggest advocates for us here in town; he’s amazing,” Chris said of Bill. Chris said Bill was heavily involved with recovery efforts by the corps following the Burnett River flooding in 2010-11 and established the Bundaberg Business Lunch for the Red Shield Appeal.
“He helped us take [The Red Shield Appeal] to a different level,” Chris said. “So, we don’t do a doorknock anymore. We try to raise all of our money through [the] lunch. We try to get businesses to help support us, and he’s the big driving force for that because he knows everybody.”
Bill also supports many other community organisations in the area and is heavily involved in local sports and sustainability initiatives.
In New South Wales, Captains Philip and Donna Sutcliffe from Northern Rivers Salvation Army also received a nomination for an Australia Day award from the Lismore City Council.
“We love working in this community,” Philip said. “We are humbled that someone would put our name forward for this award. We do what we do because we love Jesus and love serving the people here in the Northern Rivers.”
Also in NSW, Princess Delany was named Bayside Council’s Young Citizen of the Year for her community work with the Hurstville Salvation Army, as well as her involvement in the NSW Youth Parliament Program.
Hurstville Salvation Army Team Leader Major Judith Soeters stated that as a dedicated Salvationist, Princess had been involved in the youth group, songsters, and children’s ministry. She also participated in Carols in the Domain as part of The Salvation Army choir and helped with the Red Shield Appeal.
From Tarrawanna Salvation Army Corps in Wollongong, New South Wales, Jurni Young was awarded a Rising Star Award by the City of Wollongong for her community efforts. Jurni serves as a volunteer in the Kids in the Kitchen program, as well as the Red Shield Appeal. She is also undertaking a cadetship through St John Ambulance.
Salvation Army philanthropists were also recognised with Medals of the Order of Australia. These included Ms Peta Lorraine Freeman OAM in Western Australia and Mr Gerald Leslie Snowden OAM in New South Wales. The late Mr Peter Thomas Smith OAM, former collection organiser for the Red Shield Appeal in the Strathfield zone of NSW, was also recognised posthumously for his service to the community of Inner West Sydney.
Mr Russell Donald Postle AM was also awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to community health, the accountancy profession and the community. He was once the coordinator of the former New Farm branch of the Salvation Army during the Red Shield Appeal.
We have made every effort to mention everyone who received awards on Australia Day, but please let us know if we have missed anyone by emailing me at kirra.nicolle@salvationarmy.org.au
This post was updated on 7 February to include Jurni Young.
