volume 7 number 37 10 October 2026
salvosonline.org.au print post approved PP100001474
Silence in the city
Nurturing your soul in the busyness of life
4 The power of connection
6 Creating positive change
12 The drive that changed a life
Community is vital for our mental health
Celebrating World Op Shop Day
Chaplains bring hope during drought
“A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden.” - Unknown
10 October 2026
Editorial 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.
Scan here to connect with The Salvation Army services
Scan here to subscribe to Salvos Magazine
Community counts Mental Health Week Australia 2026 takes place 3-11 October, with 10 October being World Mental Health Day. The week aims to raise awareness about mental health, promote positive connections and encourage people to seek help if needed. This edition features articles on some of the ways we can stay mentally healthy, focusing on the importance of taking time in this busy world to “nurture your soul”, slow down, rest, and just ‘be’. We also explore some of the concerns in our communities that impact people’s mental health and wellbeing – including scams, the fear of natural disasters and cost of living – and some ways to address them. Our beautiful rural chaplains also share with us how listening and being present help reduce worry and a sense of isolation for those impacted by severe droughts in remote places.
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
Our mental health is vital to our wellbeing; let’s do what we can to stay connected to ourselves and others and get the help we need when we need it.
Enquiry email: publications@salvationarmy.org.au All other Salvation Army enquiries 13 72 58
For these stories and more, go to salvosonline.org.au
Press date: 18 September 2026 Printed and published for The Salvation Army by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas at Focus Print Group, Chester Hill, NSW, Darug Nation lands.
Simone Worthing Editor 3
Feature
Salvos Magazine
The power of connection Finding safe and meaningful community is vital for our mental health
World Mental Health Month is observed each year in October. It recognises that, while life can often feel overwhelming, connection remains one of the most powerful ways to support our mental health and wellbeing. This is especially important today, when one in five Australians are currently suffering from a mental illness. And these days, life can feel like a lot. Global conflict and turbulence, the rising cost of living and constant change are leaving many of us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. It seems harder to find common ground or stay connected to what we share, harder to find community and a safe space to belong. And it’s taking a toll on our mental health. At our core, our needs remain the same – to feel safe, understood and to know we matter. 4
This year, the theme for Mental Health Month and World Mental Health Day (10 October) is ‘Together we Thrive’. Everyday connections When we come together – through small, everyday moments of care, kindness, conversation and connection – we can help each other to truly thrive. World Mental Health Month is an important time to raise awareness of mental health, reduce stigma, mobilise efforts in support of mental health and encourage people to seek support when they need it. It’s also an opportunity to pause, check in with ourselves and those around us, and reflect on how we can look after our own mental health and wellbeing. Mental Health Australia notes: “While we lead the Australian campaign, the official 2026 World Mental Health Day theme is set by the World Federation for Mental
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Health. This year, the global theme is ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change’”. Our communities Whether at home, at work, at school, in the community or online, this Mental Health Month we’re encouraging everyone to start conversations, share their stories and strengthen the connections that help us thrive. Connecting with our communities – the people and places where we feel safe, seen and heard – can help us feel cared for and supported, which is good for our mental health. Connections can include: • • • • •
Friends, loved ones, your mob Multicultural centre Local church or faith community Community choir, garden or book club Parkrun or walking group
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• Local volunteer group • Time alone for reflection or regrouping. Statistics at a glance In the 12-month period to 13 August 2026, an estimated: • 1 in 5 Australians aged 16–85 (22 per cent, or 4.3 million) experienced a mental disorder. • 17 per cent of Australians experienced an anxiety disorder • 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 4–17 years experienced a mental illness. (aihw.gov.au) Scan here for more information, resources and support. 5
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Salvos Magazine
CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE Celebrating Salvos Stores on World Op Shop Day
Saturday 17 October 2026 marks just the second year of World Op Shop Day. Did you know that the concept of op shops, or ‘opportunity shops’, has been around for over a century in Australia? Long before the term ‘circular economy’ became popular, The Salvation Army was already pioneering sustainable practices. The first Salvation Army recycling depots in Melbourne and Sydney opened in 1883, providing work, accommodation and food for men leaving prison. Items were repaired, sorted and sold to help with running costs. ‘Jumble Sales’ (essentially early versions of op shops) allowed families to access low-cost clothing when they needed it most. One remarkable example is The Anchorage Hostel in Abbotsford, Victoria, where items were repaired and repurposed into new garments or woven into mats for local businesses. These initiatives laid the foundation for what we now recognise as circular economy thinking – extending the life of goods through reuse, recycling and repurposing. 6
Call to action World Op Shop Day is more than just a celebration; it’s a call to action. Op shops play a crucial role in reducing waste, supporting those in need, and funding essential community and welfare programs. Each year, more than 40 million items are diverted from landfill through the resale and recycling undertaken by Salvos Stores, and in the past 25 years, this has accumulated into 575 million kilograms of textiles, electronics and home goods that would have otherwise become waste. But it’s not just about protecting our environment. “What I think is really special about op shops is that they’ve really become part of the fabric of Australian society,” said Sarah Knop, Salvos Stores’ General Manager of Customer and Strategy. “They are not just about being an income source for charities. They are a really vital community hub where Australians from all walks of life can belong and find purpose … op shops are also a great way
Feature to contribute to a meaningful cause by generously giving your time and your valuable donations.” At the heart of every store is the desire to make sure that everyone who walks through the doors feels welcome, connected and part of something bigger. “We really want to offer a welcoming environment where people know that every purchase they make, donation they give, or hour they spend volunteering helps people and the planet,” Sarah added. New initiatives As op shops have evolved over the decades, so, too, have the Salvos, from rethinking store layouts and how goods are displayed, to setting up an online store. Customers can purchase a wide range of clothing, accessories and collectables via the Salvos Stores e-commerce platform at salvosstores. com.au/shop. Today, with more than 400 store locations, Salvos Stores remain sustainability powerhouses. Supported
10 October 2026 by the Queensland government, they have also installed Australia’s first automated textile sorting and decommissioning facility. The cuttingedge facility processes donations for resale, and non-resellable items are processed by colour and fibre type and then cut down into high-quality textile swatches for future recycling. “It is a really exciting Australian-first initiative,” Sarah remarked. “We are proud to provide ways for Australians to participate in the circular economy – and we are always working to deliver better sustainability solutions for those items that can’t be resold in our stores. “We want to celebrate the power of second-hand,” said Sarah. “Whether people are donating, shopping or volunteering, their involvement helps create positive change. By supporting op shops, they are not only helping to deliver the life-changing programs of The Salvation Army but also championing a more sustainable future.”
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News
Salvos Magazine
Scams can catch anyone Many of us have a scam story we can share – our own, or someone else’s. To help protect our mental health and emotional wellbeing, it’s important to talk openly about scams and how to stay safe. Scams abound in our local, national and international communities. And now, with generative AI (artificial intelligence), scammers are getting even more sophisticated with their fake websites and social media ads.
“I often hear ‘I’ll never get caught by a scam,’ but almost anyone can get caught by a scam. Don’t feel alone. If you speak to the people in your community, you’ll see how many have been trapped by a scam … even I have! – Mandy, Moneycare
In the last financial year, ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) removed more than 19,400 online scams.
“If something feels off, secretive or uncomfortable – it probably is. Trust your instincts.” – Jeff, Moneycare
We can no longer rely on spelling mistakes, unknown phone numbers or email addresses to spot a scam.
(scamwatch.gov.au). This site also has lots of helpful information on scams.
Many scams look almost identical to communication from a real organisation, including the same logo and contact details.
If a scam is causing you money stress, you can speak to a Salvation Army Moneycare financial counsellor. This is a free and confidential service to help you get your finances back on track.
Scammers will try to make it sound urgent to pressure you to act quickly. If you feel pressured to act quickly, this is the biggest warning sign. Stop and check. First response If you think you've been scammed, contact your bank. Most banks have special numbers to call if you think you’ve been scammed. If possible, go to your local branch and make sure you're phoning the correct number. Don't click on any links or the numbers provided. After ensuring your accounts are secure, you can report the scam to ScamWatch 8
Being scammed can take a toll on your emotional wellbeing. If you need someone to talk to (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), contact: Lifeline 13 11 14 or the online Crisis Support Chat at lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au Scan here for information and support from The Salvation Army’s Moneycare.
News
10 October 2026
Salvos prepare for high-risk weather Major Bindy Lupis, Senior Program Manager for The Salvation Army Emergency Services, recently represented the Salvos at the National Preparedness Higher Risk Weather Season Summit in Canberra. “During the 2025-26 financial year, Australia experienced 76 declared disasters. Behind every declaration are communities disrupted, livelihoods impacted, and people facing uncertainty and loss,” Bindy shared. “For The Salvation Army, disasters are not just an emergency services issue. They can affect every part of our mission and ministry, including our corps (churches), centres, social services, infrastructure, communications, service delivery and, most importantly, the people we walk alongside every day. “As we look ahead to 2026-27, an important question for all of us is: How prepared are we? Preparedness is not
just about responding when disaster strikes. It's about building resilience beforehand so that we can continue serving communities, supporting one another, and delivering on our mission when people need us most.” Scan here for more information on being prepared for emergencies.
Community award for WA Salvos The Salvation Army in Western Australia was recently recognised by the City of Rockingham with an award for their contributions to the community.
2025. While some teams responded physically by attending the fire, others, such as the Rockingham Salvos, managed donations to the fire response efforts.
The City of Rockingham awarded the Mayor’s Recognition Award to The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) and the Centre of Hope in Rockingham who received the award on behalf of the teams who responded to the Warnbro bushfire in late December
The awards were given at the Advisory and Emergency Services Volunteer Appreciation event on 22 July. Staff at the Rockingham Salvos wrote on their Facebook page that they were deeply grateful for the courage, sacrifice and service of the region’s volunteers. 9
Faith Talk
Silence in the city Nurturing your soul in the busyness of life by Jo-anne Brown
It’s peculiar really, a silent retreat in the middle of the city – in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, to be exact. A space and time to let go of everyday activity and be silent, to let my spirit breathe and recover. Six days of silence, literally surrounded by trucks, trains, traffic, planes and voices. And endless sirens, day and night. My mind is equally as loud, thinking of the very full weeks ahead and wondering at the wisdom of coming away right now when I could be getting so much done if I was working. And yet here I am. My attention is drawn to a beautiful, sturdy cumquat tree, covered with deep orange fruit, growing on the rooftop garden. It’s set against a backdrop of high-rise concrete blocks and the growl of constant traffic. And yet here it flourishes. Resilience It doesn’t seem to be impacted by pollution or noise – its leaves are healthy, dark green and abundant; the deep golden fruit are luscious, and the trunk is strong and mature. As I gaze around this beautiful garden, overlooking the busy streets, one thing is clear: the gardener loves this garden! Moisture drips from plants freshly watered. Vibrant
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Salvos Magazine crown-of-thorn plants flourish in the sun. Mint, parsley and other herbs are in just the right spots for their needs. Yes, this garden is well-tended so that the ear-jarring city landscape has no adverse effect. The plants are nourished with the right amount of water, sunlight and fertiliser so they can flourish and provide an oasis of beauty and rest – smack bang in the city! More than anything, however, it’s the cumquat tree that whispers to me: just be. Be here. Be still. Breathe. Nurture your soul. The world will continue to turn. Your work will wait. Let yourself be nourished in this oasis … so that when you leave here, you will be fresh and fruitful. Quieten the noise While you give yourself time to rest and be still, there is much going on that you might not be aware of: seeds are sprouting, sap is flowing, inspiration is breathing, getting ready to burst forth. How do I know the cumquat tree is telling me all this? Perhaps it’s just common sense that somewhere deep inside me, I actually know. Perhaps I do know that sometimes I need to slow down my thinking and quieten the noise in my head so that deeper knowing can find its way to the surface. Experience has shown me that laying down tools for now allows something to sprout that needs time to come to fruition. Perhaps all the ideas that will be put onto paper and put into action next month just need to
10 October 2026
Faith Talk
The garden flourishes, despite city noise and pollution.
find their roots and germinate so it will all flourish at the right time. I’m grateful for this time to be here and to be still. I can rest in the knowledge that doing nothing is not ‘nothing’ – as I choose to rest my busy thoughts and problemsolving approach, I feel space growing in my soul for creativity and imagination. This is good soil for the fruitfulness to come. I pluck a bright orange cumquat from the tree and pop it in my mouth. There is a burst of sweetness as I bite into the peel, then the tangy tartness of the flesh takes over. Yes, this cumquat tree is doing a great job of producing cumquats!
Words of wisdom
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46, verse 10 “In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah chapter 30, verse 15 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23, verses 2-3 “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark chapter 6, verse 31
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My Story
The drive that changed a life Chaplains bring hope to drought-affected communities
This story contains some content that may disturb some readers, including references to suicidal ideation. In rural Central West NSW, drought, isolation and uncertainty can place enormous pressure on farming families. But alongside those challenges are stories of generosity, resilience and community. The Salvos’ Rural and Remote Chaplains, Majors Di and Rusty Lawson, are walking alongside rural communities, offering practical help, friendship and hope when it’s needed most. “We drove down a driveway we had never been down before,” said Rusty. “As we were driving down, old mate was walking from the house over to the shed. “And he looked at us and he saw the [Salvos] vehicle, and [I] got out and introduced myself and who we were. “He said, ‘Well, you better come and meet the Missus.’ So we went, we had a cup of tea, we sat around the table on the veranda and talked for a couple of hours about how things were on the farm, and it was pretty dire. They were in a lot of debt because of the drought. “We visited them another time several months later and he said to me, ‘You know that day you drove down my driveway? On that day, I was walking to the shed to load the gun.’ And I felt so humbled that God had led us down that driveway that day. 12
Salvos Magazine “And he said, ‘You saved my life because someone cared.’ Isolation and exhaustion “Isolation for most people in good times is not an issue because things are going well, they're not having to hand-feed stock every day,” said Rusty. “So, they've got a little bit of time to take a day off and go to town and mix with other people. “But when times are hard and someone needs to be on the farm every day, then that sense of isolation leads them to feeling alone. It becomes an exhausting mental process to do day-to-day living sometimes.” Di remembers her first meeting with cattle farmer Donna. “They had a set of cattle yards, but there was a part broken where Donna didn't feel safe working with the animals. “So, I said, ‘Go and get it fixed, we'll fix up the bill for you.’ She then felt safe to work with the cattle and they could continue their business.” Because the whole summer was very dry, Donna and her husband Brian had to mix feed, grain and straw or hay to be able to feed their cattle. Brian said they were “de-stocking a little”. They have now nearly halved their stock of cattle. “People are having to make decisions to sell stock or buy feed. The whole lot is very difficult,” said Donna. Getting together To keep connected during the droughts, Donna and other farm women started doing ‘drought drinks’, getting together for a cup of tea or a cold drink. “It was more an excuse for the girls to get together,” said Donna.
My Story
10 October 2026
Majors Di and Rusty Lawson (top photo, centre) work with impacted families in droughtravaged communities in rural Central West NSW. Photos courtesy Karizza Javier.
That inspired the men to do the same. “When you're feeding stock and that's all you're doing all day and you don't see anyone else … you knock off, go to bed, get up, do the same thing again tomorrow,” Brian explained. “And so, someone coming around to, you know, just have a yarn … with Di and Rusty coming to those sorts of things, they get to meet people and then people get more comfortable. Yeah, they're just there to listen. “To me, it's like, yeah, they're not chaplains. We're friends now.”
“I just think, well, you've got to have the ups and downs,” said Donna, “Because I suppose that's when you find some of the special people in your life.” If you need help For threats to life and emergencies: 000 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Rural Aid: 1300 327 624 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 13
Taste of Life
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Mushroom risotto
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Salvos Magazine
Quiz
1. In 2008, who created an almond and roquefort sourdough recipe that was said to be the most expensive bread in Britain? 2. Which thin, unleavened flatbread, made from finely ground corn, is a staple of Mexico?
Ingredients 1 tsp oil; 1 onion, chopped; 300g rice; 1 garlic clove, crushed; 200g mushrooms, sliced; 900ml hot vegetable stock; 75g frozen peas, thawed. Method Heat oil in large frying pan. Cook the onions on medium to high and heat for 1 minute. Lower heat and add rice, stirring for 2 minutes. Add garlic and mushrooms, pour in half the stock and mix everything well. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring often, and adding small amounts of stock until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Rice should have a creamy texture. Mix through peas for 2 minutes and serve.
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Believe in Good: Tips
“How we treat other people changes them, but even more so, how we treat other people changes us.” – Bryant McGill 14
3. Which type of bread is made by the fermentation of dough using naturally occurring lactobacilli and yeast? 4. Which heavy, slightly sweet rye bread is associated with Germany? 5. What invention by John Montagu was a good thing for bakers?
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Did you know?
Mushrooms belong to their own class of fungi and are more closely related to animals than to plants. They absorb nutrients from organic matter. Some mushrooms can glow in the dark and some are carnivorous. Some grow more after being struck by lightning.
Take Five
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Have a laugh
Why couldn’t the dog see the psychiatrist? He wasn’t allowed on the couch Why did the crab refuse to share? Because he’s shellfish What do you call a lazy joey? A pouch potato What do you call a sleeping bull? A bulldozer Why did the lion eat the tightrope walker? He wanted a wellbalanced meal
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Tum-Tum
Word search
K WI G A R D E N M D P Y M L A F P D H Z X S O Q V V P Q I T R V A J P K R A B Y WE T I U B I P E G K O I C A N O M N M N R M E F E F N D Z G Z N L E WT A A E J V E N S M I M T P X T T E I T E G N C M I Y P G T N U S L R O E A R X C E P H G C I E L R I WQ U U O N N H L T C D A E E S L S A O N J M P U A I A C I K R N Q G T E Y T C U G B K P N N M C O R A I R N E C O D O E T I E E C G M O N G I C E X K T P T Q WO N E H E P E S B C N A L X K R R E S E T G P J B B R T D K A L I I J I L K U T Z E P Z V X P J A H G S A M O C WE I B X S A N A I L S H J E R B D M A H K H R E P A I R S X K WG P H L F V L T H A N D Y M A N Y E S O Q G O E X I I N S T A L L B G P E K T WU E B I O Z X I B T Y L B C O L D Y K U K U P R E V E N T P A B I N G Z L Z X C P D P A T C H Q E Y V H P B K Z O V K F P R
Words are hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, forwards and backwards. Enjoy!
On which page of this week’s Salvos Magazine is Tum-Tum hiding?
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10 October 2026
Answers
Cleaning Damage Drainage Electrical Garden Grout Hammer Handyman
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Install Maintenance Mechanical Nails Patch Plumbing Prevent Protection
Reliable Repair Replace Reset Service Setup Testing Upkeep
Bible byte
“When I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure.” Psalm 94, verse 19 Contemporary English Version 15
Tum-Tum: is peeking out over the top of the Salvos Stores truck on page 7. Quiz: 1. Paul Hollywood 2. Tortilla 3. Sourdough bread 4. Pumpernickel 5. The sandwich (Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich)
WORLD OP SHOP DAY
20% OFF
ONE DAY ONLY
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER Terms & Conditions: 20% discount applies to donated product only, excludes new products. Offer is available in-stores only, on Saturday 17th October 2026. Cannot be used in-conjunction with any other offer. Visit salvosstores.com.au for further information.