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Maitland rises to the occasion

6 August 2015
Maitland rises to the occasion

It is often said that The Salvation Army has a ministry of presence – of “being there” in times of need. As the Army celebrates its 150th year, LAUREN MARTIN takes a look at the way one corps has extended a helping hand to those in need throughout its history. 

The Salvation Army’s Maitland Corps, in the NSW Hunter Valley, has been around since 1883, establishing itself just three years after the Army laid its foundations in Adelaide. Set on the banks of the flood-prone Hunter River, corps officers and salvationists from Maitland have been providing emergency support for more than 130 years. 

One of the earliest records of assistance was during the 1893 flood. In his book, With a Smile and a Cuppa, Garth Hentzschel records that The Salvation Army barracks was used to house and feed those stranded by the floodwaters. Two years later, when the river again broke its banks, The Salvation Army’s doors were opened to those in need. 

Another Salvation Army history book, Booth’s Drum, The Salvation Army in Australia: 1880-1980, records that in the 1949 floods: “Officers and soldiers waded through waist-high, icy-cold water to rescue stranded families. People were housed in the Army hall and quarters and clothing was distributed. Soldiers took over the corps meetings to allow the officers to concentrate on relief work. Coppers of hot soup were kept simmering at the Maitland Salvation Army quarters for delivery to the homes of people busy in the clean-up operation.” 

The corps once again rose to the occasion in 1955 when torrential rains throughout the state caused most river systems to flood, with Maitland being one of the worst-affected areas. Salvation Army officers from as far as Uralla and Wauchope were called in to assist. 

In his book With a Smile and a Cuppa, Garth R Hentzschel records: “When the flood waters subsided, Salvation Army officers … and soldiers, toured the streets to feed local people cleaning the layers of mud from their homes, and organised miners to aid with the clean up”. 

The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) was officially born in 1980, after a decade of emergency service work being coordinated through the Red Shield Defence Services. It's estimated that The Salvation Army in Australia responds, on average, to at least one emergency every day of the year. It provides assistance with refreshments, meals, clothing, financial aid, accommodation, emergency shelters, counselling and responsible referral. 

In Maitland, the response to floods and other natural disasters in the area has always been out of a desire to demonstrate the love of God to others, epitomising The Salvation Army’s ethos: Heart to God and Hand to Man. 

Earlier this year, Maitland Salvationists were busy again, this time responding to the devastating storms which hit the Hunter region in April, destroying buildings and caused severe flooding. Noeleen Milburn, from the Maitland Salvation Army Emergency Services team, says she and her husband felt called to join the SAES and love the ministry and opportunities it brings to connect with people: “We have seen a lot and been to a lot of places during times of devastation, and been able to help people and speak to them when they were at their lowest. ”

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The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring the provision of safe and inclusive environments for children, young people and vulnerable people where they feel respected, safe, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation.