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Salvos honoured at Australia Day ceremony

7 February 2012


Photo: Major Bruce Dobbie with Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Gwen Hammerton, from Innisfail Salvation Army, and Major Bruce Dobbie, the Director of Mission, and Chaplain: Riverview Gardens Aged Care Services, each received a National Emergency Medal at a special Australia Day ceremony at Parliament House, Canberra, on 26 January. Both Gwen and Major Dobbie were recognised for their tireless work during Queensland’s summer of natural disasters in 2011.

Gwen, who led the Salvation Army Innisfail Emergency Services Team at the time of Cyclone Yasi, and her team, were the first volunteers to reach Tully in central north Queensland after the cyclone had devastated the area. Gwen coordinated initial relief efforts – feeding stranded residents, holiday-makers and emergency services personnel. Other Salvation Army emergency services teams arrived from Atherton and Cairns to help as the needs of the community rapidly increased.

After the initial disaster relief, Gwen and others worked on the Cassowary Coast visiting people in their homes, distributing aid and offering emotional support.

Major Bruce Dobbie, then Ipswich Corp Officer, coordinated The Salvation Army’s relief efforts in the city during the devastating floods in January. Major Dobbie, his wife Major Margaret Dobbie, and a team of volunteers fed 12,000 meals to victims of the disaster and other emergency services personnel.

“We were going 24/7 and it was a massive team effort,” said Major Dobbie. "We had people coming in at midnight and working through till 6am, and teams of volunteers from all over Queensland and parts of NSW coming to help."


Photo: Gwen Hammerton of Innisfail Corps with Prime Minister Julia Gillard

Gwen emphasised that the medals definitely represent a team effort. 

“I feel honoured that I’ve been selected but I feel very humbled at the same time,” she said. “I want to share the award with everyone who worked alongside me – We wouldn’t have accomplished anything without everyone’s help.”

Major Dobbie agreed. “It’s a humbling experience,” he said. “I will accept the award but I accept it on behalf of all of the people who were around me during the crisis. It was a team effort.”

Story: Simone Worthing

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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.

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