Lieutenant-Colonel Don Woodland awarded Order of the Founder
An Australia Eastern Territory Officer who has served those confronted by the trauma of war and natural disaster has been awarded the highest honour in The Salvation Army.
The award – The Order of the Founder – was presented to Lieutenant-Colonel Don Woodland by Commissioner James Condon, on behalf of General Linda Bond, at a South Queensland Division meeting held at Stafford Corps on Sunday.
The award recognises Lieut-Colonel Woodland’s years of tireless service as an Officer of The Salvation Army with special recognition for his ground breaking work in trauma management and counselling within the community.
Lieut-Colonel Woodland says he did not know of the award until the Commissioner called him to the Rostrum and was overwhelmed: “To be completely honest I was lost for words and never expected in my wildest dreams to be recognised in this way… it was nothing short of shock,” he said.
Commissioner Condon, while presenting the award said Salvationists had every reason to be proud of those who have received this award and Lieut-Colonel Don Woodland was no different.
“The Order of the Founder is an award for distinguished service, rendered in the spirit of Christ by an Officer or Soldier, such as would have been specially commended by the Founder,” Commissioner Condon said.
Lieut-Colonel Woodland married Bernice Arnold in the Salvation Army Citadel West End, Brisbane in March 1959 and the following year they both entered The Salvation Army Theological College, Sydney for training. They have been faithful servants of the Lord ever since.
His career has seen him stand by Australian troops during the Vietnam War, minister to emergency services personnel in a range of chaplaincy roles and work on the front-line at some ofAustralia’s biggest disasters including the Port Arthur Massacre and the Thredbo Landslide.
Lieut-Colonel Woodland has been the recipient of other awards and honours, including in 1990 the Order of Australia Medal for Service to the Community through the NSW Fire Brigades; in 1991 was honoured with the Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Hurstville; in June 1997 the Rotary International award of The Sapphire Pin again by the Hurstville Rotary Club; and in May 1998 he was awarded Rotary’s International ‘Service Above Self’ having been nominated by the Rotary Club of Canberra.
Report by Matthew Samson.
Photo: Lieutenant Colonel Don Woodland and wife Bernice after receiving the Order of the Founder – the highest honour in The Salvation Army. (Photo: Shairon Paterson)
Comments
Congratulations to Don Woodland. And, congratulations to those who nominated him..
I'm sure the Founder would be very well pleased to see such a worthy recipient, whose dedication, compassion and service to humanity has covered so many "Battlefields!" A man after the heart of William Booth himaself, and a great example to young officers, of selfless service and love for people in crisis and need.
God Bless you and Bernice, Don.
Brian watters
I want to congratulate my "Little" Brother Donald. I used to kick him around the house in Bexley...........If I had known that he would become such a distinguished and honored man, I would have treated him with little more respect !
We have followed his "Career", and,in our minds, no one is more deserving of the recognition he has received ! But, no man can achieve as much as Don has, without a great 'backup' team. A wonderful Wife, and a truly stunning family !..I'm proud to be his Brother.
Love from the Canadian Woodlands.Howard(Buster)and Jutta
It does not seem 60 years since I had the privilege of working with Mrs Colonel Jessop, with a group of Corps Cadets at West End, two of those being Don Woodland and Bernice Arnold. I was a Probationary Lieutenant, stationed in a Social facility, and I was accepted by these young people. I did remind them, along with three other sets of now Colonels and a Commissioner, that they would not amount to anything, if they did not get their Corps Cadet lessons completed!!!! Congratulations, Don and Bernice. You have deserved every accolade. OUr paths have crossed often, and the joy of working with you both is without question, in Corps, and later years Karl and I were part of your team when emergencies arose...even when Bernice and I would not know where you were at times. God bles you both. You are loved. Elva.
I absolutely approve. The stories of the lives of these two special people should be shouted from the roof-tops.
I am so happpy to learn that Lieut. Colonel Don Woodland has received this award. He helped so many of us after the Port Arthur Massacre. This help has been ongoing from both he and Bernice and they are now on our list of treasured friends. Congratulations Don.
Great news! The award to Don Woodland is truly deserved and we send our sincere congratulations. Blessings upon you both, Don and Bernice!
cheers
Hi Don: This is a well-deserved honour for you. Best wishes from a fellow Session-mate at ICO in 1986. You both are keeping well. Regards, Ray.
congratulations Don and Bernice at your receipt of The Order of Founder..
Brings back fond memories of your association and service to the members of the nsw fire brigades and those less fortunate at a time of need ..YOUR THOUGHTS WORDS ACTIONS AND DEEDS where much appreciated...congratulations john burn
Congratulations Don. The regiment (10 Terminal Regiment 1978) salutes you for an honour well deserved.
Mr Woodland , I have just tonight finished reading your book "Picking up the Pieces" .I lost my beautiful brother Lance -Corporal Robert Power ( my bob) who was conscripted to Vietnam on the 8th March 1970. I will never get over the Monday morning when I saw the army officer and the chaplain arrive at our home to tell us and the memory still hurts and haunts me to this day forty seven years later. I felt so sorry for these poor souls who had to break the news and although numb, could only think to make them both a cup of tea to try to ease their pain. You will never know how much your words in this book have helped me . I have only attended the last three Anzac services only because our best friend Garry Murray, who,is so much like you and an Anzac Vet has been begging me to come as he organises the proceedings and if I could get out of going without hurting him I would as the pain listening to the Last Post is as real as the day of my Brothers funeral. Every chapter of your book has helped me to understand why I feel as I do. Two men who were with my brother in th 6th Battalian have been trying to contact me after all these years, why I do,not know. I feel so guilty as I can't reply even though it might give them closure, as I can't relive that pain again. Selfish I know but it is what it is.Thank you so much for your beautifully written, confronting story of,your life. I am not a religious person, but I think a spiritual person who believes in a life after death as I have been lucky enough to have proof of my brothers spirit still with me. If the story about angels walking and working on this Earth I am sure you are one of them. God must be so proud of you. Many thanks again for the peace I am feeling. A little more than I had before I read your book. Mrs. Diane Fowler