The Salvation Army puts on a show for Canberra residents
Inside the marquee of the Salvation Army display at the Canberra Show. (Photo by Julie Alley)
The wet weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who visited The Salvation Army’s display weekend at the annual Royal Canberra Show on the weekend.
The show, which ran from 22-24 February, was the sixth consecutive year that The Salvation Army had a display. And this year the Army was again judged the Best Community/Non-Profit Organisation Display winner.
There were a number of events in the Army’s marquee including a Salvo Stores Fashion Parade and entertainment by the Nambucca River Corps’ Salvo Country Band and the Tuggeranong Corps band.
Children’s magazine Kidzone had an area set up for kids and free face painting was offered over the weekend. Aadults could sit back and enjoy a free Devonshire tea as well as take in the atmosphere of the new alfresco area.
In the new outdoor area, the Red Shield Defence Services handed out free water, and the Rural Schools and Communities ministry workers’ van provided access to the internet and video games. The Salvonista van, a mobile boutique store, was on site and proved extremely popular.
There were stalls displaying many of the services The Salvation Army provides including Moneycare, Employment Plus, HESS, Wills and Bequests, and Aged Care Plus.
Display organiser Joanne Paull says the intention was to help people understand what the heart of The Salvation Army is.
“We wanted to try and be as mission-focused as possible and to just get out there and show Jesus through our actions,” says Joanne.
There was a special focus this year in the marquee on the centenary celebrations of Canberra, with a number of Salvation Army heritage uniforms on display. The Salvation Army has been working in Canberra for more than 80 years and sees the importance of the connections it has made.
“We certainly had lots of people come in and tell you their stories of any connections in the past,” says Joanne. “If we can start to build those relationships they can see that the Army is there for them for all of their needs - the spiritual, emotional and physical.”
The display proved to be very popular with more than 2500 people visiting it over the three days. The media helped promote the display, with Channel Nine filming the fashion parade and the Today Show interviewing a representative from Salvos Stores.
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.