UNLEY SALVATION ARMY

Mr PISONI (Unley) (15:37): Today I would like to speak about a celebration event that happened in my electorate just a week or so ago. On Monday 26 October, I hosted a morning tea in the Old Chamber for the Salvation Army volunteers in my electorate. The Salvation Army has just celebrated its 125^th anniversary. In 1884, a group of volunteers commenced Unley Salvation Army and currently they are celebrating 125 years. At that morning tea, we were blessed with the visit of General Eva Burrows, who, of course, is a remarkable woman. Born in September 1929, she was elected General of the Salvation Army in 1986 and served as world leader until her retirement in 1993. We were very honoured to have her join us in celebrating the success of the Salvation Army in Unley for that week in October.

There was a whole week of outreach at the Unley Shopping Centre, where the Salvation Army offered special commemorative shopping bags. General Burrows shared in a meet and greet picnic at the Mitcham Reserve. She led a Sunday celebration service. She visited the struggling in our community and shared a meal with them. She was guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Unley. She was interviewed on radio and was given a tour, with the Salvation Army officers, of Parliament House, and I was very pleased to host that tour.

I will mention some of the achievements of the Salvation Army in Unley over the years. They have given support to the lonely and the lost in our community. In a recent innovation under the leadership of Major Reno Elms, we have seen the lounge in Marion Street open on most days, where people either can grab a coffee or a free lunch provided by volunteers. The open program supports young families in the area with weekly parenting groups and preschool activities. The thrift shop is very successful and is open daily. It provides recycled clothing and volunteer opportunities and a supportive network to many.

They provide a volunteer counsellor who talks to anyone who needs support. On Sundays the Salvos have a prayer corner from about 9am. They provide weekly Sunday services for all their community, followed by a coffee and a biscuit.

I was very fortunate on 26 October as part of my tour to meet some of the hardworking volunteers in the Unley Salvation Army. They included Major Reno Elms, and, of course, the Mayor of Unley, Richard Thorne, joined us; as well as Wendy Marshall, Robert Rosenthal, Barbara Tinning, Judy White, Jean Gill, Alf and Mavis Ball, Ev Shate, Margaret Gross, Sharon Allen, Doreen Hynes, Alison Vaughn, Beverly Foy, Marlene Whiting and her husband Ron, Susan Lehmann and Lyn Davies.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Salvation Army, and Major Reno Elms in particular, for pulling off such a great celebration of an organisation that does nothing but give in the community. I know that when I doorknock during the Red Shield Appeal weekend it is never difficult to ask people to contribute because of the work the Salvos do in the community. Their work is well known in the community and they are valued by all.