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06 | iNarrabri Magazine
Local
Charity
captain alice keast
narrabri salvation army
How long has the Salvation
Army been a part of our com-
munity & history?
The Salvation Army has been part
of the local community since the
late 1800s. Originally the Corps
meetings were held on a prop-
erty in Maitland St, later moving
to its current site at 19 Doyle
Street. The current site has been
transformed over the years origi-
nally being the Church and Office
Quarters whereas now it holds the
Church, Family Store and Salvo
Connect site (our community
services centre).
Since arriving in Narrabri I have
been blessed by many people
sharing their stories and time
and how the Salvos have helped
them throughout the years. We
have a long history of helping
during times of flood and feeding
people during bushfires. Ministry
opportunities have been held on
the banks of the river and outside
Interview by Craig Jollow
The Salvation Army is one of the world’s largest Christian
social welfare organisations with more than 1,650,000
members working in over 124 countries today.
originally Formed in London, England, by Methodist Min-
ister William Booth in 1865, the salvation army arrived in
Australia in 1880.
the Salvation Army is involved in numerous programs per-
taining to domestic violence, emergency relief, overseas
aid, family support, addiction, homelessness, employment,
aged care, asylum seekers, disability, court & prison serv-
ices and many others.
Recently I spoke with Captain Alice Keast to learn a little
more about the Salvation Army and its role in our local
community.
the Post Office. One of the tales
I have been told comes from an
elderly mentor of mine, Envoy
Frank Pink, who is retired in Syd-
ney these days who, in 1946, use
to ride his bike from Gunnedah to
help two female officers in Nar-
rabri serve this community with
food & assistance.
For over 115 years we have been
part of the community chang-
ing and developing with it and
we look forward to working with
the community in the years to
come … after all, we are all in this
together.
William Booth (in picture) is
recognised as the founder of
the Salvation Army with the rank
of General. Is rank still a part of
the Salvation Army and how is it
attained?
Rank is still a significant part of
the Salvation Army and uses mili-
tary terms throughout the entire
organisation.
As an example, instead of using
the term ‘Minister’ our ministers
are called ‘Officers’. ‘Parishioners’
are ‘Corps’ members or ‘Soldiers’
and our church is called Corps.
The Salvation Army is led world-
wide by people who are trained
and ordained to become Officers.
Officers are called by God to
enter training and you do so as a
cadet. On completion of training
you are commissioned as a Lieu-
tenant and you are sent out to an
appointment (eg I was appointed
to Narrabri Corps at the begin-
ning of 2014). Over a period of
time in service you then become
a Captain and Major. Certain
positions within leadership hold
other ranks such as Lt Colonel &
Commissioner. These positions
are attained by study, training and
experience.
William Booth is recognised as
our Founder and used the rank of
General. In the early 1900s it was
decided by the hierarchy of the
Salvation Army that the position
of General would be decided by
holding a vote. To this day this
position is still decided by this way
by the ‘High Council’ who are the
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