Giving and Marching

Lucky number 160? The Glen Innes Salvation Army Corps may think so! In 1887, they became the 160th Salvation Army corps to be established in Australia.

The corps (church) was opened by first officer Captain Ernest Booth, who some believe was a relative of the founder of the Salvation Army in London, General William Booth.

From their very beginning, Australian Salvos continued the work of their overseas founders, and provided help to those in need. This ranged from getting food to the hungry, to offering safe spaces, and organising community and social groups to connect people. However, offering help, unfortunately comes at a price.

These band collection boxes were used by the Glen Innes Salvation Army Marching Band to raise funds. A performance day was a big event in Glen Innes, it became a joyous day of entertainment and celebration, with many locals happily giving their coins to these donation boxes in support of a good cause.

Today, although a Salvos marching band is a rarer sight, the Salvos still do a lot of work to help their community. They still raise money to help Australians in need, they run programs for women and children, provide emergency welfare, addiction recovery and rural support. Even their donation boxes, although they might look a little different today, are still often seen in the hands of Salvos members standing with a big smile, raising funds to support those doing it tough.