In times of need

It’s often said that The Salvation Army has a ministry of “presence” – of being there in times of need. When bushfires ripped through Canberra suburbs in January 2003, The Salvation Army was on-hand immediately – serving 8000  meals in the first 48-hours alone. The Salvation Army continues to operate a number of emergency services (SAES) teams across the ACT to assist in times of crisis. Our teams are also on-hand at major community events like The Canberra Show. 

The Salvation Army is also there in times of need for carers. Twenty-six years ago, Majors Don and Isabel Gates (pictured right at the Burrangiri 25-year anniversary), founded The Salvation Army’s Burrangiri Aged Care Plus Respite Centre in Canberra. Supported by the ACT Health Department, Burrangiri Aged Care Plus Respite Centre officially opened in 1989 to provide respite and day care for the elderly spouses/parents of people who had been admitted to nearby Woden Valley Hospital. Today The Salvation Army Aged Care continues to run this vital service along with a vibrant residential aged care centre, Mountain View Aged Care Plus Centre in nearby Narrabundah.