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 a Sydney-bound commuter train ran off the rails at Granville on 18 January 1977, The Salvation Army arrived even before ambulances or emergency services. Auxiliary-Captain Frank Wilson of The Salvation Army’s social services centre at Mount Druitt was at the scene immediately, giving out drinks from his emergency services unit to shocked survivors. The Salvation Army continues to play a role in the spiritual well-being of those still traumatised by the events with Salvationists organising memorial services and pastoral care to the victims. Following the Granville emergency The Salvation Army established its Salvation Army Emergency Services unit, which is still in operation today.