Port Macquarie Greats, past and present
The Salvation Army in Port Macquarie has produced its fair share of outstanding Salvationists.
102-year-old Port Macquarie Salvation Army soldier, Ruth Gluyas (pictured sitting on the left collecting with Shirley Carey), has been a faithful servant of the Army since she moved to Port Macquarie from Ballarat in 1978. The local corps at that time was Wauchope and Ruth became involved there. It wasn't long before meetings were being held in Port Macquarie and at this point Ruth went into her "fundraising" mode. She worked tirelessly raising funds for the initial building, then several years after that, raising more money for the new hall. During this time, Ruth was the League of Mercy secretary (hospital visitation), a role she thoroughly enjoyed and for which she is well remembered. Despite her age, Ruth still takes part in The Salvation Army’s annual fundraiser, the Red Shield Appeal, by manning a table at a shopping centre in Port Macquarie. Family is very important to Ruth and she is a very proud grandmother of great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. The Salvation Army’s Lieutenant-Colonel Miriam Gluyas, who serves as Chief Secretary in Papua New Guinea, and Captain Phil Gluyas, leader of The Salvation Army’s Nepean Hub, are two of her grandchildren.
