In times of need
It’s often said that The Salvation Army has a ministry of “presence” – of being there in times of need. The Lockyer Valley has experienced terrible floods over the years, with The Salvation Army hall in Laidley often bearing the brunt!
During the 1959 floods, The Salvation Army officers, Lieutenant William and Mrs Redwood, had to be evacuated by boat from their quarters.
In 2013, for the second time in two years, floods have wreaked havoc in Laidley. Lockyer Valley Salvation Army officer at the time, Major Marie Gittins was able to get into the town on 29 January, the day after the floods hit. As she drove around the town, she saw that homes and businesses had been inundated, that rubbish and debris were everywhere, and that the waters had left behind thick sludge and mud.
Emotionally, for many, the shortness between this time and last time is really heavy, she said. The Salvation Army’s flood relief in the area included emergency assistance and the deployment of Moneycare Financial Counsellors, who provided ongoing help to families, businesses and local farmers during the recovery phase.
