About Us

Chair of MASIC – Ms Amanda Merrett
BAppSc(psych), GradCertA(Devt), MA(Devt&Gender)
The Salvation Army Alice Springs

Amanda is a Salvationist who currently lives in Alice Springs, where she works alongside First Nations peoples in the prevention of family violence. She is passionate about walking together with and learning from communities on the margins.

Amanda believes that the Church can be an advocate for social change, specifically regarding gender equality. She is passionate about using theology to promote healthy and equal relationships for men and women.

Amanda has worked and volunteered for The Salvation Army in various roles over 16 years, including at the International Social Justice Commission, and the Policy and Social Justice Department of the Australia Territory.

Deputy Chair of MASIC – Ms Casey O’Brien Machado
The Salvation Army Sydney Congress Hall

Casey O’Brien Machado has worked with The Salvation Army in various communities and capacities both locally and internationally. Her professional and academic backgrounds see her bring a social science lens to MASIC's work. As well as being a member of Australian MASIC, Casey is also a member of the International Moral and Social Issues Council (IMASIC).

Mr Michael Anglin
BA, BS, MS, JD, GDLP The Salvation Army Stafford

For almost 10 years commencing in 2012, Michael was a Partner for the Queensland office of Salvos Legal, a revolutionary law firm wholly owned by The Salvation Army. In 2021, Michael stepped out to head up his own firm, Anglin Lawyers with an aim to providing quality and affordable legal services and representation to disadvantaged and marginalised people living primarily in southeast Queensland. Michael has been a long-term member on MASIC and counts it a privilege to meet regularly with other MASIC members to address moral and social issues relevant to The Salvation Army.

Aux-Lieut Matt Cairns
BN, MA (Theology), MA (Theological Research)
The Salvation Army Rockdale

Matt was appointed an Aux. Lt. as Corps Officer of Rockdale Corps in late 2018. Previously he worked part time for the Social Justice Team of The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory, and part time as Student Support for The Salvation Army Booth College in Sydney. Before that Matt was a Registered Nurse for 17 years working in various disciplines. He holds a degree in Nursing, and two Master of Arts degrees in the field of theology. Matt is married to Kristen and they have three daughters.

Mr Chris Congoo
Cert IV (Alcohol & Other Drugs)
The Salvation Army Riverside

Chris is a proud Nargo man from the Airlie Beach and Giya of Proserpine in the Whitsunday Region group on his mother's side and Kalkadoon on his father's side of North West Queensland around Mount Isa.

Over the past 9 years of Chris has been employed as the Territorial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Officer for The Salvation Army. Chris has more than 30 year of lived experience working in the community welfare sector which encompasses: Frontline Child Protection, Home and Community Care HACC (Aged and Disabilities Services) , Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, Townsville, Palm Island and Mount Isa Recovery Services, Queensland Health Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program, Palm Island Community Company – Program Manager and Coordinator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Court Support Officer Townsville, Queensland Government Reparation Team - Assistance Program Officer.

Chris has worked most of his life in Aboriginal communities working for social justice for his people. Chris, hobbies are fishing and Rugby League.

Dr Jason Davies-Kildea
PhD, MSocSci (Policy and Human Services), MTheol, BTheol, DipMiss
The Salvation Army 614

Jason Davies-Kildea has more than two decades experience in Salvation Army social services, from frontline crisis work to senior management roles. He has a special interest in the connection between theology and social action, which has led to post-graduate studies in theology and social sciences. Jason's doctoral thesis explored the relationship between The Salvation Army's identity as a church and its role as a major provider of social services in Australia. Jason is currently working on family violence reform for the Victorian Government.

Dr Jo Lane
PhD; BSc (Psych) 
The Salvation Army Tuggeranong

Jo is a research fellow and clinical psychologist working at the Australian National University. She is a Soldier at the Tuggeranong Corps and previously worked at the Salvation Army Oasis Bridge drug and alcohol service in Canberra. Jo has also been involved in trips to South Africa, Fiji and Nauru with the Salvation Army.

Captain Manikya Mera
B.com, Dip. (Multimedia & Web design), Adv.Dip (Ministry and Theol)
The Salvation Army Intercultural Ministries Melbourne

Mera studied Masters in Business Administration and currently working as an Intercultural officer of The Salvation Army Intercultural Ministries Melbourne and also as a Project Coordinator at the Salvation Army International Development (SAID), Previously Mera Served in various corps and mission expressions. Mera is currently completing her Masters of International and Community Development. Mera is married to Monty and they have three daughters.

Lieut-Colonel Samuel Pho
BTh.
Executive Manager Indigenous and Multicultural Media and Community

Xuyen arrived in Australia as a refugee from Vietnam in October 1978. He joined The Salvation Army in Melbourne, trained to be a Salvation Army officer and was ordained and commissioned in 1983.

Xuyen pioneered Chinese ministry in Melbourne, first in Collingwood, and then for 20 years as Corps Officer of the Box Hill Chinese Corps. From 2009 to 2013 he served as Officer Commanding of The Salvation Army in Hong Kong. Xuyen has also served in The Salvation Army’s Public Relations Department and has authored two books. He was The Salvation Army’s National Secretary from December 2015 to 2016. His current appointment is the Executive Manager, Indigenous & Multicultural Media and Community. He is married to Lieut-Colonel Donni Pho. They have four adult children all currently living in Melbourne.

Clayton Spence
BSc, MA, BTh, MScCoachPsych.
Learning & Development Advisor

Clayton has a professional background in Organisational Psychology, and Learning and Development.

Clayton is married to Leanne, and has held various Salvation Army officer appointments including Corps Leadership, Divisional Youth Secretary, as well as at Eva Burrows College and consulting on Strategic Change. Clayton has also represented The Salvation Army on ecumenical bodies including the National Council of Church Faith and Unity Commission, and the NSW Ecumenical Council Theological Reflection Forum.

Clayton is at his best facilitating individuals, groups, or teams as they develop goals and strategies to achieve their purpose and full potential, helping people to become "all that God created us to be".

Major Cec Woodward
BSocWk (Hons), DipHR, MBA, MSWAP.
The Salvation Army Caloundra

Commissioned in January 1969, Cec has held a variety of corps, social and divisional appointments. His final two appointments at Eastern THQ were as Social Program Secretary and Assistant Chief Secretary. In retirement he is an active participant in the ministries of the Caloundra Corps as well as continuing to explore Army history.

Cec is married to Major Catherine Woodward.

Major Brenda Young

Brenda has served as an officer for seventeen years. Currently appointed as Assistant Divisional Commander for Victoria, she also served as a member of the Officer Formation team at Eva Burrows College for 9 years and has been a Corps Officer in both Tasmania and Victoria. Authentic spirituality and exploring the intersection of life and faith are important to her. In her current role, the questions of what it means to be The Salvation Army and live as followers of Jesus in a constantly changing world are paramount. She has undergraduate degrees in education and theology, a Grad Dip in systematic theology and a Grad Dip in supervision.

Major Andrew Walton

Andrew Walton has been a Salvation Army Officer since 2007. Since 2017, Andrew has been part of the Officer Formation Stream at Eva Burrows College. He enjoys the one-on-one contact with cadets that his Individualised Training Officer (ITO) role affords, along with coordinating education and theological formation for cadets. He also lectures on leadership.

Andrew's previous appointments were to the Northside Geelong Community Centre and Corps and Moe Corps. There, alongside incredible and committed teams of other Officers, Salvationists, employees and volunteers, Andrew served these faith and wider communities for ten years. He holds a Diploma of Management, Advanced Diploma of Ministry, Bachelor of Theology (majoring in ethics and systematic theology), Master of Leadership, and is now completing a PhD, researching why people believe what they believe about God.

Major Claire Emerton
BA (Criminal Justice Administration), BSW, BTheol

Claire Emerton has been a Salvation Army officer since 2006, and has held corps officer appointments in Tasmania and Victoria, as well as appointments in the management of a broad range of Salvation Army social services across Victoria.  Currently appointed as an Area Officer for Metro Central Victoria, Claire is passionate about facilitating relevant pathways for people to explore Christian spirituality, alongside creating lasting social change. Claire holds degrees in Criminal Justice Administration, Social Work and Theology. 

Anna Goodluck Maksacheff

 Anna (she/her/hers) is an Australian-born Chinese/Russian woman and has been working for The Salvation Army for almost 10 years across a variety of roles, dedicating her time to the flourishing and betterment of young people and their communities. Her academic experience includes Psychology, Business and Christian Leadership, most recently studying her Master of Counselling. As a recent addition to MASIC, Anna is excited to contribute to a bright future for The Salvation Army, where all ages, cultures, and genders, can unite to address social and moral issues guided by their faith. In her spare time, you’ll find Anna walking her dalmatian, practicing yoga, or nose-deep in a good book.