Major Brett Gallagher

Chief Commissioner RSDS

Born in Sydney, after leaving high school Brett studied Electrical Engineering at UNSW. Upon graduation started working for Rockwell Ship Systems Australia on the Collins Class Submarine Project, firstly in the Systems Integration Team as the Combat System Communications Engineer, followed by 18 months as the Systems Engineer – Combat System Simulator at HMAS Watson.

Around this time Brett felt a calling of God on his life, and after having attended The Salvation Army as his church from a very young age, applied for and was accepted as a Cadet at The Salvation Army School for Officer Training.

After ordination & commissioning Brett was appointed to start the Salvation Army’s work towards their support of the Sydney Olympics. Upon marrying his wife Alison they were appointed jointly to lead Long Jetty Corps (church) and Berkeley Corps. This was followed by appointments in Youth work in Sydney leading The Salvation Army’s youth work across Eastern Sydney & the Illawarra, and as the Academic Programme Officer & New Testament lecturer at The Salvation Army’s School for Officer Training/Booth College. From this appointment they were then sent to lead the corps in Port Macquarie for seven years. In January 2017 Brett was appointed Chief Commissioner of RSDS.

Brett enjoys study and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), a Bachelor of Divinity, and a Master of Theology with Honours. He is also a graduate of Arrow Leadership and The Salvation Army’s International College fro Officer’s.

Brett’s interests include reading about faith, mission, theology& leadership. Most sports, but particularly rugby.

Brett is married to Alison, and they have three children of which he is very proud, James, Caleb & Jacinta.

 

Brett Gallagher – Dot Point Summary 

Early Life

• Born & Bred in Sydney. Known as Brett as I come from a long line of William’s.

• Grew up around Hurstville, but spent a lot of time in Inverell in the New England where my mum is from.
• Attended The Salvation Army as my church from the time I was a week old
• Primary School: Peakhurst Public
• High School: Sydney Technical High School
• University UNSW: Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)

Engineering

• Worked as a Systems Engineer for Rockwell Systems Australia on Collins Class Submarine Project
  • Systems Integration Team - Combat System Communication - Feb 90-Jun 91
  • Systems Integration Team - HMAS Watson - Combat System Simulator - Jul 91-Dec 93

Salvation Army

• Trained as a Salvation Army Officer 94-95
• First Appointment Liaison Officer to SOCOG & Manager of Lidcombe Centre
• Corps Officer - Long Jetty Corps Jun 97-Dec98 *
• Corps Officer - Berkeley Corps Jan 99-Dec 02 *
• Divisional Youth Secretary Jan 03-Dec 06*
• Academic Program Officer Jan 07-Dec 09
• Corps Officer - Port Macquarie Corps Jan 10-Dec 16 *
• Adjunct Lecturer - Booth College Jan 10- Present
• Assoc. Chaplain - NSW Fire & Rescue - Mid North Coast Jan 11-Dec 16
• Chief Commissioner RSDS Jan 17- Present

* Signifies a joint appointment with my wife

Family

• Wife: Alison - Married May 97

• Children
• James - born Aug 98 – Currently studying Physio at UON
• Caleb - born Dec 99 – Currently in Year 1 at ADFA studying Mechanical Engineering
• Jacinta - born Mar 02 – Completing Year 11 at St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra

Interests

• Reading about Faith & Mission, Theology & Leadership
• Rugby Union
• Follow NSW Waratahs, Randwick RU, Parramatta Eels, Sydney Swans, Sydney FC, Sydney Sixers and many more
• Study
  • BE (Electrical) - UNSW 1989
  • Associate Diploma of Salvation Army Ministry 1995
  • Advanced Diploma of Salvation Army Ministry 2000
  • BD - Melbourne College of Divinity 2003
  • MTh - Sydney College of Divinity 2005
  • Mth (Hons) - CSU 2015
  • Graduate of Arrow Leadership 2016
  • TSA International College for Officer's 2017