Colac Corps - small but mighty
Colac Corps - small but mighty
Small corps have made significant contributions to the ongoing mission and ministry of The Salvation Army, especially through those of their number who have become Salvation Army officers. Above is an early photo of the band from one of those small corps, Colac.
One Saturday evening in November 1888, the normally quiet streets of Colac in south-west Victoria reverberated to the sound of a Salvation Army brass band.
Many of the town’s 300 people lined the streets to get a glimpse of the arrival of the Salvationists. A short, enthusiastic meeting was held at the close of which three people knelt at the penitent form.
From that small beginning, God has enabled Colac Corps to make a significant contribution to the wider community.
The War Cry of 5 August 1905 reported, “The corps is a live soul-seeking concern and scarcely a week goes by when we don’t have great rejoicing over someone turning to God.”
During those early days, the band, fondly known as ‘The Red Shirts’, marched the streets of Colac, making their presence felt.
The Colac Corps hall in about 1924.
Salvationists of all ages were actively involved in the mission of the corps. The corps history book records that 83-year-old Granny Richardson walked three miles to raise 30 shillings for the Self Denial Appeal. She said, “I did it for the Lord.”
Another, a young domestic servant, lost two jobs due to her fidelity to The Salvation Army. Her latest master was an artillery officer who was parading one Sunday morning with the militia. The lass approached them claiming to be a soldier too, only her ammunition was the War Cry. The War Cry commented, “This is the sort we like – the military spirit! The eyes of Colac are upon you lass, and we are much mistaken if you will not expand into a greatly extended sphere.”
Family of officers
Three generations of the Begley family who became Salvation Army officers can claim a connection with Colac.
Pioneer officers from the Colac Corps, Colin and Edith Begley, the first of three generations from the Begley family who became Salvation Army officers. Colin and Edith served in China and India as well as their home territory.
Colin Begley lived in a Salvation Army boys home from age 11 following the death of his parents. At 14, he went to live with his elder sister in Colac. Bandsman George Freeman saw potential in young Colin and invited him to the corps. About the same time, twin girls Edith and Elsie Doherty followed the band to the corps hall and became fully involved.
At 18, Colin was accepted for officer training, and two years later Edith followed. They married in China in 1922 where they served for 20 years then a further five years in India. Of their three children, Audrey was commissioned as an officer in 1947 while Ian and his wife Mary became officers in 1957, serving as reinforcement officers in the Caribbean, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Two of the next generation also became officers – Lynette (Begley) Jones and her brother Raymond. Lynette, whose appointments included serving as Social Program Secretary in the Caribbean Territory (Jamaica Eastern Division), is now in active retirement, based in Victoria.
Colac’s future
Today, the corps is led by Lieutenant Paul Trotter, who is overseeing the renovation of a new corps facility.
Paul said The Salvation Army purchased a new site more than two years ago, and the facility is undergoing a purpose-built facelift to accommodate the many programs and services it intends to run.
“We’re hoping for an official opening early next year,” Paul said. “It’s going to be a real community hub – we’ll run our Doorways service from there, shared laundry facilities, a market day, playgroup, the Kids in the Kitchen program, that sort of thing ... it will be a place where we can share the love of Jesus in a real practical way.
“We are a small corps numbers-wise, but we’re praying that this venture will sow the seeds to many people coming into contact with The Salvation Army and Jesus. We want it to be a place of authenticity and belonging.”
* An edited version of an article that appeared in the Salvation Army magazine Hallelujah! - Volume 3, Issue 4
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