Others Magazine

Major Eileen Bailey was promoted to glory on Thursday 26 January 2023, aged 88, having served as a Salvation Army officer for more than 55 years.

Eileen Hill was born on 3 September 1934 at Lane Cove in Sydney and married Victor Bailey on 23 August 1952. Together as cadets in the Witnesses to the Faith session, they entered Officer Training College from their home corps of Cooma (NSW). Following their commissioning on 15 January 1968, the Baileys and their four children – Christine, Gweneth, Neil and Merilyn – took up their first appointment as corps officers in Albury. This was followed by appointments to Goulburn (1970) and St Marys (1973).

Between the years of 1976 and 1983, Eileen supported Victor as he served in the Public Relations department. They were then appointed to Papua New Guinea in 1984 as the corps officers at Koki.

On returning to Australia in 1985, Eileen and Victor served in various appointments in the Public Relations and Planned Giving Departments, the Illawarra Community Services Centre, and the Sydney East and Illawarra Division (1985-1991).

Eileen then took up her appointment as manager of the Inner-City Community Services Centre in 1992. In July of 1992, Eileen became the Divisional Seniors Program Secretary as well as Silver Star Secretary before commencing her role as Territorial Officer Downing Centre: Court Ministry NSW/ACT in January 1994. Her last appointment before retirement was as Associate Secretary: Chaplaincy Services Unit in 1997. Majors Eileen and Victor retired on 1 July 1997.

In their retirement, ever-ready to serve their Lord, Majors Eileen and Victor again took on a full-time appointment, bringing them full circle back to where they began, as the corps officers at Albury (July 1998 to January 1999).

Eileen and Victor enjoyed their retirement by recreating the Bee Farm Gardens to its former glory at Springwood.

Our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are extended to Major Christine Atkinson and Captain Keith, Gwen and Captain Phil Sharp and Merilyn and Robert Morgan, their families, extended family and friends.

“Her master said to her, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful ... Enter into the joy of your master”
(Matthew 25:23)