Others Magazine

Major Laurie Venables was promoted to glory on Wednesday 9 December 2020 from Regis Kingswood (SA), aged 84. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time he passed.

Leaving the Floreat Corps (WA) in 1966, Laurence Henry Venables, with his wife Rohna and their four children, entered The Salvation Army Training College Melbourne as a member of the Witnesses to the Faith session of cadets.

Commissioned in 1968, Laurie and Rohna were appointed as corps officers at Healesville (Vic.) followed 12 months later at Mooroolbark (Vic). In 1972, the family moved to Alice Springs where they ministered for two years (1972-3), before moving to Glenelg (1974-5) and then Prospect/Ingle Farm (1976-1980), both in South Australia.

In 1980, Laurie was appointed to the Public Relations Department, firstly in Victoria (1980-81), and then in South Australia (1982-85). In 1986, Laurie was appointed as campaign director in Victoria for two years (1986-7) before going back into corps work at Geelong Central (1988-90), and then Norwood Corps (SA) for most of 1991.

At the end of 1991, Laurie accepted an appointment as the superintendent of The Anchorage (Vic.), where he stayed until January 1994, when he returned to his home state of Western Australia, firstly as state program secretary (1994-95), and then as divisional social program secretary (1995-98). Laurie’s next appointment was as a regional officer in the Northern Territory, before returning to become a public relations consultant in South Australia for his final appointment in 2001. Laurie and Rohna retired together on 1 October 2001, both having completed 33 years of honourable service for God and The Salvation Army.

In retirement, Laurie and Rohna enjoyed active ministry by mentoring officers, specialling at corps, supporting emergency disaster relief response efforts, hotel outreach and Red Shield Appeal. In addition, they took up a position in the Christian Venues Association providing chaplaincy support services throughout Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Our love, sympathy and prayers are with Major Rohna, Wayne and Lorraine, Kaelene and Greg, Neil and Lisa, Peter and Joanne, their families, as well as the many friends honouring Laurie’s life. May God bring comfort to those who mourn his passing, confident in the knowledge that Laurie is now at peace with his Lord and Master.

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55).

The thanksgiving service for Major Laurie Venables was held on Saturday 19 December at The Salvation Army Adelaide Congress Hall, conducted by Lieut-Colonel Neil Venables, Secretary for Communications.