Top End Salvos make an impact in parliament
Top End Salvos make an impact in parliament
21 February 2017
The Salvation Army's Regional Officer in the Northern Territory spoke at the opening of Parliament in Darwin last week.
The new regional officers for The Salvation Army in the Northern Territory, Captains Richard and Katie Parker, have experienced a warm welcome from community leaders.
John Hardy, Administrator of the Northern Territory (the administrator performs functions similar to those of a state governor), and Marie Hardy, invited the Parkers to their office on 16 February.
“Although we only arrived in the Northern Territory five weeks ago, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity for us to introduce ourselves and discuss the history of the Salvos here, as well as our future plans for serving the community,” said Captain Richard.
Mr Hardy is a patron of the Red Shield Appeal and supports the work of The Salvation Army in the Northern Territory.
Captains Richard (right) and Katie Parker (left), recently met the Honourable John Hardy, Administrator of the Northern Territory, and Mrs Marie Hardy.
Just two days earlier, Captain Richard, at the invitation of the Northern Territory Parliament, asked God’s blessing on the parliament as it opened for the year. After the Welcome to Country acknowledgement, he addressed parliament, speaking about the importance of their roles in the community they represent.
Quoting from the book Rebel Footprints by David Rosenberg, he spoke about the concept of being a rebel according to the word’s original meaning as derived from the Latin rebellis – resilient people undaunted by temporary setbacks, who believed they would ultimately triumph.
“Many of the rebels celebrated in this book challenged the status quo, some from the most marginalised and embattled starting points, other more often ensconced within the mainstream, but their common attributes were the fervent refusal to let injustices go unchallenged, their belief that change was possible, and their determination to see their battles through to a conclusion,” Captain Richard said.
“A rebel is someone who works for positive change; A person who gets back up when all seems lost or they have been defeated and continues to fight for what they believe is right. It is someone who looks at setbacks as challenges and finds a way to triumph.”
He concluded by outlining his prayer for the parliamentarians as the year began: “It’s my prayer that you will represent your electorates with pride and passion as you seek to work on the injustices in society; that you will seek guidance and discernment in all you do; seeking change where change is needed,” he said. “[It’s my prayer] that you will be fulfilled by your roles and the changes you make to bring about healing and restoration, and that you will truly rebel for the things that matter to the people and to you. May God bless you as you represent the people of the Northern Territory.”
Every year, all heads of religious organisations are invited to the opening of parliament in the territory, with a different a representative speaking each year.
The Parkers will soon meet Michael Gunner, the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, and are looking forward to an ongoing relationship with him.
There are four corps spread over the Northern Territory – Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine and Palmerston (a suburb of Darwin). The Flying Padre and Outback Services ministry operates from Katherine. Social services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, crisis accommodation and extensive programs for Indigenous peoples also operate throughout the Northern Territory.
Comments
For years I knew a wonderful family who lived in Belmore New South Wales. My name was Christine Heslin and we had these wonderful people as our neighbours .To this day I feel blessed because of them especially their mum, Elizabeth May Hardy who I called Aunty May who would send me off to Sunday School with her children (at the Belmore Salvation Army)Aunty May and I shared the same birthday and often let me spend the night .My husband encouraged me to write this as he ,too,knew her and her husband and thought so highly of her and her husband( who I called Mr Hardy). They were best friends to my parents-----I could write so much more but have always wondered what became of John (though I think his first move away was to Coffs Harbour) and his two sisters:Janice , who was about the same age as my only sister, Marie, and John's other sister Margaret (who was about 2-3 yrs older than me).Through tears just thinking of them I pray that God will always be a felt prescence in their lives and will bless and keep them.In any case reading on the'net the work you do in the Salvation Army where you are is hard , challenging and exceptionally praiseworthy----may God bless ,continue to guide you , and lighten your load. Thank-you for reading my ramblings but John Hardy if you are the same John Hardy I grew up across the road from in Moreton Street I would love to hear from you( if you have the time)------I had a stroke about 3 yrs ago but God wanted me here for longer and I'm doing well ----most people don't notice any problems except maybe I do ramble and am a bit wobbly and arthritic so here I am with God by my side as He has always been----------'in Christ, Christine Gunn.