Salvos awarded Australia Day honours
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Salvos awarded Australia Day honours
4 February 2022
Stephen Macliver (National Director of Salvation Army Aged Care), Jason Poutawa (Moree Program Manager) and Alan Jessop (ACT Salvationist) received awards on 26 January.
Every year on Australia Day, hundreds of people around the country are recognised for their service to the community. The most notable accolades come at a national level, where everyday heroes receive the Order of Australia.
Salvationists and supporters of The Salvation Army are often among the recipients, being honoured with awards and nominations for their community service (Read here).
Below we celebrate three more Salvos who received the nation’s most prestigious honour and one who was recognised at a local level.
Alan Jessop OAM – Canberra City Corps (ACT)
Salvationist Alan Jessop became well known in Canberra after receiving the State Local Hero Award a decade ago. Now, a year after his retirement, the 91-year-old can add OAM to his name after being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his work raising more than $4 million for The Salvation Army over 30 years.
“If I had got one [an OAM] about three years ago, when I was feeling well, and I was still working, it would be even more exciting. Since I had to give up work and my health has deteriorated, it is harder to be excited,” he said to a local journalist.
“An OAM is some recognition for many years of hard work, but my favourite thing about collecting has been meeting so many people and making so many good friends. I hope that people remember that I worked hard. I hope they were happy to see me. Mostly, I hope people are still giving what they can to those who need it.”
Read more about Alan here.
Pictured is a portrait of Alan Jessop by Barbara van der Linden. (Photo provided by Emma Batchelor.)
Mark Reay OAM – Hurstville Corps (NSW)
Musician Mark Reay is beloved in the Illawong community of Sydney for his role as Director of the NSW Fire and Rescue Band. A member of the Hurtsville Corps band, Mark has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to music through marching and brass bands.
Mark has served as the musical director and member of the NSW Fire and Rescue Band since 1980 and is also president of the Academy Guards drill marching team. He has previously received a Long Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
The NSW Fire and Rescue Band band is often an entertainment staple at community events, including the band’s open day, graduation ceremonies, and fundraising events for the Burns Unit at Westmead Hospital.
Stephen MacLiver AM – National Director, The Salvation Army Aged Care
With more than three decades of experience in the legal sector and social services, The Salvation Army Aged Care head Stephen Macliver has been awarded an Australia Medal.
Presented for his significant service to the law, human rights, and the community, Stephen has been a member of the International Bar Association for more than three decades. He has served as Non-Executive Director for Salvos Legal since December 2019 and was National Director for Salvos Legal for two and a half years.
“I have been overwhelmed by the very many calls, emails, and texts I have received from around the world since the announcement,” he shared recently on social media. “No one person ever stands alone, and so my heartfelt thanks goes to all of the colleagues I have had the privilege of working alongside over many years.”
Pictured is Stephen Macliver, director of The Salvation Army Aged Care, recognised for his service to the law, human rights, and the community.
Jason Poutawa – Program Manager, Moree Corps (NSW)
Salvationist Jason Poutawa was recognised for his work mentoring local youth with a Special Mention Award at his local Moree Australia Day Awards. Jason has led The Salvation Army in Moree with his wife Jessica since 2017 and was previously the Australia Eastern Territorial Salvos Youth Foundation Coordinator. As part of their work in Moree, the Poutawas have developed the Gumma-Li (Gathering Place) youth and community centre.
“I want to thank my wife Jess and my children for their support of me doing all I feel like I have been called to do here in Moree,” he said. “The Salvation Army has a very dedicated team of staff and volunteers who give beyond what is expected, so I want to recognise them. And I am thankful for God. His transformation in my life has changed the way I live and act.”
Read more about Jason and Jessica here.
Pictured is Jason with his family – Israel, wife Jessica and Zion.
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