Who killed the Sallyman?
After 126 years, the Australian Army has axed funding for the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Defence Services’ Sallyman service.
FILE PHOTO (2012): A Sallyman provides hot and cold beverages, biscuits and a friendly ear to soldiers ‘out bush’. Photo by Corporal Nick Wiseman.
Known and loved for their ability to turn up in the bush with a brew and a bickie when soldiers’ moral or energy reserves were at a low ebb, the Sallymen and Sallyma’ams have been operating in support of Australian soldiers since the Second Boer War.
In 1899, Salvation Army’s co-founder William Booth, sent Adjutant Mary Murray to offer the troops a place of respite and someone to talk to.
Mary did just that, setting up a tent that soldiers from both sides of the fighting could access, providing a hot cuppa, biscuits and a listening ear.
The Salvo’s web site says this outreach continued through the two world wars, Korea and Vietnam – in fact, every conflict that involved the Australian Army.
“Around the nation, RSDS representatives support ADF personnel and their families on bases, on exercises and occasionally overseas.
“There are currently 13 RSDS representatives at five Army bases around Australia”, the web site still says.
The Returned & Services League of Australia said in a statement this week that the veteran and Defence Force community would be extremely disappointed at the decision to cease funding the Salvation Army’s “Sallyman” program.
RSL Australia National President Greg Melick said it was a serious concern that
this support may no longer be available due to Defence Department budget cuts.
“While funds need to be found to pay for the AUKUS submarines, new destroyers, missiles and other key equipment purchases, the morale of service personnel was equally important as emphasised by the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide,” Mr Melick said.
“The Salvation Army Sallymen and Sallyma’ams have played a vital role in building and
maintaining this morale throughout the military and more often on the front line of conflicts.
“Service veterans have nothing but praise for the work of the ‘Salvos’ and the comfort and care
they bring to our troops, often at great personal risk.
“Many have laid down their lives in the quest to support our troops in battle, and veterans will not forget this.
“The decision to cut the funding to the program is a major disappointment and the RSL urges
the government to reconsider and do all it can to ensure the service continues to support our
service men and women, as well as veterans and their families.”
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