IMAGINE09 Report
A variety of events were staged during 8 – 11th October 2009 to celebrate 125 years of The Salvation Army in Tasmania.
Special Guests for the IMAGINE09 weekend were Commissioners Vic and Ros Poke (Sweden & Latvia Territory) and Commissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs (Australia Southern Territory). The guests were supported by the Divisional Commanders Majors Graeme and Helen McClimont and other Divisional staff.
Corps and Social programs set up displays outlining their heritage and visions for the future and a special display for Corps that have since closed but played an integral part in the Tasmanian history. Many people took the opportunity to review and catch up on past connections whilst laughing over the photos. A series of 10 postcards was commissioned as a commemoration of the weekend featuring some of the historical information compiled.
On Thursday 8th a celebration dinner was held for the Advisory Board members and their partners. The dinner was attended by Commissioners Knaggs and Poke and special guest for the evening was the Honourable Ewan Crawford, Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania.
Social Program ConferenceOn the Friday afternoon, an Over 50’s rally was held and compered by retired ABC announcer, Ken Short, who also presented two musical items. The afternoon was a time of music and reflection on the past. A moving feature was the presentation of Guardian of the Faith awards to people who had given significant service to The Salvation Army over a length of time. A composite brass ensemble from Moonah and Hobart corps provided musical accompaniment to sing-a-longs, Commissioner Vic Poke spoke about the changes he has since seen leaving Tasmania where he was born and raised. Sister Marian Hammond also spoke about changes she has seen in The Salvation Army and CSM Tony & Sis Elizabeth Foster sang the duet “What a Friend”. Major Graeme McClimont has authored the book “Prayers in Exile” and this was launched at the rally. Friday evening saw events held for the youth and Over 30’s. Captain Chris Clarke organised an exciting evening of competition and fun based around the "Spicks and Specks" game show. Everyone had to jump up out of their comfort zone to participate in the quiz show style games while exposing their knowledge of the world of entertainment. The pizza supper went down a treat.
On Saturday 10th there were a few concurrent events being held with the first being a Prayer Breakfast held at the Hobart Citadel whilst later in the morning the Melbourne Staff Band played a variety of music on the lawns of Parliament House to the background weekly bustle of Salamanca Market. Launceston Timbrel brigade also presented two items. Back out at the Derwent Entertainment Centre, site of most of the activities for the weekend, was a Family Fun Day that had been opened to the public. Thousands of people were entertained by a program of music, make-believe and dance from community groups, on a huge outdoor stage with an inflatable roof. Visitors to the event took opportunity to wander through the displays and participate in sporting activities, colouring competitions, view classic cars, ride the Rotary train, look at the car boot sale, operate remote control cars, jump in the castle, have their face painted and the many other interactive opportunities. A separate play area with gym equipment, was set aside for Under 5 year olds that gave them a break from the bigger people wandering around.
An exciting feature towards the end of the Family Fun Day was the breaking of a world record by Roy Maloy, variously described as Circus King and Australia's leading carnival identity. Roy wowed the audience, who often stood heart in mouth, as he lay on a bed of razor sharp nails, whilst having a 550kg block of ice placed upon him then smashed with sledge hammers! This event within an event gained a lot of media coverage for Roy, but also The Salvation Army and the reason for the weekend.
The finale of the day was a Musical Concert featuring The Salvation Army’s Melbourne Staff Band, under the baton of Bandmaster Ken Waterworth combining together with Tasmania’s own Southern Gospel choir under the leadership of Andrew Legg. Both of these groups presented individual items but it was their joint numbers that encapsulated for the audience the professionalism of these two musical groups. Who will forget the hauntingly beautiful “Steal Away” from the SGC or the exuberant choreographed number “Brass on the Edge” who were supported by the Launceston Timbrel Brigade for this number?
Sunday worship was held in two parts with the first being more age specific - broken down into children’s worship, youth worship and then all others were involved in a meeting “Celebrating the Past”. Highlights of this meeting were a testimony by Tony Brown from Hobart Corps on his time spent with a group who went to Indonesia to the Bali Girls Home to re-build a playground, the Melbourne Staff Band providing a vocal number, Commissioners Vic and Ros Poke sharing about their work overseas, an interview with Tiana McIntosh who is an Australia Award for Bravery medal recipient, and a scripture and Message by Commissioner Carolyn Knaggs.
This was followed by morning tea with the cutting of a Celebration cake by the Divisional Commander and the oldest soldier in attendance, 98 year old Iris Roden.
The final event for the weekend was the opportunity for everyone to come together for worship to “Imagine the Future” with musical support provided by the Melbourne Staff Band and a united choir under the leadership of Jeffrey Clarke. Other support items came from the Divisional Creative Arts Camp, the children of the Division, Launceston Timbrel Brigade, Commissioner James Knaggs inspired listeners with Connecting Forward and Commissioner Vic Poke spoke about Imagining the Future.
A special sacred time was held toward the end of the meeting when Commissioner Knaggs invited people to come and kneel at a cross set up in front of the platform. On the stage was a wooden cross with a light behind it reflected onto the cross on the floor. People came forward as individuals, as couples and as Corps groups.
With the grace of God, The Salvation Army is Tasmania is now well placed to move towards it’s 150th Celebrations.
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