Colonel Winsome Merrett retires after a season of service
2 October 2025
After almost four decades of service, Colonel Winsome Merrett retired as Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army Australia on 30 September 2025. As we offer our immense gratitude, we reflect on the legacy she leaves behind — one of unwavering faith, compassionate and gender-equitable leadership, and genuine care for the people and communities she served.
Early days
After childhood years spent in Alice Springs and Darwin amongst other places, Winsome was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in 1987, and went on to serve at various corps, and divisional and territorial roles across Australia.
One of her earliest appointments — serving the community in Darwin, Northern Territory, alongside her husband, Colonel Kelvin Merrett — was an especially significant and cherished time. Through their work over six years, Winsome built strong and lasting ties with the local community, and her experiences shaped the way she delivered ministry moving forward.
Winsome’s leadership journey took her to Eastern Victoria where, as Divisional Commander, she oversaw the delivery of a wide range of Salvos corps, programs and services. With her people-first approach, she ensured the mission of the Salvos remained at the centre of their work in the community.
Challenges and changes
Her next appointment as Assistant Chief Secretary was during Australia One — the process of unifying the two Salvation Army territories in Australia into one national movement for good. Through this season of significant change, her steady presence through uncertainty greatly helped steer The Salvation Army towards a shared mission and vision.
In her role, she was instrumental in helping The Salvation Army deliver critical assistance to Australians impacted by the devastating Black Summer bushfires in 2019-2020.
In 2020, Winsome was appointed as Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army.
Not long after stepping into the role, she was faced with a challenge that has since reshaped the world — the COVID-19 pandemic. Australians faced unprecedented challenges in the form of lockdowns and health scares that forced thousands in communities across the country into greater uncertainty and in need of help.
As Winsome recollected recently, “2020 and 2021 were really challenging because we were in COVID and we were in Victoria, so lockdowns were hard, but I just look back at that and I see God’s amazing provision.”
Under her strong guidance, The Salvation Army quickly adapted the way it delivered its services, ensuring we were able to provide critically-needed support to vulnerable people and communities nationally.
The post-pandemic years saw Australians face yet another significant challenge — a cost-of-living crisis that resulted in families and individuals confronted with exacerbated financial and social hardship. This, in turn, resulted in a sustained hike in demand for support services like never before.
Through a series of changes and measures to improve efficiency, such as new models of care for service delivery, Winsome enabled The Salvation Army to respond adequately to meet the growing demand.
Another priority close to Winsome’s heart and an important element of her vision was advancing the Reconciliation Action Plan at The Salvation Army, ensuring reconciliation was at the heart of our movement’s work with First Nations peoples as we move into the future.
A legacy of good
As she prepares to enter the next chapter in life — retirement (and brushing up her piano skills again), Winsome reflects on her work over the years.
“As I retire, I feel deeply honoured and humbled to have served as Chief Secretary for the past five years and eight months. I acknowledge that in this season of significant and ongoing change, the faithfulness and presence of God have sustained me, and the dedication, resilience, and faith of our people have inspired and encouraged me …The unity of our people and their commitment to the mission has carried us forward.”
From Darwin to Melbourne, and all across Australia, Colonel Winsome Merrett has served tirelessly, leading with humility, conviction and kindness. Her years as Chief Secretary will be remembered not only for navigating some of the hardest seasons in recent history, but also for her unwavering focus on caring for people.
Thank you, Colonel Winsome Merrett, for all you have done to advance The Salvation Army and our work of helping those most vulnerable. Your legacy will be our encouragement and inspiration as we walk alongside Australians for years to come.
The Salvation Army welcomes new leaders, Colonels John and Lani Chamness, who commence their appointment with the Australia Territory from 1 October 2025. Visit our news update to learn more.