About us

Currently serving as the Corps Officer at Benalla in north-east Victoria. Before commencing officer training, he worked as a secondary school English and Humanities teacher, with qualifications in literature, politics and education. Ben completed his Bachelor of Ministry at The Salvation Army Training College and is currently studying for a Master of Theology. Ben serves alongside his wife Jaimee and has three children. He was appointed as chair of MASIC in March 2025.

Casey has worked with The Salvation Army in various communities and capacities both locally and internationally. Her professional and academic backgrounds see her bring a social science lens to MASIC's work. 

Kelvin retired from Salvation Army officership in 2020, after more than 30 years of service. Prior to entering The Salvation Army Training College in 1985, he served with the Federal Government.  

During his years of officership, he served as a corps officer, in headquarters and as The Salvation Army’s representative to Federal Government. His final appointment was as the Territorial Leader for PNG and Solomon Islands Territory. He is married to Julie, and is a father and grandfather. 

Shirli is a proud First Nations leader of Kabi Kabi descent with South Sea Islander heritage. She serves as Territorial General Manager of The Salvation Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministry, leading a national team of eight First Nations staff.  

With 14 years of experience in ministry and cultural engagement across education, child protection, and legal sectors, Shirli is committed to advancing reconciliation and building cultural competence and safety within the organisation. 

Mal grew up attending The Salvation Army and, after university (BA, double-major in Philosophy and English Lit.), worked in Army social programs for 15 years before commencing officership training. 

With his wife, Tracey, he has served as a Salvation Army officer for 22 years in corps, divisional headquarters and territorial headquarters. This included time as national editor-in-chief in Australia, and as assistant secretary for communications and editor-in-chief for the United Kingdom. In October 2025, Mal commenced as Divisional Commander for Victoria. 

Cherise is a soldier at Macarthur Salvos and is currently studying a double degree in Law and Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at UNSW. 

Alongside her studies, she works in Government Relations and Public Policy at the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children Australia to pursue a world where children can no longer be harmed by technology. 

As a member of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Girls’ Committee, Cherise is proud to be part of a global social justice movement — centred on Jesus — that fights wherever there is hardship or injustice. 

Currently serving as the Intercultural Officer for The Salvation Army. She has previously held various roles within corps and mission expressions, including serving as the project coordinator at Salvation Army International Development.  

Captain Manikya Mera is a member of the International Social Justice Commission on Women (ISJC), collaborating with the United Nations NGO Commission on the Status of Women to address critical issues affecting women.  

Additionally, she is a standing committee member of the Victorian Council of Churches.

Currently Team Leader at Merri-bek City Salvos. Debbie has served as an officer in corps, social, divisional and territorial appointments in Australia and the Philippines. 

In the Philippines, Debbie first managed Joyville Children’s Home — a residential home for young people from extreme poverty — then served as territorial public relations secretary, literary secretary and Generous Culture coordinator. She was a member of the Board of Trustees Social and, as a member of MASIC, was involved in writing The Salvation Army’s first Child Safe Policy.

Clayton was a Salvation Army officer for over 20 years, during which time he represented The Salvation Army on various ecumenical bodies including the National Council of Churches Faith and Unity Commission and the NSW Ecumenical Council Theological Reflection Forum.  

Clayton currently works for Suicide Prevention Australia supporting systemic and organisational approaches to suicide prevention. He has been a member of MASIC since 2009, and enjoys thinking through the big issues of our time, helping to connect faith to life in the everyday issues that confront us personally and collectively.

Andrew Walton has been a Salvation Army officer since 2007. Since 2017, Andrew has been part of the Officer Formation Stream at Eva Burrows College. He enjoys the one-on-one contact with cadets that his Individualised Training Officer role affords, along with coordinating education and theological formation for cadets. He also lectures on leadership. 

Andrew's previous appointments saw him working alongside teams of other officers, Salvationists, employees and volunteers in a corps and community setting.