THE HON ALAN TUDGE MP MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS The Salvation Army 2018 Multicultural Red Shield appeal 24 April 2018 SPEECH - Sydney Thank you so much Joseph. What a great Australian Joseph is. He has done such a remarkable effort in hosting this event for over two decades. But as well, all the other work that Joseph does on behalf of all Australians but particularly the multicultural community here in Sydney. I commend you and the work you do and thank you very much for the introduction which you have provided. To Sheba, the CEO of Multiconnexions, thank you for your work and your contribution to the Red Shield Appeal as well. Multiconnexions, I understand, have been involved in this as well, for a couple of decades now along with Joseph. We absolutely thank you for your tireless work in terms of heading this up along with Joseph. Where is Colonel Mark Campbell? He is the national Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army. It is terrific to have such a senior member of the Salvation Army here with us. To all the other community leaders; to all the other Salvation Army representatives here and I see many in their uniform; ladies and gentlemen; the media who is here as well, it is terrific that you could all come along to this important launch today. I think this is Australia at its best. When you have communities from across the nation coming together for a great cause of helping those in need. Joseph, you mentioned a bit about the origins of the Salvation Army. And as you rightly pointed out, it started in 1880 in Adelaide where the first meeting was held. It involved two gentlemen, John Gore and Edward Saunders. And John Gore made a very famous quote in that very first meeting in the back of a green grocer’s cart in the Adelaide Botanical Gardens. He said, “if there is any man here who hasn’t had a square meal today, let him come home to tea with me.” It is a magnificent quote, I believe stated at that very first meeting of the Salvation Army almost 140 years ago today in Adelaide. |
