The Salvation Army Media Release

Queenstown Sallies celebrate 120 years

Wellington, 12 June 2007 - The Salvation Army is marking 120 years of service in Queenstown with a mix of music, fellowship and reflection.

Anniversary activities on 23-24 June include marching in the Queenstown Winter Festival parade, the guest appearance of a 1960s Corps (church) officer, a dinner and concert, church service, and display of the Army's work in the community.

About 50 people will represent The Salvation Army at the Queenstown Winter Festival's opening parade on Saturday, 23 June at noon. The Salvation Army's National Youth Band will be followed by a brigade of timbrel players, and people in historical uniforms riding old-fashioned bicycles. Several floats will showcase the work of the contemporary Salvation Army.

Former Queenstown Corps Officer Major Judith Bennett will be the guest speaker at a buffet dinner and concert on Saturday evening and a Sunday morning church service. The National Youth Band will play at both events.

Major Bennett served at Queenstown from 1967-69, her first appointment with The Salvation Army. Her talk on the theme 'looking back, looking forward' will be illustrated with slides of late 1960s Queenstown.

'Queenstown still holds a very special place in my heart,' says Major Bennett.

The current work of The Salvation Army in Queenstown will be highlighted in static displays at the Army hall in Camp Street on Friday 3-6pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. The Salvation Army provides a range of social services, including a food bank, budget advice, and counseling and advocacy services. They also run an Oasis Centre - which helps problem gamblers - two Family Stores, and a weekly church service.

Officer in Charge of the Queenstown Corps, Lt. Kenneth Walker, says that about 100 people are expected to attend the dinner and church service, with about half of those from out of town.

Lt. Walker says more details about anniversary activities, all of which are open to the public, are available from The Salvation Army's Queenstown office in Camp Street, phone 03-442-5103. The dinner is a ticketed event.

ENDS

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