The Salvation Army 2025 Red Shield Appeal Brisbane Launch

Representing the Premier, Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, the Honourable Amanda Camm MP; Queensland Police Service Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman; The Salvation Army Chief Secretary, Colonel Winsome Merrett and Divisional Commanders for Queensland, Major Mark Everitt and Major Fran Everitt; sponsors and corporate partners; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I, too, begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people with us today.

It is a privilege, as Joint Patron with my husband, of the Queensland Division of The Salvation Army, to be with so many of you this morning who also support this fabulous Christian charitable organisation.

Where would we be without The Salvos? This is a sentiment that underpins the incredible work carried out by The Salvation Army and echoes the theme for this year’s Red Shield Appeal: ‘Be the hope people need.’

There are always people within our communities who are in need – this has been the case for the entirety of the time The Salvos have been in existence, and it is indeed why this army of goodwill was established in the first place… and why it is still so very necessary.

Unfortunately, the sobering reality for all too many people in today’s society involves dealing with the impact of family and domestic violence, a lack of affordable accommodation, the scourge of drugs and alcohol abuse, accompanied by an enduring sense of hopelessness that any of these societal woes can be remedied.

We have heard loud and clear from Australians what the issues are that continue to plague those struggling to survive; where to lay their heads, and how to put a meal on the table for their children and themselves.

Across the country ‘fewer than 3% of rental properties are affordable for many struggling families. And concerningly, over 60% of those experiencing homelessness in Australia are women – more than 90,000 of them single parents.’ Queenslanders are not immune to this national trend of homelessness and continue to hope for better times.

With the launch in Brisbane this morning of the Red Shield Appeal, the hope exists. The hope is to assist as many Queenslanders as possible into housing – crisis, transitional and long-term – to provide emergency and disaster relief when needed, to dispense financial aid where necessary, to help jobseekers look for employment, and to shore up all essential services that provide care to those who need it.

Of course, this incredible endeavour is only made possible by the generosity of community members – including all of you in the room today. It is your financial support that will enable The Salvation Army to continue to provide its extensive platform of services to Queenslanders in need. Together, let’s make hope happen.

As Governor, I thank you on behalf of all Queenslanders for your involvement in this year’s Red Shield Appeal, which I take great delight in now declaring officially launched. Thank you.