However, it also sees the celebration of 125 years of The Salvos in Bega.

Founded in the slums of London by former Methodist minister William Booth, The Salvation Army quickly spread world-wide and is now operational in 126 countries around the world.

The sound of a beating drum and two cornets were the first signals The Salvation Army had arrived in Bega on Friday, August 15, 1890.

A Bega Salvation Army Centenary book records “Entry was made in a covered wagon, with two outriders wearing red guernseys and playing Roll on Dark Stream”.

Its first officers were two capable women - Captain English and Lieutenant Hamilton.

The Salvation Army, as a relatively new spiritual movement, was largely misunderstood in Australia in the early days.

Not everyone appreciated its loud street marches and passionate open-air meetings.

In Bega, the so-called “Skeleton Army” (local larrikins intent on disrupting army meetings) was in full force in the late 1800s.

The Bega Salvation Army history book notes “the Salvationists were pelted with small bags of flour, lime, over-ripe fruit and vegetables, eggs and even a dead cat”.

Despite this, the Bega Salvos thrived and some of the detractors eventually came to know Christ and joined the army’s ranks.

The Salvation Army first met in an empty two-storey boot shop and curious crowds lined the streets to see what was going to happen.

“The hall proved too small to hold all who sought admission and, with much pushing and shoving, the rest thronged to the windows.”

Today, The Salvation Army has its home on Auckland St.

In 1890, a local rough-nut who went by the name of Kelly found freedom at The Salvation Army’s mercy seat.

The Bega history book claims his “language was so lurid it is recorded that even bullock drivers avoided him”.

Yet, this man’s life changed after the arrival of The Salvation Army and “Dad Kelly” as he was then known, became a stalwart Salvo.

At a time when women in ministry positions were unheard of in most other churches, The Salvation Army in Bega has hosted dozens of female Salvation Army officers.

The trend started with Captain English and Lieutenant Hamilton and continues to this day with current corps officer Lieutenant Lesley Newton.

Ordaining women was a revolutionary concept in the late-1800s, so these women were real pioneers and must have experienced an odd look or two around town!

The Salvation Army in Australia has produced a number of remarkable Salvation Army women over the years, including its very own female general, Eva Burrows.

Meanwhile, Bega has produced its fair share of outstanding Salvationists as well.

Florence (Flo) Whittaker and Ruth Smith were known as the “Melody Girls”.

They were appointed to Bega’s Field Unit 3 in 1949.

The mobile field units operated across rural NSW, providing companionship and support to farmers and isolated communities.

During their 12-month appointment, Flo Whittaker and Ruth Smith travelled thousands of kilometres, camping out of their field unit van, providing a helping hand on farms and conducting church meetings in shearing sheds, hotels and isolated schools.

“We went out in a drought and you see we were both city girls, we didn’t know anything about drought, how they fed sheep from the tops of the trees, so you just had to go out with the men,” Flo Whittaker recalled in a later interview.

“Life’s been very exciting.”

Well before the age of motor vehicles, The Salvation Army was still active in remote and rural communities around Bega and southern NSW with the use of its Cavalry Forts.

These horse-drawn carts enabled The Salvation Army to reach Australians in the bush.

In March 1888, Major Charles Jeffries stood outside the Southern NSW divisional office and farewelled Captain Stephens in the Aggressive, a cavalry fort on its initial expedition to the bush.

The Salvation Army’s War Cry newspaper reported that the horse-drawn caravan was a “somewhat primitive and makeshift arrangement”, but it worked in the sense that people far removed from towns and cities could be reached by The Salvation Army’s ministry.

From the early days when The Salvation Army used to march down Bega’s main street, to today, when it can be found running children’s groups, serving a cuppa or teaching budgeting skills, one thing has remained the same - The Salvation Army is about people finding freedom.

Freedom from fear. Freedom from neglect. Freedom from poverty and addiction. Freedom to dream. Freedom to love. Freedom to make a difference. Freedom to live life to the full and freedom through Jesus.

Most people in the Valley are aware of the two Salvos stores - one in Bega in Carp St and the other in Merimbula in Alice St.

These two stores have an incredible ministry within the Valley offering inexpensive second hand clothes, furniture, bric-a-brac, books and toys, just to name a few things.

A couple of times through the year The Salvos offer coffee, cake and chat days.

On these days, the community is invited to visit the shops for a free coffee, something to eat and a place to have a chat with others in the community.

“We are finding the more often we do these the bigger these events are becoming,” Lieutenant Newton said.

“Each year we try to offer this at least twice, but we are looking at having them more often as obviously our community enjoys this time of gathering and chatting.”

On the first and third Saturday of each month the Salvos have their Crafty Capers gathering.

“What we have become very aware of is that there are a lot of artistic people in this community. 

“This group started out of a need to share craft skills that are slowly becoming a dying art form.

“Those that come to this group love the fact that they can sit and create and have people around them who are also like minded as they create beautiful works.”

Every Thursday morning is Connect - the new name for welfare.

“The system has recently changed, but we still offer the opportunity for a gathering place.

“We have free tea and coffee and something to eat for anyone who needs some company.

“We open our doors at 9.30am and this goes through to noon each Thursday.

“Of course we are well known for our collecting on the street and in the pubs.

“We live in such a generous community and it shows when we collect.

“I enjoy going out on a Friday night and spending time with folks in our community.

“For us this is more than the money we collect - it is about enjoying life with people, even if it is just for a few minutes each week.”

Of course, The Salvation Army is first and foremost a church.

“Everything we do comes from our love for God who has asked us to do what we do in this community.

“Every Sunday we meet at our little hall at 170 Auckland St in Bega at 10.30 for worship.

“As we have been in town for 125 years, over that time The Salvation Army has changed to suit the community needs.

“We hope and pray we will be here and relevant, always striving to meet the needs of the community, for many years to come.”

Do you have a story of The Salvation Army to share? Have the Salvos helped you in some way? Comment below or email ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au