Jubilee Celebration this week-end
Fifty years having elapsed since the Salvation Army was established at Lilydale and it will celebrate its jubilee this week-end. Special fixtures have been arranged to mark fittingly the occasion, and on Sunday the meetings will be led by Major Sandells, Divisional Commander for Tasmania.
The first Army meeting was held on the old school green in 1885, seven coming from Launceston on foot to conduct it. The work was carried on from Launceston for some time, officers later travelling by the late Mr. L. Bardenhagen's coach.
The first meetings took place in the Good Templar's Lodge hall situated in Mr. Bardenhagen's paddock near the creek on the road now leading to Mr. F. Kelp's residence. The Army thrived in the early days and 40 would be a normal attendance. The meeting hall was enlarged and moved to a site adjoining that occupied by the present hall which was built in 1915.
Of the older comrades who joined the Salvation Army during its first five years of existence, the following are still attached to the corps.-Bro. H. Franklin, Bro. C. Green and Bro. and Sister J. H. Johnston, Bro. John Hudson sen. (now in Ho bart) was also among the first to join. Another supporter, Mr. Ernest E. Dolbey, of Lilydale, can recall early meetings of the corps, as he and his late brother, Mr. A. J. Dolbey, were chastised for attending the meeting instead of going to Sunday school in the Old Union Church.
The late Mr. and Mrs. L. Bardenhagen were staunch supporters of the Army, and gave the land for the new hall. They also provided free quarters and meals for the officers for many years. Before the appointment of the first officer (Captain G. F. Woods) in 1889, the duties of leader were carried out by the late Mrs. F. Procter, who was a gifted speaker and singer.
Mr. Chas. Green, who had Army experience in England, and came to Tasmania about 1885, was the first soldier in the Lilydale corps. Mr. Green was a good musician and in 1890 formed the first Salvation Army band at Lilydale. This consisted of Messrs. Harry Simmonds, H. Franklin, George Hudson and John Hudson jun., and the two officers of the day, Captain Thompson and Lieut. Green. Bandmaster Green was the first bandsman in Launceston.
One of the well-remembered officers of the early days was Captain Zachariah Tindall. Three week night meetings were held, and in between them Captain Tindall covered the surrounding districts on foot. He could walk to Lefroy in five hours, selling the "War Cry" en route. On Tuesdays he would walk over Brown Mountain, visiting as far as three miles beyond Underwood and return in time for the evening meeting.
On Sundays, accompanied by members of the local corps, he would visit Lisle, travelling the eight miles through bush across the shoulder of Mount Arthur on foot. Among those who accompanied him was Mr. J. Hudson sen., who lived six miles from Lilydale towards Underwood. He and his wife and family sometimes made the trip on foot three times a week to attend meetings at Lilydale.
One of the outstanding events in the history of the Army at Lilydale was the All Nations March in 1896. Visiting officers from Derby, Scottsdale and Launceston were present, dressed in the attire of different nations. There were over 200 persons at the parade.
Among those who have been identified with the Army work at Lilydale for the last 30 years is Miss Edith Arnold, who was at one time an officer in the field, and Mr. Abel Reeves, now residing in Launceston. The late Mr. Boon was drummer for many years. The present officers are Captain Millward and Lieut. Grant.
SALVATION ARMY AT LILYDALE (1939, July 21). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), , p. 4 (LATEST NEWS EDITION and DAILY). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52320398