The new face of the Gunnedah Salvation Army has started her week as a lieutenant.
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Marika Wallis was released from training early to fill the shoes of the Days, who were re-posted to South Australia in July, but returned to her training ground in Melbourne to be commissioned.
"[The ceremony] was a very special time; very sacred. It took my breath away," Lieutenant Wallis said.
"It gave me the space to understand what it means to be called by God ... it has really deepened my relationship with God.
"It's an absolute privilege and honour to serve God as an officer of the Salvation Army."
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Lieutenant Wallis grew up in the Salvation Army family - her father managed a family store and her mother assisted in welfare - and said there was "a calling on my life and I chose to respond".
She worked in Gunnedah and Tamworth for four years as a Salvos financial counsellor and previously worked in Glen Innes and Inverell, delivering the No Interest Loans scheme.
Lieutenant Wallis is now using this experience in her new role in Gunnedah, interviewing residents to find out their needs ahead of Christmas.
She said it is "hectic" but she wants to get to know community members and work on long-term solutions.
"I want to help people holistically ... building relationships is the foundation for community," she said.