WHEN Major Debbie Serojales and husband Major Rod Serojales were appointed by The Salvation Army to Sunraysia in 2021 their experiences in the Philippines were always going to be the perfect fit for the region's vast multicultural community.

As the leaders at Mildura and Red Cliffs Salvation Army, the hard-working couple have had a big impact on the region during the past few years, installing a sense of belonging and belief throughout the community.

Their dedicated work has involved running several programs and working tirelessly to ensure there is a strong support base for those as they adapt and transition to a new country, just like they have both experienced in their travels.

“We both have a passion to build relationships with people from other countries to feel at home here in Australia, while still keeping their links and cultural needs from their home country,” Ms Serojales said.

They pair are also responsible for all the church programs, worship services, community support services, and working together with their staff at their three thrift shops.

“One of the most enjoyable programs which we run every week is for children," Ms Serojales said.

"Our community meals in Red Cliffs and Mildura have been a great opportunity to connect with individuals and families as well in our community.

“While the meals are important for those who are struggling, it is also an chance to build friendships, creating connections with people who may not normally stop and talk together.

"Pacific Islanders who want to link with others in their new country, elderly who may otherwise sit alone at home to have a simple dinner, families who just gather to support others who face many challenges.

"We collaborate with Red Cliffs Church of Christ for the Red Cliffs meals.

"We have amazing connections within the Philippine community and beyond for the Mildura meals.

"We work alongside SMECC and AMES as we develop connections with members of our CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) community, who come for support as they adapt and transition to a new country."

Debbie and Rod landed in Mildura in January 2021 to serve as the leaders at Mildura and Red Cliffs Salvation Army.

Their first port of call was to officially bring together these two locations under one name, the Salvation Army Sunraysia.

Mr Serojales has also since become a member of the Sunraysia Multicultural Response Group through SMECC and the president of the Filipino Community of Sunraysia.

The pair are also members of the Community Connections within the PALM (Pacific Australian Labor Mobility) Scheme that help bring agricultural workers to the region.

They have also built strong connections with farm workers who have left their families in Pacific Islands to work in Sunraysia to financially support their loved ones back home.

But for Debbie and Rob, dedicating their lives to others began long before their time in Sunraysia.

In 2006, after having served in various churches around Victoria and as well as at divisional headquarters, Ms Serojales was sent by The Salvation Army to the Philippines.

“My life changed the day that I arrived in the Philippines where I had been appointed the manager of Joyville Children’s Home - a residential home for children from poverty and young people who have been living on the street," she said.

"I lived in Tanay, a rural area of Rizal, a few hours out of Manila, while managing Joyville Children’s Home.

"I served there for six years, it was the most eye opening and fulfilling life-changing experience of my life.

"I built lifelong relationships living alongside these young people who I will always consider part of my family.”

It was during this time that Debbie met Rod, who was also serving in church roles, as well as divisional head office positions overseeing the mission and program of the same area that Debbie was working.

“We met during a national event and eventually our friendship turned stronger and we were married in the Philippines," Ms Serojales said.

"Rod was living on another island, so eventually he was able to transfer closer to where I lived until we were married and he was moved to Joyville Children’s Home."

For Ms Serojales, what was initially a three-year term, became a six-year term in the Philippines.

Getting married, having one child - Shaella is now 14 - before the three of them came to Australia.

Mr Serojales had never lived outside of the Philippines, so it was life changing moving to Melbourne.

Appointed to the Preston Salvation Army church it was during this time they had their second daughter, Amaya, who is now 12.

After 18 months in Melbourne, they were sent to the Delacombe Salvos in Ballarat where they stayed for four years.

Their stint in the regional city saw Rod become a multicultural ambassador for the City of Ballarat, representing the Philippine community.

“Whilst we loved what we were doing in Australia, we had a strong calling to serve overseas," Ms Serojales said.

In 2018 they returned to the Philippines and were appointed to the territorial headquarters in Manila to serve in positions that would assist The Salvation Army around the country.

"It was an exciting time for us as a family. A lot of hard work, but very rewarding,” Ms Serojales said.

During this time she was the public relations secretary, literary secretary responsible for all the publications.

Meanwhile Mr Serojales was the Territorial Program secretary and Generous Living, responsible to resource and support the mission and work of The Salvation Army around the Philippines.

While they revelled in their life in the tropical archipelago, it was not without the occasional alarming experience.

“During our time in the Philippines we experienced, earthquakes, flooding, typhoons, volcanic ash from a distant volcano was landing in the area we lived," Ms Serojales said.

"We were required to wear masks to protect ourselves from the volcanic ash.

"Little did we know that a few weeks later, masks would become a requirement as COVID hit and the world changed.

"Our daughters Shaella and Amaya were at school one day, but with COVID restrictions introduced, never went back or saw their friends again."

Ms Serojales had some non-COVID health issues and there was no basic health care available.

The couple were also concerned about what care was available if the girls became unwell.

When the borders to home were closed, the Australian embassy provided a limited number of repatriation flights.

An extremely difficult decision was made for their family to return to Australia, with the four of them listed on the second flight out, which left in May 2020.

“We left with just our suitcases, our home was still set up in Manila and we had thought we may return once this situation had passed," Ms Serojales said.

"We competed hotel quarantine and The Salvation Army provided a place for us to stay while we worked remotely for the Philippines.

"After four months it was realised that we could not return to the Philippines.

"The Salvation Army decided that we would return to Australia permanently.

"Our home was packed up for us and after 10 months we received our goods once we arrived at our new home in Mildura.”

Sadly, for Debbie and Rod, The Salvation Army has again decided that they are required elsewhere and in 2025 are being transferred to Melbourne.

Ms Serojales has been appointed as one of the Corps Officer to TSA church in the Melbourne municipality of Merri-bek City - made mostly of the suburbs of Northcote, Preston and Reservoir - and she'll take on responsibility within family and children’s ministries as well as a variety of other roles.

Mr Serojales has been appointed as the manager of the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Community Services.

“Our daughters will find this move difficult, as they will now have had five schools and five homes in such a short space of time," Ms Serojales said.

"We will miss the connections and friendships we have made in our community."

Rod and Debbie’s contribution to Mildura is best summed up in the words of Margie Cursaro, a leader in the Filipino community.

“I have had the privilege to get to know Rod and Debbie and the amazing work and contributions, not only to the Salvation Army, but also the Filipino community and Sunraysia as a whole," she said.

"They have worked tirelessly to help those less fortunate and to also make Filipinos feel a sense of pride and community in Sunraysia. I feel honoured to call them my friends for the last three years and will miss them dearly when they leave on their next adventure in life.”

The new officers that are coming to Mildura are Captain Kimberley and Lieutenant Shaun Featherston with their almost two-year-old daughter Hannah.

They currently run the work at The Salvation Army's Sunbury church.