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Red Shield Defence Services

Headquarters

This role is sponsored by Australian Defence Force Headquarters.

Led by Chief Commissioner

Aux-Lieut Vaughan Agnew

Commenced January 2026

I was born in Colac, Victoria and attended The Salvation Army Colac until I was 12. As a teenager, I moved to Alice Springs when Mum and Dad started working for The Salvation Army. Dad as the manager of the Red Shield Hostel and Mum doing welfare for the corps.

The day I turned 17, we moved to Tasmania where Mum and Dad took up appointments as aux-captains at George Town Salvos. I was enrolled as a senior soldier of The Salvation Army while there.

I've been connected with the Red Shield Defence Services since I joined the Australian Defence Force in May 2002 as a soldier. I spent four years, one month and seven days with the army before I was discharged medically due to an incident.

I spent the next 16 years doing all sorts of jobs including as a youth worker, life guard, pool cleaner and bus driver; I worked for companies such as Coca Cola, Star Track and TNT; and even spent six months volunteering on the Leeuwin 2 Sail Training Ship. 

I married Amanda in June 2013, had our first daughter in October 2014 and our second daughter in June 2016.

I grew up in The Salvation Army.
I grew up in The Salvation Army.

Sallyman

I became a “Sallyman” in 2018 when I was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer. I worked with 1st ARMD Reg (2018 – December 2024), and served with 1BDE and 3BDE during major exercises.

 

This is one of the best roles I have ever had. I enjoy spending time hanging out with the soldiers on base and out in the field. Doing life with the soldiers makes me happy and feel alive.

Deployments

Operation North Queensland flood assist in 2018, Bushfire Assist (SA) in 2019 and COVID-19 Assist since 2020.

  • In January 2025 I was appointed to Puckapunyal Military Area, along with Amanda
  • 4 August 2025 I was appointed as Assistant Chief Commissioner RSDS
  • 12 January 2026 I was appointed to Chief Commissioner RSDS and Manager Veterans Ministries and Defence Chaplains

Contact

Aux-Lieut Vaughan Agnew

Call 0417 553 471 or email me

Email headquarters