Time marches on for Army captain

HAVING served the Clarence through three major floods, Salvation Army Captain Keith Atkinson and his wife Major Christine Atkinson are preparing to move on.

TIME HAS COME: Captain Keith Atkinson and his wife Major Christine Atkinson will move to Taree after five years with the Grafton Salvation Army Corps.

HAVING served the Clarence Valley through three major floods, Salvation Army Captain Keith Atkinson and his wife Major Christine Atkinson are preparing to move on.

After five years with the Grafton Salvation Army Corps, the couple will relocate to Taree to be closer to family and while Mr Atkinson plans to retire, Mrs Atkinson will start a new role as Chaplain with Bethany residential aged care in Port Macquarie.

Mr Atkinson said he had enjoyed his time in Grafton but was looking forward to new challenges.

"I'll miss the people for sure. We love Grafton; the only reason we're moving is to be closer to family," he said.

"Grafton has been a very active congregation and very supportive."

Mr Atkinson said he had plans to spend time gardening.

Grafton volunteer Salvation Army Corps Sergeant Major Darryll Smidt said the couple had contributed a great deal to the local branch, as well as the community as a whole.

"They have seen us through three floods; serving meals and hampers to people who had to evacuate," Mr Smidt said.

"Keith has been heavily involved with Rotary, among other things, and Major Christine has focused on youth ministries, starting a program for under fives and their families called 'mini musos' held once a week in Grafton.

"It's been very successful with up to 100 to 115 people coming along and basically making a racket, followed by morning tea and fellowship."

A farewell service will be held for Captain Keith Atkinson and Major Christine Atkinson on Sunday from 10am at the Salvation Army Community Welfare Centre in Oliver St, Grafton.

Major Colin and Kate Young are set to assume the Grafton leadership roles.

Originally published as Time marches on for Army captain