Few people could ever claim to be born to do what they do.  Tim McPherson is one of a rare group of people who have not only made a significant impact on the world of social justice in Australia, America and the UK, but he was quite literally born to do what he is doing.  Tim entered into the world as the fifth generation of Salvation Army Officers in Australia.  His parents, all four grandparents, 6 great grand parents and great great grand father were all among those who fought for social equality throughout the history of this country.  

By 1979 Tim's journey had taken him to Hong Kong.  He was only 3 years old and his mother was expecting her fourth child.  Tim's family worked together in some of the poorest areas of Hong Kong, China, India, Sri Lanka, The Philippines and New Guinea before arriving back in Australia as a 12 year old.  At such a young age Tim had lived in, and witnessed the suffering of, the world in first hand terms.  He had been to leper colonies, refugee camps, rehabilitations centres for the masses of Indians fleeing war torn provinces, experienced throngs of people begging on the street beyond anything Australia has ever seen and been held at knife point by the Chinese Red Guard to name some of the extraordinary events that his life has served him.  

As an adult Tim ventured away from the life of a social servant and worked in media for nearly 10 years.  by 2003 he had decided to leave his role as an Executive at the Herald Sun, Melbourne, and return to doing what he felt more called to do - helping others.  Tim's current role in The Salvation Army is two-fold.  As an employee he is the Director for Major Gifts of the Southern Territory (Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, WA Darwin).  As a Soldier therein he has also achieved many milestones:

·       Tim was a part of the team that established the Salvation Army's Project 614 in Bourke St Melbourne in 2004; a group of volunteers who lived for 12 month in and around Melbourne working 24 hours a day with the homeless, prostitutes and drug addicts.

·       In 2005 he founded and established the first ever newspaper written for the homeless communities around the world.  The Soapbox (www.the-soapbox.org) went on to be published in 5 countries and grew a subscriber base of over 300 people and boasted authors such as Mike Moore, Andrew Bolt, Gary Foley, M C Hammer and other celebrities.

·       By 2006 he had established the J10 outreach program - taking welfare provisions and chaplaincy to the Collingwood and Fitzroy high-rise community flats between 10pm and midnight.  In this time he attracted a band of volunteers to enable the program to expand and offer a regular presence on the street to those in need.