New home for Salvos emergency services in Victoria

23 hours ago
3 min read

Long-term SAES team members Maria Varelas and Robin Fisk officially open the new Victorian SAES depot in Epping with Major Kim Haworth (Assistant Chief Secretary – Mission).

BY LERISSE SMITH

An exciting new chapter has begun for The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES).

The Emergency Services Depot in Victoria has relocated to a new home in Epping, after more than 30 years in Eltham.

“This move marks an exciting milestone for our team,” says Major Bindy Lupis, National Response Manager for The Salvation Army’s Emergency Response Service. “And it creates new opportunities to strengthen our emergency response capabilities and support communities when they need us most.”

A large crowd attended the official opening of the new depot on 25 July, with long-term team members Maria Varelas and Robin Fisk officially opening the new premises alongside Major Kim Haworth, Assistant Chief Secretary – Mission.

Joining the Woolworths team at the depot opening were Major Bindy Lupis (National Response Manager for The Salvation Army’s Emergency Response Service), Major Kim Haworth (Assistant Chief Secretary – Mission), and Major Mal Davies (Victoria Divisional Commander). Woolworths have been long-term supporters of the SAES.

Bindy said it was wonderful to see the community come together and share in such a special milestone.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support, partnerships, and encouragement we continue to receive, and to our phenomenal volunteers who make our work possible every day,” she says.

“A special shout-out to the team members who dedicated countless hours to cleaning, organising, preparing food, and maybe even a few sleepless nights to ensure the official opening was a success. Your commitment and hard work did not go unnoticed. Thank you all for being part of this exciting new chapter with us.”

Bindy added that the team was grateful for the support of Lieut-Colonel Gregory Morgan, Secretary for Mission, and many in the business support portfolio, particularly those in property, who worked with them to make the new depot a reality.

A large crowd attended the official opening of the new SAES depot on 25 July.

Carolyn Spratling, State Coordinator – Response Victoria, said the relocation meant better community engagement.

“It enables a much quicker turnaround for responding and also a space for our volunteers to come and gather,” she says.

“At Eltham, we had to move many vehicles to get vehicles from down the back. Now everything is spread out, so we can take whatever vehicle we need and it’s ready to go, instead of moving a lot of equipment to get to our supplies and other trucks or whatever. It means everything can be stored in one location instead of at storage units and stored off-site.”

Carolyn Spratling (State Coordinator – Response Victoria) says two of the key features of the new depot are its size and its close proximity to all the major freeways across the state.

Carolyn said two of the key features of the new depot were its size and close proximity to all the different freeways across the state.

The larger space at the new depot also allows room to park the team’s five vehicles. Additionally, the new facility has storage for material aid and an area for single-incident house fire supplies, plus a kitchen, offices, a training room, a small workspace, and a workshop.

“This newly leased facility provides the space and capability SAES has urgently needed,” Carolyn says.

“As the operational hub for SAES in Victoria, the depot will house staff, vehicles, and supplies in one location - enabling faster response times when disaster strikes. It also opens the door for training, meal preparation, and hosting corporate visitors at functions which were not possible before.”