• SAES serve at tragic scene
BY LERISSE SMITH
The Salvation Army’s Victorian Emergency Services team united with several other agencies and Boroondara Council to support a grieving community after the sudden and tragic death of a young Melbourne school student.
Due to an existing relationship of trust with the local council, the Victorian SAES team was requested to provide a catering truck as a focal point of support for three days at a park near Auburn South Primary School after an incident at the school claimed the life of 11-year-old Jack Davey on Tuesday 29 October. Four other children were seriously injured.
Carolyn Spratling, Victorian SAES Response Coordinator, said the “ministry of presence” was the foundation of its model of care.
“It’s the power of the [Red] Shield,” she said.
“While Erin Mains (SAES Specialist) was serving coffee, a community member asked why we were here. Erin explained, and as the lady looked at her SAES-branded shirt, she said, ‘Oh, you are The Salvation Army.’ The lady then asked Erin to pray with her right there in the park. It was a beautiful moment.”
Jack’s death greatly impacted the local community.
Carolyn said the team was blessed to be able to step into the space to support the local community when they needed it. The team’s role included serving tea, coffee, snacks and a sausage sizzle, together with the Victorian Council of Churches, Red Cross and SES.
Carolyn said over a cuppa and snack, local community members could talk about how they felt. They came from either the school community or lived nearby, with the community supporting one another.
She said people were still in shock that something like that had happened in the community and wanted to talk about how it happened, as well as being in disbelief regarding Jack’s tragic death.
