Salvos urge Melbourne women to think pink
Salvos urge Melbourne women to think pink
26 August 2022
The Salvation Army personnel at the Pink Car launch in Melbourne. (From left) Project 614 Corps Officer Major Sandra Nottle, Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett, Victoria Divisional Commander Colonel Kelvin Merrett, Project 614 Corps Officer Major Brendan Nottle, Head of Social Mission Major Jenny Begent, Assistant Secretary for Mission Captain Brad McIver and Head of Community Engagement Major Brad Watson.
It’s a cold, wet Friday night in Melbourne’s city centre. A young woman with an injured knee is sitting on the kerb, struggling to hail a taxi. She looks up and sighs with relief as a distinctive vehicle turns the corner and pulls over. It’s the Salvos in their new Pink Car. Help is at hand, and she knows she will now get home safely.
The Pink Car, officially launched in the city on Wednesday, is a joint venture by The Salvation Army Project 614 Street Teams and Collingwood Football Club, in conjunction with the City of Melbourne and the City of Stonnington.
Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett with Lord Mayor Sally Capp at the Pink Car launch, held at Platform 28 Restaurant Bar in Docklands.
The Pink Car patrols the streets of Melbourne every Friday and Saturday night between 10pm and 4am, with two females on duty – a social worker and a volunteer.
Receiving referrals through agencies, police, paramedics or a phone call to 1800 266 686 – a number resplendent on the car next to the Red Shield – Salvo workers are ready and waiting to help women in need.
“You’re not going to miss us!” said Phoebe Avenell, Senior Operations Manager at The Salvation Army Project 614. “We want women to enjoy a safe night out, and we are encouraging young women to get home safe.”
Melbourne’s city streets carry extra risk at night, which is why the Project 614 Street Teams for the past decade have been seen out and about serving vulnerable people. But for females, the risk is higher. Research shows that while 63 per cent of men feel safe on Melbourne’s city streets, only 36 per cent of women do. The Pink Car initiative is a step toward changing this – enabling a female-only team to locate and support women who are isolated, at risk or experiencing violence. With a phone call, it means Project 614 can locate these women and transport them home as far away as the Dandenong Ranges.
Collingwood AFLW players Brittany Bonnici and Sarah Rowe are ambassadors for the Pink Car. It will be part of the Magpie Nest Women’s Program at Project 614, which helps women find long-term housing.
“[The Pink Car] is an important asset to the city of Melbourne,” said Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp. “We are so proud to coordinate and collaborate with The Salvation Army and their project.”
Victoria Police is also working alongside The Salvation Army and refer women to the Pink Car. “Everyone in our community has the right to feel safe, and from our perspective, that is our role. Our partnership with The Salvation Army supports us to do that,” said Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson. “We look forward to seeing a fleet in the future!”
Anne’s Van
During the launch, Project 614 Corps Officers Majors Brendan and Sandra Nottle spoke to the media about the project. They made special mention of community volunteer Anne Malloch, an advocate for women’s safety for many years, who was heavily involved in discussions to bring about the Pink Car initiative. Anne sadly passed away from motor neurone disease last month, and the first Pink Car has been named ‘Anne’s Van’ in her honour.
“Anne was so passionate about this idea. She was committed to women in Melbourne for over 30 years, and we hope this honours her memory for many, many years ahead,” said Brendan.
Major Sandra Nottle, Chanelle Pearson (Chief of Staff at Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and Major Brendan Nottle at the launch.
Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett thanked everyone involved for their tireless collaboration on the Pink Car initiative, highlighting that the venture was underpinned by the Australia Territory’s vision statement to “transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus”.
“Thank God for the Salvos is something we hear every day. But I want to thank our partners today. It’s because of you we are able to be here ... to launch this much-needed service,” she said. “We want to transform Australia one life at a time – through practical expressions of our mission like this.”
The Pink Car will be part of Collingwood’s Magpie Nest Women’s Program at Project 614, funded by the Collingwood Football Club.
A special thanks to Sophie Mayes for her assistance in reporting.
Comments
What a great initiative by all involved in this joint venture. Offering assistance and protection during a vulnerable time of the day allows women to feel safe in their own city.
What and amazing initiative! Would love to see this in every state in Australia!
A wonderful initiative. Congratulations to all involved
This is absolutely a great initiative from The Salvos, Collingwood Footy Club and The Victorian Police Force.
Just so proud of everyone involved!!
Just AWESOME