Fishing trip building community at Streetlevel Mission
One night’s catch! (Simon Raby is on the far right.) (Photo supplied by Major Bryce Davies)
A recent fishing trip to Fraser Island, off the Queensland coast, gave a group of men from The Salvation Army’s Brisbane Streetlevel Mission an opportunity to holiday in a supportive, Christian environment.
The Streetlevel Fraser Island Fishing Trip is an annual event run in conjunction with Christians from other churches who also attend to support and mentor the group.
Streetlevel Team Leader, Major Bryce Davies, says this year a new fishing/camping trailer made the experience more comfortable for those attending.
“The construction of the trailer was completed by the Streetlevel community and the base of the trailer was donated by a friend of the community who also attends the fishing trips each year,” says Major Davies.
“The funds to construct the trailer were donated by the High Rise Rotary Club… We loved having good equipment, lighting and shelter on the trip.”
Simon Raby, a member of the Streetlevel community, says the trip was a great experience.
“We mostly just fished,” he says. “I think Bryce has got it over me with the fish catch numbers, but that was just because one night the fish started biting and I had a terrible run of bad luck with gear. I think Bryce might have sabotaged my gear!”
The fun, warm and accepting environment within the Streetlevel team is what has kept Simon connected over the years, and what prompted him to attend this year’s fishing trip.
A former gambling addict, Simon spent time at The Salvation Army’s Pindari Services which offers crisis accommodation and support services to homeless men and women.
“Things had fallen apart and you don’t tend to have much money in reserve to back you up when you have a gambling problem,” says Simon.
It was through the staff at Pindari that he was introduced to Streetlevel Mission, a Salvation Army support service that offers community and hope to homeless and disadvantaged people in inner-Brisbane.
“Bryce [Davies] and Paul [Maunder] from Streetlevel have proven over time that they are men of integrity and … they walk the walk very well,” says Simon.
“So I guess I’ve just learnt to trust in their guidance over time and they’ve given me some consistency and support and encouragement in a place that I feel welcome and at home.
“I’ve left the gambling issues behind and a few other issues that I was kind of dragging along with me and I’m going pretty strongly.”
And, according to Bryce, it is community events like the annual fishing trip that keep the Streetlevel family strong.
“It was a great experience again for those who attended and the relationships that have been forged will really make a difference to our people who have often been isolated and marginalised due to addiction and the breakdown of family and social networks of support,” he says.
For more information about Brisbane Streetlevel, go to: salvos.org.au/brisbanestreetlevel
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