Victory Church

The SPEAKER: The member for Florey—albeit slow out of the gates.

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:10): I am still recovering from what I just heard, sir. Florey is a diverse electorate with many wonderful opportunities for residents, and there are many churches in Florey. I would particularly like to mention Victory Church, which celebrated its 20^th anniversary in March 2014.

Victory Church began life, in my electorate, in the old Home Hardware store on Nelson Road in 1998 after its fourth year as a congregation, under the leadership and care of Pastor Tony and Kath Rainbow. I have been lucky enough to witness the growth in this caring church community as it became too big for its Nelson Road site and moved boldly to a new site on Maxwell Road, Pooraka, near the Parafield Airport.

It runs many programs—for men and for women, for the over 55's, playgroups, marriage groups, parenting groups, counselling, Victory Kids and the KIDGO school holiday program. It was that particular program that led me to meet Kris Guglielmucci, who until recently played a vital leadership role in Victory Church's youth programs. A mutual friend, Mr Dave Garland, brought Kris to the Florey electoral office for one of our Christmas community gatherings. Kris struck me as a passionate and enthusiastic man with a genuine heart for youth doing it tough in the local area.

Kris, with the support of Victory Church, had initiated an outreach program for some of the local high schools, to bring some food, fun and friendship to kids doing it tough. This was just one way in which Kris was actively involved, trying to change the lives of those who needed change the most. As a youth pastor and a member of the worldwide youth movement Planetshakers, Kris touched the lives of so many young people.

We spoke about getting together in the New Year to discuss ways of working together but it was not to be, because a freak accident cut Kris's contribution to the community tragically short. On 22 January 2016 Kris and his wife Lisa were running a youth camp in the Adelaide Hills with about 100 young people and 20 other church leaders, when a storm cell approached. Kris and another youth leader, Ashari Rainbow, were each struck by lightning. Whilst Ashari survived her terrible injuries, Kris ultimately passed away. It is a little known fact that in Australia the chances of being struck by lightning are about one in 1 million, but five to 10 people die and more than 100 are severely injured each and every year, so it is always a good move not to stand out in a big storm.

On 2 February 2016, along with more than 2,000 other people I attended the funeral service held to farewell Kris. Although a youth pastor based at Victory Church in Pooraka, Kris was also strongly associated with the Edge Church at Reynella. The funeral service was led by Tony Rainbow; it drew people from many corners of the world and was a demonstration of how Kris reached and connected with many people from many areas of life.

During the difficult times before and after the funeral, Victory Church held services dedicated to celebrating the life and impact of Kris Guglielmucci, opened its doors to the families directly affected by the events and provided counsellors for the immediate care of the youth camp attendees. The support offered by Victory Church to the community throughout this time is a great example of the importance of this community organisation in our local area.

Kris's family were understandably shattered. His wife Lisa and son Zeke gave wonderful accounts of their much-loved husband and dad. His parents Danny and Sharonne and a sister and brother also gave tributes to the big man whose hugs could change lives. Sharonne recalled how Kris loved to play his guitar, and his musical abilities were a lively part of the Victory Sunday services. Some years ago in 2009, I recall attending the opening of refurbished offices for Childhood Cancer, which was just across the road from the Women's and Children's Hospital. Danny and Sharonne and the Edge Church were, I think, involved with working with the Little Heroes Foundation at the same time.

Kris leaves behind his wife Lisa and their four young children. For them the loss is the greatest. My condolences go to Lisa and the children, and his parents Danny and Sharonne. I know they have been helped immensely by their church family. To Kris's wider family, and all his friends and colleagues at the Victory and Edge Churches, we give our sincere sympathy at this very sad time. I know he will be greatly missed and remembered by all who knew him. We all hope he will rest in peace.