‘I lost everything’: Geelong mum and her newborn were left homeless following arson attack

A Geelong mum has been given another dagger after an arsonist destroyed her home — only scraping by from her ordeal after the community came to the rescue.

A young mother who lost her home in an arson attack has been left “disgusted” after having her victim of crime application denied.

Laura Sproule was living in a Lincoln St, Corio unit with her newborn when a blaze, intentional lit, left her homeless in June last year.

Ms Sproule has now been told her application for compensation was rejected by the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal about a year after she applied.

Ms Sproule, who says she now suffers from PTSD and depression, was left “furious” by the decision.

“Because I wasn’t home, because I wasn’t physically burnt, I wasn’t a victim … I lost everything, I had to rebuild my life,” she said.

“It took them over 12 months to turn around and say we aren’t giving you anything.

“I was left homeless with a ten-week-old baby with no help, nothing at all. I am disgusted.”

Laura Sproule at the site where her home was destroyed by fire. Picture: Mark Wilson

The email obtained by the Geelong Advertiser reads: “Unfortunately, the tribunal have deemed you ineligible for an award of assistance, as the act of violence (being arson) was against property and not a person.”

“Essentially, this means that because you were not home at the time of the arson, the act of violence cannot be claimed to have been committed against your person.

“You have the option to pursue your application by going to a hearing, but this is only applicable if there is further evidence to show that you were home during the act of violence.”

On Friday, Ms Sproule said police were investigating the fire but had not made an arrest.

A week prior to the blaze Ms Sproule said she tried to obtain emergency accommodation after her windows were smashed, but was advised to change the locks instead.

She said she only requested compensation to cover the costs of her temporary accommodation as well as the bond and first month of rent once she found another place to live.

The Lincoln St unit on fire. Picture: Supplied.

“When I went to the Salvos after the fire, they put me in a hotel for five days, on my last two days being there I placed around 20 calls trying to get hold of reception, leaving several

distressed messages, when I finally got through, they said their funding wasn’t able to help me and I was on my one,” she said.

“At the hotel there was a relief manager, who was very helpful she got me into a long-term cabin down Torquay highway.

“I was trapped in little box, paying $300 week with a baby who didn’t sleep very well.”

Ms Sproule has since secured a home for her and her son just outside of Geelong, which was furnished through community donations.

“I was hoping with the victims of crime payout I could get a car because I currently spend four hours day on public transport getting to and from work,” she said.

“I am now going to have to spend more time at work and less time with my son to save for a car to make things easier.

“It feels like it’s one step forward two steps back.”

The tribunal was contacted for comment.

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Originally published as ‘I lost everything’: Geelong mum and her newborn were left homeless following arson attack