St Kilda bookseller Kim Gruschow chats with trauma cleaner Sandra Pankhurst about her life and work – and what it felt like to see it all transformed into the critically acclaimed biography, The Trauma Cleaner.

Many people haven’t heard of or considered trauma cleaning; what does the work encompass?

Our job is to clean up in the aftermath of trauma or tragedy. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not realise such a service exists until they find themselves in a situation that requires it. Since we first established STC Services many years ago, we’ve been getting referrals from councils, social workers, police, the Department of Health and Human Services and not-for-profit organisations on an ongoing basis.

How did you end up in the trauma cleaning business and what were your first impressions of the work?

I was a Funeral Director prior to working at STC Services and I could see the desperate need for such a service. Police, fire brigade, ambulance and emergency services do not do this type of clean up. I never thought I would do this sort of work though.

In what ways do you think your life experiences lead you to being successful in this line of work?

I feel the success of STC Services comes down our values. Excellence is no accident and at the core of our service is care, compassion and dignity.

How did you initially feel when Sarah (Krasnostein) put forward the idea of writing a book about your life?

I met Sarah at a conference. She wanted to talk with me about why one would become a trauma cleaner, and after several conversations I suggested she might also like to hear the real story about my own life. I always thought there was a book in me!

How do you feel now that the book has been published and your story is out in the world?

I feel the whole experience has been incredibly rewarding. A number of past clients have read the book and thanked me for being a very important part of their lives, albeit briefly. I also feel it has been very cathartic.