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Goroke & Natimuk, VICTORIA

Bus unites veterans in remote communities

Veterans in the small communities of Goroke and Natimuk in Victoria's northwest have been brought together by the purchase of an 18-seater bus fitted with wheelchair access.

A joint project, initiated by the West Wimmera Health Service, which services an area of some 17,000 square kilometres, the bus allows veterans and other older, disabled or frail members of the community to attend Adult Day Activity Programs, go on shopping trips and attend social functions.

"These communities are very isolated and it's difficult for older people to get around." says West Wimmera Health Service Chief Executive Officer John Smith. "There are no taxis or public transport. All the roads are narrow, winding and plagued with kangaroos and emus. That's why we decided to do something about it."

"I knew of other groups who had received grants from the Department so when the need for this project was identified, I contacted them about the Veteran & Community Grants."

A small group was set up to prepare the grant application and to set out exactly how veterans would benefit from the proposal.

"These communities are very isolated and it's difficult for older people to get around," says West Wimmera Health Service Chief Executive Officer John Smith. "There are no taxis or public transport. All the roads are narrow, winding and plagued with kangaroos and emus. That's why we decided to do something about it."

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John says the bus has been a life changing investment. "It allows people to have interaction with others in the community and reduces that social and geographical isolation."

Veterans within the two communities are now 'out and about' far more. The bus, which operates on a timetable and is driven by health service staff and volunteers, can take community members to town so they can do their own shopping, visit friends and attend social functions.

The bus is garaged and maintained by the health service and when not in use can be hired by other community members for just a few dollars - enough to cover the cost of fuel and replacement parts.

John says one of the most difficult things about starting the community bus service was letting people know about it. They did this by word of mouth - through clubs, groups and other services.

"Even though the bus is managed and garaged by the health service we had to let people know this is a community bus and available for veterans and the wider community."

"There's no problem with that now though. People rely on the bus every day and say they don't know where they'd be without it."

Transport to independence

Project: reducing social isolation by providing a bus for use by veterans and the community.

DVA's contribution: $70,000

Community benefits: veterans lead a more active social life, feel safer and have rediscovered their independence.

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