Activus Transport Newsletter January / February

Activus Newsletter January/February 2020 Edition Associate Professor Peter Gonski joins Activus as an Ambassador Activus Transport is pleased to announce of Medicine, UNSW, and Clinical Stream Director for that Associate Professor Peter Gonski has Aged Care and Rehabilitation, South Eastern Sydney joined the organisation as an Ambassador. Local Health District, Associate Professor Gonski is a His appointment comes at a time when strong advocate for improved community integrated care. Activus is actively promoting the benefits of community transport services available to His appointment as Activus Ambassador also members of the Sutherland Shire community follows the launch of the new Rapid Assessment, who are unable to access public transport Diagnosis and Intervention Unit Sutherland due to physical, social or geographical factors. (RADIUS) at Sutherland Hospital earlier this year. Associate Professor Gonski’s acceptance Activus Transport looks forward to engaging of the Ambassador role underpins his belief that with Associate Professor Gonski, who will also be affordable community transport plays a crucial role speaking at the upcoming How to master the Aged in supporting positive health and ageing outcomes Care Maze event in Gymea, held in February 2020. by ensuring people are able to attend medical appointments, social outings and community activities. We believe that our work with Professor Gonski will be an important step in helping people navigate and As Director of Southcare at Sutherland Hospital and get the best out of the current aged care system Community Services, Associate Professor at the Faculty and improve the wellbeing of the local community.

January 2020 Time2Enjoy Calendar CALENDAR KEY Evening Pre-paid Event Outing Walking Early Start 06 EAST & WEST 07 08 EAST & WEST 09 10 EAST & WEST MON TUE WED THU FRI Bingo & Lunch at NO OUTING Lunch at NO OUTING Aldi Engadine Dooley’s Lidcombe TODAY Moorebank TODAY and Lunch at Sports Club Bingo: FREE Sylvania Bowling Club EAST & WEST EAST & WEST WEST EAST & WEST 13 14 15MON 16 TUE WED 17 THU Bingo & Lunch at It’s Showtime at EARLY START PICKUP FRI Dooley’s Lidcombe St George NO OUTING Pete’s Tours: TODAY Shire Sweet Shop, Bingo: FREE Leagues  Club North Sydney Engadine Entry $10 and Lunch at Norths Cammeray and Lunch at Kurnell Recreation Club 20 EAST & WEST 21 EAST & WEST 22 EAST & WEST 23 24 EAST & WEST FRI MON TUE WED THU Bingo & Lunch at Ikea Tempe Bingo NO OUTING Lunch at Dooley’s Lidcombe and Lunch at the and Lunch at TODAY Bundeena Helensburgh Community Bingo: FREE food court Services Club Tradies Alternate Drop Bingo $3/book Menu $20 Raffle Tickets $1 27 EAST & WEST 29 EAST EAST & WEST 31 MON 28 WED 30 FRI AUSTRALIA DAY TUE THU PUBLIC HOLIDAY It’s Showtime at EARLY START PICKUP Seniors Show NO OUTING St George and Lunch at TODAY Pete’s Tours: Ingleburn RSL Leagues  Club North Sydney Show Free Entry $10 and Lunch at Norths Cammeray

Message from the GM provide in the next year and beyond so IMPORTANT DATES please take the time to complete it. We FOR JAN/FEB 2020: Welcome to our first have also recently introduced the “Rate combined Newsletter your Social Outing Form” which can JANUARY 1ST and Calendar for 2020! be supplied on board by our Transport New Year’s Day (office is closed) Assistants at any Social Outings. It’s summer and JANUARY 6TH time for the great Our collaboration with Home Modifications Office is open for business at 8am outdoors. So fittingly, Solutions and Sutherland Food Services this edition has a few continues with the Wellness Champions. FEBRUARY 12TH– 23RD outdoor excursions Save the date for the ‘How to Master the Seniors Week Festival, various activities such as scenic tours, Aged Care Maze’ event which is being – check with Sutherland Council local nursery visits and back by popular hosted by the collaborative on the 20th demand - another weekend outing, this February 2020. We are committed to FEBRUARY 15TH time to the historic town of Jamberoo. providing our customers with a greater Retirement and Recreation choice and information on the services Expo, Tradies 9am-3pm As this calendar goes out just before you need to “live the life you love”. we break for Christmas we anticipate FEBRUARY 5TH that many of you will get your bookings In light of the recent Royal Commission Chinese New Year in before the festive season kicks into Aged Care, it is important to recognise off as we will be closed from Midday and support the fantastic customers, FEBRUARY 14TH on the 24th December. Please services, staff and volunteers that are Valentine Day remember to note all your bookings involved in this sector. The rich tapestry down, listen to the automated phone of individuals that provide our service FEBRUARY 20TH calls for any updated information and do a wonderful job, many of who are How to Master the Aged Care if unsure please call the office when volunteering their time. So if you receive Maze – Gymea Tradies we return on the 6th of January. amazing service let that person know your appreciation. The future of community Download Sutherland Shire January tends to be a slower month transport relies heavily on continued Seniors Festival Program here: at Activus with many facilities and Commonwealth funding which is uncertain https://bit.ly/361w90w organisations either shut or operating at in the current climate so don’t forget reduced hours. We use this quiet time to tell your local member of parliament to conduct training for our Staff in order how much you value our organisation. to continue providing the highest level of customer service throughout the New From all of us here at Activus Year. With this in mind, some days during we would like to wish you a safe January will not have a social outing. and happy holiday season! We love receiving feedback! To that end Yours, our Annual Client Survey is now available on board our vehicles. This survey will Greg Stanger help guide us to shape the services we Did you know? Last year Activus buses and cars travelled 580,000kms? We had a total of 6,000 customers and provided 16,400 Social outings, 55,552 Government supported trips; 4,000 shopping trips, and 2,200 caring centre outings. We have over 4,500 Commonwealth Home Support Program Customers. Total Activus trips in 2019 was 59,208 and we are projecting 65,000 trips for 2020 – not bad hey!

February 2020 Time2Enjoy Calendar CALENDAR KEY Evening Pre-paid Event Outing Walking Early Start 03 EAST & WEST 04 EAST & WEST 05 EAST & WEST 06 WEST 07 EAST & WEST FRI MON TUE WED THU Bingo & Lunch at Variety Day Show Cabaret Show Lunch at Sunrise Nursery Dooley’s Lidcombe and Lunch at and Lunch at Gerroa Boat and Lunch at Club Liverpool The Junior’s Fisherman’s Club Bingo: FREE Helensburgh Tradies Entry $2 Kingsford Show $5 EAST & WEST 12EAST & WEST EAST & WEST EAST 14 15EAST & WEST EAST & WEST TUE WED 10 11MON 13 FRI SAT THU Bingo & Lunch at It’s Showtime at Flower Power, Lunch at Valentines Day Trip to Jamberoo Dooley’s Lidcombe St George Leagues Milperra Gerroa Boat Concert and Lunch at Village, explore at Fisherman’s your leisure and Bingo: FREE Club, Kogarah and Lunch at Club Menai Entry $10 Frankie’s Food Club Cost $8.80 for Lunch at non-members Jamberoo Factory Bowling Club 17 EAST & WEST 18 EAST & WEST 19 EAST 20 EAST & WEST 21 EAST & WEST MON TUE Guided Tour of WED THU FRI Bingo & Lunch at Telstra Museum, EARLY START PICKUP Dooley’s Lidcombe Bankstown Pete’s Tours, Wellness Bingo: FREE Illawarra and lunch Champions Expo – and Lunch at at Mount Kembla How to Master the Bunnings Kirrawee Aged Care Mazev and lunch at Mount  Lewis Village Motel at Gymea Tradies Woolooware Golf Club Bowling Club, Greenacre Museum Entry: Gold Coin Donation 24 EAST & WEST 25 EAST & WEST 26 WEST 27 EAST & WEST 28 EAST & WEST FRI MON TUE WED THU Bingo & Lunch at It’s Showtime at EARLY START PICKUP Morning Showtime Aldi and then Dooley’s Lidcombe St George Leagues and Lunch at Lunch at Pete’s Tours, St Johns Park Bingo: FREE Club, Kogarah Illawarra and lunch Bowling Club Taren Point Entry $10 at Mount Kembla Bowling Club Show Cost $5.50 Village Motel

Information about Time2 Enjoy Outings JANUARY FEBRUARY IMPORTANT INFORMATION IKEA TEMPE VALENTINES DAY CONCERT 21st January 14th February Individual Pick Up Times Need some storage inspiration or want Club Menai is hosting a special Please ensure that you are ready at least to freshen up the house for the new year Valentines Day Concert. Hosted by Tony 15 minutes prior to your pick up time. ahead? Maybe you just enjoy browsing Hogan, it is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Due to time constraints, we are unable homewares? Then head along to Ikea Don’t miss out and book early as seats to wait past scheduled pick up times. Tempe for all your furniture & homeware are limited. needs! Bus Fare SATURDAY OUTING Bus fare is only $20. This is additional to BUNDEENA CSC 15th February any venue or meal costs unless stated 24th January Morning tea at Gelato Emporium before otherwise. Enjoy a drive through the always continuing on your trip to the historical beautiful Royal National Park and check village of Jamberoo to explore at your Club Entry out the brand new multi-million dollar leisure and then lunch at Jamberoo A valid ID, Pension or Concession Card refit of Bundeena CSC along with the Bowling and Recreation Club. must be presented. top quality dining provided from their new team of Chefs at just $20 for an TELSTRA MUSEUM Lunch Options alternate drop lunch menu. 18th February At times a venue may have a set group The newly renovated and refurbished lunch menu and price. Please make PETE’S TOURS — North Sydney Telstra Museum Bankstown showcases sure that you bring enough to cover any 15th and 29th January a large Heritage Telecommunications lunch cost. Unless stated otherwise, Come along on one of our ever popular Collection dating back in time right up to lunch is at own cost. scenic tours with Pete and see all the modern day. This guided tour will be for sights of Sydney. Heading over the 1.5hrs, however there is ample seating if Guided Tours Harbour Bridge you’ll get to see Luna you need to take a break. Walking tours can be from 1 to 1.5hrs in Park at Milsons Point, Kirribilli House, length. You must decide if an outing is Blues Point and the surrounding PETE’S TOURS—Illawarra suitable for you. Please wear appropriate suburbs stopping off for lunch at Norths, 19th and 26th footwear and bring an umbrella and Cammeray. Seats are limited so get in early! This month Pete’s Tours head south! Sit jumper in case of inclement weather. back, relax and enjoy the scenery and stories that make up the Illawarra. We’ll Saturday Outings have a short stop over at Mount Keira As our office is closed on weekends Kiosk for morning tea then continue on you will be given the phone number for our tour before stopping for lunch at your Transport Assistant & Bus Driver Mount Kembla Hotel. on the day to hold onto in case you are separated from the group and need to Activus Volunteers are priceless! contact them. Volunteers are the cornerstone of Activus. We salute every single Companion Cards volunteer for the wonderful work they do and we rely heavily on A carer traveling with you must have a their commitment and dedication. Without them, we simply could current Companion Card to qualify for not meet the needs of our community. We thank them for helping free bus fare or full cost is payable. to enrich the lives of our customers. As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to • Make a difference • Meet new people • Gain new skills • Help others • Become a valued team member • Give back to the community We are always on the lookout for more volunteers, so if you think you’ve got what it takes – don’t hesitate to call us and speak to Kylie on 8555 0000.

Rockdale Weekly Services Plaza WEEKLY SHOPPING BUSES East Side of Princes Highway and Gymea Bay Road excluding Gymea Bay West Side of Princes Highway and Gymea Bay Road Southgate East Side of Princes Highway and Gymea Bay Road excluding Gymea Bay (Kurnell included on Thursdays only) MONDAY West Side of Princes Highway and Gymea Bay Road Including No Shopping Gymea Bay Bus Today TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Menai Market East & West East East West Place Rockdale Plaza Southgate Southgate Southgate Shopping Bus Shopping Bus Shopping Bus Shopping Bus WEEKLY GOSHUTTLE Picking up from: Miranda, Sylvania, Gymea, Kirrawee, Kareela, Jannali, Oyster Bay, Como, Bonnet Bay, Sutherland, Engadine, Heathcote & Loftus Dropping Off : 9:30am & 11:00am Returning : 11:05am & 1:05pm Drop off and pick ups are from out the front of Menai Market place Westfield East Side of Princes Highway West Side of Princes Miranda and Gymea Bay Road Highway and Gymea Bay Road MONDAY Dropping Off : 10:00am Dropping Off : 12:00pm Returning : 12:30pm Returning : 2.30pm Drop off and pick ups are from the Kingsway at “The Big Tree Entrance” Westfield Miranda TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Westfield No Shuttle No Shuttle Menai Market No Shuttle Miranda Today Today Place Shuttle Today Please note our Services do not include on board Transport Assistants Please call 8555 0000 to book your seat!

WELLNESSYOUR SUTHERLAND SHIRE CHAMPIONS helping you live the life you love How to Master the Aged Care Maze 20 FEBRUARY 2020 Free event -Tradies, Gymea. 10am - 2pm Book tickets by calling 9540 7365 or online - https://bit.ly/2YeWJ3M Presented By WELLNESS CHAMPIONS A collaboration of three trusted community businesses with over 100 years of experience and expertise providing supports and services to consumers of the Sutherland Shire.

Weekend Bus Hire is Back! Spotlight on Bill Johnson If you are a sporting team, social group, school Bill Johnson (or BJ as he is affectionately group, wedding party or similar, and require transport known by those close to him) has been over the weekend, then Activus can help you. volunteering as a driver with Activus since retiring from work in February of We have 21 to 24 seater buses and 13 seater mini buses available 2016. Prior to his retirement Bill was the which can accommodate wheel chairs if required. For all that Sales Manager of a seafood importer for extra gear or luggage, lockable trailers are also available for hire. 16 years! Before that he was the General Manager of a food distribution company Vehicles are provided on a self-drive basis (subject for 13 years and has basically worked to meeting appropriate licensing conditions). in the food industry since the age of 21 (he has a passion for food in case you Our rates are extremely competitive and any funds generated didn’t catch on. Just don’t offer him through this enterprise go directly to supporting the community. any Brussel sprouts, he hates those!) If you’re interested – complete a Bus Hire Agreement In his spare time Bill enjoys watching cricket and has been and complete a Booking Form on our website or coaching the sport since 1983. He is a committee member call us direct and we’ll get you on your way. for the Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket Association and the Cronulla Seagulls Cricket Club. Throughout his coaching Activus lends a hand to One Meal career he spent 5 years coaching the NSW under 17’s Team and still to this day coaches a junior team for the Cronulla One Meal is a not-for-profit community organisation that helps Seagulls as well as the Sutherland Representative under to feed, clothe and support the homeless and underprivileged. 15’s team – as if this isn’t enough Bill also coaches a cricket They provide nutritious meals weekly to those in need in several programme at Endeavour Sports High School. You’d be locations across Sydney, including Sutherland Shire. Patrons right to think he’s pretty passionate about the sport. are provided with a main meal as well as a breakfast pack to take away and are further assisted (where possible) with swags, Bill has 2 children (a pigeon pair) – both in their twenties. sanitary packs, toiletries, clothing items, blankets, and so on. We His daughter is a child care teacher and his son is a are pleased to partner with this great organisation by providing carpenter. Bill says he’s pretty boring but he did actually transport free of charge to its patrons to ensure a safe journey do a singing stint in a few musicals – so we reckon that’s back to where they live. pretty cool. When asked ‘who is your role model’, Bill says “Anyone who is a nice and decent person. I reckon that’s the greatest compliment you can give a person”. When asked “What has surprised you most about working with Activus?” Bill replied “The enthusiasm of the clients regardless of their situation, is amazing. I really feel blessed to be inspired by these seniors, I love it”.