Activus Transport Newsletter Summer 2016

Activus NewsSummer EditionMessage from the GM Welcome to another New services now include Travel Training. In this issue: information packed A service for those people who are Activus News. physically able to use public transport • Message From The This October we but are unable to navigate the system General Manager were awarded the without support. If you know of anyone Community Transport who may be interested in using this • Living Well Locally “service of the year” service then please contact our office. • News From The Risk for Sydney Metro region award. This I recently travelled on several of our Management Committeeis a great honour as there are over 12 social outings to ask customers what they • Xmas Closure Datesother community transport services in thought of our service. It was refreshing • Important Contactsthis region. The presentation took place to hear that we are doing well, however • Client Survey Updateat the Community Transport Organisation there were a couple of changes that • CommunityAnnual Conference at Kingscliff in front we have made and continue to make toof representatives from all over the State provide you with a transport service that Transport Customerand representatives of both Federal and is safe, reliable and available to you at a Value PropositionState governments. time that suits you. Research Findings • Time To Enjoy NewsChanges to the way in which our With the introduction of new technology • Spotlight On Aorganisation is funded will occur over the we will soon be able to send you a phone Staff Membercoming 18 months and to prepare for this message to remind you of your trip. We • Concession Stampswe have been working on a Business will implement this in the new year. • Free Volunteer TrainingPlan in preparation of making the change • Client Surveyover as seamless as possible. Don’t forget, if you need to cancel your transport for whatever reason, pleaseWe pride ourselves on providing a advise us as soon as possible, as otherquality service to our customers so over people may be waiting for your seat onthe coming months you may receive a the bus or car.telephone call from a staff member to askfor your feedback on our services. This I would like to take this opportunity tois very important to us as it provides us wish you and your family and friends thewith information on how to improve our very best for the Christmas Season and aservices to you. safe and Happy New Year. Roslyn MortonTIME2 LIVING HEALTH & ACCESSENJOY ACTIVITIES WELLBEING ALL AREASGroup activities, caring Shopping and local To and from medical, health Live beyond a disability, let uscentres or social visits. village centre visits. and wellbeing appointments. offer you more opportunity.

ACTIVUS NEWS | SUMMER EDITION ACTIVUS TRANSPORT | 2016 W: homemods.org.au News from the E: [email protected] Risk Management P: 9524 1100 CommitteeLiving Well Locally was officially launched W: activustransport.org.au The RMC is an operationally focused subon 27th September at Gymea Tradies and E: [email protected] Committee of the Activus Board. Its roleattended by more than 100 guests. P: 8555 0000 is to review and make recommendations on management systems, practices andLiving Well Locally is an initiative of five W: gymeacommunityaid .org.au procedures, to ensure the effectivenesswell established community businesses in E: [email protected] of risk identification and minimisationthe Sutherland Shire: Home Modification P: 9524 9559 and compliance with internal andSolutions, Activus Transport, Sutherland external requirements. It is a committeeFood Services, Gymea Community W: mealsonwheelssutherland.com.au established to enhance and improveAid and Information Service, and most E: [email protected] existing practices in the interests ofrecently, the Sutherland branch of P: 9540 7365 safety and wellbeing.Australian Unity. W: australianunity.com.au It has been a year of great changeThe 5 businesses have collaborated to P: 13 29 39 particularly in the move from fundingdevelop ways to maximise awareness agreements to services contracts. Theand access to services for customers organisation has spent a lot of timeby promoting each other’s services and planning and preparing for the manyworking together. implications of “individualised care funding” in an environment of movingThe Living Well Locally partnership goalposts and political uncertainty.focuses on wellbeing and independentliving, including meals, transport, a safe On behalf of the Committee membersand comfortable home environment and I would like to wish all members, staffopportunities for social connection and and volunteers a happy and healthyparticipation in community life. Christmas and New Year. I know we are all looking forward to the manyIf you would like to access any of these challenges we will face in the new year.services, the phone numbers for each areprovided to the right. Chris Bentley, Chairman Risk Management Committee Sutherland Shire Christmas closure dates Aged Care Expo Our office will close at 4.30pm on Tuesday, 28th February at Engadine Friday 23rd December and will reopen Community Centre, 10am-12. There for business again on Monday 9th will be lots and lots of exhibitors ready January 2017. Please make sure you to answer all your questions. Call the call the office before our closure dates Activus office closer to the date for more to arrange transport alternatives during information – but mark it in your diary – this time. this event is not to be missed! Important contactsRoslyn, GM and Stephanie, Corp. Services Manager Fire, Police, Ambulance 000Shuttle bus service Police Assistance Line 131 444 (for nonlife threatening orWe are trialling a new “Shuttle Bus critical emergencies)Service” to Engadine Town Square andMenai Market Place. The cost is only $10 SES - storms and floods 132 500for a return trip from your home to theseshopping centres. For more information Bushfire Info Line 1800 679 737call 8555 0000 and ask about this newservice. We can also post you a flyer if Poisons Info Line 13 11 26you wish. Sutherland Hospital 9540 7111 Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 Health Direct Australia 1800 022 222 (to talk to a registered nurse 24 hour service) Elder Abuse Helpline 1800 628 221Photos from the Volunteers Lifeline  13 11 14 Christmas Function

ACTIVUS NEWS | SUMMER EDITION ACTIVUS TRANSPORT | 2016Time To Enjoy newsAnother year is drawing to a close, with Tanglin Lodge for a Devonshire Tea andonly a few more weeks of social outings barbeque lunch, to name but a few thatto come. 2016 has been a busy year, with we have visited throughout the year.not only the most popular social outingsfilling our calendar, but some new outings We value your opinion, and would loveadded to the list. to know places you’d like to visit in 2017. Our client feedback forms are a greatA visit to the Chang Lai Yuan Chinese way for us to collect information andGardens, the Foreshore Brasserie for thereby endeavour to give you more ofa delicious meal, the Norman Lindsay what you would like. Just ask for one onGallery to view one of our iconic artist’s your next outing or call the office direct toworks of art, the Bass Flinders Morning give us your feedback on 8555 0000.Coffee Cruise, and then to the AlpacasSpotlight on a Staff Member – Jaci Hawes Jaci has worked as been formed through our service can Then there are the jokes - I now have a Transport Assistant change a person’s journey. A typical the reputation of keeping up the jokes! with Activus for over day on the buses starts with a friendly But we have a saying ‘what happens on 8 years. Clients are phone call to our VIP’s (Very Important the bus, stays on the bus! I love my job always saying how Pensioner’s). and try to do my best. It’s not just about much joy and fun she picking people up and dropping them brings to their bus trips They will often ask, ‘how many people off; it’s all about what happens on the and she is admired are coming?’, ‘Is Margaret on the bus journey.” and respected by staff, today?’ or if it’s a Mystery Outing they will -- Jaci Hawesvolunteers and clients alike. try to find out where we are going. I like to keep them guessing and throw in aJaci says “As a staff member working few curly’s depending on what the roadclosely with clients and volunteers, I signage is telling them. Like when drivingwould like to say a big thank you for down the freeway and a sign comes upmaking my job such an enjoyable saying Canberra!experience. Just knowing where peoplelike to sit and about friendships that haveConcession stampsAre you a concession card holder? You Are you eligible? In partnership with the North Coastmay be eligible for a reduced rate on TAFE the CTO is providing free trainingdomestic stamps . The following Australian Federal to Activus Volunteers. There are three Government concession cards are nationally accredited training unitsWith a free MyPost Concession account, accepted as proof of eligibility for a • Transporting individuals CHCCCS026you’ll pay just 60c per stamp, instead of MyPost Concession account: • Apply Safe Care Driving Behaviours$1. You can buy up to 50 stamps per year, • Pensioner Concession Cardin booklets of 5 for $3. • Health Care Card (all types) TLIC30361 • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card • Operate Commercial VehicleYou’ll even get a free booklet of 5 • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Cardconcession stamps to get you started. • Veterans’ Repatriation Health Card TLIC1051 Have one of these cards? Apply today! For more information, to www.cto.org.au Call into your local post office to find or call 1300 679 286 or call Stephanie in out more. the Activus Office on 8555 0055. a heartfelt Client survey THANK YOU Thanks to all those clients that have taken voTluOnOtUeeRrs the time to complete the client survey. We will have all the results in the next issue of ‘Activus News’.

t. 8555 0000 e. [email protected] a. 1160 Old Princes Highway (PO Box 303)f. 9548 0926 w. www.activustransport.org.au Engadine, Sydney NSW 2233