Easylink Chairman John Wilson presented the Champion of Mackellar Award
Last week, the inaugural Champions of Mackellar night was hosted by Jason Falinski MP to thank community volunteers and representatives and to present the very first Champion of Mackellar Award. Easylink are thrilled to announce that the winner of the Champion of Mackellar Award was our very own John Wilson, Chairman of the Board and volunteer bus driver. A definitely well deserved achievement, John was selected from a strong field of over 100 nominations.
Having volunteered as a bus driver and board member with Easylink for 12 years, John is an invaluable member of the community. John and his wife Judith joined the Organisation in July 2004, offering their time and commitment to undertake a fortnightly social outing – John as bus driver, Judith as bus assistant. It wasn’t long before John’s interest and involvement in the organisation extended to nomination for a position on the Management Committee (now board) serving most of the time as President.
As a driver, John takes out customers every fortnight on one of our fan favourites, the ‘mystery drive’. A social outing to different destinations determined by the driver in consultation with the passengers, John's mystery drives ensure a fun day had by all. Reliable and punctual, the organisation can totally rely on him to attend and organise his trips, as he has done so for the past 12 years.
Chairman of the board, John has led by demonstrating exemplary leadership skills and best practice. Always dependable in attendance at regular meetings, with ongoing commitment to his role, John is committed to building the capacity of the organisation for the benefit of customers and the community.
Congratulations John on this great achievement!
Volunteer drivers needed - great rewards
We're currently looking for volunteer drivers, ideally with a Light Rigid licence and just one day a fortnight to spare on the northern beaches.
This is a rewarding and enjoyable role - you'll get to:
- Help connect elderly residents to what matters most
- Meet interesting people with amazing life experiences
- Visit interesting places
- Receive ongoing training
- Join our team of more than 60 volunteer drivers.
Manly of volunteers love it here so much they stay with us for five years or more, with many staying with us for up to 10 years!
To find out more call 9919 0700 or visit our volunteer page to find out more about our program and what our volunteers say about us.
New levels of local service
Earlier this month, author of 'Thrown to the wolves' and Easylink customer, Ron Buckridge, sent in the following letter:
As someone nearly the mid-80s with the increasing need to visit doctors and hospitals, I have used Easylink as often as the high demand for their services would allow.
Management guru, Tom Peters, in his early books, wrote about a ‘Passion for Excellence’ and ‘going the extra mile in attributing success to some major companies.
The staff members at Easylink have always, in my experience, been pleasant, courteous, efficient and effective. Yet that does not begin to explain the real interest, attention to detail, and the pleasant manner in which they care for all, but especially their old and sick passengers. Perhaps the following simple example may explain. I was booked in for a series of tests at Royal North Shore Hospital and arranged to return home on the last Easylink service for that day. Additional tests were deemed necessary, and although ‘racing’, on my walker towards the front entrance of the hospital, I was about five minutes ‘late’.
But there coming towards me was the lady driver of that bus. With a smile she advised I would not be left there at the end of the day and to find my own way home. There was not the slightest hint of reproach in her voice. You may say “So what!” But would any other transport service even wait beyond their allotted time-table? But that ‘uncommon practice’ is, in my experience, standard service with Easylink.
It’s often said “Nice guys finish last.” That adage certainly doesn’t apply to staff at Easylink. Additional funding now allows them to reach their full potential: larger premises, more buses, extra staff, clip-boards replaced by high-tech facilities mean drivers can see at a glance the total demands of their day. These provide just some improvements in their new found abilities to maximise service and potential.
I look forward to more days with Easylink and must now investigate their list of special ‘social outings’ to interesting destinations. Yes, it’s a totally, well-deserved, local transport success story!
Ron Buckridge, Manly Vale.
Thank you Ron! Our volunteers and staff really appreciate your kind words.
Northern beaches local Nadier Milham to celebrate her 100th birthday
Media release:
Northern beaches local Nadier Milham will celebrate her 100th birthday on Friday 26 May, and is still living independently in her own home thanks to the support of her family, a strong local community and vital Easylink community transport services.
Nadier, who has lived in Seaforth for over 65 years in the house built by her husband, Bert, during the 1950s, said the key to her long life has been a close loving family who continue to support her.
Her son, Peter Milham, and his wife, Lynne, live just up the street and often help her out around the house, while her neighbours always look out for her.
“Her neighbours are great. Every few days they will pop in to check how she’s going,” said Lynne.
Easylink’s group shopping bus is a highlight of Nadier’s fortnight, as not only does it help her maintain her independence and enable her to get her shopping done, but provides fun and a social network, which she may not otherwise get, as she doesn’t drive.
Easylink bus driver, Tony, said that in the five years he has been driving on the shopping trips, Nadier has only missed one outing.
“Tony always has a smile on his face - he drives to my house and comes to my entrance to pick me up, and when we’re done, he helps me bring my groceries to the door,” said Nadier.
“All of us on the shopping trip have become friends, and after the shopping is done, we get coffee together.”
An active member of the community, Nadier has contributed to the Manly-Balgowlah branch of the War Widows Guild through her volunteer work, receiving a volunteer’s award at Parliament House in 2008 for her compilation of a book celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Guild.
Nadier is looking forward to celebrating her birthday at Seaforth Bowling Club on Sunday 28 May with friends and family, with some travelling from Queensland to celebrate the momentous occasion.
Older residents regain their independence with travel training
Media release:
Older people who are no longer able to drive or on restricted licences are at risk of becoming isolated, but thanks to not-for-profit community organisation, Easylink, people like the Theagarajahs from Hunters Hill are getting free travel training to help build their confidence using public transport.
With 2 out of 3 Australians driving to work[1], it’s possible many have never had to use public transport, as was the case with Lingi and Manickam Theagarajah, who migrated from Sri Lanka to join their children in Australia a few years ago and were dependent on their daughter to get out and about.
As part of the free travel training program, a travel trainer worked closely with the couple, discussing their options and developing a transport plan specific to the Theagarajah’s needs so that they can now travel and plan trips independently.
Lingi, 73 years old, said, “It gives you confidence that you can do it, and that you have a bit more freedom so that you don’t depend on your daughter … you can take the bus and go.”
“I’m glad I know about the buses and how to get around, it’s a great service,” said Lingi.
Easylink’s travel training is a service for adults and children, funded by Transport for NSW, to help those who lack the confidence, information or experience needed to use public transport. A translator service is available.
Travel training is just one of the many services run by Easylink that helps people in the northern Sydney region maintain their independence and social links through accessible and affordable transport solutions.
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013, Australian Social Trends, <http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features40July+2013>
Budget 2017: A win for older residents who need help getting out and about
Media release:
Older northern beaches residents who need help getting out and about have received good news, says Easylink, as funding for subsidised community transport, originally slated to dry up next year, has now been guaranteed until at least 2020 with Tuesday’s budget announcement.
Angela Doolan, General Manager of Easylink, the northern beaches’ community transport provider, welcomed the 2017 Budget announcement of a two-year extension of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), the prime funding source for aged transport services in NSW.
“More than 2000 older northern beaches residents rely on Easylink’s door-to-door transport services to get to medical appointments, shopping and social activities at affordable rates thanks to the Federal Government’s CHSP funding,” said Ms Doolan.
“Transport is a basic enabling service that allows individuals to maintain connection to their communities – and with that, quality of life.”
The budget also held good news for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recipients, with the increase of a levy on Medicare to fund the NDIS.
“As the NDIS is being rolled out across Australia, we are already seeing a chronic underfunding of transport in individuals’ packages,” said Ms Doolan.
“We’re keen to continue helping NDIS participants access their community with affordable and accessible transport services.”
“We regularly take NDIS participants to activities at centres such as Sunnyfield, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Fighting Chance as well as to essential appointments,” she said.
To find out more about Easylink’s door-to-door transport services for people who are transport disadavantaged, including frail older people and people with disability call 9919 0700 or visit easylink.com.au.
Easylink is a not-for-profit, charitable community organisation serving the northern beaches since 1982.
Northern beaches seniors to spend day with alpacas
Media release:
Not-for-profit community organisation, Easylink, will be taking groups of northern beaches seniors to Tanglin Lodge Alpacas on 19 April and 3 May, and with the farm recently welcoming three newborn alpacas, perhaps they will see more than they bargained for.
“We once had one of our alpacas give birth while a group was visiting the farm,” said farm owner, Geoff Uren, who is expecting some alpaclettes (baby alpacas) to be on show during the group’s visit.
Mr Uren said groups will get hands on experience, with a chance to pat the furry creatures and have a few photos with them before enjoying a barbeque lunch and an educational alpaca talk.
Mona Vale resident and Easylink customer, Margaret Bennett, said she is eager to get up close and personal with the alpacas and is looking forward to exploring the Richmond area farm, another unique Sydney location that she would otherwise not get the chance to visit on her own.
“It’s a terrific thing, a lot of people are living on their own like me and otherwise they’d be at home twiddling their thumbs… It would kill me if this service stopped, it keeps me alive,” Margaret said.
Event details:
- 19 April – customers north of Wakehurst Parkway
- 3 May – customers south of Wakehurst Parkway and east of Beacon Hill
Cost: $60 with transport, entry and lunch all included for customers registered with My Aged Care. Private customers may attend for an extra $10.
This is just one of the many activities run by Easylink to help people connect with their community.