The Town is seeking volunteers for Neighbourhood Link.
East Fremantle's 'Driving Miss Daisy'
In a story reminiscent of the movie ‘Driving Miss Daisy’, East Fremantle resident Stuart Douglas has become a familiar face for many retires across the town and surrounding areas.
For two years, Mr Douglas has been at the helm of the wheel of the East Fremantle Neighbourhood Link bus, providing essential transportation services for participants of the program, together with a range of group social activities and one-on-one services.
On Tuesdays, Mr Douglas drives clients to their crucial social and medical appointments, ensuring they arrive safely and on time. On Thursdays, the team including Stuart transports a group of up to 25 clients aged 65 and over to venues at locations across Perth for their outing.
Mr Douglas said he loved everything about volunteering for the service.
“I love meeting different people all the time and being able to help seniors independently living in their own home,” he said.
“It’s important for them to have that contact with other people. My wife is still working, and my son is at university, so volunteering gets me out as well”.
“I really enjoy the laughs and jokes. I have made a lot of friends along the way. I get along well with everyone.”
A former bus driver in the UK and Perth, Mr Douglas put his hand up for the program after seeing leaflets for volunteering when he retired.
After a phone call to the Department of Transport and required checks, his bus license was reinstated.
“I love driving. Once it’s in your blood, it’s hard to get out,” he said.
Today, he is one of two volunteers who can drive the program’s bus and one of 13 volunteers for Neighbourhood Link.
CHSP Manager, Gina Teti said Neighbourhood Link volunteers were essential members of the team providing a lifeline to the community for those who can’t necessarily take themselves to social outings or appointments.
“Our volunteers, together with our staff, are the backbone of the service,” she said.
“We welcome new volunteers and would happily chat with anyone who is interested.”
Giving the gift of time: Meet Hazel Dickson
Neighbourhood Link is pleased to highlight the invaluable contribution of its dedicated volunteers who brighten the lives of the Town of East Fremantle’s residents through weekly outings.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Fremantle resident Hazel Dickson is unstoppable.
While many seniors are forfeiting driving at 71 years old, Mrs Dickson was completing her bus license to undertake a paid role as the weekly bus driver for the Town of East Fremantle’s Neighbourhood Link program.
“I passed my test with 100 per cent!” she said.
Eight years on, she’s since relinquished her role as the bus driver and now volunteers at the program twice a week.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, she assists with outings to local parks, museums, cafes, and other places of interest, providing our residents with opportunities to enjoy fresh air, socialise, and stay connected with each other.
She also organises a raffle and prizes for outings – with the funds contributing to subsidising outings – and often bakes cakes to bring on outings.
It’s a role Hazel thoroughly enjoys and can fit around her busy schedule of swimming, pilates and golf each week.
“I love working with the team and I enjoy their company,” she said.
“I love helping the oldies. It’s giving something back to the community. It makes you get out of bed in the morning.”
Hazel said she would encourage anyone who was interested in volunteering to simply give it a go.
“If you have empathy, a happy personality and are a team player come along and spend a day with us to see what we do,” she said.
“We travel all over Perth for weekly outings including to Mandurah, Yanchep, Serpentine and Toodyay.
“We would encourage more volunteers who are happy to get on with it with a smile.”