Social Club president John Moss and recidents and sponsors Audrey Shalley,Elsie Brown and Shirley Cook with  Amaroo Board director Norm Smith in the new bus.
Camera IconSocial Club president John Moss and recidents and sponsors Audrey Shalley,Elsie Brown and Shirley Cook with Amaroo Board director Norm Smith in the new bus. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Residents get mobile

Emma YoungComment News

Amaroo board director Norm Smith said residents could use them to visit the shops or for outings such as Sculptures By the Sea followed by fish and chips at the beach.

"Such simple pleasures in life we often take for granted," he said.

There is a new 22-seat Toyota Coaster for able-bodied residents and a new $92,000 Mercedes Sprinter has been fitted out as a special purpose wheelchair bus, which can accommodate four people in wheelchairs and four carers.

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"Prior to the purpose of this special needs bus, Amaroo had a 1995 20-seat Nissan Civilian that had a side door lift and required the removal of six seats every time we needed to take wheelchair-using residents out," Mr Smith said.

"Seats had to be removed and replaced in the bus every time it was used to carry residents in wheelchairs."

The new bus features a wheelchair lift.

Individuals and organisations all contributed to the purchase, including Lotterywest ($66,000), Bendigo Bank in Gosnells ($8000), Gosnells Lions Club ($5000), Southern River Rotary Club ($2000) and Amaroo Village residents ($11,000).

"We are very appreciative of all of these donations," Mr Smith said.