Staff, parents and children
celebrate Buster’s birthday.
Camera IconStaff, parents and children celebrate Buster’s birthday. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Buster the Fun Bus still busting a move at 30

Amy McKieMelville Gazette

Children, parents and program co-ordinators gathered at Dick Lawrence Oval in Beaconsfield on May 11 to have a slice of cake and celebrate the mobile parenting program’s anniversary.

The creator of Buster the Fun Bus came up with the name and outfitted the original van, originally painted by inmates at Fremantle Prison with characters from children’s books.

City of Fremantle community development director Marisa Spaziani said Buster the Fun Bus was an extension of the City’s primary childcare service to provide a mobile parenting program. I

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“It was so popular that 30 years later, Buster continues to service Fremantle and Melville families in this way,” she said.

The bus provides a free parenting support service that travels to community parks and venues within the City of Fremantle.

During a session, parents have access to resources to enhance their parenting skills and interact with their children using games, toys and craft activities.

“I feel we are a happy, big family,” program team leader Saghar Etahadi said.

Ms Spaziani said the mobile nature of the service enabled the City to provide convenient and free access to parenting services in neighbourhood areas that some families may not otherwise have access to.

“Parenting services are provided by other councils, but mobile services are not common,” she said.

Buster the Fun Bus will run until December 31, when the State Government will decide if funding is to continue.

A spokesperson for the Minister for Community Services said it was a part of the normal procurement process, with a number of services funded by the Department of Local Government and Communities coming up for review at the end of 2016, including Buster the Fun Bus.