Margot du Boulay, Ross Brewer & laura Gray.
Camera IconMargot du Boulay, Ross Brewer & laura Gray. Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek

Busloads of helpers

Lucy Jarvis, North Coast TimesNorth Coast Times

VOLUNTEERS have been driving busloads of elderly or disabled residents from Two Rocks and Yanchep for almost 25 years.

The Yanchep Two Rocks Community Bus management committee will celebrate the service’s 25th anniversary next month.

Transport co-ordinator Julie Otremba, of Yanchep, said the volunteer-driven service officially started on October 13, 1989, and would hold a morning tea on October 13.

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‘The bus was to provide transport for the elderly, frail and anyone who could not access the Transperth service which was very limited at the time, either because of ill health or no other transport available,’ she said.

‘Phil Renkin was the founding member, along with members from the Volunteer Drivers Association, which was disbanded for the bus management committee.

‘Stan Daley, Don Menzies, Jim Vinnear and representatives from community groups made up the committee. Some of the early drivers were Don Menzies, Harold Morris, Stan Daley, Andrew Otremba, Bill De Frane, Frank Burke and Brian Cousins.’

Mrs Otremba said it was a pilot scheme run through the Australian Family Association and the committee had received help from the City of Wanneroo and Yanchep Sun City.

She said it now had seven volunteer drivers and six committee members ” herself, community representatives Laura Gray and Margot Duboulay, Michelle Brackenridge from the City of Wanneroo and driver representatives Ross Brewer and John Richards.

‘We run the bus every Monday and Friday to the local shops and the doctors and on Thursdays it alternates between Joondalup and Ocean Keys,’ Mrs Otremba said.

She said Bethanie Beachside and Yanchep Two Rocks Senior Citizens Association used the bus for outings.

It was available for private hire at nominal charges.

Mrs Otremba said the committee raised funds to provide the service by holding bingo nights at the Phil Renkin Recreation Centre every Thursday from 7.45pm.

Former volunteers are welcome to attend the October 13 event at the centre.

To attend or to volunteer, call transport co-ordinator Julie on 9561 1538.