When Ted Laing decided to volunteer with Hastings Macleay Community Transport little did he know it would be a successful decade-long association.
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The Laurieton resident volunteered for five days a week during his 10 years.
He retired from his role last week.
“It was the first time I had ever volunteered,” he said.
“But I would recommend for people to volunteer with community transport. It is the people you meet that make’s it all the more worthwhile.
“I was mainly involved with the Camden Haven area and the people who meet, the people from this area who have a deep understanding of the history of the place.
“It is a very interesting job,” he said.
Ted said volunteering ‘makes you feel good about doing something good for someone else’.
He got involved in community transport as an extension to helping out his brother in law who was ill at the time.
“My sister in law actually suggested I get involved. To help them out,” he said.
Ted said he would spend some more time with his wife Kerrie, tending the garden and helping his sisters in law.
Another long-time volunteer to recently retire is Jock Wyper who was involved with community transport for 11 years.
Hastings Macleay Community Transport operations manager Rob Henry said the organisation has about five paid drivers and some 40 volunteers.
Hastings Macleay Community Transport office is in Port Macquarie and has clients that may need to go to as far as Newcastle or even up to Coffs Harbour.
“Our drivers service a very large area and the above drivers will all be sorely missed,” he said.
“Hastings Macleay Community Transport is a government funded and accredited, not for profit, registered charity.
“We provide subsidised door to door transport for eligible transport disadvantaged clients.”
As a volunteer you will be responsible for driving our clients offering a door to door service. Often you will have to assist clients from their home to the car and into the Doctor’s surgery, shops etc.
It assists us greatly if you nominate the times when it is convenient for you to drive. Of course you can change these times as your circumstances change.
For anyone interested in volunteering for the service, contact 0265 838 644 or apply online via the website www.hmct.org.au
