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Our Vision

Quality transport supporting the community.

Our purpose is to provide an efficient effective easily accessible affordable transport service that meets the needs of the frail, aged, people with disabilities and transport disadvantaged residents of the Sutherland Shire; and to do such things consistent with the above that will assist the functioning of the association.

About Activus Transport

Activus Transport is the Sutherland Shire’s community transport provider. With nearly 4,000 customers we can help you get into activities that you will enjoy with other people like you. Visit an old friend or family member, go shopping or attend a hair appointment. Whatever you enjoy doing we can get you there and back. The choice is yours.

Our transport services are specially designed to cater for residents of the Sutherland Shire who want to participate in the many activities the Shire offers to its residents. These services are funded by the State and Federal Government. We also have a large team of volunteers who support our paid staff so costs are kept low and fares are heavily subsidised.

We are a true door to door service with our on board Transport Assistants and drivers going the extra mile by aiding customers from and to their own front door when needed. Customers are asked to contribute towards the cost of providing the service with fares usually far cheaper than a Taxi or other services.

Our transport services are focussed on Shire residents that are unable to access mainstream transport due to physical, social or geographical factors and who: have: live independently in their own home or unit.

Target groups include people who have mobility restrictions due to age or disability and their carers are transport disadvantaged due to financial or other reasons. Special needs groups within this criteria include people:

  • from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
  • Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • living with a dementia
  • financially disadvantaged
  • living in remote or isolated areas
  • from veteran community

Getting out and about is safe and easy with a fleet of over 20 comfortable and modern vehicles including cars and small buses with space for walkers and wheelchairs.

For more information Download our handbook

Our History

In 1979 transport options for frail aged and people with a disability weren’t adequate and concerns about the lack of services in the Sutherland Shire were raised. A meeting was called between Disabilities Unlimited, Meals on Wheels, local hospital representatives and the Sutherland Shire Information Service where a  fundraising initiative was undertaken.

Less than six months later Rotary presented a new ‘modern’ Holden station wagon to Disabilities Unlimited signifying the start of the community transport service within Sutherland Shire.

A management committee was formed to administer the operational aspect of the service and it became operational immediately, providing two days service per week on a Tuesday and Thursday.

In reality, during the first 12 months of operation, much of the services operating costs were derived from various service clubs within the Shire as well as from Sutherland Shire Council.  Additionally it was decided that the service become a constituted body based on a model offered by the NSW Government Department of Youth and Community Services which would enable ‘charity’ status therefore enabling further fundraising.  The service was progressing past its infancy at last.

Fast forward 30 years and the organisation has gone from strength to strength  servicing over 4000 clients in the Sutherland Shire.

It has a fleet of 22 vehicles and is administered by a Management Committee, a staff of over 20 and a volunteer team of nearly 80.  Activus Transport continues to be a well respected and regarded leader for community transport in the Shire.

Activus ambassadors.

Our ambassadors play an important role in helping spread the word about the good work we do here at Activus. They champion our causes and help us build the important relationships that keep our company running, providing the essential care and transport that our vibrant community needs.

Associate Professor
Peter Gonski

Associate Professor Peter Gonski joined the organisation as an Ambassador in December 2019.

Associate Professor Gonski’s acceptance of the Ambassador role underpins his belief that affordable community transport plays a crucial role in supporting positive health and ageing outcomes by ensuring people are able to attend medical appointments, social outings and community activities.

As Director of Southcare at Sutherland Hospital and Community Services, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, and Clinical Stream Director for Aged Care and Rehabilitation, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Associate Professor Gonski is a strong advocate for improved community integrated care.

His appointment as Activus Ambassador also follows the launch of the Rapid Assessment, Diagnosis and Intervention Unit Sutherland (RADIUS) at Sutherland Hospital.

We believe that our work with Professor Gonski will be an important step in helping people navigate and get the best out of the current aged care system and improve the wellbeing of the local community.

Cheryl KoenigOAM

Longtime Sutherland Shire resident, author and carers advocate Cheryl Koenig OAM joined the organisation as an Ambassador in March 2020.

She will work with us to improve outcomes for our community across the aged care and disability sector. She will raise awareness of the role of carers in our community and the benefits of community transport in supporting individuals, families and their carers to attend medical and other appointments, as well as social outings.

Cheryl has received many awards and accolades including the 2008 Sassy Literary Award, 2009 NSW Woman of the Year and 2014 Medal of the Order of Australia. She is an Ambassador for Sutherland Shire Carer Support Service, a carer representative for Carers NSW and has worked with disability support groups. Her career has been shaped by her role as a carer and advocate for her son, who was severely injured in a vehicle accident.

We believe Cheryl’s insight and experience will help Activus develop positive solutions that support our customers and the wider community.

Graham Ware

President

Graham retired from a career spanning forty years with NSW Department of Public Works. He specialised in building construction and maintenance, specification writing, contract supervision, WHS, and supervision of multi trade teams in heritage building and stonework restoration projects.

He has extensive experience in all areas of project management and supervision, and facilities maintenance and has completed training in financial management, HR and IT. He has been a member since 2007.

Chris Bentley

Vice President

Chris has over 25' years experience practising law in several senior legal positions within the NSW Public Service including NSW Health where he was Manager, Parliamentary Services, Contract Manager for the Port Macquarie Base Hospital Contract, Director of the Wentworth Area Health Service Quality Unit and Contract Manager for the Hawkesbury District Health Service.

Chris has been an active member on the Boards of Engadine District Community Aid & Information Service, Sutherland Hospital Local Community Advisory Committee and the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service.

He joined the Board of Activus Transport in 2008.

Gary Richards

Treasurer

Gary began his career as a Chartered Accountant (England & Wales) with Pannell Kerr Forster. He relocated to Canada where he qualified as a Canadian Chartered Accountant. Gary made a career change into Management Consulting while in Canada joining Ernst and Young Consultants.

He accepted an offer to join Price Waterhouse Consultants first locating in Brisbane then Sydney. Gary has operated his own Management Consulting practice for the past 20+ years specialising in project directing the planning of health related services and facilities mainly for the NSW Health Department.

Gary is a past President and active member of Rotary Engadine. He is Treasurer on the Activus Board after joining the board in July 2015.

Jan Forshaw

Member

In 2004 Jan was elected to the Sutherland Shire Council, re-elected in 2008, and became Deputy Mayor in 2010. During her eight years on Council Jan chaired the Community Services Committee and worked to improve services and facilities to aged care and community centres, upgrades to shopping centres and Surf Clubs, and the first Men’s Sheds in the Shire. Jan also served as a member of the Board of Hazlehurst Regional Gallery.

Jan retired as a Councillor in 2012 but has continued to be active in the community serving as a volunteer and board member with a number of local organisations including Activus Transport and Dunlea (formerly Boystown, Engadine).

Grahame Wagener

Member

Graham retired from the Department of Education after a career spanning more than 40 years. In his retirement Grahame has been an active member of the community with a specific focus on providing opportunities for kids with special needs to play football. Grahame was recognised in 2013 for his commitment when he was named Ruby League Volunteer of the Year. Grahame has held many committee positions for the Engadine Dragons Junior Rugby Club and is a Life Member. He joined the Board of Activus in 2019.
Glennys Campbell

Glennys Campbell

Member

Glennys’ 45 year career encompassed administration, reception, managerial support, marketing, customer service and face-to-face service delivery across private enterprise, community and Public Service sectors. She also taught at St. George Regional Evening College for 6 years.

During her 21 year employ at Pole Depot Community Centre, Penshurst, she provided support to a wide range of services, before becoming a Project Officer under its Community Work Co-ordinator program, where she managed a rotating caseload of long-term unemployed persons, placing them in local work experience projects.

In 2009, Glennys joined CRS Australia, a disability services provider, where her role as Rehabilitation Officer involved providing vocational rehabilitation services to jobseekers, including those from culturally diverse backgrounds, across the South and South-West regions. She moved to the Department of Human Services in 2014, undertaking Service Officer roles with Medicare and Child Support.

Glennys played and umpired netball for a number of clubs in the Shire from age 7. Following a move to Engadine in 1979, she served for 4 years as Secretary and Club Delegate for St. John Bosco Netball Club.

She joined Activus as a Volunteer Driver in 2019, became a member of the Risk Management Committee in 2020 and joined the Board in 2021.

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