Meet Alison: Driving Connection in her Community
When RFDS Victoria announced the expansion of the Community Transport service into Warracknabeal, Alison immediately put her hand up to help. She saw volunteering as a way to support people in her local community who need assistance getting to important healthcare appointments.
Alison grew up in South Gippsland and later took over the running of her parent’s sheep farm in Dunolly with her husband. After retiring in 2010, they moved to Warracknabeal, where her son and daughter lived with their children.
Alison is very aware of the challenges of rural life and the important role the Flying Doctor plays in people’s lives. As she said, “I am keenly interested in the wonderful services provided by RFDS, especially for those living so far from medical assistance.”
Since completing her training, Alison has loved getting behind the wheel and serving her community. As she says:
“I signed up to become a Community Transport volunteer in our area as I saw it as a small way in which I could assist in providing transport to those in need. I am also looking forward to meeting and interacting with new people, hearing about their experiences and hopefully making their day a little brighter.”
It’s an important point, because the Community Transport service doesn’t just keep people connected to the care they need; it also keeps them connected to their communities and provides social connection for clients who may live alone or have limited contact with others.
The service is nothing short of a lifeline for people living in regional communities where people are no longer able to drive themselves, public transport options are limited, and taxis can be costly.
Without dedicated volunteer drivers like Alison, many patients would have to rely on family and friends to get to important medical appointments. When that support isn’t available, people can face the harsh reality of delaying or missing the care they need, including treatments that could improve their quality of life, or even save it.
The impact extends beyond the individual, placing additional pressure on an already stretched healthcare system and contributing to poorer health outcomes in regional Victoria.
Every single Community Transport journey our volunteers make matters to rural Victorians; whether it’s a short trip, or a longer journey to a hospital for specialist medical treatment.
Thank you for supporting Flying Doctor Community Transport – and for giving rural Victorians access to essential health care.
Flying Doctor Community Transport
Launched in 2018, Flying Doctor Community Transport provides eligible clients with free transport from home to health appointments and funded Social Support Groups. It is a volunteer-led program, that relies on the generosity of local volunteer drivers and donors.
The service currently operates in ten communities across Victoria including Heathcote, Rochester, Lakes Entrance, Warracknabeal, Numurkah, Cobram, Foster, Central Gippsland, St Arnaud and Robinvale.