Fiona Scott (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to recognise the outstanding contribution of Great Community Transport organisation, their amazing staff, their volunteers and, in particular, the unstoppable Helen Walker OAM, the founder and manager of, may I say it, this great organisation. Great Community Transport provides transport for many disadvantaged people right across our region, including the aged, the frail and people living with disabilities and their carers. Since its humble beginnings, Great has now grown to boast a fleet of 23 vehicles and 120 volunteers, servicing the Blue Mountains and the Penrith region. Great Community Transport is an important link that helps so many disadvantaged people to stay connected, independent and in their homes for longer. I am pleased to note that in the 2014-15 federal budget Great Community Transport will receive an increase of 18 per cent in their funding, or some $169,052. This will be provide a massive 5,427 trips throughout our region.

It was truly wonderful to see Helen star on the front cover of the 2014-15 Penrith-Blue Mountains phone book. She is an icon of our region and it is right for her to be acknowledged in this way. Throughout this program, Helen and her team have improved the lives of so many people right across Western Sydney, and I would like to acknowledge her service.