The Community Transport Company (formerly known as Coffs Harbour Bellingen and Nambucca Community Transport) has been crowned the best community transport service in NSW.
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The company took out the honour at the recent Community Transport Organisation (CTO) annual conference last week, the judges awarding the accolade for innovation within the industry and quality service to the community.
Chief executive officer Bethany Simmonds said the service took out the Community Transport of the Year as well as the Cultural Inclusive Award for Excellence at the state’s peak body ceremonial awards.
“We were all thrilled at the announcement which is the highest achievement for any community transport service in NSW and I would like to thank all the staff, volunteers and our clients for helping us get to this standard,” Ms Simmonds said.
“The judges were definitely impressed with our mobile office we introduced into the region earlier this year, the first of its kind in Australia. This enables our staff to reach out to isolated and rural communities that lack face-to-face contact with some service providers.
“We also increased our services in the Nambucca Valley and Bowraville, developed a new smart card system in Bellingen and were an industry educator for the introduction of new technology.”
Related Content: New mobile office is an industry first
The Community Transport Company was also selected by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to undergo the Aged Care Quality Review as well as a Third Party Verification under the NSW Disability Standards, and all standards were met by the company.
The service was also recognised for implementing new programs within the Gumbaynggirr community encouraging self-actualisation and empowerment within the culture.
The Bowraville Community Transport program was rolled out earlier this year, providing alternative transport for all members of the community but also directly targeting services to a significantly disadvantaged and isolated community with a high population of Indigenous people.
The company also increased its Indigenous staff by 100 per cent, introduced the L to Ps Program specifically targeting Aboriginal youth, and provided transport options to many events, such as Saltwater Freshwater Cultural Experience, NAIDOC celebrations, Aboriginal Elders Olympic Program, men’s activities and our own sponsored Challenge Cup.
“Our success is no doubt due to our teamwork, everyone from the Board, staff, volunteers and the local community is behind our mission to provide access for all. I am very proud of everyone in our organisation for all the hard work and commitment they have shown and we have become industry leaders because of that commitment,” Ms Simmonds said.
Caption: (L-R) Jeff Blair (Aboriginal Transport Coordinator) Carrolline Rhodes (Board
Member), Greg Walcot (Chair-Board Member) Selwyn Crocker (Board Member) at the CTO
Conference receiving the award.