Fortunately, at least for more than 800 people from the Rochester and Heathcote communities, there is a lot more to the business — and it doesn’t involve aircraft.
Hayley Wallace and Erin Foster are responsible for co-ordinating the volunteer driver program, which started in Rochester at the start of this year.
One thing which is a consistent with both the aerial and road-based operations is that both rely heavily on volunteer support and donations in order to maintain their service levels.
Ms Wallace is based out of a small but prominently placed office at Rochester and Elmore Health Service, while Ms Foster has a similar role at Heathcote.
They are responsible for bringing volunteer drivers and clients together, in order for the latter to attend health appointments.
“In Rochester and Heathcote the RFDS is used from Monday to Friday,” Ms Wallace said.
“We launched the service in Rochester in March, but we actually started in January.”
There has been significant growth in the client ranks, which has hastened the call to match that demand with new volunteer drivers.
“As our mobile billboards drive around town, more people are aware of the service and are getting in touch with us,” Ms Wallace said.
“This message is really a call out for people to get involved as volunteer drivers.”
Donations from the public, in conjunction with support from health services and community partnerships with organisations such as the Bendigo Bank and Lions clubs, finance the service.
“The one thing that makes the whole thing sustainable is that it is led by volunteers,” Ms Wallace said.
“We wouldn’t be able to run this program if it wasn’t for our drivers.”
Ms Wallace said the drivers had not flinched during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering up their services without hesitation.
“Despite regular lockdowns we have had our volunteers working non-stop. We have 16 volunteers in Rochester at the moment,” Ms Wallace said.
“Part of the attraction for our current volunteers is the flexibility.
“Some drivers volunteer once a fortnight, others two or three days a week.
“It depends on the individual’s circumstances, it might be a set day, they may prefer to be on call, other volunteers make themselves available when they can.”
Some of the key things the RFDS co-ordinators are looking for is a current driver’s licence and a good driving history. All volunteers go through medical training and receive ongoing CPR raining.
“The main thing we are looking for is passionate people who enjoy being around others and having a good yarn,” Ms Wallace said.
“Often our volunteers are the only person our clients see for the week. If you are an older person, living on a property, you probably aren’t getting a lot of visitors.
“Our volunteers do much more than just getting clients where they need to be,” she said.
While the RFDS community transport service officially operates from 8.30am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, some exceptions to the rules are made for early morning hospital admissions.
There are three vehicles — one of which is a mini bus with a wheelchair hoist — regularly on the road.
“We do try and do as much promotion for the service (as possible). The local community are aware, but those who are in the smaller communities outside of Rochester may not know what we do,” Ms Wallace said.
“What we do know is that there are a lot more people out there that need our help.
“To be eligible to use the service, people need to be in our pick-up range (within about 20km from the Rochester CBD).”
They need to have a current pension card, seniors health care card or returned veterans card.
However, RFDS Victoria and the community transport program are committed to seeing better healthcare programs for all Victorians.
“If there is someone who doesn’t fit that criteria, then that is something we talk about on a case by case basis,” Ms Wallace said.
“We have some people with intellectual disabilities who use the service. We are definitely not pigeon-holing people.”
The RFDS also operates mobile optometry, dental and well-being programs.
Ms Wallace said current clients of the Rochester service were from Strathallan, Nanneella, Corop, Elmore, Lockington and Bamawm.
She shared the story of one volunteer driver, Margie, who has come on board with her team in the past couple of months.
“She has been totally invaluable. We have done some promotional work with her on our Facebook page, which extends to the social side of what the drivers can achieve.
“A gentleman client who had recently lost his wife connected with her while driving. She was able to sit down with him and provide that support, and conversation.
“She is also an avid gardener and every time she visits our office she brightens up my world considerably,” Ms Wallace said.
For more information about how to become an RFDC community transport service volunteer driver, contact Ms Wallace on 0437 123 612.
