Gail Shrimp, Lil Goodyer, Janet Witts, Heinz Gloor of Country Mobility Trends, Shirley Batey, Percy Batey, Helen Daish, Edna Pirie and Pat Elton with the cake.
IT was with great excitement that the Bombala Scooter Club Trailblazers gathered at Cosmo Cafe for their July meeting.
The main item on the agenda was the celebration of the club’s first birthday and this was accomplished with great joy, fun and friendship.
The party started with the presentation of a sparkling birthday cake by Dina and Arthur accompanied by lovely coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos.
The hot drinks were especially appreciated by those who rode their scooters from the Exhibition Hall to the cafe.
Scooter Club coordinator Cynthia Dolan then addressed the group, acknowledging the sponsors and those who have provided wonderful support and commitment in the first year.
She thanked Arthur and Dina Dracopoulos for their sponsorship in providing the venue and afternoon tea for the Club’s monthly meetings.
The idea for a scooter club originated from Arthur’s concerns for senior citizens who use scooters and some of the problems they have negotiating their way to shops, services and venues in their daily lives.
He put forward the suggestion of a club for scooter users so that safe social outings could be organised.
The significant work undertaken by Bombala Council Community Services Manager, Lana Martin-McInnes was then acknowledged. When Arthur’s idea was presented to Lana in April last year she immediately set the wheels in motion to secure funding.
Discussions were held with the Monaro Rural Health Committee (MRHC) in regard to collaborating with Bombala Council Community Services on the project and MRHC agreed to provide some partnership funding for the initiative.
Lana also approached the Bombala RSL Club with regard to sponsorship and the Club came on board providing the Bombala Scooter Club Trailblazers with high visibility vests to wear on their outings.
It is due to Lana’s superb skill, determination and commitment to raising awareness of the issues that people with impaired mobility face on a daily basis that the Scooter Club came into being.
Cynthia then thanked Heinz Gloor and Stephanie Pongrass of Country Mobility Trends for their sponsorship. Shortly after the Scooter Club’s first official ride in June last year Heinz called to say that Country Mobility Trends wanted to be involved.
They have been a fantastic support to the Club in providing free safety checks, maintenance tips, regulation updates, home service calls regarding scooters as well as many of the other mobility aids they supply. Their knowledge and enthusiasm has been much appreciated.
Terry Daish was also recognised for his ongoing support for the Club and its activities. Always happy to assist in any way, Terry has been a huge help in the coordination of the club’s many events.
And what a wonderful year it’s been! The monthly rides and meetings have provided wonderful excursions, social opportunities, maintenance checks and important safety updates.
The Trailblazers were instrumental in undertaking informal risk assessments of the areas that they visited. These assessments were then addressed at quarterly meetings of the Home and Community Care (HACC) Committee in regard to access issues in the Bombala Council area.
Some of these assessment reports resulted in repairs to local footpaths in the town centre.
The Trailblazers also participated in the inaugural Scooter Races at the Eden Whale Festival last year. The Bombala Scooter Club impressed all in attendance that day and scooter owners on the South Coast were encouraged to start their own clubs.
Much has been accomplished in the first year. There are now 13 scooter owners in Bombala and five in Delegate. The number is set to grow and the Trailblazers look forward to welcoming new members to the Bombala Scooter Club in the year ahead.
