Wheels in motion for Portarlington’s free community bus

PORTARLINGTON will get a community bus 18 months earlier than anticipated, thanks to the support of the Portarlington Golf Club.

The club will donate one of its buses to the grassroots initiative, which was launched earlier this year by locals Marlene Ebejer, Karen King and Guy Tucker with the aim of addressing gaps in the existing public transport network.

The trio, operating as KMG Community Events, are trying to raise $76,000 to purchase a 10-seater bus able to transport locals to the shops, medical appointments and other social outings.

The bus will be community-owned and operated, and free to use, with volunteers stepping in to help drive and ongoing fundraising and community donations to maintain the vehicle and cover petrol costs.

Ms Ebejer said KMG Community Events was “ecstatic” to partner with the Portarlington Golf Club to deliver the new service, with the donated bus allowing the initiative to be trialled and a schedule best able to meet community demand for the service developed.

“If we can get started in this area, hopefully we can get it happening in other areas or, once we do it and learn, be able to share those skills and resources with other communities,” she said.

For the Portarlington Golf Club, business development manager Mark Hayes says, supporting the community bus project is a “no brainer”, in large part because of its “potential to help so many people”.

KMG Community Events initially approached the club for a grant, but chief executive Michael Phillips was quick to suggest the alternate arrangement.

The club has, in the past financial year alone, either through direct donation or sponsorship, given away more than $200,000.

“It’s about being a better neighbour,” Mr Hayes said.

“We want to make sure that – in this case buses – but all our utilities are used to best represent the community… We don’t want anything idle sitting here when it can be used to benefit the community.”

He said the club would continue to support the fledgling service, including through its weekly community raffle, an initiative launched almost 12 months ago that allows local groups the opportunity to fundraise by selling tickets to a raffle comprised of prizes supplied by the golf club.

“We’re always happy to hear the community’s ideas on ways that we can make the Bellarine a better place,” Mr Hayes said.

“If someone has got a solution that we can be part of, then we’re happy to hear it.”

An information session will be held in the coming weeks for those interested in helping to drive the bus, with a bus service roster and booking system to follow.