Sunshine Bus Service

The Sunshine Bus Service began with a 1983 Bedford Van converted to a small bus. This enabled elderly and disabled citizens to regularly attend activities away from their place of residence on a reliable basis. So popular was the service that it quickly grew. A 1990 Fiat Ducato bus followed, then a 1992 Fiat Ducato and now a 1995 Fiat Ducato LWB (fitted with a hydraulic lift at the rear for wheelchair access) The fleet of 3 Fiats (the Bedford will be retired) is the result of 3 years of effort by a hard working committee with financial assistance from COGS, the J N Williams Memorial Trust, the Lottery Board and a few local donors. The new bus was dedicated into the service at a small ceremony outside the Lawson Field Theatre.

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Headroom, a major feature of the Fiat Ducato allowing the driver to stand rather than stoop when assisting clients.

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Gisborne's Mayor John Clarke, Val Hall - Chair person of the Sunshine Bus Service, Nola Burgess - Co-ordinator of the Sunshine Bus Service, Reverend Basil Hilder and Bruce Sinclair representing Economy Cars - local Fiat agents.

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After the dedication of the new bus there was a late morning cup of tea.

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Drivers inspect the business end of the new bus

Approximately ¼ of the 13,279 single trip passengers were in wheelchairs. The drivers have clocked up 41,775 miles overall. In 1995 there were 12 very special regular drivers. They enabled an enhanced quality of life for many of the passengers who were able to attend diverse activities such as Day Care, Abilities, Care and Craft, Exercises, medical appointments, shopping etc. Nola Burgess and Youtha (Nola's seeing eye dog), working from an office in Dunblane, has co-ordinated the service despite total blindness for 9 years. An exceptional achievement even for a sighted person.

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Friends and supporters of the Sunshine Bus Service at the dedication ceremony.

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Most of the past and present dedicated volunteer drivers who have added their very special caring skills to the door to door service: (from left) Alf Sanders, Bruce Gledhill, Brian Currie, Margaret Tokoa, Alex Foster, Pauline Maiava, Zillah Smith, Warwick Smith, Ron Turbitt, Ray Wicks, Judith Brabyn, Don McDonald, Ben Brabyn, Rowley Haisman and George Maddren.

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Elva Stratton handed over a $1300 cheque raised by the Gisborne Sun City Lioness Club, the proceeds of a Variety Concert.

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The Sunshine Bus Fleet which took the opportunity to run as a convoy through town.