It has certainly been an eventful year for SESCT. Ms Rogers has led an organisation in transition – moving from Redfern to Ultimo, securing funding for the new premises and expanded services in the inner city, and coordinating monthly outreach sessions to maintain connection with clients.
Chairperson Kay Kavanagh welcomed all to the meeting, including Councillor John Mant representing Lord Mayor Clover Moore. Ms Kavanagh acknowledged the support of the City of Sydney, which provides funding for the free Village2Village shuttle services. Other funding partners were also acknowledged: Transport for NSW, Ageing Disability and Home Care, as well as the NSW Department of Health. “The Management Committee is now looking to the future to ensure the ongoing stability and viability of SESCT through possible amalgamations, partnerships or mergers with other compatible organisations,” Ms Kavanagh said.
Treasurer Rowena Marstin presented the audited accounts and reported a surplus for the year, attributed to good cash-flow management, collaborations with like-minded agencies and a focus on providing safe, accountable and efficient services. “Our financial position is excellent,” she said. “Strong financial stewardship and fiscal management positions SESCT very well to respond to anticipated changes in the community transport sector, and ensures that funds are available to support our goal of securing Transport Operator Accreditation in 2014.”
The move to Ultimo, said manager Jane Rogers, had brought benefits such as the bus depot. “We currently have 13 vehicles, all fully paid for,” she said, “with none older than eight years.” Ms Rogers went on to thank “the incredible team” at SESCT. “This year we assisted 2,778 different people to access transport, and increased our total passenger trip numbers from 67,947 in 2012 to 71,169 in 2013.”
Returning officer Rosemary Berkov chaired the election proceedings at which Elsa Chung was elected to replace Terry Murphy on the board.
The meeting concluded with presentations of certificates to volunteers. Staff member Jasmine Enright provided Cantonese and Mandarin translations for this and all sessions throughout the meeting.
Following the AGM, an afternoon tea was served in the atrium. Most members stayed to enjoy a cup of tea and something to eat.
Mary of Redfern has been a member of SESCT for over five years (she surrendered her driver’s license just prior to her 76th birthday). She says the transition to Ultimo has seen the values of SESCT – equity, diversity, responsiveness, safety, participation, co-operation, sustainability and quality – strengthened. “Safe and affordable transport is so important for all of us,” Mary said. “I’ve had no problem accessing staff or information – the staff are absolutely fantastic, and welcome feedback.”
Mary takes advantage of monthly “get-out-of-town” and “markets” bus services. “Our yearly membership costs just $7, and the bus trips cost just $7 too. We catch the bus on Saturdays from Poets Corner in Redfern, to Fairfield Markets or the Carrington Village Spring Fair, or to the Glenbrook Village Fair, the Entrance, Katoomba, Wollongong, all different places, it depends what’s been organised.”
“The bus is a small bus, I suppose, but it can hold 21 people. We go for the whole day. Usually, there’s a morning tea stop, then once at our destination we’re free to do what we want till we meet up again for the trip home. The drivers are great, really friendly and helpful,” she said.
