Hop on board the volunteering bus

Kathryn ‘Kossie’ Chegwyn and Victor Marriott are two of Wakefield region’s very own superheroes who volunteer their time and expertise across the community.

Between them, Kossie and Victor have been driving Council’s community bus for almost 57 years. But now, the long-serving duo has decided its time to hand in the keys, hang up their hats and settle into retirement.

Wakefield Regional Council is putting out the call for anyone interested in continuing the hard work and dedication of Kossie and Victor, and becoming one of our superheroes, driving the community bus and helping to make our region a great place to live, work and play.

The community bus, run by Council, is available to anyone living within the region, and for a small fare (under $10), it connects passengers to services and shopping centres like Munno Para Shopping City and Elizabeth Shopping City.

Victor said driving the community bus gave him a sense of belonging in the community, a sense of improved wellbeing from volunteering and a sense of fulfilment.

“I get much enjoyment out of what I do and have done. I especially enjoy meeting people, chatting with them, asking about their day,” Victor said. “It gives me much pleasure to be involved with and to help the people of our community.”

Driving the bus is not the only way that Victor and Kossie participate and help out the community.

Wakefield Mayor Rodney Reid says you are likely to see Kossie setting up local Australia Day events and Balaklava Lions Club activities, and Victor supporting the Balaklava Show Society and Balaklava Uniting Church.

"Volunteering is not just beneficial to you as the volunteer but is also invaluable to the people you are helping and the role you are playing in creating a connected community,” Mayor Reid said.

“Council made a decision to purchase a bus which only requires a regular car licence to drive. So, if you drive a car and don’t mind driving a largish vehicle, then you could be just who were looking for.

“We have an incredibly rich volunteering culture here in Wakefield region, with about 34 per cent of Wakefield residents volunteering their time through some group or organisation – that’s higher than the State’s average of 21 per cent.”

Thanking Victor and Kossie, regular community bus passenger Dulcie Williams said the pair would be greatly missed and their kindness over the years would not be forgotten.

Mayor Reid also thanked Victor and Kossie for their commitment to volunteering and to the community, while also recognising the great work being done by the other ten bus drivers.

“We have a fabulous bunch of drivers who help our community and their support is appreciated by the whole Council and all bus passengers.”

If you would like to volunteer as a community bus driver or wish to know more about volunteering please contact Larissa McPharlin, Community Services, at Wakefield Regional Council on 8862 0800 or admin@wrc.sa.gov.au. 

Discover more about volunteering with Wakefield Regional Council here.