We are closed on 25-26 Dec & 1 Jan 2024. From 27-29 Dec, we will deliver limited essential transport for medical appointments to pick up medications, & urgent requests for essential groceries. We will be available on 1800 781 033 to take your bookings for transport. Our accounts team will take a short break from 25 Dec-1 Jan & unable to take your payments. Normal service resumes on 1 Jan 2024.
We are closed on 25-26 Dec & 1 Jan 2024. From 27-29 Dec, we will deliver limited essential transport for medical appointments to pick up medications, & urgent requests for essential groceries. We will be available on 1800 781 033 to take your bookings for transport. Our accounts team will take a short break from 25 Dec-1 Jan & unable to take your payments. Normal service resumes on 1 Jan 2024.
Discovering new places as a CTST volunteer driver
“The things I like most about volunteering with CTST are meeting new people and discovering new places in Tasmania.”
Peter Griffin has been a volunteer driver with us for the past couple of years, and usually drives our group social outings program (Out & Abouts) in the north of the state.
“I joined CTST due to a change in circumstances in my life, and I wanted to give back something to the community.”
Peter has had a long and varied career in banking, insurance, financial services, driving school buses, and was also a registered nurse. And he’s also got a good eye having umpired cricket in northern Tasmania since 1984!
As a driver for our social outings program, Peter enjoys these group trips. Our social outings program is designed to reduce social isolation and is a great way for our consumers (who are eligible for transport assistance through My Aged Care) to meet new friends or catch up with old ones while sightseeing, visiting local attractions, and enjoying morning tea and lunch. These trips are not only fun for consumers, but also our volunteer drivers.
Peter has driven consumers to numerous small rural towns, including Kimberley, Nowhere Else, Liffey, Beauty Point, Evandale, Sheffield, Pipers River, along with Peter’s childhood home of Karoola.
“The places I’ve been to have been many and varied. I’ve discovered new towns, places, and spots in Tasmania that I’d hardly heard of.”
“That included rediscovering places that I hadn’t been to for up to 50 years. This has been important for me as I love Tasmania and wanted to see more of our home state. It’s also been important for our consumers. Some people have travelled o their childhood hometowns and met other members of their family along the way.
“My experience so far has been quite memorable. I’ve met dozens of new people and been to a heap of new places. The satisfaction of seeing our consumers discover new places and rediscover other ones has been the most rewarding part of the driving experience. Our consumers have a wide and varied range of backgrounds and I’ve heard some moving stories over the past two years. Some consumers were born overseas, and regularly praise Tasmania’s unique scenery and lifestyle. Sharing meals with our consumers has given me the opportunity to sit down with them and hear the special stories of their lives and times.”
“I would encourage other people to volunteer with CTST. My experience has been memorable and rewarding. I have no doubt that it’s good for my own mental health, and that of our customers. It’s been a great way to see Tasmania, and to learn about different towns/places firsthand from people who have lived there in the past.”
Keen to become a volunteer like Peter? Find out more and sign up here - volunteer with us
