Today I acknowledge the vital service provided by Kaddy Transport in Dee Why. It was started in 1980 by Val Rayward, a matron at Royal North Shore Hospital, after polio confined her to a wheelchair.
For over 40 years Kaddy has assisted thousands of clients who are frail or use wheelchairs to travel safely to medical appointments and social activities. Unlike similar services in the area, Kaddy is free. It relies entirely on friendly volunteer drivers and generous sponsors, including Dee Why RSL. I especially acknowledge Allan Hale, a long-time board member of Kaddy, who sadly passed away in 2022 after volunteering since 1983. Awarded the Order of Australia in 2014, he was still driving clients until a week before he passed. Finally, I give a big shout-out to Barbara Smith, Kaddy's office co-ordinator, who is retiring this week after decades of service. With the loss of those incredible volunteers, Kaddy is now in urgent need of new ones—and especially drivers—to avoid closing. Today I put the call out for more volunteer drivers. Let us keep that incredible service on the road.