Viva Energy has announced it is supporting the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative through the purchase and operation of a new community bus.
The bus will operate for the next three years and provide First Nations people in greater Geelong, Colac, Lorne, Little River and Werribee access to health, cultural and community services.
Wauthaurong Aboriginal Co-operative CEO Simon Flagg says its partnership with Viva Energy would make a difference to the lives of First Nations people in the region.
“We will be able to take the community across the state, improve connections to health services, take kids to more activities and provide our community with a great resource,” Flagg says.
Viva says it expects 2000 First Nations people to use the buses activities along with an additional 1500 First Nations people to use it for patient transport.
Viva Energy refining executive general manager Dale Cooper says the company is delighted to be partnering with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.
“Wathaurong plays a critical role in the region, providing health, family, community and cultural services for First Nations people,” Cooper says.
“We’re proud to play a small role by providing funding for a local bus and patient transport to help the community connect to these vital services.”
Viva says it’s also supporting events and activities to engage First Nations school students in education and employment opportunities in the greater Geelong region.