Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge the hundreds of Australians who are volunteering to help reduce social isolation for older Australians and people with disabilities as part of Cycling Without Age Australia. Cycling Without Age is a reasonably new charity in our country, but it is part of a worldwide movement. The first trishaws arrived in Australia in 2016, and we've now grown to 46 chapters, including one in my electorate of Gippsland. This is a great movement. It gives the volunteer pilots, often retirees themselves, something interesting to do. It's a great hobby, it's healthy, and it helps them engage with their own community. The passengers have normally lost their capacity to cycle by themselves, so it gives them some freedom and reduces their social isolation. They get to feel the wind in their hair. Judging by the smiles on people's faces, it is a great charity.

I am proud to say that I am the honorary chair of our chapter in Gippsland. We now have four trishaws operating in my community. With the help of some private business, some sponsors and some government grants, we will have two extra trishaws operating in my community this spring. We've already done rides in Sale, in Lakes Entrance and in Buchan, but there's more to come. As we unveil our new trishaws, we will keep providing safe, free and universal access to Cycling Without Age across my region. I want to recognise and thank the volunteers right across Australia. Keep up the great work. You are generously building relationships, sharing stories and slowing down to improve the lives of your fellow Australians. (Time expired)

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