John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was an absolute pleasure to visit local Bennelong community transport provider Stryder last Friday. Stryder has just purchased a new Toyota commuter van through a Stronger Communities Program round 6 grant. It was gratifying to see the benefit this grant has created. I sat in the driver's seat, inhaled the brand-new-car smell we're all familiar with and love, and nearly drove the van right out of the depot to give it a little test drive. It took Stryder board member Craig Chung and CEO Virginia Coy all their creative nous to talk me out of the van. It hadn't been run in and couldn't be taken to full revs, so what the—

Craig and Virginia said COVID had impacted the organisation severely, as vulnerable people were not able to use community transport services, and this made them even more isolated and vulnerable. It has been a difficult time. Now that most people are vaccinated and being COVID-safe, Stryder are as busy as ever. Without the new van, they may not have been able to satisfy demand. Stryder is named after the City of Ryde and 'striding'—to go forward with purpose. It's a wonderfully apt name. Well done, Stryder—from Craig Chung and the board to Virginia Coy and her staff and their generous volunteers. Thank you for your service.