Trevor’s journey with our Special Needs Transport team started 17 years ago, just after his retirement from a long career in public service.
Before joining Special Needs Transport, Trev had a career that began in December 1954, delivering telegrams in a small country town. Over the years, he progressed his career and became a senior director before retiring. Retirement didn’t mean the end of his public service and he always enjoyed working and engaging with people, especially kids. His heart was in it and that’s why joining Special Needs Transport was the perfect fit.
“I’ve gone through the fullest for my previous job and this one with Special Needs Transport is the best retirement job. I find it enjoyable every single day,” Trev said.
For Trev, he isn’t there to just transport kids to and from school, he’s there to make a difference in their lives. He teaches kids everything from the basics of bus commuter skills, to life skills such as where to put their bags, how to wear their seat belts and how to talk to others. He finds it so rewarding to watch the kids grow.
After work, Trev goes home to relax. Sometimes a walk, sometimes a crossword or documentaries on history and geography, but always thinking of the kids who have become so special to him. His own grandchildren are scattered in different places all around Australia and he misses them, but the relationships he builds with the kids on his bus keep him busy and his heart full.
Trev has deep empathy for the Special Needs Transport families too, particularly for those with kids who have severe disabilities or who grow up with a single parent. “For us, it’s just 1 or 2 hours per day but for the parents, it's 24 hours,” Trev said.
“That’s why I try my best to support those families in need.” Trev pays extra attention to the emotional changes of the kids on his bus, passing along any important information to teachers or parents for consideration so that the kids can be supported in all areas. He also helps the families voluntarily during the weekends or attends their school’s event such as bringing them pancakes for their pancake Tuesdays.
John, Trev’s manager, said “Trev is a gentleman, through and through. He is an absolute national treasure.”
Trev’s impact on the team is immeasurable. “He brings the most positive outlook you could imagine,” John said.
When it came time to celebrate Trev’s 85th birthday a few months ago, the entire team got together to celebrate him. There were balloons around the office, a cheesecake and of course the entire team serenaded him.
"We didn’t have 85 candles," John chuckled, "but we would have had to strip supermarket shelves bare to get that many!" It was a celebration for a man whose spirit and generosity could never be measured in candles.
Thank you Trev for all the effort you put in to help those kids and families. You are a star that shines on many families in Canberra!
