All About Community Wheels

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Amazing Staff & Volunteers
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Satisfied Clients
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Vehicles
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Safe Trips a Month
Community Wheels Inc. has been providing safe & accessible transport since 1986 in Parramatta & Cumberland LGAs to:
  • People over 65 years
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
  • Transport-disadvantaged residents
  • Culturally diverse individuals
  • Younger people with disabilities
  • And their carers

OurVision

To encourage and support people to participate in social and community programs, that improve their well-being and independence.

OurMission

  • Promote and deliver personalised, affordable and accessible transport services in the City of Parramatta and Cumberland Council areas for eligible individuals and groups.
  • Offer a range of social and community activities that improve our clients’ well-being and independence.
  • Design transport initiatives that meet the needs of our clients and promote their social inclusion, participation and well-being.
  • Perform all the activities in a financially sustainable manner

OurValues

Respectful

We treat people in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. 

We respect and value people for who they are.

Innovative

We respond to clients’ changing needs and emerging business environments. We look for ways to innovate and develop our services that improve the well-being and independence of our clients.

Inclusive

We aspire to create a social enterprise that reflects the rich diversity of the community we serve. We involve our clients, volunteers and staff in all we do and believe in giving people at all levels a voice in the decision process.

Integrity

We do the right thing - even if it takes more time and effort.

Excellence

We strive to achieve best practice standards in whatever we do with passion.

Collaborative

We build social networks and strong relationships with stakeholders to design services that meet clients’ needs.

Timeline of Community Support

16 July 1987

Inception

A public meeting was held to elect a Management Committee for Parramatta Community Transport Group. The goal of this organization was to develop community transport services for frail aged people and people with disabilities living in the Parramatta Local Government Area.

16 July 1987

July 1988

Incorporation

The organization was incorporated as an Association under the name of Parramatta Community Transport Association Inc. Our first office was in an old Department of Housing building located in South St, Rydalmere. That same month and year, the organization purchased its first vehicle, a Mazda minibus, that was modified to carry wheelchairs and was used to transport our clients to and from shops.

August 1991

Digitisation

Office moved to Parramatta. We also computerized our accounting and office systems.

August 1991

October 2002

Rebranding

Official change of name to Community Wheels Inc.

June 2003

Amalgamation

Community Wheels Inc. amalgamated with Holroyd Community Transport Group

June 2003

November 2006

Expansion

Office moved to 2A Arthur Street Merrylands, which allowed us to increase the number of resources, staff and vehicles.

January 2014

Settling In

After extensive negotiations with Transport for NSW and the current landlord, Community Wheels Inc. moved to our current location in Northmead.

January 2014

Since incorporation, our organisation has continued to expand as demand for our services increased.  We started with one full-time coordinator, one part-time service administrator, one casual driver, and a group of volunteers that used their own cars to provide medical transport. 

 

Today, we have more than 40 employees and volunteers, and a mixed fleet of 19 vehicles including sedans, vans with wheelchair hoist, and big 20-seater buses.

Meet Our Team

Some of the dedicated and friendly staff keeping you connected with your community

Stefanie Lowe
Interim CEO

A picture of Angela Ostojic

Gabriel Hitti
Transport Services and Operations Coordinator

A picture of Sowjanya

Sowjanya Dammavalam
Bookings Officer

A picture of Pallavi Bartwal

Pallavi Bartwal
Office Admin Coordinator

A picture of Sally Crocker

Sally Crocker
Transport Services and Operations Administrator

A picture of Guiselle Shepardson

Guiselle Shepardson
Bookings Officer

A picture of Yvonne

Yvonne Fracala
Client Liaison Coordinator

A picture of Corey Poulsen

Corey Poulsen
Finance Coordinator

Lynnette Connor
Social Inclusion Coordinator

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Management Committee

Community Wheels Inc has a strong Management Committee (MC) that brings diverse skills and experience to the governance body. The key responsibilities of all members of the Management Committee are to:

Set the direction for Community Wheels Inc.

Make sure we know where we want to go, how we want to get there, and what we want to achieve along the way

Monitor the organisation's performance

Make sure we run as smoothly as we can, and help as many people as possible while we do it

Maintain control of the organisation

Ensuring the organisation stays on track according to agreed priorities and planned activities

For more information about the duties of those who manage charities, please visit the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission website or read the ACNC guide Governance for Good.

Current members of the Management Committee

Mr Sudhir Gupta

Sudhir Gupta
Chairperson

Appointed to MC: 8 November 2016
Qualifications:
  • Masters in Computer Science
  • Bachelor in Electrical Engineering
Responsibilities:
  • Strategic Management
  • Information Technology Management
  • Data Analysis and Reporting
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Jessie Gatt
Committee Member

Appointed to MC: 23 October 2013

Responsibilities:
  • Maltese community representative
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Andrew Cordwell 
Vice Chair

Appointed to MC: 24 September 2018
Appointed as Vice Chair: 15 November 2021
Qualifications:
  • FCA
  • Bachelor of Commerce
  • Justice of the Peace
Responsibilities:
  • Commercial due diligence
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Ramalingam Naganathan
Committee Member

Appointed to MC: 19 October 2016
Qualifications:
  • Justice of the Peace
Responsibilities:
  • Tamil community representative
Maria Baker

Maria Baker
Secretary

Appointed to MC: 25 June 2018
Appointed as Secretary: 15 November 2021

Responsibilities:
  • Strategic Management
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Dr. Elizabeth Ricketts
Committee Member

Appointed to MC: 26 February 2018
Qualifications:
  • T. Cert; Dip. T; Dip. Special Ed;
  • Grad. Dip. Ed. Leadership;
  • B. Ed; M. Ed; Ed. D
  • Bachelor in Electrical Engineering
Responsibilities:
  • Human resources

Annual Reports

Galleries

Testimonials

Hear from some of our community members