info@ctccl.org.au
02 4355 4588
The Shirley Shuttle
HISTORY OF THE SHIRLEY SHUTTLE
CANCER PATIENT TRANSPORT SINCE 2008
Between 2004 and 2006, Barb Galvin became her mother Shirley’s carer during three major surgical procedures, her relocation to Barb’s home at Tascott from her home at Katoomba and attendance at numerous medical appointments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Gosford.
Barb says: “During Mum’s treatment phase, although we took each day as it came, we were unable to overlook the transport challenges for other patients needing to attend potentially life-saving appointments. Mum lost her battle with cancer on 30th August, 2006. On the positive side, though, something good can sometimes follow something really negative! In our case it was ‘The Shirley Shuttle Cancer Patient Transport Service Central Coast’ (aka ‘The Shirley Shuttle’).”
The Birth of The Shirley Shuttle
“A few months after Mum’s passing, I read an article in the local newspaper indicating the lack of a local public oncology treatment centre and lack of transport to treatment for transport-challenged outpatients to existing oncology treatment centres, and I wondered what I could do to help.
A few months later, in 2007, I joined the Central Coast Cancer Transport Action Group which had formed a few years earlier with good strategies but no funds. I donated $50,000 from my share of Mum’s modest estate to the Cancer Council NSW (CCNSW) for the purchase of a mini bus to take Gosford outpatients to local oncology appointments. On 4th March 2008, ‘The Shirley Shuttle’ was launched and continues to operate five days a week to transport clients to and from local oncology appointments. That first vehicle was labelled as Shirley 1 or SS1.”
IN OCTOBER 2019 THIS WAS TRANSITIONED TO COAST CONNECT OPERATIONS LIMITED DUE TO ITS UNIQUE OPERATING METHOD AND FLEXIBILITY IN ACCESS AND THE COST TO CLIENTS.
Community Transport Central Coast Limited manages the four Shirley Shuttle vehicles. Upon transition from Cancer Council NSW to Community Transport, Cancer Council retained Shirley Shuttle 1, but it was replaced through the generous donation of a former client’s Subaru Forrester following his passing. The Shirley Shuttle name is a registered trademark held by Barb Galvin and used by Community Transport Central Coast and Coast Connect Operations Limited via written consent.
The service is delivered predominantly through the valuable contribution of our volunteer drivers, the ongoing support of the Central Coast Local Health District in paying for fuel, and ongoing fundraising which supports the purchase, maintenance and onroad costs associated with providing over 10,000 trips every year to Central Coast residents undergoing cancer treatment.
Who are our Clients?
The Shirley Shuttle is a transport service dedicated to getting transport-challenged clients to cancer treatment centres on the NSW Central Coast, if you think you are going to have difficulty getting to your treatments please speak with the social worker at your treatment centre or contact us on 4355 4588.
Cost of Travel
Historically, a fee of $5 or $10 per client per round trip was ‘invited’, but there was no means test and the service was provided free of charge to those who said they could not afford it. The current fee is $10 per client (if affordable).
We work closely with clients and the treatment centres to ensure no-one is unable to access their vital treatment due to the inability to pay.
To Register for the Shirley Shuttle
or to enquire about volunteering
Call 02 4355 4588
Contact the Shirley Shuttle
Postal Address
PO Box 5067, Chittaway Bay NSW
Depot Address
Unit 1, 6 Hereford Street, Berkeley Vale
Community Transport Central Coast acknowledges the Darkinyung (Darkinjung) People who are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live.
We acknowledge and recognise all First Nations people who have come from their own country and now call this country their home.
We pay respect and acknowledge our First Nations ancestors that have walked and cared for these lands for many generations before us. We acknowledge our Elders who are our knowledge holders, teachers and leaders, and our youth who are our emerging leaders in this community.
We recognise the unique cultural and spiritual relationship and celebrate the contributions of First Nations people to Australia.