Cliristmas Message from the Chief Executive

and New Year provide a time to reflect on our

achievements over the past 12 months and consider the future. l hope that we are all able to do this in a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by our family and friends.

Together we should take pride in the fact that we have

we will meet these challenges just as we have done in the past.

Thank you for your support in 1993. If you are able to take holidays during the next few weeks I trust they meet your expectations and that together we will enjoy 1994.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you and your families my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

maintained a high level of r service to the ACT community. ~ . ::-\ As we consider the future we are (

assured of facing further Mike Wadsworth

~ees. ~

Be A Winner! Don't miss your chance to win.

Here is a chance to win a pri ze in ACTION's Christmas Hamper. This month your co py of

Transaction contains a survey form. By simply completing the survey and returning it to the

address on the form, you could be a winner!!.

So look for your chance to win .

CONTENTS Focus On ...Rosters and Special Hire ...........8 Christmas Message................................... ....1 TrainingHighlights .....................................9 Transaction Committee ........................ .. ....2 Life Saving All-Over .............................. ... 10 Bouquets ....................................................... 2 Retired ACT Transport ACTION Roadeo.............................3 , 4&5 Employees' Club......................................... 11 National Bus Roadeo............................6 & 7 People In ACTION ...................................12

TRANSACTION EDITORIAL COMMITTEE he Transaction editorial The members of the committee are: John Kearney

committee is seeking ideas Graeme Dockar Tuggeranong Ph 207 7800 Tuggeranong Workshops Ph. 207 7544 Fax 207 7810and suggestions from all staff David Brudenall Roger Abbot

about what you would like to see in Head Office Ph. 207 8035 Belconnen Depot Ph 207 7673

your staff magazine. Bill Kennedy Ed Carnall OAM Please contact your representatives Woden Workshop Ph. 207 7526 President, Retired ACT Transport

on the committee with news or Fraser MacDonald Employees' Club Ph 247 8096 Woden and Felicity Waysuggestions on how to make ;:our staff Tuggeranong Depots Ph. 207 7562 Promotions Ph 207 8059magazine more interesting to you and Lindsay McMurdo /Events Officer Fax 207 8056

your work mates. If you would like to Rosters Ph 207 8105 Juliana Madden

join the committee please contact Graham Bigg Transaction Editor Ph 2816942 Felicity Way or Juliana Madden. Engineering Ph 207 7648 Fax 285 3048

BOUQUETS Nth Rockhampton

Queensland ACTION Canberra Dear Mrs Young,

My wife and I ho.ve just returned home to Rockhampwn after a wonderful four day stay in the National Capital. The occasion of course, being the 75th Anniversary of Armistice Day and the Funeral Service ofthe Internment ofthe Remains of the Unknown Soldier. Awonderful and touching event. We cannot show or give enough praise to the Action Omnibus Network. The help we received from the men manning theInformation Centre and from the many drivers, was most courteous and kindly. Everyone, to whom my Wife and I spoke were all of the same opinion.We wish more people would put their thoughts and praises into words. Your Network deserves the highest praise. Some people were 'knocking' the Network on television when we were in Canberra. These 'knockers' probably wouldn't know what it was Uke to use an Omnibus service, thus saving their own vehicles, not to mention pollution problems. Having such help and 11Seful advice from those who care certainly takes a lot of worry and frustration off the back of the tourist. Thank you as Manager and all your Staffand wishing You all the Best Success all along the Une. Thanking you once again, Yours Truly , Peter Swanson , D Swanson J.P.

This is about an old Canberra Bus

r--------------------------------------,The following letter was uncovered during a recent clean-up of an ACTION storeroom. There is no return address or date

on the letter and attempts to contact the writer have failed.

Ifanyone has any information about the writer could they please

contact the Editor, Juliana Madden, 281 6942. ,

L--------------------------------------~ I came to Australia on thestaff of the Duk (sic) and Duchess ofGloucester when he came to be theGovernor-General of Australia. We left Liverpool England on 15th of December 1944. We sailed into Sydney on January 29th 1945, Australia Day holiday weekend. Myself and other staff left Sydney for Canberra in one of Canberra's first Buses which is still here in Canberra. It took five hours. I never went back to England. I met my husband at Government House. I must say the Buses of today are more comfortable and the drivers very nice to old people.

ER Lamond

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Ai!TION Mack Bus Rodeo -

,,

Mack (Australia) was again

the major sponsor of

ACTION's 1993 Bus

Roadeo and the Roadeo Committee

thank them for their continued

support. Thanks also to the minor

sponsors AMPOL, Murray's City

Interchange Newsagency and Picco!

Credit Union. The weather forecast

was ominous but thankfully it was

wrong and a beautiful sunny day

eventuated resulting in the event

timetable not only running smoothly

but ending ahead of schedule.

The Roadeo Committee spent

many hours to ensure an enjoyable

and challenging course was provided.

Thanks and congratulations on a

... ~ /\''

Winner of the Non Operator Competition, Darryl Peckham being presented with his prizes by Da11Ul Lamont.

• I! I

Terry Wilson trying 011! the new Mack bus at the Roadeo.

Bus Operator Results Total Penalties Total Time

Brian Meizer 25 9.08 Nigel Stokes 35 8.09 Douglas Phillips 40 10.55 Dennis Kugler 55 7.40 Rodney McDonald 60 8. 18 Neville Weatherspoon 80 9.29 Malcolm Muggleton 120 6.50

Hans Rothe and Tony Wein-Skeates withdrew during the day. Brian Meizer and Nigel Stokes represented ACTION at the National Roadeo in Adelaide on Sunday 14 November.

Non Operator Results Total Penalties Total Time

Darryl Peckham 65 9.54 Brian Evans 105 8.50 Allen Bartlett 165 10.00 The Novelty Skills Event was won by Allen 'Balloons' Bartlett. Children's Road Safety and Bicycle Awareness Quiz

7-10 Shanan Meizer 11-14 Jamie Meizer So the Meizer family took the majority of the prizes.

~

Again we had several Private Operators join us and Max Carey from Deanes Buslines again winning

their competition. The Belconnen Depot Golf Club

again operated the food and drink srand with a good range of products at reasonable prices.

Lunchtime activities included a novelty driving skills competition, a balloon throwing competition and

Barry Snehon doing an excellent job on

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ACTION

I 'l'tW1,'t'ft't'O I :

l~~~;~~~,~~ll ~:~U1111\1ttUU, u,',:':':',',~uul:.n1.1.1.1.t.1.u.'·'

...,......

mystery drivers. The balloon throwing

competition was for the spectators. Due to some incorrect instructions being given over the mic by Barry Snelson it degenerated into a Try to

Waterbomb John Greenwood competition! Thanks Brush.

Mystery drivers included ACTION staff John Kearney, Dave Allen, Dave Gosper, Mario Mikola, Ian Pye and John Greenwood. This

· year, finalists assisted in the judging of this event and had a hard time

the mic. His fluid voice and wit were appreciated by all.

tallying up the penalty points and replacing the witches hats on their marks. Good on you Ian for having a

go. As we were running a little

ahead of schedule the then current ACT~ON and National Champion attempted the course and demonstrated he still has the skills - enter in 1994 Richard!

The 1993 ACTION RoadeoChampion Brian Meiter with his wife Debbie.

Roadeo runner up Nigel Stokes .

ACTION's Acting Chief Executive, Mike Castle, was the Master of Ceremonies for the presentations with David Lamont representing the Minister for Urban Services.

John Greenwood

The start and finish of the ACTION Roadeo , which was held at the driver training centre.

Bird's eye views of the 'bus stop'

and 'parking' exercises on the

ACTION course.

ACTION Promocion/Events Officer, Felicity Way, and David Lamont MLA prepare for che ACTION Roadeo presencacions.

5

ACTIO:i

T he National Bus Roadeo was held in Adelaide on Sunday 14 November 1993.

Five authorities -ACTION, Brisbane City Council, Metro (Tasmania}, ST A SA and ST ANSW ­entered with each providing two finalists. Brisbane City Council and STA

NSW included one female in their team. Of the 10 finalists five have contested the National Roadeo in the past. It is good to see the interest and driving skills ~ beingmaintained.

The course was very tight and all competitors were admiral ambassadors

' for·their authorities. }

National Bus Roadeo Results Driver Authority Place Glenn Nitschke STA SA 1st

Pauline Brown BCC 2nd

Ray Luckett STASA 3rd "! wonder what chis button is fut ?" Steve Wymark getting ready to driveNigel Stokes ACTION 4th one of the new MACK buses co Adelaide.

Australia's top ten operators in 1993.

\ I

6

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J.TUNSTALL I . •

.Jt.Ji!QKES The scoreboard .... at the .

G.KENDRICK Nation Bus Roadeo.

K.STUART

A group of supporters travelled to Adelaide in one of the new model Mack buses. They all had too good a time and one has since joined Weight Watchers and another has signed the pledge.

Included in their activities was wine tasting and a buyingspree in the Barossa Valley, trips around Adelaide on the back of Harley Davidsons, partaking of pie floaters, ample intake of fluids, acquisition of many souvenirs, attending

f ..-c'

the temple and leaving the obligatory - ACTION'srepresenraci11es and their partners at the National Bus Roadeo PresenUJtion Dinner. donation to the SA economy. The trip from the Torrens Parade Ground back to the hotel (about one kilometre) ended up many kilometres and took about 20 minutes - I don't know if it was driver or navigator error!

ACTION's Brian Meiter won the no11eltJ e11ent at the National Roadeo. Brian recei11ed the prize donated lry che Public Transport Union.

7

ACl.10~

·-?Focus On... · ~ ,

Rosters and Special Hire

I fa happy workplace is a sign of

excellent work then Rosters and

Special Hire is doing a top job.

In between the jovial banter and

giggles the logistics of ACTION are

worked out including drivers' and

transport officers' rosters, sick leave, long

service leave, rostered days off, higher

duties, the annual Commonwealth

Medical Officer appointments, furlow, redeployment and internal advertising of

vacant-shifts.

also organise

Rosters' Mic~IAllen andUndsaY. McMurdo hard at work preparing for regionalisacion

. of their duties. Michael is moving [() Tuggeranong while Lindsay goes w Belconnen.

8

Rbsters and Special Hire

-----

_

to a computerised

all hiring of ACTION buses for school

and community groups as well as special

events such as Raiders' home games, the

Canberra Show, the Entombment of the

Unknown Soldier, Floriade, New Year's

Eve (special services began in 1992), the

UPI Conference and school holiday

programs.

The complexity of the work is

immense but since November 1992

when it changed from a purely manual

Senior Controller Operations and Support, Roman Gafa,discusses Special Hire rostering with Lorraine Bican.

system using the Hastus

program it has been less time

consuming and more

accurate. The technological

change seemed daunting at

the time but now all in the

area agree that "it's easy

when you get used to it".

A new challenge of

making regionalisation work

is now being faced. Senior

Controller Operations and Support,

Roman Gafa, Lorraine Bican, Michael

Allen and Lindsay McMurdo are all optimistic there will be no major

problems. They believe any minor

difficulties which arise will be easily

sorted out, as, having worked closely

together, they understanding the system

and each other well.

rr-aining Highlights

Thefirst of ihe recent group of new Operaiors at iheend of their Basic Training with Chief Executive, Sen ior Driving /nsrructor and On-Road /nsimciors. Back Row: Terry Lees, Frank Caputo, Mick Merryfield ,Wayne McNally, Mike Wadsworth , Brian Graham and John Armstrong. Front Row: Helen Baird, Colin Beckinsale,Jenny Looe , Owen King, Tanya May and Graham Sommerville

ACTION- Canberra Institute ofTechnology Development Program

Following agreement by

ACTION 1sTraining

Consultative Committee the

Canberra Institute of Technology

is finalising the Certificate in

Transport Studies course and

curriculum details. Some modules

will commence in Semester 1,

The second DECA-Train and Trainer cot1rse - Frank Caputo, DECA lns!Tllctor Ross Phieffer, Darryl Peckham, Brian Graham, Lindsay Dempsey, Allen Bartlett , DECA lnsimctor Peter 'got a smoke' Ford and John Armstrong.

Anoiher group of graduates fromthe Line Management Development Program. Back Row: Allan Tomlin, Bob Saunders, Helmut Zimgast, Course Facilitator Janet McDonald, Ned Keely, Allen Bartlett and Kevin Walsh. Front Row: Mick Allen, Alex Horsburgh and Graeme Traynor.

1994.

Recognition of Prior

Learning (RPL) will be

applied as appropriate.

RPL is a process which

recognises a person's

past academic record,

work experience and life

experience. This means

that many employees will be

granted credits for some modules

of the course.

ACl.10~

II Tht Minister for Urban Services, Terry Connolly, and Royal Ufe Saving Socie1y-A1mralia, Executive Director, Geoff McGibbon, flank the stunning emblems on ACTION's newest all-over which promotes tht SurfLife Saving Reunion in January 1994.

The Royal Life Saving Society is 100 years old in January 1994. To celebrate, a National

Reunion of Australian Lifesavers will be held in Canberra on 21-23 January next year. The reunion is the theme of ACTION's latest all-over bus which was recently launched by the Minister for Urban Services, Terry Connolly.

The reunion is expected to attract tens of thousands of present and past lifesavers and their families and friends to Canberra. This will allow not only the re-establishment of old friendships but for the Australian public to

RoyalLife Saving

All-Over commend the selfless contribution by lifesavers in the saving of lives.

The reunion weekend will include an 'International Cocktail Reception' for Australian and overseas competitors,

officials, High Commissioners, and Ambassadors; an 'RLSS Centenary Street Parade' through Canberra; a 'Royal Centenary Ball'; a Pool Party and Barbeque'; an open air 'Memorial Service' on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin to honour those lifesavers who paid the supreme sacrifice in attempting to save the life of another person; a 'Centenary Lifesaving Championship' on the Lake and a bush dance and barbeque.

A special static display '100 Years of Lifesaving in Australia' will be on show in Parliament House.

ACTION Driver, Duncan Campbell, discusses the advan1ages of tht new Renault PR 100-3 with ACTION acting Chief Executive, Mike Castle, Royal Ufe Saving Society - Australia, Project Manager, Patrick O'Connor, and Canberra Milk's U; Donagh. Canberra Milk is amajor sponsor of the Life Saving Society.

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Retired ACT Transport Employees' Club

T o keep present ACTION employees in touch with their past colleagues Transaction includes excerpts from the Retired ACT Transport Employees' Club's newsletter, written by Club President, Eddie Carnall OAM, and occasional photographs of the Club's members doing

what they do best - enjoying themselves!

I won! I won! No not T atts, but Cards. I thought I played well. Yes! it was my tum this week and I won half a dozen eggs kindly donated by Joan Gladwin. Also given a beautiful tray of camellias, donated by Mavis O'Reilly, to take home to Jean.

The shock of the day was to see Mavis take out the booby prize again. She won only one game. Becoming a habit Mavis!

It was good to see Melba Finn and Jock Gillespie come along and enjoy themselves.

Members who attended our luncheon at the Eastlake Football Club were able to enjoy the company ofsome members whom we had not seen for quite some time. It was pleasing to welcome Ted and Audrey Hooper, Jock Gillespie, Reg Jordon down from Beenleigh in Queensland, Ron and Amy Southwell from Vincentia on the South Coast and Peter and Vi Kingston representing the Transport Institute.

Reg informed us that he called in to see Kevin 'TOAD' Beauchamp on the way through and said that Kevin had to go to Wollongong daily for treatment, but looks really well.

At the recent Camellia show at the Albert Hall, Mavis and Don O'Reilly won six first and six second placings against stiff competition. It was the biggest number of Camellia entries received to date. Congratulations to Don and Mavis.

Back in town after three months away up the Gulf Country and touring around is Ted Brennan and friend Lucy. Ted is looking suntanned and well and Lucy still looks lovely.

Resting at home after five weeks in hospital is Nelson Simpson who is improving day by day.

Also Ron Southwell has been very sick and is recovering slowly.

I would like to pay tribute to our Sydney Colleagues, Pat and Una Prendergast, also Charlie and Marj Mobberley for their visitations to see Ossie Suffolk whilst he was in hospital in Sydney. Ossie's wife, Ruby, was very grateful. Ossie is now out of hospital and improving slowly.

Hilda Skerry had a quick visit to a doctor in Sydney, whilst Peter Kingston has been given another month off work with a broken thumb that has not mended properly.

Peter's son was recently married and in town for the occasion from Lennox Head was Peter's Dad, George Kingston. George worked as a Trades Help in the Kingston Depot for ten years and retired in November 1977.

Welcome aboard to the following .new members - Noel and Leileen Lovell, Reg and Betty Jordan, Aileen McDonald and Neil Graham. We hope they enjoy their association with us.

Terry Cross and wife Mary were on their way home to Canberra from Hayman Island and booked into a Caravan Park in Brisbane. During the night Mary, who has not been well for some time, got up, slipped and broke her pelvis. We hope Mary is well soon and up and about again.

Don O'Reilly is a different man after his operation and pleased to be free of pain.

Dick and June Redman are home again after their caravan trip up Bundaberg way. They are thinking of getting a job as official drought breakers as they managed to take rain wherever they went.

While they we~e at Bundaberg they called to see Geoff and Joy Phelps. Geoff was nursing a few bruises after having a fall from his garage roof.

Dick and June also called on Allan Thomas at Ballina.

Jules de Smet has had a set-back according to his daughter Linda, and everyone is hoping it' is not a recurrence of the old problem.

11

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1iiACTiONPeople Richard 'Bent Axle Bob"

Renton is suffering major shock

after becoming a grandfather of

twins! The pigeon pair,

Tori and Trevor were born on

Monday, 8November.

Congratulations also to Sylvia

Marchant who is a grandma for

the first time. Joscar Vaughan

was born on Tuesday, 16 November.

ACTION Fishing Club Ulladulla Trip Largest Fish Karl Ehlers 1.75 Kg mowong

Biggest Fish Karl Ehlers 11 fish

A total of93 fish, mainly mowong, were caught on competition day.

Bermagui Trip Largest Fish Scott Young shark

Biggest Fish Eric Webb 28 fish - flathead

A total of 152 fish, mainly flathead, were caught on the weekend.

Fisherperson of the Year The ACTION Fishing Club Fisherperson of the Year is hotting up. With only one more trip away Charlie Theuma has35 points, an eight point lead over Karl Ehlers with 27 points.

Contact: John Furlan Tuggemong Depot Peter Northey Woden Depot

• .Dinner anyone .... 1

An 'A' for effort, but an 'F' for So pleased with her acceptance of smart goes to the driver who, the invitation it wasn't until Friday after much nervous afternoon that Don Quan realised he

consideration, finally built up enough not only didn't know the young woman's courage to ask a lady working in the telephone number and address, but he local newsagency out for dinner on also didn't have a clue what her name Saturday night. was!

Past ACTION From Transaction, February 1989.

Forget ~

Wimpsand 1 Warriors 1

A CTION motor mechanic apprentices have taken out the top three places amongst

ACT Administration apprentices in the National Safety Council of Australia (( (NSW/ACT Division) Safety Apprentice ( of the Year competition.

Karl Somers gained fi rst place with -.. ­a score of 81.6%, Paul Egan was second with 80 %and John Whyte was equal third with Phillip Davies, a greenkeeping apprentice with City Parks with a score of 78.3%.

At the presentation of award certificates, held at Kingston Workshop, National Safety Council of Australia Regional Manager, Bruce Wilson, said there was apathy amongst the Australian workforce about safety which was prompting legislation to be introduced which included substantial fines for those injured or who injured others through their own negligence.

He said penalties were seen as a last resort, that it was the wimps or warriors mentality, where people thought that to ignore safety aspects was a sign of being a man, which had to change.

Published by Publications and Public Communications for ACTION and printed by 1he authority ol Uz Har1ey ACT Government Printer. 800 - 12./93 (9~/2518)

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