Travellers Aid assists Mr Parker with travel arrangements to and from medical appointments in Melbourne and a Travellers Aid worker also assists Mr Parker when he arrives in Melbourne via public transport. 

What is Travellers Aid? 

Travelers Aid Australia has been around for more than a century, helping people in need with travel and other setbacks. 

Travellers Aid is a not-for-profit organisation which has seen two world wars, a shift in population and the rapid development of technology. 

Travellers Aid has been making a difference to peoples’ lives and will continue to help as long as there are people in need. 

Travellers Aid has three sites in Victoria and provides numerous different services. 

These services include buggy and personal guidance service at Southern Cross Station, emergency relief assistance for travellers in emergency or crisis situations, medical companion service, public internet, mobility equipment hire, transit and travel information. 

A Horsham resident for 45 years, Mr Parker has been using the medical companion service for more than five years and said that he appreciated the help he received catching the train to Melbourne. 

“They provide a volunteer who assists me from the train to the waiting room where we will sit and talk before the tram arrives to take me to my appointment,” he said. 

“They will then take me through the city to my appointment and take me back to the train station where we will have a bite to eat before I catch the 6pm train back to Horsham. 

“The volunteers know their way around the city and it is a great help to me. It’s an absolutely wonderful service and they are very helpful toward people with vision problems.” 

Mr Parker said that he met a lot of new people with the service and also created life long friendships. 

“They also help out tourists as well – they are very obliging,” he said. 

“They create a wonderful atmosphere.

“I give money back to the cause because I believe I should give back to the staff and company for their service.” 

The chief executive officer for Travellers Aid Elias Lebbos said the key to being around for so long was the ability to adapt and change to different needs. 

“We are engaged in society and the community,” Mr Lebbos said. 

“We are doing work with the City of Melbourne and some sporting associations to broaden our services.”