On the buses
Children and young people in the City of Randwick helped to design the artwork and paint two State Transit buses in a unique project that aims to enhance young people’s connection to the local community. Winners of the design contest, artists and local young people spent three days during the winter 2007 school holidays painting a beach themed design and an Aboriginal design on the two buses.
The State Transit buses are now seen by thousands of people in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on a daily basis.
The project was coordinated by Randwick City Council and other agencies including State Transit Port Botany Depot, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the Department of Housing, Eastern Suburbs PCYC, The Shack Youth Services, La Pa Bummers Youth Haven, Maroubra Police, the Department Sport and Recreation and South Cares.
Larry the Lifeguard
Randwick City Council launched a new Surf Sense program in November 2006 to ensure the eight million visitors to our beaches each year are aware of the dangers of the surf and beach safety rules. Council’s revamped Surf Sense School Program involves professional lifeguards, and their new mascot Larry the Lifeguard, visiting schools to educate kids about the surf and how to behave safely and sensibly at the beach.
Larry the Lifeguard is now a popular visitor to Council and community events where he delights people both young and old.
The Pumpkin Bus
Now in its second year, Randwick City’s free late night bus service, the Pumpkin Bus, helped nearly 3,000 revellers to get home safely during the 2006–07 summer. The service is a direct response to community concerns and aims to stop people from walking home or drink driving, and also to curb anti social behaviour that occurs when people leave venues late at night.
The Pumpkin Bus runs from 12.45 am to 3.45 am on Friday and Saturday nights between Coogee, Randwick and Maroubra. The bus carries a security guard on board and picks up at designated venues along the route and drops people off at any bus stop on request.
The service is a joint initiative of Randwick City Council, the NRMA, the Eastern Beaches Liquor Accord, local police, local pubs and clubs including the Beach Palace and Coogee Bay Hotel, and the State Transit Authority (STA).
