The acquirement of a 12-seater bus for aged care residents in Culcairn doesn't just mean they can visit cafes.
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It means residents can see in person the full Lake Hume that staff have been describing for so many months.
The purchase of the brand new bus was made possible by the Culcairn Local Health Advisory Committee, which drew on a historical trust fund after staff identified the need.
Culcairn MPS centre manager Katrina Gunnett said staff and residents were ecstatic when the committee facilitated the purchase.
"I've worked in aged care for 12 years and I think it's the best gift I've ever seen given," she said.
"With COVID, it has been very isolating. We tried to get taxis out of Albury and they were too expensive.
"So with the bus, even if they can't get off because of any restrictions, we can at least go for a drive."
Ms Gunnett said staff had their first trip planned on Friday - staying close at first with lunch at the bowls club - but had hopes for grand adventures.
"We've got farmers here and they can go look at how the crops are growing," she said.
"We had residents who wanted to go to Harris Farm Markets when it opened.
"This means we've got freedom, and you have spontaneity if the residents want to go out."
Culcairn LHAC chair David Gilmore said the group thought it was a very worthy cause to fund out of the trust, using $90,000 to purchase the bus from Biti Motors Ford and fit it out.
"It is such a great thing for the residents, and with them being locked down for most of the past two years, it comes at an ideal time," he said.
"The need was identified by the hospital manager Katrina Gunnett and activities officer Toni Shutt."
Biti Motors dealer principal Paul Biti said thankfully, COVID had not caused a delay in securing the vehicle.
"I was lucky when David approached me I had a bus already coming in the system, because it can take about seven months in a normal cycle to get a bus," he said.
"But COVID did cause some delays for getting parts for the fit-out."
Albury's Ultim8 Car Fit installed a hydraulic wheelchair lifter in a way that allows for back seats to be replaced in the bus when the lifter is not required.
"We've put what they call a body guard in, which is a back rest, so they can use all types of wheelchairs," he said.
"That part was one of the last left in Australia, so that was very lucky.
"We do a lot of specialist fit-outs for and it's great to be able to bring people independence."
