Meet Suzie Q & Grae Grae!
28 October 2026
Two new wheelchair-accessible vehicles, named in honour of two very special volunteers.
Two new Hyundai Starias have joined the St George Community fleet, marking another important step in our investment in accessible community transport.
Affectionately named Suzie Q and Grae Grae, the vehicles celebrate dedicated volunteers Sue and Graeme, recognising the important contribution they have made to our organisation and the people we support.
Their arrival reflects our ongoing commitment to safe, comfortable and accessible transport, helping more people remain independent and connected to their community.
| 2 New wheelchair-accessible vehicles | 75,000+ Passenger journeys each year |
| 3,666+ Active clients supported | ~$90,000 Per fully converted Staria |
Meet Suzie Q – Celebrating Sue
Suzie Q is named in honour of volunteer carer Sue, who has been part of the St George Community family for seven years.
For Sue, volunteering is about helping others, making meaningful connections and being part of a caring community. She treasures the friendships she has made and the opportunity to help clients enjoy outings and experiences they might otherwise miss.
The story behind the name Suzie Q goes all the way back to 1971, when Sue was working in a chocolate factory in Redfern. An English supervisor gave her the nickname, inspired by the song Susie Q. Although Sue only worked at the factory for a few months, the name stuck!
When Sue learned that one of our newest vehicles would carry her nickname, she was touched and proud to receive the honour.
Meet Grae Grae – Celebrating Graeme
Our second new Hyundai Staria honours Graeme, one of St George Community’s longest-serving current volunteer drivers.
Before joining our team, Graeme enjoyed a long career in the automotive industry, including 17 years with Honda and 10 years with Kia. When COVID brought his working life to an earlier-than-planned end, he decided to give volunteering a go.
And he’s never looked back.
For Graeme, the best part of volunteering is the people. Driving regularly on Mondays, he has built lasting connections with many of his passengers. Some have become so familiar that he even knows their pets’ names.
“You get to know them. They’re friends.”
— Graeme, Volunteer Driver
Even during a challenging time for his family, Graeme has continued volunteering, with encouragement from his wife. It’s a valued part of his weekly routine, offering connection, purpose and the opportunity to give back.
The name Grae Grae came from his daughter and her school friends many years ago. It’s a nickname that has stayed with the family ever since. When asked what he’d like his namesake vehicle to be called, Grae Grae seemed the perfect choice.
Investing in Accessible Transport
While Suzie Q and Grae Grae celebrate two wonderful volunteers, their arrival also represents a significant investment in the future of community transport.
Both Hyundai Starias have been specially converted for wheelchair accessibility, providing safer, more comfortable and inclusive travel options for clients with additional mobility needs.
As our community grows and ages, demand for accessible transport continues to increase. Modern, purpose-built vehicles are essential to helping people attend medical appointments, complete everyday shopping, enjoy social outings and stay connected with the people and places that matter most.
Each fully converted Hyundai Staria represents an investment of approximately $90,000, including the vehicle and specialist wheelchair conversion.
More Accessible Vehicles Planned for 2027
And this is just the beginning.
St George Community is planning further investment in wheelchair-accessible vehicles in 2027, helping us respond to growing demand and provide more opportunities for people to travel safely and independently.
To help make this possible, we will be seeking community grants, fundraising support and contributions from local businesses and supporters.
“Every vehicle we put on the road represents more than just transport. It means someone can get to an important medical appointment, enjoy time with friends or continue doing the everyday things that matter to them.
Naming these vehicles after Sue and Graeme is a wonderful way to recognise the people who help make those journeys possible. As demand for accessible transport grows, we’re committed to investing in our fleet and working with our community to ensure more people can access the support they need.”
Natasha Stokes
CEO, St George CommunityHelp Us Keep Our Community Moving
As a not-for-profit organisation, community support helps us invest in the specialised vehicles our clients need.
Whether through a donation, community grant or business partnership, your contribution can help us put more wheelchair-accessible vehicles on the road.
Together, we can help more people stay independent, connected and part of their community.
For more information about supporting our fleet, please call 02 9585 3000.
