Compassion on the road: St John WA Community Transport goes above call of duty
St John WA Community Transport provides a door-to-door service for people who can’t use public transport, their usual means of transportation, or who continually rely on the help of others to get to an appointment.
Pamela Barry started using the service in Mandurah when she wanted to extend her physiotherapy appointments to three times a week.
Concerned about the cost of her previous provider, she was directed towards St John Community Transport.
Pamela, a former high school teacher and dog lover, is happy to still drive locally using her own vehicle, but prefers the additional support and reliability when going to her physio appointments.
“It [the service] works for me,” she said.
“They’re on time.
“I’ve had taxis and they’re not on time and they don’t always even turn up. “
Although she speaks highly of all the St John WA community transport drivers she’s met, Pamela’s preferred driver is John Molcher, a volunteer who has been with the service for six years.
At 77, John volunteers four days a week and lives locally in Lakelands.
“I’ve been doing this for six years now, four days a week,” he said.
“It’s voluntary, but I look at this as my hobby. I love my hobby.”
John was a chef for 50 years before retirement and believes his experience working in high-pressure kitchens and managing teams set him up for his volunteer role at St John WA.
Most of all, he just loves working with people and takes his roles as driver, carer, friend and confidant very seriously – something Pamela could not praise him enough for.
“I just like his caring,” she said.
“I lost my husband five years ago, and I hit rock bottom.
“If I call up and cancel, at some stage that week John will call in.
“He always goes above the call of duty. I can’t speak more highly of him.”
John’s compassion and consideration for the welfare of others has not gone unnoticed.
He was awarded St John WA Metro Volunteer of the Year in 2024 after clocking up 2000 hours of community transport service across the year.
“I’m 78 next birthday,” John said.
“How long I’ll be doing this for, I don’t know, but I’ll be doing it as long as I feel comfortable and competent.”
St John Community Transport is proud to offer reliable, personal and affordable transportation for medical and dental appointments, non-urgent hospital appointments, community centre visits and other activities to ease social isolation.