The Club has partnered with Narooma Rotary to deliver a transport pilot giving local students a new route to careers at Moruya TAFE.
Club Narooma and the Rotary Club of Narooma have joined together to deliver a community-led transport initiative.
Running a service between the Narooma district and Moruya TAFE, the Bus Pilot is operating across two school terms, Term 4, 2026 and Term 1, 2027, for local trainees and apprentices who currently have no practical way to get to Moruya TAFE.
The pilot is designed to give young people in the Narooma catchment real access to trade, health and hospitality qualifications at Moruya TAFE.
Club Narooma CEO Brendan Matters says the Club and Rotary are attempting to solve a common barrier within the region.
With Moruya TAFE about 42km away, many local students and apprentices depend entirely on family and friends for lifts.
“If you live in Narooma, the closest TAFE is 45 minutes away. There is only one bus that leaves after class starts and one that comes back before class ends,” says Brendan.
Research conducted by Narooma Rotary has found up to 100 local apprentices and trainees aged 15 to 24 within the region would benefit from a permanent bus route to and from Moruya TAFE.
The challenge comes as regional employers grapple with barriers to attracting and retaining apprentices.
“We’ve struggled to hold onto apprentices because of limited transport options,” Brendan says.
“Clubs across the state are facing the same issue.”
These concerns are echoed in the research conducted by Rotary, which found 60 per cent of people surveyed did not have access to a car and identified transport as a key barrier to employment opportunities.
Ann Hegarty, Rotary Club of Narooma project leader, says the long-term goal is to establish a permanent service.
“The region is in desperate need of a permanent public bus service from Narooma to Moruya TAFE, Moruya Hospital and beyond to Batemans Bay,” says Ann.
The pilot has already proven to be a step in the right direction, with the State and Federal Governments reaching out to gather data to help inform the establishment of a service.
Brendan says it’s another way the Club can give back to the community.
“We’re always keen to engage with the community beyond our traditional club space,” he says.
