Travellers Voice Autumn Edition 2025

Dear supporter,

After a terrific start to 2025 the Travellers Aid team has laid the groundwork for an exciting year of turning ideas into action. 

The Australian Open has again been a wonderful demonstration of our impact. With its strong commitment to access and inclusion, the Melbourne Park event is a joy to be a part of. It’s also a shining example of how collaborating with like-minded partners make a difference. Read about the experience of one of our wonderful event volunteers below.

I am thrilled to report the success of the Melbourne Airport Assist pilot program, which ended in January. In just four months our team assisted more than 8,000 individuals, enhancing their travel experiences through personalised accessibility support. User feedback made it clear what an important addition our services made, with one traveller describing it as ‘the best thing to have happened for me while travelling in a long time’. Melbourne Airport is now reviewing the trial and aims to have a permanent and ongoing traveller assistance service established by the middle of the year. It has also set up an Online Mobility Hub to assist people in planning their trips.

Our Patron, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, visited our Flinders Street hub in January. Her Excellency met with clients and staff, gaining insight into our contribution to a vibrant and accessible Melbourne. We thank her for supporting our mission.

Support and collaboration are vital as we continue to grow our access and inclusion services.

Travellers Aid is now exploring ways to work with government and stakeholders to transform Parkville’s world class medical precinct into an accessible hub. Through our support services we want to make public transport a convenient and viable option to enhance access to this vital health, education and biomedical precinct.

As we move into another busy and exciting year, your support remains our cornerstone. Whether through volunteering, bequests, donations or partnerships, every bit of help expands our reach and capacity to create an inclusive and accessible society for all. 

Elias Lebbos
Chief Executive Officer