Published 24 Jun 2025
GMHBA is putting the fun back in “community connection” with a $5,000 donation to Cycling Without Age.
This unique initiative brings the joy of trishaw rides to people in Bendigo who can no longer cycle for themselves, helping them rediscover the simple pleasures of the outdoors, fresh air, and being part of the community.
Cycling Without Age is all about breaking down the barriers of isolation for seniors and those with limited mobility. Volunteers pilot electric-assisted trishaws, offering free rides that let passengers feel the wind in their hair and experience their surroundings in a new, exciting way, often for the first time in years. It’s a powerful reminder that everyone, no matter their age or ability, deserves to feel connected, joyful, and engaged with the world around them.
The team from GMHBA Bendigo chose to support the initiative as part of the organisation’s charitable gift program.
“We were drawn to Cycling Without Age because it brings people together in such a beautiful and meaningful way,” GMHBA Bendigo Branch Manager Sally Thomson said.
“Loneliness and isolation can have a huge impact on mental health, especially for older people or those with limited mobility. This initiative helps break that cycle by offering simple, joyful moments of connection, out in the fresh air, sharing stories, and being part of the community again. That’s exactly the kind of impact we want to support.”
Cycling Without Age Bendigo Chapter Chair Pam Erny said GMHBA’s donation will enable them to give even more people the opportunity to experience these life-changing rides.
“Our passionate volunteers provide passengers with not just a ride, but an opportunity to relive memories and create new ones,” she said.
“Support like this helps us reach more people, train more volunteers, and keep creating these powerful, shared experiences that boost wellbeing and build stronger, more connected communities.”
GMHBA, Australia’s leading regional not-for-profit private health insurer, has long been committed to fostering health and wellbeing not just within Geelong, but throughout the state of Victoria. With locations in Ballarat, Bendigo, Portland and Warrnambool, GMHBA actively engages in programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families in the regions where they operate.
