On Friday and Saturday nights, while most people are settling into bed, a quiet little bus parked at Apex Park becomes something far more important than transport.
For some people in Hervey Bay, it becomes safety. Warmth. Privacy. A place to breathe.
The Rotary Hervey Bay Z Bus isn’t flashy and it doesn’t pretend to solve homelessness overnight. There are no grand promises or polished campaigns — just a group of ordinary locals determined to make sure vulnerable people have somewhere safe to sleep when they need it most.
And right now, that mission needs more helping hands.
Originally launched as part of the national Sleepbus project, the Hervey Bay bus faced an uncertain future when the organisation shut down. It could have quietly disappeared like many good ideas do. Instead, a small but passionate group of volunteers refused to let that happen.
Led by Kelly Thumath, eight volunteers joined forces with the Rotary Club of Hervey Bay City, along with Gerry Meijer and Roger Skipsey, to bring the bus back to life. Together they repaired it, funded it, registered it and rebranded it as the Z Bus.
None of them had experience running a charity. They simply saw a need in the community and decided someone had to step up.
That spirit continues to drive the project today. The bus runs entirely because volunteers give up their time to make it happen — overnight carers, drivers, service volunteers, housekeeping helpers and the people quietly handling the endless behind-the-scenes work most never see.
The committee itself reflects the heart of the community. Bri and Ian volunteer alongside their son Toby, already recognised as Young Citizen of the Year at just 14 years old. Whether it’s housekeeping or helping wherever needed, the family simply gets on with the job.
Carolynne volunteers her time on shifts while also supporting the bus through sales of her stained-glass creations. Debbie balances volunteer shifts with administration and liaison work, while Tarsh somehow manages caretaker duties between sports fields, hospitals and whatever else life throws her way.
Then there’s Kelly — the driving force behind keeping the wheels turning. And Toby? The bus carries his name. That alone says a lot about the heart behind this project. But while the passion is strong, community support remains critical. Fuel, insurance, maintenance, bedding and supplies all cost money. More importantly, the bus relies on volunteers willing to show up and help keep the service alive week after week.
The Rotary Hervey Bay Z Bus is currently calling for volunteers who may have just a little spare time and a kind heart. Roles range from simple one to two-hour shifts through to overnight caretaking and weekend cleaning duties.
For many volunteers, it’s not about changing the world overnight — it’s about making sure someone feels safe, seen and cared for during a difficult moment in life.
Without enough support, services like this become difficult to sustain.
The Z Bus may not solve every problem, but for the people who climb aboard seeking safety and dignity at the end of a long day, it offers something incredibly powerful: a place to rest without fear.
In a world where many problems feel too big to fix, perhaps the Z Bus is proof that small acts of kindness still matter most. Sometimes community isn’t about solving every issue — it’s simply about making sure nobody feels forgotten.
People interested in volunteering or supporting the service can contact the team at:
ZBus.herveybay@gmail.com
Chitchat Newspaper. June 2026.