Viva Energy : to support vital Wathaurong bus

First Nations people from Colac to Werribee will have improved access to health, cultural and community services thanks to a new partnership between Viva Energy and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

Viva Energy is supporting Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to provide better connections to vital services under a $375,000 partnership which will involve the purchase and operation of a new community bus for the next three years, while also covering the overheads associated with the co-operative's patient transport service.

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative chief executive officer Simon Flagg said the partnership would make a difference to the lives of First Nations people in the local area.

"We are really excited about the partnership with Viva Energy," Mr Flagg said. "We will be able to take the community across the state, improve connections to health services, take kids to more activities and really provide our community with a great resource to get our mob out and about."

About 2000 First Nations people are expected to use the bus to access health, community and cultural activities each year, with a further 1500 First Nations people requiring patient transport.

Viva Energy, a leading retail, industrial and energy business and the owner and operator of the Geelong Refinery, has enjoyed a long association with Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

Dale Cooper, Viva Energy's Executive General Manager - Refining, said the company is delighted to be officially partnering with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative for the next three years.

"Wathaurong plays a critical role in the region, providing health, family, community and cultural services for First Nations people," Mr Cooper said.

"We are proud to play a small role, by providing funding for a local bus and patient transport to help the community connect to these vital services."

The program will support First Nations people in Greater Geelong, Colac, Lorne, Little River and Werribee.

Viva Energy is also supporting events and activities to engage First Nations school students in education and employment opportunities in the Greater Geelong region.

Visit Viva Energy's website for more information on our community program and Reconciliation Action Plan.

Visit Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative for more information.

The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative and Viva Energy teams with the new Wathaurong community bus.

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About Viva Energy

Viva Energy (ASX: VEA) is a leading convenience retailer, commercial services and energy infrastructure business, with a history spanning more than 120 years in Australia. The Group operates a convenience and fuel network of more than 700 stores across Australia, and exclusively supplies Shell fuels and lubricants to a total network of more than 1,300 service stations.

Viva Energy owns and operates the strategically located Geelong Refinery in Victoria, and operates bulk fuels, aviation, bitumen, marine, chemicals, polymers and lubricants businesses supported by more than 20 terminals and 60 airports and airfields across the country. www.vivaenergy.com.au