Mount Gambier businessman Bryce Roberts attended Government House in Adelaide this week to be presented with Australian Red Cross State Humanitarian Partner Award.

It was presented by Her Excellency the Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson on International Red Cross Day.

The award recognised Mr Roberts’ remarkable generosity and continuous support to the Australian Red Cross in the region.

As the dealer principal at Mount Gambier’s OGR, Mr Roberts and his team have been incredible humanitarian partners with Red Cross in the Limestone Coast for almost four years.

Red Cross Limestone Coast regional services manager David Walshaw said the initial encounter between Mr Roberts and Red Cross was three years ago when he donated a fully maintained Nissan SUV to the life-changing Home Handyman Service program started by the Red Cross Mount Gambier office.

“Red Cross volunteers visit clients’ homes and perform simple handyman tasks to help them stay in their homes longer, lessen their social isolation, and prevent injury,” Mr Walshaw said.

“With the influx of migrants into the region, it became clear that a substantial number of new arrivals were having difficulty obtaining an Australian driver’s licence.

“Mr Roberts once again generously supplied a brand-new Holden Astra to be used for the Red Cross Volunteer Driver Mentor program.

“Over 15 new immigrants obtained their driver’s licence at the end of a very successful 12-month trial period.

“After this accomplishment Mr Roberts committed again to provide a new Mazda 3 to continue this initiative beyond the trial phase.

“Mr Roberts has since given a second vehicle for usage in the Upper South East, which will be commissioned shortly.

“This vehicle will be stationed in Naracoorte but will also serve young people and others in towns of Bordertown and Kingston to help them to complete their 75 hours of structured driver training with the Red Cross volunteer mentors.”