Our Vision
Our vision is where older adults and people living with a disability can enjoy life, feel involved in their community and connected to other people and the environment.
Strategic Objectives
1.Becoming a Sustainable National Body
2. Activate New Chapters
3. Support Member Chapters
4. Govern CWAA Chapters
1.Becoming a Sustainable National Body
From small beginnings, CWAA has grown into an organisation with the capacity to support
the establishment and ongoing development of local CWA Chapters across Australia.
There are, however, natural limits to how many new and existing chapters can be supported
solely through volunteer effort. To help meet our operational needs, a nominal membership
fee of $100 per annum was introduced in 2024, providing a modest contribution toward
general operating costs. There will be an engagement with Governed Chapters in 2026 to
determine a way to effectively fund CWAA going forward
To further strengthen our financial sustainability, the Management Committee established a
Fundraising Subcommittee to provide strategic focus and guidance in pursuing longterm
funding opportunities. Due to competing priorities in 2025, the subcommittee made limited
progress. We anticipate having the capacity to reenergise this work in 2026, with a focus on
identifying stakeholders who have both the interest and the ability to support CWAA’s
initiatives.
Our longterm sustainability depends on securing funding to employ staff who can build the
capacity and capability of our organisation. Dedicated staffing will be essential to ensuring
CWAA can continue to grow, support chapters effectively, and deliver on its mission well into
the future.
2. Activate New Chapters
We regularly receive enquiries from across Australia from people inspired to establish a Cycling Without Age program in their own community. Each prospective group is supported by a Member Services Representative (MSR), who provides guidance on membership and the practical steps required to start a local chapter.
Establishing a chapter takes time, commitment and financial investment, often led by strong community connectors. We are deeply grateful to our volunteer MSRs, who generously mentor others while continuing to run their own chapters.
A wonderful example is Management Committee member and MSR Deb Wall, Captain of CWA Rockingham (WA). Inspired by the impact in her own community, Deb has supported emerging groups in the south-west by transporting a trishaw to their locations, demonstrating how this unique “vehicle for social connection” can enrich their local areas.
New chapters who became CWAA Members in 2025: Plantagenet (Governed) Busselton (Governed) Dunsborough (Governed) Canberra (Independent).
3. Support Member Chapters
In the 2025 calendar year, 50 member chapters were operating across Australia under both
Governed and Independent models.
We conducted four Open Meetings during the year, providing all member chapters with the
opportunity to engage directly with the CWAA Management Committee in an online forum.
These meetings continue to strengthen relationships across the organisation, enhance peer
support, and offer a valuable platform for raising issues, sharing experiences, and discussing
emerging concerns.
CWAA produced a range of supporting documents for chapters, including updated
handbooks and training materials, with further resources currently in development.
The recruitment, training, support, and retention of volunteers remain central to our mission.
Our work would not be possible without their dedication. To support volunteers in their
various roles, we have developed a suite of policies and procedures that provide a clear and
consistent framework for volunteer engagement across the organisation.
4. Govern CWAA Chapters
CWAA is an incorporated entity under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 in Western
Australia.
Under the Association’s rules, Member Chapters elect individuals at the Annual General
Meeting to serve on the CWAA Management Committee and to undertake the Office Holder
roles of Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Management Committee members
are typically active in their local chapters and bring valuable knowledge and experience that
support chapter growth and development—both of which are essential to the organisation’s
ongoing success.
The Management Committee is responsible for the governance of CWAA, providing
strategic direction and oversight. The objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan have become
the central focus of Management Committee meetings, guiding decisionmaking and ensuring
alignment with the organisation’s longterm priorities.
CWAA Governed Chapters align to the principles.
Passengers must not be charged for services.
Rides should be available to all those in the general community who cannot ride
themselves.
Pilots must be volunteers.
Services operated and managed by the community they serve.
All services must adhere to the guidelines and principles of Cycling Without Age and
Cycling Without Age Australia.
Services should be operationally and financially sustainable over time.
All resources and assets should be efficiently utilised