TONY Finneran has had a fascination with the bus and coach industry ever since he was a child.
Buses weren't just a mode of transport for him, they were a friendly, familiar part of life. Buses and coaches played an integral role in connecting communities. The vehicles themselves and their passengers all had a story.
Growing up in the 1960s and 70s in the Sydney suburb of Sefton, Tony associated buses with good times.
This included the joy of the regular school run where you made mates and got to know the driver. He can still recall the sound of chatter amongst the noisy engine, rattles in the body work and strong smell of oil and diesel.
It was a time when bus companies were small, family-run businesses and quality bus drivers let their personality and driving skills shine. Public transport was in its heyday because most families were single income and had one car.
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Tony's enthusiasm for buses and coaches translated to a career working in the bus industry. Tony held many positions including driver, operations manager, trainer and chassis and body salesman.
Yet despite this passion, writing books about buses was not something Tony Finneran ever thought he would get around to doing. That was, until he had a stroke.
Tony suffered a debilitating stroke on Easter Sunday in 2013 at the age of 55. The father of two spent the next three weeks in a coma and was paralysed. His future looked uncertain.
But once out of the coma, Tony used grit and determination to get his life back on track. During months of rehabilitation, Tony learnt to walk, feed himself and communicate again.
Tony credits his family, his team of health professionals and his 37 years in the Army Reserve for helping him when he needed it most.
"I had to be disciplined and determined to achieve the best possible outcome post stroke," Tony said. "The core values I relied on in my recovery were courage, respect, initiative and teamwork."
Tony said his stroke challenged him to think about what came next, but one thing was sure, he did not want to sit around and do nothing. He wanted a productive and fulfilling life.
"I didn't know if I would be able to return to work because I had lost control of my right hand, among other things. I knew I needed to learn how to use my left hand for writing and using a computer to give myself the best chance," Tony said.
"Then I got the idea for capturing the spirit and nostalgia of the bus industry by writing a book, thinking it would be fun way to practise these skills.
"Creating the book became part of my rehabilitation because I needed to cut and paste, use a mouse and press the appropriate keys on a computer repeatedly to succeed."
Tony wrote his first book, a comprehensive pictorial record of the lost liveries of Sydney's route buses. He also returned to work within a year of his stroke.
Flash forward to today and Tony has written six books in his Gone, But Not Forgotten series, with another two in the works. The most recent book, New South Wales Regional Buses was published at the end of 2019.
Tony said there was so much history to record about Australia's bus and coach industry, and with each book, more people wanted to contribute images and memories for the next.
"These books are a snapshot of a place and time in history and I'm not the only one to recognise that the industry is not the same anymore," he said.
"Today buses are more generic and there is no communication with the driver because passengers just tap on electronically. Bus travel has lost its charm and personality and that's a shame."
Tony donates part of the proceeds from his books to the Stroke Foundation to help it continue vital programs to help stroke survivors and their families. He has already raised $38,000.
"I am thrilled I've been able to contribute to the Stroke Foundation through my books. If my actions can benefit other stroke survivors like me, it is worth it," he said.
Tony added, while his stroke did slow him down, it opened a new door by allowing him to tap into his creative side and write about something he loves.
"It feels wonderful to get the first copy of each book in my hand and see all of that hard work come to fruition. I can't believe I have written six,'' he said.
"I urge fellow stroke survivors to pursue their passions and set themselves goals. Take every opportunity because you never know where it will lead. A positive mindset and determination can make all the difference.
"From little things, big things grow."
Tony is a member of Stroke Foundation's Consumer Council, providing a voice for those impacted by stroke. He also runs a stroke recovery group in Bankstown and volunteers on the Bankstown Hospital stroke ward.
For more about Tony and his books click HERE
