Mrs Staniford was this week announced as the South Coast’s 2018 Local Woman of the Year for her 20 years of advocacy for safer transport for children. 

“It is pretty amazing,” she said. 

“I think it is lovely that Shelley [Hancock] has recognised the work that I have done. This award should also go to Jan Shalhoub; she worked an awful lot and contributed so much to this, and equally deserves this award.

“Shelley played a huge role in our success, she’s been a strong advocate for children’s safety.”

Along with others, Mrs Staniford established the B.U.S (Belt Up for Safety) Action Group following a fatal school bus crash on the Princes Highway near Wandandian in 2001. 

Since then, she has taken the campaign nationally, lobbying the federal and state governments for change. 

June 26, 2017 will always be remembered as a “magic day” in Mrs Staniford’s diary. It was the day the NSW Government announced it would roll out the installation of seatbelts on school buses to all rural students. 

“NSW is rolling out the program and I am more than happy,” he said. 

“To have what we have been working on for so long come to fruition was absolutely fantastic. I still feel good about it.”

South Coast MP Shelley Hancock said Mrs Staniford’s hard work resulted in the formation of the NSW School Bus Safety Community Advisory Committee to inquire into and report on issues relating to the safe transportation of children in rural and regional NSW.

“In 2017 Glenda’s dedication and hard work came to fruition with a commitment of $29 million from the NSW Government to install seatbelts on all rural and regional buses by December 2021,” she said. 

“Glenda’s efforts to make seatbelts compulsory on school buses were always driven by her desire to keep our children safe as they travel to and from school.

“This award is incredibly well deserved and I am proud to recognise her commitment to her community and the safety of all children on our roads and highways.”

Although NSW had moved forward with positive action on the issue, Mrs Staniford was still lobbying the Queensland Government to follow suit. 

“Queensland is still lagging behind everywhere else in Australia. I am trying to get a push on there,” she said. 

“None of the parents are responding. I can't believe some parents are so complacent about their child’s safety. I don’t know why parents aren't getting on the band wagon. I am happy to provide advice. 

“There is only so much you can do from the South Coast of NSW. 

“The Queensland Government think they are doing enough. They think seatbelts on buses travelling on a steep descent is enough. 

“Statistics show a crash can be on any road, straight or not, at any time. The children of Queensland are travelling at a high risk." 

Mrs Staniford said the Queensland government was “putting its head in the sand” over the issue. 

“They are putting their head in the sand and only protecting children on steep descents, it is almost criminal to be neglecting children like that,” she said.

“One small amendment of a current Australian Design Rule (which is drafted and ready to go) would fix the problem nationally, but no federal minister will do it.”