Hitting the road

Celebrating a decade of driver mentoring program
Calling all current and past L2P learner to driver mentor participants and mentors – you’re invited to help celebrate 10 years of the program in the Glenelg Shire community.

The TAC L2P Program is hosting a 10 year Anniversary event on Tuesday 18 October from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Portland Drill Hall, and is encouraging all current and former learner drivers and driver mentors to come along.

The Transport Accident Commission funded L2P Program is a community-based program developed to assist eligible young Victorian learner drivers who do not have access to a supervising driver, or an appropriate vehicle, gain driving experience required for a probationary licence.

The program runs in Portland, Heywood and Casterton and sees local volunteer mentors donate their time to instruct learner drivers, with a vehicle donated through Callaghan’s Motors Group.

Since the program launched in 2012, more than 350 young people have accessed the program, gaining not only driving experience, but valuable life advice and guidance from their mentors.

L2P Program Coordinator Jan Lineker hoped to see a mix of both drivers and mentors at the event, to help reflect on all aspects and benefits of the program. “It is incredible to think that we have reached 10 years of the L2P Program in the Glenelg Shire. This milestone is a real credit to our key community agencies and, most importantly, our mentors, who donate their time and skills to ensure our young people have opportunities to succeed,” she said.

“Over the past 10 years we have been fortunate to congratulate hundreds of learners who have gained their probationary licence, giving them independence and enhancing their career pathways.

But perhaps the greatest benefit has been the strong bonds and long-lasting friendships formed between drivers and mentors, as they have connected and shared stories during their driving practice.

“Many of these friendships have continued well beyond the program, and we look forward to welcoming these old friends back together to celebrate 10 years of successes for the program’s many young people and volunteers across the Shire.”

Event details

• TAC L2P Program 10 year

Anniversary event
Tuesday 18 October
3pm to 5pm
Portland Drill Hall

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF DRIVER EDUCATION: Former L2P participant Molly Wilder and current L2P Coordinator Jan Lineker are gearing up for the celebration event this month.