L2P back on the road

By Lachlan Ellis

A learner’s program can continue helping young people learn to drive, with the keys to a new car handed over last week thanks to an article in the Moorabool News and, support and funding, from local businesses and Moorabool Council.

The Melton/Moorabool L2P team, part of Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services, gratefully accepted a new Kia Stonic on Monday 6 June, thanks to sponsorship from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), the Bacchus Marsh Community Bank Branch, and Moorabool Shire Council.

The new car will have the Program running locally again for the first time in months, as the previous vehicle in use for lessons was vandalised.

Acting L2P Project Officer Debra Milvain said it couldn’t be overstated how important the new car was for the L2P Program.

“The new car means everything to the Program, as we had Mentors and Learners, but without a vehicle, we just don’t have a Program. We haven’t had any activity since March,” Ms Milvain told the Moorabool News.

“The handover was held at the Bacchus Marsh Police Station, courtesy of Jen Horgan, Station Commander. Senior Constable Jim Ross, who has been an unflinching advocate of our program right from the outset, hosted the handover event for us.

Ms Milvain said the Bacchus Marsh Police continue to provide a safe, welcoming place for Learners and Mentors to meet up and sign out the keys for the car.

“It also provides an opportunity to promote positive interaction between the police and the Learner drivers.”

The purchasing of a replacement car for the Melton/Moorabool L2P Program was kickstarted by a $10,000 grant from FRRR, which was complemented by a $7,000 contribution from Council.

While Ms Milvain and the L2P team were working on buying a used car with that money, a third sponsor put their hand up to help.

“We were trying to figure out how to procure a second-hand vehicle that met the TAC’s criteria that the car must be less than 10 years old to meet safety standards, when the Bacchus Marsh Community Bank Branch came to the rescue, big time,” Ms Milvain said.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-06-14/8

in the 14 June 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.