Eurobodalla Council’s Y Drive program has moved into first gear, with the first group of volunteer mentors revving up to go after receiving training this month.
Y Drive pairs volunteer mentors with young learner drivers who don’t have access to a car or a supervising driver to accumulate the 120 hours of driving experience required to achieve their provisional licence (P-plates).
The first cohort of mentors now have a valuable insight into ways they can help the young drivers after attending training run by YouthSafe on Saturday 22 July.
Eurobodalla Council’s Y Drive Coordinator, Youth Development Officer Angie McMillan, said there had been a great response from both volunteers and potential participants since the program was launched in May.
“We’re really excited this project is driving ahead,” she said.
“We have a great bunch of mentors, the kids are keen and there has been such wonderful support in the community – everyone’s behind it and recognises the need for a program like this. It really has the potential to change young people’s lives for the better.”
Y Drive’s 15 learners will soon receive lessons from a qualified driving instructor. Once the instructor is confident in the learner’s skills, they will invite the mentor to attend the final lesson. The mentor will then continue the instructor’s good work, driving with the learner until they achieve the required hours.
Ms McMillan said the possibility of young people being involved in a road accident increased dramatically once they obtained their P1 licence.
“The Y Drive program aims to give the young learners as much experience as possible to prepare them for a lifetime of driving in a range of road and driving conditions,” she said.
“Council would like to thank the community-minded mentors who joined the program and we look forward to their valuable input.”
Council is still accepting applications from people interested in being a volunteer mentor. For more information contact Council’s Y Drive Coordinator, Youth Development Officer Angie McMillan, on 02 4474 7456.
Above: Y Drive volunteer mentors attended a YouthSafe training day on Saturday 22 July. Pictured is Emma Treanor from YouthSafe, volunteer mentors Bruce Woodland and Peter Quick, Council’s Y Drive Coordinator Angie McMillan and volunteer mentors Keith Doran, Roger McMillan, Helen Volkers, Ernie Berger, Annette Greer and Melinda Nedwic. Absent: Volunteer mentor Kelly Tooley.
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