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Page Last Updated:
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 |
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News>Volunteers needed for driving program
| MEDIA RELEASE - 28 October 2009 | |
Shire of Melton residents interested in helping refugees gain driving experience are encouraged to volunteer for a new driver training program.
The ‘Drive Safely in Melton and Beyond’ program will provide refugees from the Sudanese communities living in the Shire of Melton with driving experience to help them understand road safety and gain their licence.
The program requires volunteer mentors to supervise driving practice. Mentors must be fully licenced, will be required to undergo a police check and will need to commit to two to three hours a week to help a learner gain experience.
Melton Shire Council Mayor, Cr Renata Cugliari, said the program would prove invaluable to members of the Sudanese community.
“Without a licence new migrants often struggle to get a job, attend further training or take their children to school. A licence can help them to develop confidence and increase their community involvement,” she said.
“I encourage all fully licenced drivers with a few hours a week to spare to register as a volunteer in this valuable program,” Cr Cugliari said.
“On road practice is the best way to help members of this community to become safe road users.”
Learner drivers will receive lessons from professional instructors before and during training to assess their readiness to sit for their driver's licence.
The program is an initiative of Melton Shire Council, Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) and the Migrant Resource Centre North West Region and is supported by the Transport Accident Commission Community Road Safety Grants Funding and Victoria Police.
Melton Toyota has donated two cars to AMES for use in the Western Suburbs, one of which has been allocated to the Melton program. Volunteers will be trained to use the dual-braking system in the practice car.
The program is expected to commence training drivers before the end of the year.
To volunteer for the program, contact Melton Shire Council’s Road Safety/Active Transport Officer on 9747 7200.
Another project for residents from refugee communities received recognition this week, when Minister for Community Development, The Hon Peter Batchelor, presented a certificate of achievement to a volunteer bus driver on Tuesday 27 October 2009.
Mr Batchelor presented the certificate to volunteer driver Abdalla Kori, in recognition of him gaining a Light Rigid Bus Licence to help transport students using the Melton Homework Support Program for Refugee Communities.
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