IN COMMUNITIES facing isolation and high unemployment, learning to drive means freedom, self-confidence and increased opportunity.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Earlier this year, the Break O'Day council received funding to extend its learner driver mentoring program 'Get in2 Gear', and buy an automatic car.
The program now mentors 14 learner driver participants from the Break O'Day area, assisting them to gain the 50 hours compulsory practical on-road driving experience by using volunteer supervising drivers.
"We live in regional communities where there is no public transport, so people can easily feel isolated and disadvantaged," Mayor Mick Tucker said.
"The driver mentoring program can not only alleviate these feelings of isolation, it can give people the confidence boost and ability they need to find employment and contribute to their community," Cr Tucker said.
The success of the program has seen interest coming from outside the Break O'Day area and the council said it was happy to accommodate anyone who was eligible.
Cr Tucker said the program had been far-reaching, and had already helped young mums needing to get their kids to medical appointments, those needing to get about for employment, as well as retired mainlanders who have never held a license.
"The value of this program to regional areas like ours far outweighs just learning to drive," Mr Tucker said.
"We have seen the program help so many people in so many ways, but most importantly we have seen the program boost confidence and foster a feeling of empowerment in members of the community who were truly at a loss," Cr Tucker said.
Earlier in the year, anecdotal evidence gathered from the community suggested that some individuals faced significantly reduced opportunities because of their driver-status and lack of public transport in the Break O'Day region.
For more information on how to get involved in the Get in2 Gear program as either a participant or mentor, contact the Break O'Day Council on 6376 7900 or visit www.bodc.tas.gov.au/community/learner-driver-mentor-program.