Statewide August 2016

It's been a busy

period with the

annual L2P

Statewide Forum

in May and the

launch of addi-

tional programs.

Our Statewide

Forum was a great

event. It was highly enjoyable to catch up

with so many L2P coordinators and their

guests from across Victoria. I'm glad we

were among some of the first people to

get an insight into the Towards Zero Road

Safety Strategy from TAC and VicRoads

road safety experts.

A huge thanks to Toyota for letting us use

their incredible venue. The roundtable

topics provided great insight into how we

can keep learning from each other and

improving the program for disadvantaged

young people

It was great to see another two program

launches in May. One was the extension

of the Glenelg program to Casterton and

the other was the Southern Grampians

program.

Casterton L2P will provide up to five plac-

es for disadvantaged young people to get

their licence and already have four men-

tors on board.

The Southern Grampians program will

provide up to 30 places and already have

five mentors on board.

Lastly, we are still working on the new E-

learning module of session one and hope

to trial it very soon.

Ron Hinkley

Acting Statewide Projects Manager,

VicRoads

VICTORIA’S NEW ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY

The Towards Zero 2016-2020 Road Safety

Strategy is the most ambitious action plan

in Victoria’s road safety history. It maps

out how Victorian road safety partners

will work towards a 20% reduction in

deaths and 15% reduction in serious inju-

ries in five years.

Towards Zero is about creating a safe system for all Victorians - this means safe

roads and roadsides, safe speeds, safe vehicles and safe road use by all people

using the road.

The greatest investment in making our roads safer through infrastructure with a

particular focus on rural roads – more than $1 billion over five years:

A major effort to engage with the Victorian community on road safety;

Further investment in police resources to combat high-risk behaviours; and

New measures to ensure the vehicles Victorians travel in are as safe as they

can be.

The Towards Zero Action Plan is about saving as many lives and reducing as many

serious injuries as possible. The Victorian Government has set an ambitious target

to reduce lives lost on our road by 200 people over the next five years - this is

equivalent to a 20% reduction in deaths.

This road safety plan is about creating a safe system for all Victorian and is focus-

sing on the following key areas :

On country roads - where most fatalities happen;

People most likely to become road casualties – younger and older Victori-

ans, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians; and

New technology to make our cars, roads and our own driving safer

For full details download the Towards Zero 2016-2020 Strategy and Action Plan at:

www.towardszero.vic.gov.au

NEWS TIPS - Next issue: December 2016

If you have a great story, news tip or learning to share with our L2P mentors and friends across Victoria, send details by 15 November 2016 to:

L2P Statewide Editor - Kevin Fox: foxwords@hotmail.com

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2

DRIVEN TO LEARN

Volunteer Jacki Willox helps Lizzy gain driving experience

About four years ago, I saw a local news story asking for volunteers at the L2P pro-

gram in the City of Yarra. I responded, was accepted and I have never regretted the

decision.

Volunteer mentors play a key role by helping disadvantaged learners aged under 21

to build up driving experience and the required 120 hours in all conditions, with ses-

sions undertaken at mutually convenient times.

Volunteering has benefits

The experience has added a new dimension to my life: it keeps me in touch with the

thoughts, ideas, problems and ambitions of a younger generation and leads to some

very interesting conversations.

For most of us, driving is a natural extension of our lifestyle. We and our children

have grown up with our parents driving, with at least one car in the household and

we take for granted all that this convenience entails. Getting in a car for the first driv-

ing lesson usually holds no fears for those who are used to being passengers. But for

many in our community getting their L-plates is a major shift. Having helped my chil-

dren get through their driver training I thought this gave me an idea of what to ex-

pect. However, it has been quite a different experience.

Extensive training

After I enrolled in the program, I went through extensive training, then was matched

with a young woman from Sudan who had little children. An RACV driving instructor

provided initial lessons and checked her progress during the program. She was deter-

mined and got her licence at the second try.

I then went to live overseas for two years. When on holiday in Melbourne I did relief

mentoring for two young men in the City of Yarra L2P program.

On returning to live in Melbourne in 2014, I was matched with a young woman from

Somalia who, after more than 140 hours of learner driving, now

has her probationary driver licence. I was then matched with Lizzy

(Pic: top right).

Flexibility is great

Volunteering as an L2P mentor means I can schedule as many

hours as the car, the learner and I am available during the week.

As a volunteer this flexibility is great. The young people appreciate

the program. Most of them would have no chance to learn to

drive or even to have access to a car or a mentor without it.

by Yarra Mentor Jacki Willox

NEW CARS FOR SWAN HILL

Great news for northern Victorian

L2P Programs with Swan Hill contin-

uing to be sponsored by the Swan

Hill Automotive Group

New principal owner Paul Nobes was

pleased to continue the relationship

forged over the past seven years and

place a Nissan Pulsar into the pro-

gram for the next 12 months.

Pic: Learner driv-

er Rhiannon with

Swan Hill Auto-

motive Group

Principal Dealer

Paul Nobes.

3

3

STATEWIDE L2P FORUM WRAP-UP

VicRoads’ annual Statewide L2P forum was held in May at Toyota’s head office in Port Melbourne. The day was well attended with more than 120 people present, including program coordina-tors, managers, trainers and representatives from TAC, Vi-cRoads and RACV. The day couldn’t have been timed better with the announcement of the Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy occurring the day before, so all guests were treated to an early overview of what Victoria’s most ambi-tious plan to reduce road deaths and trauma was all about. Mark Russell, VicRoads Manager Road Safety Strategy & Partnerships led the way on the strategy that was backed up by a presentation on Towards Zero by Samantha Buckis, Acting Manager Technical & Policy, Road Safety Community Relations at the TAC. Hamid Hussein provided an overview of the future of car safety for Toyota. The real highlight of the day was the roundtable topics on a range of issues for the L2P program including:

Recruitment & retention of mentors Managing risks The role of a mentor Disability Identification & management of participants Digital learner kit Sponsorship DHHS new child safe standards Functional steering committees

Each attendee participated in five topics with key issues and ideas not-ed. Papers now are now available to Program Coordinators on the L2P Net website. Mentors can get copies of the L2P Forum Topic Papers from their local L2P Program Coordinator.

TIP OF THE DAY

Which side is the petrol

cap on?

Thanks to Liz Smith at Campaspe

L2P or her tip of the day for

Learner drivers:

“When filling the car especially in

an unfamiliar vehicle, take note

of the little arrow next to the

pump symbol on the dashboard.

“This handy little arrow tells you

which side of the car the fuel cap

is on.”

This could be a great tip for our

experienced drivers too!

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4

PRE-DRIVE VEHICLE

CHECK

Before beginning a driving session,

Learners and Mentor should perform a

pre-drive safety check of the vehicle.

On the day of their drive test your

Learner is required to identify and oper-

ate the following vehicle controls:

• Turn indicators

• Brake lights

• Horn

• Headlights (high and low beam)

• Hazard lights

• Windscreen washer and wipers.

The Learner is required to identify, but

not operate, the following controls:

• Handbrake

• Front and rear demister

When your Learner is putting on their L

plates get them to look around the car

for any damage and check the tyres. If

the tyres feel or look low go to a service

station and check the tyre pressure

together.

Also show them under the bonnet and

point out things like the oil dipstick,

windscreen washer bottle, filler cap and

battery.

HARLEY DRIVES HIS NEW CAREER

Bairnsdale’s Harley Kenner landed a job that he hoped would set him up for the

future. A career as a cabinetmaker was ahead of him and he was keen to learn.

But without a driver’s licence or access to a car, maintaining the job was going to

be difficult. All of a sudden the 19-year old’s future was cloudy.

For Harley, East Gippsland L2P volunteer mentors, John Fallon and Wayne Stagg,

proved to be invaluable sources of knowledge, offering their years of experience

and coaching.

“I was pretty nervous when I first started because I only had half a dozen or so

driving hours logged,” Harley said.

“I was struggling to get my hours up because my only option was to go driving with

my friend’s mum. That

really didn’t give me

enough time and I knew

my job would be in jeop-

ardy if I couldn’t get to the

job sites. “

“I told John and Wayne

that I’d been riding my

bike everywhere and real-

ly needed my licence for

work. They were really

helpful and knowledgea-

ble and I loved every mi-

nute of it.”

Driving instructor John Fallon said he found the L2P program to be hugely reward-

ing - for himself, as well as young people like Harley.

“I think the best part of the L2P program is watching how these kids develop on a

personal level, not just as drivers,” John said. “It gives young people who may not

be as fortunate as others a chance. That’s why it’s successful on a whole range of

fronts.”

Thanks to his L2P mentors, Harley successfully completed his driving test, and has

held his licence for about a month.

“Now I don’t have to rely on other people to drive me around like I used to. I can

just drive to work, or go see my friends by myself, which is great,” Harley said.

“Getting my licence has given me so much independence, and a new found confi-

dence. “

“I don’t know where I’d be without John, Wayne and Mission Australia. I felt my

career was in serious doubt before I discovered the L2P program,” he said.

Pic: Wayne Stagg, Harley and John Fallon on the road together.

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5

DRIVE OF THE MONTH - St Kilda to Mordialloc

Beach Road and Nepean Highway loop

For Learners in Stages 3 and 4, a great drive providing a variety of

road conditions is the bayside loop from St Kilda to Mordialloc.

The drive is approximately 45 kilometres. A round trip without stops

takes approximately 70, minutes subject traffic conditions, but take a

break, stop, and enjoy the scenery. Practice your parking at one of

the many beachside carparks with their scenic outlook to Port Phillip

Bay.

Travelling southbound start near Luna Park and follow the blue Route

33 markers taking you beachside.

The road name changes from Marine Parade, Ormond Esplanade, St

Kilda Street, the Esplanade and Beach Road - a good learning for new

drivers about Melbourne’s arterial roads and their naming quirks.

Through Elwood the four-lane divided road has many things to watch

for with parked cars, cyclists and beachgoers running to cross this

busy thoroughfare.

Closer to Brighton, the road narrows as an undivided four lane road

for a distance - generally with parked cars occupying the left hand lane. It’s a good opportunity for your Learner to

look ahead, read the traffic and prepare for lane changes and traffic lights on approachto intersections.

Beyond Brighton to Sandringham, bayside views open up on the right hand side. The challenge for your learner is to

keep their eyes on the road. Practice keeping on or just under the speed limit and concentrating on the road, given

the temptation to drift away and enjoy the scenery.

It’s important also to choose the correct lane,

moving left where practical and safe, keeping

the centre lane clear for passing drivers.

As the road curves around the cliffsides be-

yond Sandringham, learners need to concen-

trate on staying in their lane and watching for

unsighted hazards such as parked card or cy-

clists just around the bend.

The speed limit generally remains 60km/h,

but roadworks speed limit changes due to

maintenance, or building works for new bay-

side mansions are ever present.

Continued Page 8...

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6

DID YOU KNOW?

Changing over to a Manual Licence

Learners who pass their Probationary drive test in an automatic car,

can only drive vehicles with an automatic transmission during their

probationary period.

This condition is shown as an ‘A’ on their licence.

At the end of the P2 period when transferring to a full licence the ‘A’

condition no longer applies. They can then drive a manual car.

Removing the Automatic condition while on P Plates

Probationary drivers can convert to a Manual Licence if they pass a new drive test in a vehicle with a manual trans-

mission. After passing their new test and paying a licence variation a replacement driver licence card will be issued

by VicRoads - with the automatic condition removed.

If learning to drive in a manual vehicle while on Ps, someone with a full manual licence must sit beside them.

They must also display 'Driver under instruction' plates in addition to their 'P' plates on the front and back of the

vehicle

CAMPASPE FACEBOOK

Liz Smith at the Campaspe L2P Program has set up a Facebook Page to share local program news, tips and infor-

mation with Mentors, learners and friends.

Check it out at www.facebook.com/CampaspeL2P.

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L2P LAUNCHES IN CASTERTON AND SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS

Up to 35 disadvantaged learner drivers in Casterton and the Southern Grampians Shires now have access to the L2P program.

The Casterton program caters for five young people, while the Southern Grampians program will assist up to 30 young drivers. It has been a true community effort to get the programs off the ground with the local Coun-cils, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and schools involved.

The Casterton program complements existing Portland and Heywood L2P programs run by the Glenelg Shire Council.

In the five years to 2015, three young drivers aged 18-25 were killed in Glenelg, with 41 seriously injured.

In the same period, nine young drivers in Southern Grampians were killed, with 45 were seriously injured.

Pic top right: VicRoads Sam Pirrotta, Leanne Groves and Jeff Gor-man at the launch of the Hamilton (Southern Grampians) L2P pro-gram

Left: Barry and Kate head out for Southern Grampians first men-tor session in June

BAW BAW SPECIAL EFFORT

Baw Baw L2P is holding a TOWARDS ZERO L2P Gala Fundraising Din-

ner at Warragul Country Club on Saturday 22nd October.

The function aims to raise funds to keep L2P on the road. The event

includes:

• Three course Dinner;

• Road Safety Guest Speaker; and

Entertainment including the Victoria Police Pipe Band

Tickets are $100 per head with tables of 10 available.

The Program is also running a car raffle to be drawn on the night

(Tickets $10 ea) with first prize a New Holden Spark provided by Barry Bourke, Warragul.

For bookings or to purchase tickets in the car raffle contact L2P Coordinator Beth Carr on 0408 039 091

or: info@bawbawl2p.org

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8

The Gannawarra Program gained a new sponsorship from Swan Hill and

Kerang Toyota offering a Toyota Yaris.

We are very fortunate to have such wonderful support in our local commu-

nities and thank local car dealers for getting on board through the provision

of motor vehicles.

Pic: Principal Dealer Sebastian Parseghian and L2P Program Coordinator

Phil Tennant.

St Kilda to Mordialloc (Continued from Page 5)

Why not take a break turning right down to Half Moon Bay and

have a coffee at the beachside kiosk? Enjoy the views down the

jetty to the rusting hulk of the HMS Cerberus, and to the West Gate

Bridge in the distance.

Approaching the turnoff from Beach Road to the Half Moon Bay

entry your learner needs to watch for the signs, indicate their right

turn well in advance, and look for oncoming traffic from around the

bend. The steep downhill road to the carpark needs to be watched.

Hitting the accelerator rather than the brake could see you in the Bay!

This is a great place to practice parking and three point turns. Keep an eye out for yachties and their trailers as they

look to park and launch from the ramp.

After your break, continue along the Beach Road to Mordialloc or

turn left at Charman Road or Warrigal Road - back home via the

Nepean Highway.

The Highway presents a whole new set of challenges for your

Learner with multiple lanes and fast moving traffic generally at 70

or 80 km/h.

Watch for lane changers, use your mirrors and do headchecks. Be

careful approaching busy cross-intersections with many speed and

red light cameras, waiting to catch careless or distracted drivers.

Teach your Learner to read the traffic and overhead intersection signals far ahead. And practice smooth driving,

approaching and exiting intersections.

Safe Driving.

Do you have a good and challenging drive where you take your learners? Why not share it with us in L2P Statewide. Send details (with pics if you can ) to L2P Statewide editor: foxwords@hotmail.com

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9

KYABRAM BUSINESSES SUPPORT L2P

Eight disadvantaged Kyabram youth have secured

their Probationary licences since 2013 through the

Campaspe L2P Program with local businesses

jumping in the back seat to help.

The Program recently received sponsorship from

Salter’s Motor Panel Repairs and Jayell Ford, with

the businesses pledging support to cover mainte-

nance costs, servicing and insurance for the Ky-

abram-based car.

Project Co-ordinator Liz Smith said that L2P opened a world of opportunity for disadvantaged teens facing

difficulty in obtaining their licence and securing access to employment, education and training.

‘‘When you live in rural and regional communities it is almost impossible to hold down a job or access edu-

cation and training if you have no means of getting from A to B,’’ she said.

‘‘The program is addressing a real area of need in our communities with 29 active drivers with six more

learners waiting to start.’’

Salter’s Motor Panel Repairs owner Sharon Salter said she understood the importance of the program with

one of their female employees a former participant.

‘‘I’m a firm believer that all children deserve the same opportunity in life,’’ she said.

‘‘We don’t have access to public transport in Kyabram and some parents don’t have licences themselves to

be able to teach their kids to drive.’’

Jayell Ford general manager Peter Bastin said the success of the program was due to the volunteers’

effort.

‘‘My hat goes off to the volunteer mentors,’’ he said.

‘‘If it wasn’t for them there wouldn’t be a program, so they’re the ones who really deserve to be congratu-

lated.’’

Pic: Peter Bastin and Sharon Salter have both pledged support towards the L2P program. They are joined

by L2P project co-ordinator Liz Smith.

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L2P FACES AND PLACES

A selection of happy new L2P Graduates from top left: Bianca G - Frankston, Sam - Ararat,

Nick, Rajib (learner) & John, Mohammed & Peter, Iftu -Yarra, Aleesha - Yarra.

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SKY’S LEARNER JOURNEY

Sky who gained her Ps with the Mildura L2P Pro-

gram recently called in for a chat with L2P Co-

ordinator, Jenny Gibbons.

She said that her mentor Peter Winton was very

effective in giving her a good experience.

“When he needed to be he was ‘stern’, quiet and

with no chatting to give her time and space,” she

said.

This also helped when the test time came.

“Having a different mentor a few times helped pre-

pare her for the tester too. “ Jenny said.

She found that reduced stress later to get used to others in the car, not just the same mentor all the time.

Peter helped keep her calm, showed her how to change a tyre, how to refuel, and about the arrow which points to

the side of the fuel tank.

Sky’s professional instructor was very helpful - helped her to keep her anxiety in control, breathing, and positive self

- talk. He refined her reverse parking skills.

Jenny said that Sky was new to our community and quite isolated at the beginning of her time in L2P.

Peter became a friend to her, someone to talk to, ‘about everything' she said and she looked forward to the drives.

She hopes they will keep in contact.

Sky recently drove a friend to ‘Maccas’. Her friend was surprised that she stopped for three seconds at the Stop

sign, followed all the road rules and refused to have more than one friend drive with her in the car.

She won’t touch the mobile phone when driving and puts it in the glove compartment.

“I want to keep my licence” she said.

Having a manual licence has surprised others. All her friends drive automatic cars.

She is proud of her manual licence finding it hard at first but then later quite easy. Now with her own manual, she

loves driving. Sky believes that L2P is a brilliant program and we are lucky to have it in Vic-

toria.

“Although 120 hours does take ages, I feel much safer for this and believe it is better not

to rush it anyway.

Sky is still trying to navigate her way around the area but enjoying the challenge with her

licence, thanks to Mildura L2P run by Sunassist Volunteer Helpers.

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STATS THAT MATTER

Congratulations to our new Probationary drivers and their mentors

APRIL 2016 - JULY 2016*

ALPINE: Lacey - Paul Sharman, James - Michael Jinnette, Justin - Noel

McDougal, Max - Ray Owens, Grace - Helen McDougal & Francesca

Wellington ARARAT: Telisia - Vance Bebbington & Ron Manneke-

Jones, Rhys - Dave Sanders, Courtney - Shel Healy & Vance Bebbing-

ton, Connor - Ross Healy, Sam - Leesa Waterman BANYULE: Melissa

-Steve Page, Thomas - Mel Boak, Hannah -Mel Boak, Benjamin - Mel

Boak, Eden - Mel Boak, Hamza - Roukaya Kobi, Rebecca - John

Greenland, Zainab - Mel Boak, BAW BAW: Brooke - Beth Carr,

Broden - Graham Parker, Cody - Gerry Prestney, Mia - Greg Walker

BAYSIDE: Mariah - Jen Howard, Tegan - Kayleen Rob, Alanah - Mal-

colm Baird, Jessy - Lyne Cockfield, Cindy - Gabriella Hont BASS

COAST: Paw - Gerry Lonergan, Kirsten - Burt Applebee, Birri-Li - Vince Baskerville, Molly - Richard Button.

BENALLA: Rachel - Harry Barber, Ashleigh - Rodney Gunston, Simon - Noela Halacas, Chloe -Daryl Longmuir,

Mikaylah - Geoff Wallis CAMPASPE: Alycia - Judi Lawler, Srayah - Rose-Ann Mulholland, Daniel - Rodney

Cole, Jordan - John Stone COLAC OTWAY: Tamara, Darcie, Amber - Laurie Ryan, Steil - Geoffrey Hunter,

Gabrielle - Rita Reid EAST GIPPSLAND: Harley - John Fallon & Wayne Stagg, Kevin - Julie Hooper & John

Ireland FRANKSTON: Connor - Howard Olley, Bianca G - Peter Whitehead & John Davidson, Thea - Colin

Benson, Colin Watson, Gary Thompson & Debbie Davies, Emma - Ronnie Van Taarling & Peter Whitehead,

Bryan - Richard Mcloughlin, Maddison - Gary Thompson & Leo McNiff, Emily - Franca Sena, Gary Thompson

& Leo McNiff, Nicola - Jenny Gay & Steve Mioduszewski, Lilian - Colin Watson & Veena Vincent GANNA-

WARRA: Daniel - Ian Forster, Daniel - Glenn Stanmore, Dylan - Ian Whitman, Darcy - Helen Milikins, Zac -

Lindsay Maplestone, Ricky - Phil Tennant GEELONG: Kae Kaw - Jeff Walker, Dah Dah - Jeff Walker, Hannah

- Dina Cahir, Matthew - Peter Barrett, Asadollah - David Kingsley MANNINGHAM: Moriah - Peter Moncrieff

MELTON/MOORABOOL: Achol - Gary, Hayden - Gary, Reagan - Rosalie MILDURA: Samantha - Gary Hux-

table, Kate - Lindsay Harris, Ali - Alfred Bosco, Breanne - Vic Etherington, Sky - Peter Winton, Mahnaz - Ian

Lowe & Ian Monteath MOIRA: Gillian - Shirley La Marquand, Tanisha - Heather Crosthwaite & Neil

Duffield PORT PHILLIP: Sam - Liz Lekic PYRENEES: Lauren - Natasha Carnes, Josh - Maria Loriente STON-

NINGTON: Fatemah - Brett Hughes, Connor - Astrid Ajzensztat, Simone - Brendan Corr SWAN HILL: Taylah

- Corey Frost, Joshua - Greg Edwards, David - Ian Boys, Lorrain - Phil Tennant, Razia -David Hackett WHITE-

HORSE: Jacob - Mick Denton & Joe Cataldo, Allen - Jim Sledge WHITTLESEA: Namatulla, Adam & Joshua -

Paul Wilson YARRA: Azhar - Chris Forehan, Iftu - Chris Forehan, Alex - Jim Callahan, Samira - Nanette Bold

& Kevin Fox, Tsegay - Kasper Ewenson & Toyin Abass , Murad - Peter Rogan, Aleesha - Martyn Brogan, Hali-

ma - Bronwyn Nichols.

*As advised by Program Coordinators