Port Stephens community groups have united to help youths in the area faced with adversity in obtaining a driver’s licence.
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The Driver Training Programme, spearheaded by Raymond Terrace Rotary, has been 18 months in the making.
On Wednesday, August 16 the community groups and organisations involved in getting the program up and running met at Kloster Ford in Raymond Terrace to officially launch the program.
It was John Chambers from Raymond Terrace Rotary who recognised the need for a driving program to be established in the town and set about getting the partnering groups on board to make it happen.
“I’m so pleased it has come together,” Mr Chambers said at the launch. “But the work has just begun. We’re expecting this to go on for some time.”
Kieryn Morley, 16, from Tanilba Bay helped Brad Heuchan from Kloster Ford unveil a 2016 Ford Fiesta, complete with logos and stickers on the outside, at the launch.
The car has been donated to the program by the dealership for participants to use.
Participants will be recommended by the program partners including Raymond Terrace Rotary, Port Stephens Council, Port Stephens Local Area Command, Raymond Terrace PCYC, the Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation and Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed.
The NRMA and Port Stephens MP Kate Washington have also played a part in establishing the program.
Port Stephens police Inspector Tony Townsend said the program focuses on equipping Port youths who do not have access to a car or supervisor with those learner essentials.
He said it was a hand up, not a hand out.
“A number of police from the Port Stephens Local Area Command and SES volunteers have donated their time to mentor the participants so they can log the required hours to help secure their driver’s licence,” he said.
Participants will have access to professional driving lessons, take part in the PCYC Safer Driver Course and complete the Gordon Driving Program.
Inspector Townsend said having the skills and a licence to drive a vehicle was important, especially in Port Stephens which has limited public transport.