Staff and management at Wodonga car dealer McRae Holden have volunteered 11 driving mentors and a dedicated Holden Spark car for a local L2P driving program – coming to the rescue of young people on a waiting list for their chance to learn to drive.
L2P matches experienced drivers with local young people who do not have a car or anyone who can teach them to drive to help them get the experience they need to get their P-plates.
The McRae Holden team have signed up as volunteer mentors for the L2P program, which is funded by VicRoads through the City of Wodonga and Towong Shire Council.
Junction recruited 22 new volunteers from the community earlier this year but that still left a significant waiting list.
Junction’s L2P co-ordinator Jacque Owens says: “There are many reasons why a young person might not have access to a car at home or someone who can teach them to drive.
“L2P has helped local young people who do not have anyone to teach them to drive because are medical reasons why mum or dad can’t drive, there is not a suitable car at home, their parents are migrants and never had the opportunity to learn to drive in their country of origin.
“We’re very grateful to McRae Holden for coming on board to teach young people who were waiting for their chance to learn to drive and providing a new Holden Spark for young people to complete their supervised driving hours.”
McRae Holden will also cover costs for the new car.
McRae Holden’s Angela Murcott says when their team became aware there were many local young people who needed support to learn to drive they were determined to step in and help.
“It’s important we have capable, safe young drivers and McRae Holden is very happy to join L2P help make that happen for our community,” she says.
“It’s especially important for young people in regional areas to learn to drive because it helps them to get work and further their education opportunities.”
McRae Holden also took part in an event held in Wodonga to celebrate Youth Mentoring Week and encourage more people to donate their time to mentor a young person.
