A Castlemaine learner driver program has been able to continue following the formation of a unique partnership that brings local police together with community service providers.
The TAC L2P program matches young learner drivers with a trained volunteer to help them achieve the necessary 120 hours of driving practice.
The program, is now welcoming applications from more learner drivers who face a barrier acquiring 120 hours to apply, and also volunteers with driving experience to help learner drivers gain on-the-road driving experience through the TAC L2P Program.
The TAC L2P program was previously run by CHIRP Community Health but following integration with Castlemaine Health in 2021 and Maldon Hospital in 2022, Dhelkaya Health has now taken on responsibility for the program that helps locals keen to advance from being learner drivers to P-plate drivers.
“When Community Health moved to Spencely House in Cornish Street site, we were keen to maintain a presence for L2P in town,” Dhelkaya Health’s L2P Coordinator Lisa Cavallaro says.
“With the support of Castlemaine Community House and the Castlemaine Police Station, we’ve managed to do this.
“We’d love to see some new young people and volunteers to come forward to take part.”
Castlemaine Community House manager Martyn Shaddick was keen to offer his support for the arrangement.
“New learners can meet their driver mentor at Community House,” Martyn said.
“We are just a few minutes’ walk away from the school bus stop.”
Dhelkaya Health’s Community Health Information Hub recently opened at Community House, so the two organisations already had a co-location arrangement in place.
The L2P vehicle is now located at the Castlemaine Police Station for convenience and security.
“From the Victoria Police’s perspective, the L2P program means safer young drivers on our roads,” Castlemaine’s Senior Sargent Darren McQueen said.
Anybody interested in becoming a volunteer mentor or joining as a learner driver is encouraged to contact Dhelkaya Community Health on 5479 1000.
The TAC L2P Program is supported by the Mount Alexander Shire Council, funded by TAC and managed by the Department of Transport.