YOUTH on Wheels is the new brand adopted by Grant District Council for its volunteer program assisting young drivers striving to obtain their provisional licence.
The learner driver program was developed in 2012 to support young people who may otherwise face challenges gaining their provisional licence due to personal circumstances.
The program originally operated under the banner of “Geared 2 Drive” in collaboration with HYPA (Helping Young People Achieve) in Adelaide.
Grant District Council deputy chief executive officer Jane Fetherstonhaugh said the service agreement between HYPA and the council expired in 2016, leading to the re-branding of the program.
“After discussion it was agreed that we would change our version of Geared 2 Drive and re-brand and run a separate stand-alone driver program,” Ms Fetherstonhaugh said.
“Along with the name change, council adopted a new logo, which is designed to complement council’s existing brand.”
A small group of people from Grant District Council devised the new logo with the shapes and colours taken from the existing council corporate logo.
“We think it is crisp, vibrant, youthful and also connected to council,” Ms Fetherstonhaugh said.
With three drivers currently offering their time to council on the program, Ms Fetherstonhaugh called for more volunteers.
Volunteer driver Kevin Davis spoke highly of the program and encouraged other retirees to give up their time to volunteer.
“Generally speaking, we don’t have any issues with our young drivers,” Mr Davis said.
“I’m retired and it’s better doing something than doing nothing and this is one great way to give back to the community.”
Mr Davis said he expected the program to have ongoing success.
“Once we have done the training with the learning driver, it only takes them about five to seven lessons with a qualified instructor to get their provisional licence,” he said.
“I haven’t had any failures, so it has been pretty successful.”
