Charlotte Varcoe
ELECTED members at the District Council of Grant have opted to wind-up its Youth on Wheels program.
Since its beginning more than 11 years ago, the program has supported more than 105 youth residents in obtaining their provisional licence.
Over the years, the program had been supported by 17 volunteers who mentored the young drivers with more than 3000 volunteer hours recorded.
The program was targeted to youth aged 16 to 25 years who held a learners permit and lacked support to achieve the mandatory 75 hours of supervised driving.
A recent review of the program found only seven per cent of participants were from the District Council of Grant area.
Due to a lack of volunteers, students and increased running costs, elected members opted the program was no longer viable.
Instead, elected members agreed to fund up to two professional driving lessons for students who reside in the District Council.
Youth on Wheels participant Shelby Crane said it had been a lovely experience both learning to drive and getting a mentor who helped her.
“I have used this program for about six months,” Shelby said.
“I came into the program with close to no hours done and I did not really have anyone that I could take with me or who could take me to drive so this was really crucial in getting my hours up.”
She said she thought having the subsidised lessons would help those in the future.
“I know there are a lot of people out there who have their own situation, so anything that can help people is good,” she said.
“It is sad to let this program go but hopefully there will be more programs in the future that are similar.”
Long serving volunteer Jack Peacock said he had been a part of the program for about 11 years and he had enjoyed watching the students learn to drive over time.
“There have been a lot of refugees and school kids who do not have access to a car and so we helped them get their hours up,” Mr Peacock said.
“You get a big kick when they get their licence and they are driving around.”
He said he joined the program for something to do after retiring with the opportunity coming up at the right time.
“The council has been tremendous and the staff are phenomenal, I could not speak more highly of the staff,” Mr Peacock said.
“I thank the council for doing the program, it was something I found at the right time.
“It is sad it is coming to an end but council has bent over backwards trying to get more students and volunteers.”
The program will officially cease at the end of the month.
