Page 12 - Annual Report AGM June 2020

SISTERS SUCCEED WITH L2P
The strong partnership between Murray Mallee LLEN
and the L2P Youth Mentoring program
continued during 2019 with the program assisting:
► Young people who face a significant barrier or
disadvantage whether it be economic, social or
other conditions, to become safe drivers and
successfully obtain a probationary driver’s licence never thought possible. I am now about to get my
► Young people to access invaluable mentoring via
their L2P driving sessions.
Key highlights of the Swan Hill L2P program.
► 75 Learner Drivers involved in the program
► 40 Mentors now registered and trained to work
with Learner Drivers in both the Swan Hill and
Robinvale regions.
► 13 Learner Drivers having obtained their
Probationary licence with another 7 Learner Drivers
waiting to complete the Probationary drive test.
► 56 Learner drivers currently registered in the Swan
Hill/Robinvale programs.
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Two local sisters have gained their probationary
licences thanks to driving experience gained
through the TAC L2P program. Before joining the
program Rhian and Danika Tants didn’t know how
or when they were going to be able to clock up the
necessary hours needed to get their P Plates.
Danika said she met her driving mentor Nellie
during a School event. “I was telling Nellie how
difficult it was to get my learner driver hours up
and Nellie told me about the TAC L2P program.
She had just become a new mentor.” “Having
a sister 15 months older than me, along with
parents who do shift work and late nights, made
it almost impossible to get both of our learner
driver hours up.”
“The TAC L2P program changed all of that for me,
as well as reducing the family pressure and fuel
expenses.” “Thanks to the program I was able to
get my P Plates on my 18th birthday, something I
first car,” she said.
TAC L2P Program Officer Ross Palmer said
it was these kinds of stories that really drove
home the importance of the program. “As their
mentor, you get a real sense of pride looking
back at how far they’ve come, seeing their
confidence grow and now their new found
freedom.” I encourage local community members
to think about becoming a mentor because
speaking from personal experience, it really is
incredibly rewarding.”
TAC L2P Mentor Nellie Patterson said she was
so proud to have supported the sisters during
their journey. “The TAC L2P program is extremely
worthwhile. It provides young people with the
chance to gain their 120 hours of driving when
they might not have had the opportunity or
access to an adult with a car. Nellie said that she
mentored Rhian for 20 hours and Danika for a
whopping 97 hours.
“Sitting in the car with someone for 97 hours is
certainly one way to get to know a person. We
had some great times together and we even snuck
in a shopping trip or two.” “We formed a really
strong bond, even though she has now gained
her probationary licence and is no longer in the
program, we continue to stay in touch today.”