A great year for L2P

Published on 20 December 2023

The L2P Glenelg program has helped many local young drivers take the first step towards obtaining their driver licence over the years, but 2023 has certainly been a standout year.

A total of 21 local young people received their probationary licences in 2023, helping many of them obtain employment, attend further education out of the region, and overall provide them with a new level of independence.

For young learner drivers such as Emma Montgomery, the experience has been life changing.

Ms Montgomery, 21, a job seeker who lives on a farm on the outskirts of Portland, has health issues which means she needs to drive an automatic transmission vehicle, which wasn’t available at home.

“I found out about L2P and I really wanted to get my Ls up so when I got a job I could drive to work,” she said. “After four months on my Ls I contacted L2P and now I’ve got my P-plates.

“It’s a really good program, I recommend it for everyone who doesn’t have anyone for a supervisor (to help them get the required 120 hours driving to graduate from a learner to probationary licence).”

Ms Montgomery’s mentor was L2P Glenelg Coordinator Jan Lineker, who she said was “amazing”.

“At the start I was really nervous but after I met her I was really calm,” Ms Montgomery said.

Acacia Scott successfully graduated from the program about two months ago and it has also made a world of difference to the Gorae West resident, now 22.

“I had my Ls for a long time since I was about 16 but no-one in my family had a licence and we didn’t have a car to go and do the practicing around town,” she said.

“I also didn’t have a driver to go with me. I got in contact with Jan and she was lovely.

“The L2P program really helped me with driving in town in particular. I’ve been raised in the country and got really nervous driving around cars but being able to drive around town in busy streets has been great.

“Living out in Gorae West, having a licence is really important and I’ve got a car now so I’m fully able to drive.”

The L2P program also saw an increase in engagement from adults within the Glenelg Shire, who have signed up to become mentors, with seven new mentors joining the program in the last year.

Two new partnerships have been formed with local youth support agencies, are-able and Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service who have trained their staff up as L2P mentors, so they can now mentor their young people under the L2P program.

For mentors such as Jane Schmidt, the experience has also been life changing.

After moving to Portland to retire earlier this year, she felt at a loose end until a chance meeting with Ms Lineker in the Portland Library turned things around.

“I thought ‘I’ve got to do something’ and I’d never heard of L2P before but after I told Jan I was looking for something to do and she mentioned it I thought ‘that sounds all right, it’s not much effort’,” Ms Schmidt said.

“I think it’s wonderful. I’ve never ever felt like volunteering before but to think I can help a kid and when she gets her licence it will change her life, to be part of that is really good.

“I didn’t even know it was a thing that kids couldn’t get their driving (hours) up and to have something like this to help them – what’s a couple of hours a week, it’s just brilliant, and you can do it whenever you want as long as cars are available and your learners are available, then it can be done.

“I think it’s just amazing this program, and Jan’s amazing as well.”

Ms Schmidt has also gone on to volunteer for other organisations and events such as Portland Cable Trams and the Blue Light Disco.

Ms Lineker said the L2P program was a ‘win-win’ for all involved.

“Having a driver’s licence in regional areas is vital as accessing employment or further education usually requires a licence, this is especially true for learners who live out of town,” she said.

“We would particularly like to encourage eligible learners in Heywood to apply.”

“We are also always looking for that special person who would like to mentor young people.

“We offer full training and provide the cars.”

To participate as a young person in the program, you need to be a 16-21-year-old learner driver.

If accepted, you will be matched with a fully licensed volunteer driver who will spend the time to help you get as much driving practice as you need.

Drivers and learners will need to spend a minimum of one hour per week.

To apply either as a Learner driver or mentor, or for more information, visit the Glenelg Shire Council website, or the VicRoads website.

PHOTO CAPTION: Emma Montgomery is delighted to have graduated to her P-plates after undertaking the L2P Glenelg program.