Youth and Community
Braking the Cycle has arrived in Cooktown!
Young Cooktown learner drivers are now able to take advantage of PCYC Queensland’s widely successful Braking the Cycle program.
Braking the Cycle has helped more than 1,200 young Queensland motorists to get their driver’s licence has been awarded multiple road safety awards. The program involves volunteer mentor drivers taking young learner drivers under their wing and helping them reach the required 100 hours of training prior to sitting the Queensland learner driver practical tests.
PCYC Cooktown Branch Manager Sgt Howard Pratt said that “Braking the Cycle was developed in response to community concerns around unlicensed driving and unemployment within lower socio-economic areas.” “By matching volunteer mentors up with young, local learner drivers who otherwise cannot access a licensed supervisor or registered vehicle, we are helping local youth safely achieve their mandatory 100 pre-testing logbook hours and gaining valuable road safety education in the process.”
The 100-hour requirement can place stress on young people and act as a barrier to getting a licence, thus limiting their opportunity to gain employment. Another major concern is the impact of poorly-educated or unlicensed drivers on Queensland roads and the devastating impact this can have on the community. While the program is targeted at disadvantaged youth, any learner drivers can be referred to the program and PCYC will prioritise applications by need and suitability of available mentors. Local agencies such as schools or job recruitment services can refer learner drivers to the program or young people themselves can refer themselves by contacting the branch.
PCYC Cooktown are looking for volunteer mentors able to commit at least an hour a week to taking learners out for driving sessions. All mentors will need to complete PCYCs online volunteer recruitment training and be able to hold a Working with Children Card (blue card) and Restricted Driver Authorisation (RDA). PCYC Cooktown staff are happy to assist volunteers through these processes and answer any questions from interested community members.
VOLUNTEER MENTORS
So you’re interested in becoming a volunteer driver mentor…
- You will need to be able to hold a blue card (Working with Children card). Check here to find out if you are eligible.
- You will need to be able to hold Restricted Driver Authorisation (RDA). To be granted RDA, an applicant must:
- hold a current open Australian driver licence, an equivalent overseas driver licence, or a restricted (work) driver licence; and
- have held an Australian open or provisional driver licence or equivalent foreign driver licence (or a series of these licences) for a cumulative period of three years; and
- not knowingly have a medical condition that may affect their driving; and
- be of a suitable character (Dept. of Transport of Main Roads will review the person’s criminal and driving history).
- You will need to be able to dedicate at least one hour per week to driving sessions.
- You need to have a genuine interest in enhancing the lives of local young people and be a good role model and mentor.
If you meet these criteria, we’d love to hear from you. Click here to apply or send us an email below.
LEARNER DRIVERS
PCYC can help you get your mandatory 100-hours of driving experience before taking your practical driving test. While Braking the Cycle is set up to provide assistance to the most disadvantaged youth in our community, any young person wishing to take advantage of the program can apply. Applications are prioritised based on need and mentor availability.
So what do you need to join our program:
- You need to already have your learners permit
- You need to have logged a minimum of 10-hours driving experience
- You need to be willing to commit to the program and turn up for your scheduled driving sessions
- Repeated cancellations or no-shows without a valid reason will result in your termination from the program
- You need parental permission (if under 18)
If you can satisfy all the above criteria, contact us using the form below or call 4069 5890 during business hours to arrange an appointment.
The next steps…
We will make a time when you can come in for an interview and to undertake the initial Braking the Cycle Student Induction course (via iPad or PC) which will take approximately one hour. Once you have completed this stage, you will be given additional paperwork to take home and complete, then your full application will be assessed. We will then contact you when a position becomes available in the program.
SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Breakfast of Champions - 28 March 2019
PCYC Cooktown held a Breakfast of Champions event on Thursday 28 March with over 40 community champions in attendance.
Our goal for the morning was to discuss and brainstorm solutions for the top issues young people are facing in Cooktown today. Each table came up with different but equally as important challenges for our youth, some more pronounced because of our remote and low socio-economic region. However, our champions came up with some really well-thought out solutions, each requiring a number of community groups and agencies to collaborate to maximise the chance of a successful outcome.
We look forward to working on some of these important youth issues here at PCYC Cooktown and supporting other local organisations to do the same.
