On the road again: Brett Gorell takes Bernard Lamb for a test drive in the MacKillop Family Services’ new vehicle.
ERIN PEARSON
DISADVANTAGED Geelong teens will receive driver training in a brand new Honda Civic thanks to a car dealer’s generosity.
Rex Gorell Honda handed over a new vehicle to MacKillop Family Services on Wednesday for the community organisation to run its training program.
MacKillop out-of-home car service director Bernard Lamb said the donation would ensure vulnerable young people about to leave MacKillop’s care had necessary skills to drive safely.
“We wanted our young people to have the same opportunities as young people who live in a family environment,” Mr Lamb said.
“The support is invaluable. It allows our young people to gain the sorts of experiences that young people living with their families may get every day.
Mr Lamb said the Gorell donation would be the program’s first “dedicated car”.
“By learning how to drive and getting the important driving education they need, these young people will be able to not only be safe and responsible on the road but be able to engage with the community through better access to employment and training opportunities.
“This donation is not just the keys to a car; it’s the keys to great opportunities.”
Car dealer Brett Gorell called the $20,000 donation a sound investment in the safe future for many young drivers in Geelong.
“It’s a critical time in the lives of these teens because they can easily go down the wrong way on our roads,” he said.
“This is really going to teach them how to drive in a high quality, safe car, and we’re proud to be apart of that.”
Shattered Lives, page 13
