North Ballarat Rebel firing in L2P and at the CFA

29 Jul 2013

To say Will Austin is having a big year would be an understatement.

Since January, the 17-year-old has been training to be a firefighter, made his TAC Cup debut with North Ballarat Rebels, played for the Laguntas indigenous representative team and learnt to drive through the L2P program.

"L2P has been a huge help,” Austin said.

“I was on the waiting list at 16 but didn't get much learning done that year at all because I had no one to drive with. Now I do and I’ve been getting the hours up each Friday."

Rebels regional manager Phil Partington has also supervised Austin behind the wheel, as an extra mentor outside the L2P program, delivered by Hepburn Health Service.

"With Will, once we found out he was catching two or three buses home from training, we wanted to help him out by driving him home and getting him to drive home," Partington said.
 
"By doing that, he's been able to learn to drive in different conditions, especially given he lives in Ballarat for some of the week and with his Mum in Glenlyon the rest of the time. We wanted to give him as much help with his hours as possible."

Glenlyon is a tiny town about 10 minutes’ drive from Daylesford, and 45 minutes from Ballarat. It’s where Austin volunteers at his local CFA on Sundays.

"When I was young and living in Hepburn Springs, we lost our house in a fire there. That inspired me (to volunteer with the CFA), seeing firefighters do what they do," he said.

"My dream, of course, is to one day get drafted to an AFL club. At 21, you can become a paid firefighter, and I'm doing a school-based plumbing apprenticeship as well."

On field, Austin plies his trade both at half-back and in midfield.

He has played five TAC Cup games for the Rebels as a bottom-age player this season, and ran out for the Laguntas Tigers in last week’s development round.

"It's a massive step up (from local club footy) and I still haven't got used to the level of speed. You really have to switch on."


L2P Driving Program

Young Victorians who don’t have access to a supervising driver or car can access the L2P Program which enables them to get their 120 hours of practice - ensuring more learners are better prepared.

Learner drivers are paired with trained mentors who use program cars, often provided through local car dealers, for practice.

The TAC has committed $10.5 million to enable the program to run until 2015. L2P is delivered by VicRoads in partnership with local councils.

To find out more about L2P in your area, visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/l2p

For more information contact Nick Price on 5225 7738 or 0439 433 847.