Nillumbik Shire Council’s L2P mentor drivers can be forgiven for counting in threes; the last of the six sets of triplets they’ve helped just got their P-plates.
And 18-year-old Niamh, Kate and Peter Kearney are now able to drive themselves around the bend from their home in Yarrambat to Loyolla College – instead of their long-suffering parents.
Mum Pauline and dad Peter both work full time and juggle a full household of three 18-year-olds, 17-year-old Aoife, as well as a menagerie of two dogs, one cat and a horse.
Pauline realised just feeding and watering the Kearney clan was challenge enough. Not to mention being tired out from driving them to sports and social events.
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So even the thought of spending 120 hours supervising each triplet behind the wheel – that’s a daunting collective 360 hours – before they could apply for their drivers’ licenses, was enough to drive Pauline and her husband to despair.
Pauline said they applied to get on the program. “We couldn’t have done it by ourselves! My son has also worked part time jobs to buy himself a car, and now drives everyone to and from school.
“It’s all thanks to the L2P volunteers, they were absolutely marvellous,” Pauline explained.
Not just marvellous, but a dab hand at supervising triplets behind the wheel, with a six sets clocked up over the last seven years the program has run. That’s a staggering 3240 triplet driving hours totted up.
Even the volunteers have been astounded at the statistical odds. Since the program first started, they’ve helped steer 170 youngsters to success. This means about one in ten participants have been triplets. Which means there’s clearly something in the water in the Shire.
L2P coordinator Mary Marcon said it had been a joy to help the Kearney trio as well as the other five sets – the Nixon, Strebinos, Howell, Nye and Smeath triplets.
“Often circumstances can make it really difficult for parents or caregivers to help young people get experience behind the wheel.
“And having a license makes a real difference to a young person. They can get a job, get around safely and socialise.”
Nillumbik Councillor Jane Ashton, Chair of council’s Community Services Committee was delighted to offer the L2P Program across the Shire.
“I’d like to thank all the volunteers who so generously give of their time,” she said.
The program is funded by the TAC with support of Bendigo Bank and is managed by VicRoads in conjunction with Council.
Volunteers are always needed.
And twin learner-drivers – just to skew the stats a little.
Video & Images Supplied by Nillumbik Shire Council ©COPYRIGHT 2018 Nillumbik Shire.
