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2 days ago
4 min

BSL Broadmeadows students click to victory

Excited learner driver Sanjith with trainer Nikki, (left) outside BSL Broadmeadows. What could be a finer back-to-school achievement than obtaining your VicRoads learner permit? And that’s just what students Angelina, Fabiana, Mryan, Neven, Silfya, Bailey, Damien and Sanjith did to round out their 2023 summer holiday. The Changing Gears program traditionally spends the fourth day attending a group booking at the nearest VicRoads site. This is an exciting and bonding experien

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2 days ago
3 min

Are Pavillion Epping students successful? One hundred percent!

Spring was digging its heels in with flooding and rain as Changing Gears trainers Linda and Nikki met Pavillion Epping students Savhannah, Lilly, Brooke, Enisa and Aaidan, but nothing could dampen the fire this motivated group had for learning. Linda and Nikki flew through their Tuesday class with the students covering driving attitude and road signs in record time. Following this first download of information and some practicing of what to do at uncontrolled intersections, t

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Dec 19, 2022
4 min

Trial by internet in Seymour

Excited Seymour students from left to right: Sam, Aaron, Nick, Dean, Molly, Korna and Steph with trainer Nikki, (fourth from right). Trainer Nikki arrived in Seymour for the Changing Gears program on November 21st, 2022. Seymour had recently been hit by floods and she could see shop fronts still being cleared and building repairs. But as she arrived at Seymour College to conduct her last program for the year, she arrived to a classroom of resilient young people who had clearl

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Nov 4, 2022
2 min

Learners permitted in Leongatha

Michael (second from left) and Tyson (second from right) with trainer Nikki (centre) and their proud parents. COVID has had a significant effect on Victorian Communities. After two years of absence from in-person activities, young people are less engaged and course enrollment numbers lower than in the pre-pandemic era. However, this did not prevent Salvos coordinators Hayley and Amanda from getting the word out. As a result, keen learner permit applicants Michael and Tyson at

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Nov 4, 2022
2 min

Pavillion Preston students lit up with success

Spring showers and gloomy weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of Pavillion Preston students Mikayla, Osiris, Moss, Spencer, Luke, Oin, Jack and Zac. Many were early to the class and chatted as trainers Linda and Nikki set up. The group settled in nicely showing motivation and a good deal of humour. On the second day, Shakaya joined the group, applying herself to catch up with the class. Twins Jack and Zac broke out their pink and orange Hawaiian shirts due to the first dos

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Nov 4, 2022
2 min

Hazi’s Mission at Mission

Mission Australia hosted trainer Nikki Thompson and the Changing Gears program at their Dandenong Headquarters last week. This was facilitated with the support of Program Managers Chol and Mario. Participant Hazarah, (Hazi), was eager to learn the road rules and to start learning to drive. However, trainer Nikki explained, a “safety-first” attitude and proactive driving behaviours were job number one to learn before progressing to the road rules. Hazi’s amazing attitude Along

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Oct 4, 2022
3 min

The Changing Gears program translates to success for SECL

The South East Community Links (SECL) centre at Hampton Park was the site of the latest Changing Gears program. Trainers Linda and Nikki met recent Ukrainian immigrants Olena, Viktoriia, Valentina and Ihor, Ethiopian Elisabet, and Afghani women Razia, Shafiqa, Moneselfatimeh (Monesel), Nazi, Yalda, Zahra and Sekina and their translators. The room quickly became a hive of activity with translators assisting the various groups in filling out VicRoads learner permit application

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Sep 13, 2022
3 min

Girl Power at Moreland

Moreland City Council hosted trainer Linda Jane and the Changing Gears program at the Fawkner Neighbourhood House this week. This was facilitated and supported by Program Manager Lillian (Lily) Dunn. On the first day, seven young women sat down nervously, eager to learn the road rules. Their key motivation for attending the class and passing the learner permit test was to gain independence, (a common theme amidst the group). Linda explained that before learning the road rules

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Aug 1, 2022
2 min

Brotherhood of Saint Laurence Broadmeadows students pivot with Changing Gears

On the first day of the Changing Gears program delivered to the students of the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence, Broadmeadows, trainer Linda Jane met Villani, Jai, Newyear, Julian, Ritaj, Daphrose, Salma, Belis and Rowaida. They were a lively, motivated group and for the first two days they studied the standard Changing Gears program, doing really well. July first VicRoads changes necessitate a pivot The first day of July, (first day of the financial year), ushered in huge chan

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Jul 4, 2022
3 min

Cire Mount Evelyn students face great challenges and succeed

On the first day of the Changing Gears program delivered to the students of Cire Mount Evelyn campus, new trainer Nikki Thompson arrived early. She encountered the school assembly that is a key part of the nurturing, positive curriculum. Students were praised for key achievements and great behaviour. It left Nikki with a smile as she set up her classroom and met students Alex, Brad, Zac, Isaac, Ethan and Billy. Fifteen-year-old Ashden also attended, gaining the skills needed

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Jul 4, 2022
3 min

Persistence gets results at BSL Frankston

Winter had set in on the first day of the Changing Gears program delivered to the BSL Transition to Work students of Frankston, but grey skies and chilly temperatures couldn’t dampen their enthusiasm. New trainer Nikki Thompson delivered the program to this group and Taylor, Sienna, Tanesha, Gemma, Crystal, Sophie, Georgia and Jai proved to be motivated, attentive students. Many of the students had not had the opportunity to do practice tests and early in the program, their s

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Jul 4, 2022
3 min

Cire Yarra Junction fail at failing

“Do you think I should text my mother and tell her I failed at failing?” he asked. “I think that’s a great idea,” Nikki replied. The Cire students attending the Changing Gears program at Yarra Junction were a lively group. With Mal’s love of trains, planes and automobiles, Zoe and Zahra’s sharp wits, Jackson’s terrific storytelling and Wade and Alyssa’s confidence, they were well placed to gain a lot from the program. Fifteen year old Loki also attended. Initially, Loki and h

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Jul 4, 2022
3 min

Green lights for neurodiverse Salvos Wonthaggi

Head trainer Linda Jane had an enthusiastic and diverse group in the Salvos Leongatha students attending the May Changing Gears program. Sophie, Jaide, Eve, Daniel B, Daniel L, Kaeden and Max had ADSD, ADD, ASD, bipolar disorder and cerebral palsy, as well as learning and intellectual disabilities as a part of their collective lived experience. Rather than avoid the challenge of learning the Victorian Road Code and safe driving attitudes and obtaining their learner permits, t

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May 30, 2022
4 min

COVID can’t defeat Changing Gears, Cire Berwick

Cire Community School’s Berwick campus is helping bolster and promote road safety, with several students recently attaining their Learner Driver permits after successfully completing a Changing Gears program. First time at Berwick It was the first time the program had been delivered at the Cire Berwick campus. Despite some last-minute challenges due to Covid, the four participants embraced the opportunity and greatly appreciated the tailored assistance and support. Thanks to

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Acknowledgement of Country

Changing Gears acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which our organisation operates. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.