Getting her driver's licence has been on Raelene Holland's 'to do' list for years but finding people to teach her has always proved a problem.
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Last year, at age 46, she found a way forward, having read about a local Learner Driver program, 120 Countdown, in the Guardian News.
Run by Uniting and located in Nambucca Heads, Raelene contacted coordinator Harlan Cooper, who set the wheels of change in motion and arranged for her to meet her mentor, Tom Fairhall.
"I've been wanting to do this for years and finally I am able to do it for myself," Raelene said.
"As it turned out I already knew Tom, so that made things easy. We get along really well, he's great to talk to and he tells you straight out if I do something and suggests an easier way."
Tom was the program's first mentor and is now it's 'most experienced'. And as an ordained minister he brings more than just driving skills to the passenger seat.
"I am there as a mentor for driving but other conversations unfold too and my pastoral skills stand me in good stead for that," Tom said.
"Raelene is our most senior student ... when she first started she was very nervous and lacked confidence.
"Over the months I have watched both her skills and her confidence grow immensely, the two go together - now she jumps in the car and off we go."
He laughs: "I'm relaxed because I know she won't put me up a tree!"
Tom's training is thorough and includes Coffs Harbour with its traffic and roundabouts, Dorrigo Mountain as well as dirt roads.
"All my students learn how to use gears coming down the mountain rather than overheating the brakes. I also teach them how to pull up without a foot brake and how to drive on dirt roads.
"Raelene is getting really close to being able to go for her licence ... we just need to do some more work on angle and reverse parking then she'll be ready. I'd like her to get her licence before Christmas."
So would Raelene!
"I would never have been able to do this without Tom and 120 Countdown because I never would have had the money to pay for lessons. This way I've been able to start saving for my own car and I plan to drive down to see my daughter, which is exciting."
For Tom, the satisfaction of seeing his students achieve their goals is thanks enough.
"Being a mentor is really fulfilling - I'd recommend it to anyone."
Uniting is looking for mentors for its program - if you are interested please contact coordinator Harlan Cooper on 1800 864 846 or email ask@uniting.org.
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Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
