Course for driver control

By Judy Wolff
BRINGING good from tragedy has resulted in seven young drivers learning to deal with unexpected driving hazards.
The Anthony and Travis Hall Foundation last week announced winners of the seventh annual Car Control Driving courses.
The awards were presented by Captain Peter Marke at Upwey Fire Brigade.
In 1995 Anthony and Travis Hall, aged 15 and 13, were passengers in a car involved in a single car accident near Cockatoo.
On their way to the milk bar to buy ice creams, the 23-year-old driver swerved into a tree, killing both boys.
Anthony and Travis were both active members of the Upwey Junior Fire Brigade. They were sons of 1st Lieutenant Peter Hall and wife Liz.
In order to retrieve something positive from the shock of the tragedy and to perpetuate the memory of the boys, a foundation was set up to provide scholarships for young firefighters in the Dandenongs and other young people from the community to undertake defensive driving courses.
Upwey Fire Brigade manages the fund.
Operators of the course, Jim Murcott’s Driving Excellence, again donated two courses and the Upwey and District Community Bank Group also assisted by sponsoring this year’s advertising.
Convenor of the fund management committee, Captain Peter Marke, commended the applicants’ enthusiasm.
“I am pleased to see the awards so well supported each year and we are grateful to the support of Murcotts and the Upwey and District Community Bank Group,” he said.
Capt Marke said he has a strategy to increase the sustainability of the fund.
“We are working to build up cash reserves so we can rely on interest only,” he said.
The successful recipients this year are Roy Peterson, Kallista; Kathryn Ruigrok, Monbulk; Molly Couche, Belgrave; Ashley Quarrell, Kalorama; Henry Swadesir, Menzies Creek; Alex McCrae, Olinda and Jasmyn Butler of Belgrave South.
Alex McCrae, 19, a member of Olinda Fire Brigade, was told to apply by his brigade supervisor.
Having done so and finding he had won the scholarship, he said he was delighted.
“The driving course will be a great asset to my driving skills,” he said.
Lt Peter Hall commented that the awards were a good way of perpetuating the boys’ memories.
“Kids will get more than in a normal driving course.
“Maybe they won’t be egged on to do stupid things with heaps of others in the car.”
The young drivers will undertake a one day defensive driving course at either Sandown or Calder Park.