Roper Gulf Regional Council is proud to announce the successful delivery of the Back on Track drink and drug driver education course in Mataranka on August 7th and 8th.
This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering community members and addressing a critical barrier for job seekers in the region.
Thanks to funding from National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), Council staff have recently completed their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, alongside a sound knowledge of alcohol and other drugs training, enabling them to facilitate this course within local communities.
This progressive idea was born from Council's Community Development Program (CDP) commitment to thinking outside the box to tackle major job barriers, particularly for those who struggle to obtain their licence following a drink or drug driving offence.
Previously, community members seeking to undertake this education had to travel to Katherine or Darwin and incur substantial fees, a daunting and often unrealistic expectation for many.
Recognising the need for accessible and affordable education, Council stepped in to deliver the Back on Track Drink and drug driver education course directly in the communities, promoting rehabilitation and personal empowerment.
David Hurst, Acting CEO for Roper Gulf Regional Council, expressed his strong support for the project, stating, "The Back on Track program marks a significant milestone in our mission to empower community members and break down barriers to employment.”
“By offering this education locally, we’re not only helping individuals take responsibility for their actions but also creating a safer, more responsible community."
He continued, "This is far more than just a course, by removing obstacles to employment and providing vital education, we’re equipping people with the tools they need to rebuild their lives and make meaningful contributions to society."
"The success of this program highlights what can be achieved when we truly listen to our communities, understand their needs, and take decisive action to address them."
The Back on Track course, developed by Drive Safe NT, aims to prevent further infractions through comprehensive education.
Participants are taught to understand the physical, social, and emotional impacts of alcohol and other drugs, learn about blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and standard drinks, grasp the legal issues related to substance misuse, and develop effective personal strategies to avoid drink and drug driving in high-risk situations.
The course also helps participants consider the consequences of their behaviour, understand dependency behaviours, and provides information about additional support services.
This project aligns with Council’s 2022 - 2027 strategic plan, particularly the Wellbeing Key Outcomes, demonstrating the Council’s commitment to personal empowerment and understanding community life by consistently fostering an environment where individuals can rebuild their lives and contribute positively to the community.
This understanding of community life also came through in the training as the council staff were able to relay the information from the course in a way the participants could relate to and understand.
Gary Carter, Managing Director of Eagle Training Services shared his thoughts on the program saying, “Roper Gulf Regional Council has pioneered a new concept to be able to bring Back on Track training to all their community sectors, brining cost-effective training to people in their local Communities.”
“Through their hard work, diligence and persistence they now have a number of local staff to not only be able to deliver the Back on Track training, but also other training to further develop people for Job readiness and vital Community support programs.”
“It is a credit to Roper Gulf Regional Council for moving forward with this challenging concept and have now created a path for hopefully other Regional Councils to follow.”
Council extends heartfelt thanks to Gary from Eagle Training Services for his hard work and dedication in training Council staff and assisting with the delivery of these educational sessions, his expertise and commitment have been invaluable in making this program a success.
By bringing this vital education directly to communities, Council is not only addressing a significant barrier for job seekers but also fostering a culture of accountability and personal growth among its members.
For more information about upcoming courses and other community programs, please contact Council.
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Media Contact:
Molly BLAND | Programs Communications Officer | 0438 909 159