On the 28th May 2010 Steve and I went to Capella State High School where our Central Highlands and Coalfields BRAKE Coordinator, Cathie Flint, had organised BRAKE in-service training for our BRAKE schools.  It was wonderful to meet teachers who would be teaching the program, they are a wonderful group of people.

Steve also facilitated a program for Capella SHS school students.  They were a great group, Capella and their families must be very proud of them.  Their interaction, participation and general desire to talk and provide input made the day really great.

Teachers from Alexandra Hills SHS also travelled up for the training and will be providing BRAKE to students this year.  We elcome them on board and look forward to working with them.

The day was fantastic and I thank Cathie for all her efforts and hard work in putting this day on.  The support of the Mining Industry Road Safety Alliance (MIRSA) in ensuring that communities can access BRAKE in minng areas must be highlighted and I thank... Read More »

The uptake of BRAKE by secondary schools across Queensland is amazing.  We now have over forty schools in these areas:  Logan, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Brisbane, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Central highlands & Coalfields.

We are just so happy to help as many schools, young people, families and communities as we can and are overjoyed with this uptake.

Such an amazing uptake has presented us with funding issues as we are a not for profit organisation and most of us are volunteers.  We also provide BRAKE FREE to all schools and students, which includes all materials, resources, in-service training, support, IT support, ongoing student contact and follow-up as well as the parents/carers program. 

This has also presented some very difficult decisions for us in that we are unable to provide the program to some schools in areas where we cannot provide support due to lack of funds.  This is extremely difficult for us to do as we know the program works, but we just cannot take... Read More »

In my previous blog I wrote about the portrait of Trevor Hendy by Andrew Grech.  The portrait was kindly donated by Trevor and Andrew to be auctioned during the Saltwater Festival with the proceeds to be donated to BRAKE.

The auction was a great success with the winning bid reaching the reserve price.  The winning bidder has asked to remain anonymous.  We at BRAKE thank them tremendously for their support - but even more so that they wished to help BRAKE and our young people stay safe on our roads - they did not want any publicity for themselves, just a desire to help our young people. 

Of course, we once again thank Trevor and Andrew for their wonderful support.

In a previous blog I wrote about the fantastic portrait of Trevor Hendy by Andrew Grech.

Unfortunately, we had technical problems and the most recent blogs, including about Trevor and Andrew, were 'lost'.

Andrew is well renowned artist, with a wealth of world-wide experience and success, who donated his incredible talent to paint Trevor and then donate his work to be auctioned with all proceeds to come to BRAKE.

Trevor himself sat for the painting and met with Andrew a number of time for the painting and also donated his time and of course his name to assist us.

It was interesting talking to Andrew, in how he captures the spirit and essence of the person his is painting so that the painting represents more than a just a 'likeness' of the person.  I believe that he has succeeded in this painting of Trevor - the inner strength and honesty of Trevor just shines through I believe.

It was wonderful meeting and talking to both Trevor and Andrew, hearing just how much they help our young people in their own individual ways through their specific talents.  It is quite humbling, I believe, to hear such talented people, in completely different fields, talk about our future and the need to help our young people - yet both are very humble in how they do this and seek no reward or gratitude.

... Read More »

A lot of work has been completed by members of the BRAKE family over the last few months to produce a 2010 BRAKE program. 

We held a BRAKE symposium in 2009 to obtain feedback and views from many people involved with BRAKE.  The Greenbank RSL was kind enough to sponsor the two day event for us.  The participation and idea sharing was fantastic and has assisted us greatly in updating the program - and making it even better.

We also sought and received feedback from participants, teachers and sponsors throughout the year and this was also incorporated into the program.

The 2010 program will be more user friendly for teachers, as well as far more visually friendly for our students and will be available on disc or secure download from our website.

The 2010 program is quite exciting in its presentation and appearance and we are sure teachers will enjoy the ease that video files will now play.

A menu for easier use has also been included in the program.

Peter Smith was instrumental... Read More »

Late last year I met Caroline Russo at a nice little coffee shop at Nth Tamborine.  It was an accidental meeting, Caroline happened to walk in whilst I was there with a friend.  The friend happened to know Caroline and we were introduced.

It turned out Caroline was a PR and Media Consultant and we got talking.  Caroline told me that she could help BRAKE.  Since that time Caroline has volunteered her time, which she doesn't have much of, tirelessly to helping us at BRAKE.  She is an amazing ball of energy, always on the look out on how to help BRAKE, our young people and the community

Caroline is an incredible addition to the BRAKE family and we are so fortunate that a chance encounter brought her into the family.

Caroline has become a vital component in what we do, and has brought so many new ideas and energy to BRAKE. 

Caroline's logo is in our sponsors area, and what a great sponsor she is.

Isn't it amazing what a chance encounter can do, they can be positive or negative, largely... Read More »

As outlined in the previous blog, Gold Coast Blaze has partnered BRAKE in reducing the young driver road toll in our community.

Our two BRAKE Gold Coast Blaze Ambassadors have taken part in a number of media releases and their knowledge of BRAKE, road safety and our young people is amazing.

We have been privileged to be guests of Gold Coast Blaze at their home games and to watch the team play is amazing.  Of course, our favourites are Greg and Chris!

On 22 December 2009, Gold Coast Blaze announced a partnership with BRAKE with the appointment of two BRAKE Gold Coast Blaze Ambassadors - Greg Vanderjagt (No 21) and Chris Goulding (No 43).

Our national Ambassador, Noni Hazlehurst, welcomed Greg and Chris to the BRAKE family at the home of the Gold Coast Blaze, the Gold Coast Convention Centre at Broadbeach.

The partnership with the Gold Coast Blaze is fantastic for BRAKE, but also for young driver road safety, and road safety in general.  I see the partnership as a significant milestone for BRAKE and our young people.

Not only are Greg and Chris great players, they are incredibly nice guys who are passionate about young peoples road safety in our community.  Noni, Greg and Chris filmed some clips for inclusion in the BRAKE course and we look forward to more filming with them.  Keep an eye out for the boys - tell us what you think - is their acting at the same high level as their playing?

Well everyone is well and truly back from the festive season.  A lot has happened with BRAKE since my last entry, so there is a lot to talk about.

I'll be making quite a few entries over the next few days in order to share what we at BRAKE, and our partners, have been doing.

The developments have been fantastic and quite exciting

Welcome to our new web-site.  We are quite excited about this new site as it opens up so much, not only for BRAKE, but our members, sponsors and our community as well.

Feel free to browse the site, we have provided quite a bit of information on BRAKE under the various tabs.

We have also provided links that we hope will be of use to both young drivers and parents on various subjects, such as obtaining a driver's licence in Queensland, insurance, statistics and used car safety ratings.  There are also links to agencies that may be helpful for such things as driving instruction or how to enrol in first aid courses.