It’s been a flying start to 2013 for BRAKE meaning that this is my first blog for the year. A lot has happened since my last blog and over the next few weeks we will publish articles about what is happening with BRAKE and what we believe 2013 will bring for BRAKE, secondary schools, students, parents/carers and the wider community.

BRAKE held it’s AGM on July 26 2012.

At the AGM current Board members Belinda Duncan, Michael Pattinson and myself were re-elected. Joining the Board is Craig Panagiris, who was also appointed the Company Secretary and Richard Ponsonby who was also elected as the BRAKE Chair.

On Tuesday 10 July 2012 I was invited to the meeting of Jimboomba Rotary where BRAKE was presented with funding to print car stickers for the community. This support is gratefully received and we look forward to seeing the stickers on cars in the area.

BRAKE’s course content manager, Steve Allen, has decided to update the program after 18 months of the current one. There is a lot of work going into the update with people volunteering time, energy and knowledge into the update. The update is based from feedback from teachers and participants, as well as current research and of course the availability of people who can help us

BRAKE has had a big start in 2012 with continuing and new schools. We thank those schools continuing BRAKE for their students and communities, and welcome our new schools on board.

The quality of teachers involved with BRAKE is excellent, and we thank them for their passion and committment. Not only are the teachers committed to students – they are committed to road safety and our communities. It really is a pleasure to work with such wonderful people.

On the 3rd November 2011 BRAKE announced the first 500 students on the Gold Coast to be awarded the one Queensland Certificate of Education point for completing the initial BRAKE program. The event was held in Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise – sponsored by the Surfers Paradise Alliance, which we are extremely grateful for. We are most appreciative of the time and assistance provide in ensuring the success of such a wonderful event.

BRAKE recently received a grant from Gold Coast City Council for $25,000 to continue both schools currently providing BRAKE and to continue the uptake of new schools.

The GCCC has continued to be a major sponsor of BRAKE on the Gold Coast and we thank them for their ongoing and much appreciated assistance in bringing BRAKE to the Gold Coast.

Jimboomba Rotary and Jimboomba Quota recently held a BRAKE information session in Jimboomba and donated the proceeds to BRAKE. This is wonderful support from these two wonderful community organisations in the Jimboomba area.

The introduction in Queensland of the requirement for a Learner Driver to accumulate 100 hours on a log book prior to being able to ‘sit’ for their licence is based on international, national, and state research. It isn’t based on what is a good idea for our kids, or revenue gaining, or even an attempt to deflect money from driving schools – all of which I have heard many variations of

The Greenbank RSL recently made a financial donation to BRAKE™ to assist with delivery of BRAKE in the Logan area. This follows donations from the Greenbank RSL in the past, for which we are extremely grateful.

The Logan City Rec and Sports Club, located on Alba Lane, Logan City recently made a donation to BRAKE™ to assist in providing BRAKE to Browns Plains SHS, Kingston College and Loganlea SHS. This is great assistance from the club and highlights their community spirit and desire to keep our young people safe.

The Gold Coast Blaze continue to partner us and their support is is invaluable in helping to get the road safety message not only to our young people, but our wider community. The Gold Coast Blaze recently sponsored 20 students tickets to home games on the Gold Coast.

This morning we held a BRAKE Workshop to work on planning, development and growth. It was a truly amazing morning with many of our volunteers attending and taking part. The ideas and input from all was wonderful and I am excited about what this workshop, together with future workshops and meetings will produce for BRAKE and of course our communities.

In 2009 the Queensland Studies Authority approved one point towards the Queensland Certificate of Education for students who complete the approved BRAKE course. The point was offered this year for the first time and a number of year 12 students at various schools offering BRAKE completed their BRAKE studies and have been awarded the point.

The Gold Coast City Council has continued sponsorship of BRAKE on the Gold Coast this year. This is the third year that GCCC has sponsored us and we are extremely grateful to them and proud that a council such as GCCC considers us worthy of such wonderful support. Our grant this year was $25,000 in order to continue the schools already delivering BRAKE on the coast, but also to assist other schools to come on board.

In my earlier blog I hightlighted the valued and ongoing support of Gold Coast Blaze in partnering BRAKE to help lower the young driver road toll. Their support is incredible and greatly appreciated. Part of the BRAKE course includes outlining to young people issues with tunnel vision and distraction through use of film aids.

The Logan Community Bank Branches Bendigo Bank has partnered BRAKE in the Logan City Council area so that all schools within the area may access BRAKE. This is incredible news not only for BRAKE, but the community in Logan. Logan Community Bank Branches Bendigo Bank have provided sponsorship of $40,000 to allow a BRAKE Coordinator to manage the program within Logan.

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

Andrew Grech is well renowned artist who donated his incredible talent to paint Trevor Hendy. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Welcome to our new web-page – 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. Over the last few weeks a significant amount of work has gone into creating this new web site by Info-Onscreen. This new site is quite extensive – with yet more to come.

BRAKE Driver Awareness Program Distance Education Mode wins Innovation category in 2009 Queensland Road Safety Awards
Yesterday I went to Parliament House together with other BRAKE people for the 2009 Queensland Road Safety Awards. The BRAKE Driver Awareness Program Distance Education Mode developed by Tamara Warner of the Capricornia School of Distance Education developed and facilitates.

The BRAKE Program – adapted for Distance Education mode delivery – has been shortlisted in the 2009 Queensland Road Safety Awards. The BRAKE program was adapted by Tamara Warner of the Capricornia School of Distance Education with assistance from the Central Queensland Coordinator, Cathie Flint.

Today I received a cheque for $25,000 from the Gold Coast City Council on behalf of BRAKE. This is the second such sponsorship from the councils and we thank them sincerely for their belief in the BRAKE program. From all at BRAKE, I’d like to thank the council and especially GCCC Senior Road Safety Advisor, Karen Burton, who provides invaluable assistance to BRAKE both in development and roll-out on the Gold Coast