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Traffic School Celebrates Forty YearsThe International Power Hazelwood Traffic School celebrated its fortieth anniversary on Tuesday 4 September with the Kristy Olsen Bike Ed Challenge, a barbecue lunch and birthday cake. By Latrobe City - 5th September 2007 - Back to News Latrobe City invited special guests to be part of the celebrations, including members of the Rotary Club of Morwell who were the driving force behind the original concept of the facility, current sponsors International Power, and Victoria Police.
Latrobe City councillor, Cr Susan Lloyd, said that the facility was a wonderful asset to the community.
"We are privileged that the foresight and hard work undertaken by the members of the Rotary Club of Morwell back in the mid 1960s has resulted in this excellent training facility," Cr Lloyd explained.
"Forty years after its construction, the International Power Traffic School is host to the annual Bike Ed Challenge, now named in honour of the late Kristy Olsen, Senior Constable with the Moe police who was killed in the Egypt bus tragedy in 2006.
"The facility is also a popular venue with local preschools, childcare centres, playgroups and for family parties. As well as providing a unique learning theme, the traffic school is a fun place to visit. Young children gain so much from learning through play and this facility is a children’s paradise with its miniature buildings, roads, traffic lights, a level crossing as well as the dress ups such as the traffic attendant’s ‘lollypop’ costume," Cr Lloyd said.
Cr Lloyd added that Council was proud to be involved in the early education of young children as they become aware of the dangers of traffic.
"It is vital that we teach our children to be aware of the issues surrounding safety on the roads, either as cyclists or as pedestrians. Young children absorb information easily at this age, and if it is fun too, then the message is much more likely to stick in their minds. This facility is making a significant contribution to the safety of young children using the region’s roads," Cr Lloyd concluded.
Originally named ‘Valstar’ the traffic school was the brainchild of Rotarian Alan Holloway who, in 1964, was a member of the Community Service Committee of the Rotary Club of Morwell. He had a vision of a facility that taught young children the hazards of traffic, in a safe, fun environment.
Then Rotary Club president, Des Kelly also saw the potential for such an establishment and so began the onerous task of convincing the local authorities to support the idea. The Rotary Club raised substantial funds to start the building and with help from the Shire of Morwell, 3TR radio station, Mrs Davey and her dancers, and the Lithuanian Choir, the amount of $14,000 was raised. The RACV also made a substantial contribution to construction costs for the project. Other original donors included the APM and the Milk Board who donated electric cars, the SEC gave a pedal car, LV Health Services donated a cycle and Woolworths provided a first aid kit.
The local police department as well as school authorities were involved in the planning phase and construction was completed in 1967. The official handover to the Morwell Shire Council took place on 21 September 1967. The first two schools to use the facility were the Newborough State School and the Yinnar State School.
For years, Rotary Club members provided maintenance for the facility but eventually police funding for traffic school personnel dried up and the facility became little used.
Latrobe City’s chief executive officer, Paul Buckley, said that during the mid 1990s, council’s vision was for the facility to become the regional training centre for promoting child traffic safety as well as a community asset that would help in the reduction of road traffic trauma involving children.
"A committee was formed and sponsorship was sought from major players in the municipality. In 1996, International Power Hazelwood became the main sponsor for the traffic school and so the facility became known as the International Power Children’s Traffic School. Other major sponsors at the time included Australian Paper and the Morwell Hotel," Mr Buckley explained.
"The traffic school was completely renovated, with new equipment and facilities provided, as well as the services of a traffic safety educator reinstated. The facility more recently underwent a further facelift and is a regular host to Bike Ed challenges, local and regional schools, childcare centres and family parties," Mr Buckley added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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