AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) and the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre program (MLLLC) is excited to learn that one of its partner sessions run through the MLLLC has received national recognition at the Australian Road Safety Awards.
The Northern Territory’s Strong Road Safety NT Leaders Program received the national Indigenous Programs Award at the ninth Annual Australian Road Safety Foundation Awards, announced on 2 April 2020.
The Strong Road Safety NT Leaders Program is delivered in partnership with AFLNT, MACC and the Territory Government’s Road Safety NT through the MLLLC. The program won the award for its innovative approach to improving road safety among young Indigenous Territorians across the Territory’s most remote and isolated communities.
The Awards recognise organisations from across Australia, spread over eight categories, delivering road safety programs and campaigns via community organisations, government bodies, industry professionals and individuals.
The Strong Road Safety NT Leaders program focuses on the importance of wearing a seatbelt, family and teaches young Aboriginal students about being a leader in their community.
The students who attend the MLLLC are between 10-17 years old and are from some of the most remote and isolated communities in the Northern Territory.
Since its inception, 1,200 students have been through the program and have learnt about the importance of road safety. Unfortunately, it's the same amount of lives lost on Australian roads each year.
A wide variety of culturally and age-appropriate teaching techniques, aids and tactics are used to actively engage students, encourage learning and promote behavioural change.
The program is one element of the wider MLLLC Make your Mark Leadership Program. It is delivered through two one-hour sessions with a mixed learning approach to cater to all students.
Sessions are interactive, and information is contextualised to allow for the students to relate their learnings to real-world scenarios.
MACC has been a premier partner and valued part of the MLLLC and AFLNT since the inception of the education program in 2015 – with the key driver being the need to improve road safety outcomes for Indigenous youth.
Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler, said the program focuses on the importance of wearing a seatbelt to reduce road trauma and save lives in the Territory’s remote communities.
“It is a vitally important message to get out to all Territorians. By clicking on a seat belt every time you get in a car you save lives and one day it may be your own,” she said.
MLLLC Program Manager, Rychelle Vines said the award was well deserved.
"The MLLLC is very grateful to MACC and the Road Safety Team who deliver The Strong Road Safety NT Leaders education sessions, which is a key part of the MLLLC’s Make your Mark Leadership Program.
"Their program perfectly complements our core pillar 'Play as One Team'; on the field, in the car and on the road.
"The Road Safety Team deliver sensitive information in an extremely engaging and connected manner. We congratulate them on the award and look forward to future contributions that their programs will make for Indigenous Territorians."