Regional students to be inspired to stay safe, thanks to Department of Transport and Main Roads
Veteran Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) presenter Wayne Leo will drive 2,500km next week and visit six schools in five days, sharing his story with 345 students, thanks to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has joined the award-winning injury prevention program as a sponsor, which has helped to fund the regional tour and ensure that it is provided at no cost to all the schools visited in Yuleba, Springsure, Barcaldine, Longreach and Tambo.
Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley said it was vital that students in remote and regional areas were able to view the powerful program that focused on road safety, water safety and playing sports fairly.
“SEAT presenters, who all have a spinal cord injury and use wheelchairs, have shared safety messages with more than 1.2 million children around Queensland for more than 20 years and it is tremendously important that students in regional Queensland hear their powerful and very personal messages,” he said.
“Some of these schools only have between 35 and 90 students and getting SEAT to them involves time, money and effort but the program is committed to reaching out to as many children as possible absolutely everywhere in Queensland, no matter how small or large the school or where it is.
“This year, the team of 15 presenters aims to see up to 80,000 students – an impressive target, which will hopefully help inspire safe behavior on our roads as these students are our future drivers and road users.”
SEAT presenter Wayne Leo has been with the program since its inception, having shared his own story about how he was injured in a hit-and-run accident with more than 240,000 children.
“I will be visiting primary and secondary schools speaking to Prep students right through to Year 12s and while the format of how we present the messages differs depending on the age group, the overarching message is the same: think before you act as there will be consequences,” he said.
“All SEAT presenters have a spinal cord injury so they know what they are talking about. The students are encouraged to ask questions and gain real insight into what life is like with a permanent disability – it’s certainly not the end of the world, but it does make life so much harder.
“I often say, if just one child listens to me and changes their behavior, preventing them from using a wheelchair for the rest of their life, then it’s all worth it.”
SEAT is a service of the Spinal Injuries Association, which next year celebrates 50 years of service to the community and is dedicated to rebuilding lives and promoting independence for people with a spinal cord injury.
Wayne’s schedule:
- Monday, 18 May – Yuleba State School
- Tuesday, 19 May – Springsure State School and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School at Springsure
- Wednesday, 20 May – Barcaldine State School
- Thursday, 21 May – Longreach High School
- Friday, 22 May – Tambo State School
Issued 18 May.
