Empowered Children and Young People
The Empowered Children and Young People team focus on children aged 12-25. They work with families, schools and the community to support young people to feel safe, supported and empowered to learn, develop and maintain friendships, and make informed decisions regarding their future. In 2025, the North Central LLEN continued to deliver a broad range of youth engagement activities designed to strengthen connection, leadership, inclusion and wellbeing of children and young people.
TAC L2P Program
The Buloke & Loddon L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is part of a statewide initiative funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and managed by VicRoads. The program supports young people who face significant barriers to completing the mandatory 120 hours of supervised driving experience required to obtain a probationary licence.
Through the program, eligible learner drivers are matched with fully licensed volunteer mentors from the local community and are provided access to a sponsored vehicle. This allows participants to gain valuable driving experience and work towards achieving their licence.
The L2P program is free for eligible young people. To participate, applicants must be between 16 and 20 years of age, hold a current learner permit, and have limited or no access to either a vehicle, a supervising driver, or both.
Young people wishing to join the program can apply online through their MyVicRoads account. Simply log in or create an account, navigate to “Licences and Learner Permits,” and select “Apply as a learner in the TAC L2P Program.” When prompted, select “North Central LLEN (Buloke & Loddon)” as the program provider and complete the application. Once submitted, our Program Coordinator will be in contact to discuss the next steps.
Volunteer mentors play a vital role in helping young people gain the experience and confidence needed to become safe drivers. To become a mentor, applicants must be over 21 years of age, hold a current full Victorian driver licence, have a satisfactory driving history, be medically fit to drive, and be able to commit at least one hour per week to the program.
As part of the mentor application process, volunteers are required to hold a valid Volunteer Working with Children Check and obtain a satisfactory National Police Check. Assistance can be provided to help obtain these checks if required.
Prospective mentors can apply online through their MyVicRoads account by selecting “Apply as a mentor in the TAC L2P Program” under the “Licences and Learner Permits” section. Applicants should choose “North Central LLEN (Buloke & Loddon)” as their program provider, complete the application, and submit it for review. Our Program Coordinator will then be in touch.
If you would like more information or assistance with the application process, please contact our office.
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Engage!
The North Central LLEN has Partners with Northern District Community Health, Buloke Shire Council, and Loddon Shire Council to deliver the Engage! program help young people get involved in their communities.
Through Engage!, young people aged 12 to 25 years are helped to get involved in all aspects of community life, from volunteering and mentoring programs, to projects that will increase real-life skills and connect young people to further education, training or careers.
Engage! aims to:
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Increase young people’s participation in their community by getting involved in local decision-making and community initiatives
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Increase the knowledge, skills and leadership abilities of young people, and provide pathways into education, training and careers
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Improve young people’s networks and strengthen connections with their families, friends and community.
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Intergenerational Project
The North Central LLEN partnered to deliver an intergenerational wellbeing initiative connecting Year 9 students from Boort District School with aged-care residents at Boort District Health. Creative experiences including painting portraits, making bouquets, playing golf encouraged teamwork, communication and empathy between generations. By the conclusion of the program, students reported improved confidence, communication skills and empathy, while residents experienced increased social connection and enjoyment.
Engage! program
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