PPQ's Mathew Scarborough; Candice Batty and Joshua Lee with NRL Cowboys House graduate Zaleah Mosby-Nona
A new collaboration between NRL Cowboys House and Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) is supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people from remote Queensland communities to gain their driver’s licences.
PPQ has joined the Cowboys Community Foundation family as Presenting Partner of the Learner Driver Program delivered through the House’s Career Transitions Program.
NRL Cowboys House graduate (2024) Zaleah Mosby-Nona, from a community with less than 250 residents, has completed the program and recently passed her driving test on her first attempt.
“Getting my licence means a lot to me because I can now be more independent and get myself to work, training and visit family more often,” Zaleah said.
“To be honest, learning to drive scared me a little. I’m from a really small island in the Torres Strait called Yorke Island and it’s so small that nobody drives, we just walk everywhere,” she said.
“So, coming to Townsville was very different because it’s huge but the support through the driving program at the House helped me gain the confidence to get my licence. It was a big goal for me and I’m proud to have achieved it.”
The partnership with PPQ will help support staffing to deliver the program, as well as driving instruction sessions and duel-controlled vehicles which will enable more students to safety log their learning hours.
“A licence is more than a plastic card, it can really help transform lives and drive successful futures,” said PPQ General Manager Joshua Lee.
"The young people at NRL Cowboys House have had to move away from their homes to attend school, many from tiny communities where, owning or driving a car just isn’t part of everyday life.
“We are excited to be making a real, tangible impact to young people’s lives and very proud to be partnering with the Cowboys Community Foundation which does amazing work.
“To see Zaleah proudly show off her licence after working really hard to achieve her goal was inspiring, and truly what this partnership is all about.”
Eighteen-year-old Zaleah is one of the inaugural tenants at the new NRL Cowboys House Graduate Campus, a Trainee Administration Officer with the Cowboys Community Foundation, one of only 12 under 19’s in North Queensland to be selected in the Cowboys Junior Women’s Elite Pathways Squad and, on top of all that, she has recently taken out a loan, purchased her own vehicle and gotten her licence.
“A driver’s licence means greater independence and opens opportunities when it comes to gaining and retaining employment, undertaking further study, and just being a social and active member of the community,” Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said.
“Learning to drive is a process that nowadays often calls on the support of a whole family to achieve, so this program helps us provide the support to our students like Zaleah who are so far from home,” she said.
“We’re incredibly proud of everything she is achieving, she is one of five of our house graduates to have gone on and earned their licence and with the support of PPQ we know there will be many more.”
About NRL Cowboys House
NRL Cowboys House, managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation, is a unique, culturally safe residential facility that removes distance as a barrier to education for Indigenous secondary students from remote Queensland communities and supports them onto further employment and training after graduation.
About PPQ:
Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) offers a wide range of Personalised Plates and proudly supports road safety initiatives across the state. We’re passionate about the creative stories behind Queenslanders’ plates. So, if you want to share your story or need help to create your perfect plate, give our Plate Experts a call or visit ppq.com.au.
To find out more about how you can support the Cowboys Community Foundation's work visit here.
