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Back to the future of road safety: Careful Cobbers roll into Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre
“I don’t like saying the good old days, but this really was.”
Those who stop by the Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre this summer may exclaim a similar tune to City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali when greeted by its latest nostalgic attraction.
Two Careful Cobber cars, loaned from the Museum of Vehicle Evolution in Shepparton, are on display until Friday, January 31.
To further unlock memories, the cars are exhibited alongside toy cars, a mock driving ground and historical information about the Driver Education Centre of Australia’s Careful Cobber Program.
For many generations of Year 6 students, driving a Cobber was a rite of passage.
However, it was also a hands-on lesson, teaching primary school children essential road safety skills.
“The Careful Cobber cars are an iconic piece of Greater Shepparton’s history, and we are so lucky to have the opportunity to showcase them at the visitor centre,” Cr Sali said.
“If you grew up in the GV, particularly across Greater Shepparton, and you’re 30, 40, 50 years old now, you’d no doubt have spent some time driving around DECA in the Careful Cobbers.
“It’s sad that the program stopped; with driver behaviour the way it is now, this program should never have been dropped.”
Those who had the opportunity to take a spin in the miniature cars with big personalities may remember Jenny Houlihan.
As the former co-ordinator of DECA’s Careful Cobber Program, Ms Houlihan was responsible for the program’s design, including pedestrian and bike safety, road education and, of course, the motorised vehicles.
“It was a brilliant concept,” she said.
“The attitude that it built was amazing, and every teacher used to love the program — that really tells, doesn’t it?
“It’s another great thing we’ve lost in Shepparton.”
They say it's better to have loved and lost — but bringing back the Careful Cobber Program would be even better.
“I believe it should be reinstated in some capacity to get young kids aware of road rules from an earlier age, well before they get behind the wheel and on the road,” Cr Sali said.
“Driver behaviour has not improved at all, and with DECA, we could’ve been a real leader in promoting road education and safety.
“This is something I’m keen to raise and look into having reinstated ... let’s bring it back!”
The Careful Cobbers display will be at the Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre, 530 Wyndham St, Shepparton, until Friday, January 31.
For more information, visit sheppandgv.com.au