Back in the early 1980’s I started teaching at Bourchier St Primary School and took my class of Grade 6 students to the Goulburn Valley Driver Training Complex to drive the Careful Cobber cars for their very first time.
From pre-school to Grade 5, the students had a half-day road safety program of road safety and riding tricycles, then bicycles around the special track of streets with road signs and crossings.
To drive the Careful Cobber cars for the first time was eagerly awaited and the students really enjoyed the full-day program of activities.
The man with the vision for a driver training complex in Shepparton was Eric Montgomery, who was a policeman and highway patrol officer.
He carried this idea in his mind for about 20 years: “An off-road area whereby students and the public generally could be exposed to the benefits of both the practical and theoretical skills of driving, and ultimately an extensive road safety education program. One which was of paramount importance.”
His vision was realised in 1974 when the Goulburn Valley Driver Training Complex was officially opened.
In later years it was to become commonly known as DECA (Driver Education Centre of Australia).
The Careful Cobber project was first initiated in 1974 and at its peak, it would cater for 15,000 students a year from 137 schools.
It was a great shock to many when in 2008 the government announced it would cease funding the Careful Cobber program and it was given the axe.
Many in the community took up the fight to stop the iconic program from ending but it did not work.
Recently I posted this Careful Cobber photo on my Lost Shepparton Facebook page and, with 1600 likes and 600-plus comments, it was very obvious that many have still great memories of the program and very disappointed that the school children of today miss out on driving the iconic cars.
Comments from our Facebook fans
Christine Lee Cooper: All my kids got to drive one of these. They were great back in the day.
Michelle LaMorts: Ohhhh! I absolutely loved going to DECA & driving these in the 80’s!!!!
Silvana Loverso Casuscelli: Back in grade 6 this was the highlight of the whole year. Best memories. Our kids would greatly benefit if this program was to come back.
Matthew Lawrence Long: We went to DECA in 1988 from Coomboona Primary School. There were only 2 grade 6 students, myself and Steven Osbourne, we got best behaved of the day and got to pedal Mad Max back to the Careful Cobber shed. It was a lasting memory.
Ange Oldham: This was THE BEST!!!! With St Monica’s in Kangaroo Flat. Vivid memories of this at the ripe old age of 46 now!
Carlie Tish Davies: DECA Day was my favourite time of the year throughout primary school in the 80’s at Bourchier St PS.
Kelly Louise Archer: It was so sad that they closed this amazing program. It was such a joy for all the kids in the GV having the opportunity to learn to drive.
Andy Thomas: I had training at DECA 4 times: around the track etc with school in the mid 70s, driver’s licence late 70s, semi licence and postie motorbike course in the early 80s. I’ve travelled over 5 million kms, much of it working (over 40 years on the road) accident free. I’ve put as a priority safety and defensive driving and passed it on to half a dozen learners. Thanks DECA and Monty who had the vision and motivation to make it happen. Keep safe folks.
Janine Spiers: When my sons were students at Echuca West Primary School in early-mid 2000s and they would enjoy excursions to Shepp DECA to drive these. A number of them are now on display at MOVE.
Jennie Patterson: The whole DECA program was fantastic for school kids. Driving the Careful Cobber cars was a much anticipated grade 6 treat, though Mad Max was without doubt the most popular! Our school kids are missing out on this vital road safety education.
Jeni Fitzgerald: I was lucky enough to be heavily involved for 26 yrs & loved every minute of it!!
Kaye McNabb: Our Company, Miracle Australia Pty. Ltd manufactured them locally.
Naomi Jane: I was so lucky that my dad worked at DECA and I was able to drive these little beauties all the time!! Mad Mate was definitely my favourite - pedal power!!
Jamie Damchev: My year was the first year that missed out. We were all sooooo excited for the Careful Cobbers!!! There was a story behind them and it brought a sense of excitement watching them while riding our push bikes. The previous grade 6 students got their turn, knowing it was our turn in grade 6. What a shame! These were great.