McGovern Foundation empowers Katanning family with driver’s licences and independence

With support from the McGovern Foundation’s driving mentorship Wanderer Program, Katanning’s Kareece Kickett recently earned her driver’s licence, an achievement that was repeated by her son Ryan Kickett on June 8. “Kareece had been driving with me for about two weeks, she saw the benefits of the program and asked if her second eldest son would be eligible for the program which he was,” McGovern Foundation driver mentor James Gilbert said. “She referred him and we did about six weeks of driving with him, he was a very good driver and he passed his test this morning — that’s two licences for that family which will have a huge impact.” Formed in 2020 by former Fremantle Docker Andrew McGovern, the not-for-profit McGovern Foundation delivers programs throughout the South West, Great Southern and Goldfields regions to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people experiencing hardship to earn their driver’s licence. Born and raised in a country town in Queensland, Mr Gilbert said he understood the importance of having a licence in regional areas and the difference that it made. “When Kareece got her licence the first thing she said was how excited she was to grab the keys to head to the shops without having to rely on someone else which really hits home about how important it is in adult life to have a licence,” he said. Founded by sponsor Mineral Resources Limited, the Wanderer Program has invested 7000 hours in helping 152 West Australians get their licence, opening up pathways to employment and enabling independence. “Accessing funding is the biggest hurdle,” Mr Gilbert said. “At the moment there are four of us that drive, in the future, it would be amazing if the foundation was able to gain more traction and to have more drivers to help more people. “Anybody that is thinking of providing any kind of funding to the program please inquire, please ask us questions — we really want people to see what we do and the impact it has on people’s lives.” Mr Gilbert said being a driver mentor and helping people gain confidence and freedom was a unique experience. “For me to be able to do this is huge, my passion is seeing young people and community members kicking their own goals,” he said. “Today with Ryan, seeing him get his licence and knowing that he can jump in the car, support his family and take his kids to the pool is just the best thing ever.” More information on the McGovern Foundation Wanderer Program can be found here.