12 September 2016 – PAYCE-sponsored Porsche Carrera Cup competitor, David Wall was among 30 owners and drivers of heavy vehicles and special interest cars who recently participated in a children’s truck safety awareness campaign held in the grounds of Melrose Park Public School in Western Sydney.
The STOP LOOK WAVE campaign is aimed at getting the attention of young children and was recently launched Australia-wide by Volvo Trucks at Melbourne’s International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show.
In the campaign kit promoted by Volvo Trucks, children are taught to STOP at the curb, LOOK both ways and seek eye contact with any approaching vehicles. They should then WAVE to the drivers, who are being encouraged to wave back to the children acknowledging they have seen them.
David Wall brought his two race cars – the 997 Porsche GT3 currently competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia series and the iconic 1965 Ford Mustang GTA raced by Ian ‘Pete’ Geoghegan to win three consecutive Australian Touring Car titles in the late 1960s.
PAYCE’s Managing Director, Brian Boyd said PAYCE welcomed the opportunity to help make the day a success by providing staff and arranging David Wall’s appearance with his race cars.
“Many thanks to David for coming along to help spread the message to the students and congratulations to Volvo Trucks, Melrose Park Public School and everyone involved for making the event an outstanding success.”
Event organiser, Leigh Smart from Formula Chemicals said the day was a huge success, with the visiting drivers only too willing to show off their rigs and cars and have selfies taken with the students.
The Melrose Park students were treated to a presentation of the STOP LOOK WAVE campaign at the commencement of classes and then shown around the vehicles.
“The kids also got a better understanding of what the driver can and can’t see from the cabin and that should give them a better understanding of why they need to be careful around vehicles, particularly large vehicles with limited vision from the cabins,” he said.
“Many thanks go to the school’s principal, Clare Kristensen, for allowing us access to the school grounds and for extending an invitation to all parents and their friends and the wider community to come along and enjoy a barbeque and light refreshments with us,” Mr Smart said.
Formula Chemicals sponsored the barbeque for the 400 students and local residents and donated $1,000 to the school and $1,000 to the Variety the Children’s Fund for their support on the day.
The visitors included representatives from the Police Highway Patrol Command, Rosehill Local Area Command, Rydalmere Fire Station, Volvo Trucks, PAYCE and numerous trucking industry companies and organisations.
Mr Smart said it was the responsibility of every adult and licensed driver to keep children safe and to be role models on how to act safely in and around traffic.
“By participating in the STOP LOOK WAVE campaign, children are more likely to be aware of the dangers on our busy roads and can show that awareness with a wave to the drivers to get their attention before they think about crossing a road,” Mr Smart said.
