The Driver Education Committee - a sub-committee of the Deni High P&C - has secured a new simulator program, which will be available at the school.
Founding member Jenny Fellows said it will complement the week-long program, which will continue to be held each December for Year 10 students.
“Planning for 2026 will begin in March/April, with an exciting development already confirmed,” Mrs Fellows said.
“Principal Glen Warren has signed off on a new simulator program, with four stations to be installed at Deniliquin High School.
“These will allow students to progress through training modules in a safe, simulated environment.”
Mrs Fellows said 150 students benefited from the Driver Education Program in 2025, across high schools in Deniliquin, Finley, Hay and Barham.
She praised the commitment of volunteers and local organisations in helping to deliver practical driving experience, safety workshops, and real-world insights into road trauma.
“So many people contribute to the success of this program, and without hesitation. It is very much appreciated.
“My thanks to the committee, and in particular Anthony Michael, who does all the organising from the DHS side and the timetable for the program.
“A big thank you to the 20 volunteers at the Car Club who willingly get in a car and supervise our young learners, and to the Rovers Football and Netball Club and the Golf Club for providing venues when we couldn’t use the school grounds.
“The committee would like to recognise the ongoing support and enthusiasm of DHS.
“The willingness to have this program in the curriculum contributes to the ultimate safety of our young drivers on the roads.”
The program - which ran from December 8-12 - began with a powerful mock crash scenario, designed to show students the immediate and long-term consequences of poor driving decisions.
Emergency services including NSW Fire + Rescue, Deniliquin Rescue Squad VRA NSW, NSW Ambulance, and NSW Police demonstrated their response at the scene, setting the tone for a week focused on responsibility and awareness.
Students then followed the full journey of a road trauma incident, visiting the hospital, police station, insurance agencies, courthouse and morgue.
These sessions were designed to make the consequences “real” and leave a lasting impression.
Students completed CPR training and received certificates, learned how to identify and manage fatigue, and were given safety vests donated by Transport NSW to keep in their vehicles.
Local transport operator and TruckSafe chairman Paul Fellows led a session on fatigue, summing up his 40-minute talk with one clear message.
“If you are tired, find somewhere to pull up safely and have a sleep,” he said.
He also noted that 30 per cent of all road fatalities are caused by in-cab distractions, with mobile phones also playing a significant role since their rise in 2007.
Guest speakers and instructors included John Maher from Carmen’s Legacy, who shared his emotional story of losing his daughter in a fatigue-related crash, leaving a room of 150 students silent and reflective.
John Ernst travelled from Gippsland to deliver first aid training, supported by free accommodation from the Coach House Hotel.
Local business owner Matt Huckin ran car maintenance sessions at All Terrain, while Deni Driver Training’s Brian Purtill provided three days of professional instruction at the Deni Car Club.
Students also received two free lessons to use in their own time, funded by the Driver Education Committee through fundraising at the Deni Ute Muster.
Gavan and Freida Nolan were once again instrumental in running the Car Club practical driving sessions. Students drove both manual and automatic cars and completed ABS braking exercises.
Personal safety sessions were held at All Stars Academy in Deniliquin, led by Daniel Zrajko, while Craig and Collette Forsyth, Glen ‘Yogi’ Kendall and Amanda Kendall delivered the ‘Steering the Future’ program.
Their truck and trailer simulator gave students a hands-on understanding of heavy vehicle dynamics, blind spots, and stopping distances.
Other contributors included Murray River Police District Constable Josh Hudson, Deniliquin Hospital staff, Deniliquin Rescue Squad VRA NSW and Fire + Rescue personnel, Ausure and Elders Insurance, and Mills Hebbard and Moore Solicitors.
Students also visited The Depot for a broader look at life on the road.
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