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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

On a sunny afternoon in July, Kathleen Hammond got to drive a car for the first time in more than 10 years, since she lost her sight. Kathleen was one of more than 110 vision impaired people who took to Sandown Raceway, as part of the Lions Club’s "In The Drivers Seat" event.

In the Driver's Seat pairs vision impaired people with driving instructors, allowing them the chance to get behind the wheel and hitting 100 kilometres an hour! For Kathleen, her first drive since earning her learners at the age of 16, is not just about a need for speed. “This means I get to do something I don’t normally get to do. Something that all my friends get to do everyday,” she said. “I’ve only got 20 to 15 percent vision left. I’m not allowed to go get my licence, I’m not allowed to go work or anything like that, so today it’s a great day, I get to go driving. Even just to go shopping I have to rely on everyone else, to do stuff like that so it’s really difficult not being able to drive and have my own independence".

The event couldn’t run without support from a team of volunteer driving instructors, who provide their time and their vehicles. Instructor, Wayne Stagg, has been involved in the event since it began 25 years ago, and he said the team of professional instructors get as much from the event as the drivers. In between the waves of drivers taking to the track, volunteers from the Ford Customline Car Club and Ulysses Motorcycle Club, while many Lions Club members work to entertain and welcome the drivers and their families.

For Murray Rowland from Geelong, who had his third year taking part, it’s the event to look forward to each year. “It’s an enjoyable experience that sighted people take for granted everyday… learning how to turn the steering left and right with wonderful instructors that give their time up and also the Lions Club that provide the snags, the cup of tea and the camaraderie,” Murray said. “it’s all just wonderful for us as vision impaired people to have a chance at something once a year.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

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EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Sunday 6th July 2025

Time: 9am to 4pm

Cost: FREE

Location: Sandown Racetrack, 591 - 659 Princess Highway, Springvale VIC 3171

Access: VIPs can find their own way to the track either via personal transportation or public transportation. A free shuttle bus will be available from Sandown Train Station to ferry VIPs and their friends/families to and from the Sandown Racetrack. This shuttle bus will run all day.

HOW TO BOOK

In The Drivers Seat is a program that is opened to all Visually Impaired Persons (VIPs) from all regions. Please click on the "Book Online" button below to be directed to our booking page to become involved in this AMAZING program.

Please note that bookings are essential as the event runs to a very tight schedule between 9am and 4pm

OUR PARTNERS

OUR INSTRUCTORS

We thank the organisations who engage with us to run this awesome event.

We also acknowledge that many of the photographs displayed on this website were taken by, and donated to the event by 'The Unknown Photographer".

The District V Lions also are proud to acknowledge the work and contributions of the following Lions Clubs

Warrandyte (Founding Club)
Park orchards
Nillumbick
Noble Park - Keysborough
Lyndhurst & District
Diamond Valley
Whittlesea
Eltham
Wheelers Hill
Melbourne All-Abilities
Box Hill
Brighton
Blackburn
Dandenong Supper

This day would not be made possible without the amazing donations from our Driving Instructors. All Driving Instructors donate their time, expertise and their cars to this amazing event.