Gold Coast local gains licence with mentorship support
PCYC Gold Coast helped a local get his Ps while his mum recovered, inspiring his family to support others.
What’s happening?
Ryan Murray from the Gold Coast has gained his licence after receiving support from PCYC Gold Coast’s Braking The Cycle program.
Ryan joined the program while his mother, Pat, was undergoing cancer treatment. During that time, his parents could not supervise his driving because Pat was so unwell.
Even with that challenge at home, Ryan stayed determined to complete his logbook hours and gain more independence.
With support from volunteer mentors at PCYC Gold Coast, he built his confidence behind the wheel and worked towards getting his Ps.
He is now driving on his own, making work, study and everyday travel more accessible.
Why it matters?
For many young people, a licence is more than a milestone. It can open the door to jobs, training, education and greater independence.
For Ryan, Braking The Cycle provided support when his family could not step in as supervising drivers. The program helped him keep moving towards his goal during a difficult time.
Ryan said he was grateful for the help he received from PCYC.
“I would like to humbly thank PCYC for helping me drive and get my Ps,” he said.
“Without you guys, I don’t think I would have my licence right now.”
Local Impact
Ryan’s story shows how volunteer driving mentors can make a real difference for young people on the Gold Coast.
Families can face illness, work pressures or other barriers that make supervised driving hard to organise. Braking The Cycle helps reduce that pressure by connecting learner drivers with trained mentors.
That support has now inspired Ryan’s family to give back. After seeing the program’s impact firsthand, his parents hope to help other young drivers in the future.
Their plan means the same support that helped Ryan could soon help more local learners gain confidence, skills and independence.
By The Numbers
Ryan Murray is 20 years old, and earning his licence has improved his access to employment, education and daily travel.
Braking The Cycle at PCYC Gold Coast and PCYC Ashmore supports more than 100 learner drivers each year.
The program operates across two Gold Coast clubs and is funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission.
Zoom In
Ryan’s parents are grateful to the Braking The Cycle team and the mentors who supported their son.
Pat said the family wants to pay that support forward once they are able to.
“Once my husband retires soon, he’s keen to become a BTC driving mentor. And I myself hope to do the same after completing my recovery,” Pat said.
For Ryan, the program helped him earn his licence. For his family, it has become a full-circle moment with the PCYC Gold Coast team.
Zoom Out
PCYC Queensland is an award-winning charity that provides youth and community programs, services and facilities across the state.
The organisation’s vision is to build safer, healthier communities through youth development. It works in partnership with the Queensland Police Service to give young people support, connection and chances to make positive life choices.
Its work is guided by three key areas: youth development, crime prevention and community engagement. These priorities sit behind programs such as Braking The Cycle, which support young people based on local community needs.
PCYC Queensland also provides sport and recreation activities through its Gym+Fitness centres and clubs. These include gymnastics, boxing and Little n Active programs for children under five.
The organisation is also one of Queensland’s largest providers of outside school hours care. Its Fun Squads operate almost 100 services, with child-focused programs that support wellbeing, resilience, leadership and confidence.
Across its clubs, staff, volunteers and QPS officers work with young people to help them reach their potential.
What To Look For Next?
Ryan’s family hopes to support other young drivers once Pat completes her recovery and her husband retires.
Their plan to become volunteer mentors would continue the same kind of support that helped Ryan gain his licence.
PCYC Gold Coast is also seeking people who can spare time to help learner drivers through Braking The Cycle.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver mentor can contact PCYC Gold Coast.