McCORMACK BACKS NATIONAL LOW SPEED VEHICLE RUN OVER PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY

Determined that no other family should suffer the same loss they endured when their daughter Georgina was killed in a driveway accident, Peter and Emma Cockburn have successfully organised an annual National Low Speed Vehicle Run Over (LSVRO) Prevention Awareness Day.

Mr and Mrs Cockburn, of Young, have been congratulated on the Awareness Day by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack.

The couple formed the Georgina Josephine Foundation in honour of their 15-month-old daughter who died on 16 April 2011.

Georgina was the youngest of Mr and Mrs Cockburn’s four children.

“From the depths of terrible pain and loss, Peter and Emma have risen with great courage and love for their daughter to work tirelessly to help save the lives of other youngsters right around Australia,” Mr McCormack said.

“I have met and spoken with Peter and Emma a number of times and they are inspirational people who are to be thanked for the work they do through the Foundation.”

The Awareness Day is held annually on 16 April with the Georgina Josephine Foundation receiving Federal Government assistance to raise awareness of this important road safety issue.

“The Foundation has a simple message about how to prevent low speed run over accidents – supervise, separate and see,” Mrs Cockburn said.

“Watch your children, know where they are in relation to the vehicle and make sure they are clear.

“Separate them from the threat of a driveway and moving car by keeping them behind a secure door or fenced-off area.

“See behind the car by walking around it and checking before you hop in to drive off and watch what’s behind you with a reversing camera as well as using mirrors and looking around.”

Mr McCormack said the Awareness Day and the work of the Georgina Josephine Foundation was being supported through the Government’s Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund.

Radio advertisements being aired each April and October will reach people sitting in their cars or listening to the radio in their homes.

Shane Manning