Masters Hardware couldn’t launch a viable business against Bunnings, and only a couple of years after launching, have closed up all their outlets.
As this photo shows, they also couldn’t construct a functioning pedestrian crossing:
No wonder Masters is in trouble – they couldn't even design a pedestrian crossing that goes anywhere. pic.twitter.com/CN8JFL9yHk
— Daniel Bowen (@danielbowen) March 28, 2016
But here’s one thing they did manage: they’ve provided empty car parks right across Australia for learner drivers to practice in.
Yes, we may be more public transport-oriented than most households, but we do have a car, and the time has come to teach my offspring how to drive.
They haven’t waited as long as I did (I was 27 when I got my licence), but neither have my kids jumped into it at the first opportunity. We ended up getting them Proof Of Age cards when they turned 18 because they hadn’t got Learners permits yet.
But it’s starting to happen now, and apart from paid lessons, we have headed down to Masters a couple of times. And both times, other L-platers have been doing laps as well.
As it turns out, it’s not perfect at South Oakleigh, because there’s an active supermarket at the other end of the car park, and an alarming number of motorists like cutting through the car park at diagonals to get to it. Sure, you may save five seconds, but you risk smashing into a learner driver.
Figuring out the clutch and manual gears seems to be about as hard and frustrating as I remember it being when I first learned.
(I’ve been thinking about upgrading my old car, which might include going to an automatic — more on this soon. Something for family discussion.)
Anyway, we’ll keep practicing, so thanks again, Masters.
As the parent of a new L plater, I'd like to thank Masters Hardware for providing empty car parks right across Australia.
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— Daniel Bowen (@danielbowen) February 20, 2017
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