Eve Langham nominated for Pride of Australia award for driver safety work in community

EVEN in one of the most devastating situations a parent can face, Eve Langham put her loss to good use.

Eve Langham - Pride of Australia

EVEN in one of the most devastating situations a parent can face, Eve Langham put her loss to good use.

Ms Langham lost her youngest daughter Erin in a car crash in 2002.

"She was 15, just short of 16," Ms Langham, 56, said.

"It was the most horrendous thing for us and for the police officers who delivered the news."

But in her grief, she became determined to make a difference.

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"I could do nothing about the past, about what happened to my daughter," Ms Langham said.

"So I wanted to save other families from this - and the officers who have to tell these families."

For about 10 years, Ms Langham, from Buxton near Picton, has devoted her time and energy to extensive driver education.

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She visits schools as well as ambulance, police and truck driving organisations as part of the "U-turn the Wheel" program to provide insight on what it is like to lose a loved one in a road accident.

"At police traffic offender programs I have people approach me and tell me how sorry they are about my daughter and how they never realised what could happen and how easily it could happen," Ms Langham said.

Amanda Partridge, a 23-year-old journalist, nominated Ms Langham for a Pride Of Australia Inspiration Medal after chronicling her work in the community.

"Eve is a well known, lovely lady who always thinks of others and helping out in the community," Ms Partridge said.

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"She's overcome adversity and channelled this sad event into a way of helping others. She's the first person we contact when reporting on an article for road safety."

Ms Langham said her nomination came as a shock: "I was very surprised. I've had other people inspire me to improve my life but I never realised I was inspirational."

Nominations will be accepted until Tuesday, July 16.

TO SEE ALL THE CATEGORIES AND NOMINATIONS, GO TO WWW.PRIDEOFAUSTRALIA.COM.AU