Boorowa Lions’ Club members with members of the community.
Across Australia, more than 180 rest stops are run by volunteers from community groups and organisations to provide free tea, coffee and snacks to encourage drivers to take a break and reduce fatigue-related accidents.
The Driver Reviver program has provided more than 23 million cups of tea and coffee, has boiled more than five million litres of water and handed out more than 28 million snacks to weary travellers on the road in a bid to prevent fatigue related accidents.
The not-for-profit program has been in operation since 1989, and is entirely volunteer run.
Open during busy holiday periods, such as public holidays and school holidays, some rest stops are even open daily to the public. The Program was recently honoured with the Australian Community Road Safety Award at the Rural and Remote Programs Awards.
Boorowa Lions Club Publicity Officer, Colin Hardwick, says the award highlighted the importance not only of the program, but of the tireless volunteers who ensure motorists have a safe place to sit down away from the wheel and take a break.
“The Driver Reviver plays a very important role for people who are travelling long distances to stop and have a cuppa, and use our facilities,” he says.
“That’s what we do.” The award, he says, was quite significant not only due to the number of people who stop in Boorowa as a whole, but also the role it plays in country life.
“It is important, it’s probably one of the most significant things that the Lions Club does in Boorowa,” he says.
“We work in coordination with members of the community… it plays a huge role for so many people.”
The Boorowa Lions Club, along with the Boorowa Rotary Club’s hard work are the reason the town has such a booming calendar. Organising events such as the Woolfest, Picnic Races, Australia Day breakfast and other community-centred events.
Fatigue is currently responsible for 20 to 30 percent of fatal accidents on rural roads, and is one of the leading causes of fatalities.
The Driver Revier program was built to ensure families are not split apart by preventable deaths, by providing a “safe place to pause, rest and revive, especially during long journeys”.
“I think that everybody in the Club recognises the importance of what we do,” says Colin.
“You have a look at how many community organisations are in Boorowa, and our community spirit: [it’s huge].
“Having all of these organisations who contribute to country life is extremely important.”
Elizabeth Kovacs
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