Enjoy a natter, cup of tea and keeping the highway safe? Driver Reviver needs you

Tom Mullan has poured more cups of coffee for weary drivers than he can remember as a volunteer at the Amberley Driver Reviver stop.

Now after almost two decades of pouring, the time has come for someone else to take up the cause as Mr Mullan takes his own well-earned break.

This year, Mr Mullan has retired from his position as coordinator of the Amberley Driver Reviver and is seeking a replacement.

 “We are looking for a site coordinator to manage the roster, we are also looking for more volunteers and a sponsor to supply the milk,” he said.

The Amberley Driver Reviver site is a bit of an institution to travellers who pass by. Volunteers Paul and Marilyn Whear have been volunteering there since 2012.

“It doesn’t matter how many pull up, if you can save that one life, you can feel really good about it. Long distance drivers have come a long way and they tend to push on, but if they see a Driver Reviver stop and come in have that coffee and you know they are right to go on again,” Mrs Whear said.

“It’s a great thing to volunteer and it doesn’t matter whether you see one person or 100 in your shift, it’s worth it.

“We cater for dogs, children and adults so everyone can stop and have a break. A lot of people are really friendly and enjoy having a chat.”

The site runs 24 hours over the peak holiday weekends, so volunteers collect a variety of stories over the years.

Mr Mullan remembers a man pulling up on his motorbike, but then he noticed he didn’t get off his bike.

“He just sat there for about 10 minutes. Then he slowly lifted one hand and peeled off his glove. Then he sat there for another few minutes before he pealed the other glove off. He sat there for a good half hour before he hopped of the bike and came over to the counter. His first words were ‘where am I?’, Mr Mullan said.

“We told him where he was and he said he had just ridden through from Adelaide nonstop, except for breaking to get fuel. He hadn’t had anything to eat or drink.”

Mr and Mrs Whear look forward to chatting to the drivers who stop in on their way to the Rocklea markets.

“The people are lovely and they will often ask us if we would like a bag of apples from the back of the truck or some strawberries,” Mrs Whear said.

The Driver Reviver program is nationally supported by Toll Group, The Arnott’s Foundation, Bushells and Sunshine Sugar and locally by Drakes Winston Glades.

For more information on volunteering for the program, and a list of all Driver Reviver sites, click here.