These iconic long-weekend pit stops have saved countless lives. But they are now harder to find
NSW reached a peak of about 98 sites in 2004, but this fell to 56 in 2025.
The SES did not have historical figures for Driver Reviver volunteer numbers, nor total hours dedicated per year. Some SES numbers were also rough estimates due to incomplete records.
Fast facts about the Driver Reviver program
About 220 sites dotted Australia in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, there are 175 sites and only 160 remain operational – a 27.3 per cent drop.
New sites since 2023 include: Hinchinbrook (QLD), Campbelltown (TAS), Geurie (NSW), Mount Barker (WA), Springsure (QLD), Orford (TAS).
Closed sites since 2023 include: Stawell (VIC), Gingin (WA), Kangaroo Valley (NSW), Port Pirie (SA), Williams (SA).
Source: VICSES
'The main reasons for Driver Reviver closures over the decades is a combination of urban growth and road infrastructure upgrades, including bypasses and service centres with commercial operations that can substitute Driver Reviver with improved amenities,' the SES briefing note said.
'Shorter routes and speed limit increases are also getting people away from the city quicker.'
Allan and Rhonda McCormac founded the national Driver Reviver network in 1989, bringing together a patchwork of independent roadside rest hubs before expanding further.
The couple retired in 2022 and handed oversight to Victoria's SES, which works with Lions Clubs and other community groups to staff the sites.
Allan McCormac, 83, says the decline in Driver Reviver sites was not necessarily a bad thing if roads were being made safer and people were resting elsewhere.
'It's dynamic, and it needs to change all the time to suit new roads,' he says. 'There are new freeways put in that mean that some of the old sites become redundant.'
McCormac believes Driver Reviver still offers something unique compared to service stations.
'The people stopping are engaging with the volunteers, and that builds our culture,' he says. 'And that's something you don't get in a commercial operation.'
Pandemic restrictions, however, hurt face-to-face volunteering and forced dozens of Driver Reviver sites to shutter.
The SES says some sites, such as a stop in Stawell, permanently closed in the last two years as volunteering failed to recover after the pandemic. However, the agency says new and reactivated sites surpassed closures.
'Whilst overall volunteer numbers have remained fairly consistent in recent years, VICSES units across the state are always looking for new volunteers,' a spokesperson said.
This King's Birthday weekend, the SES reports 71 sites will be active across Australia at different times, including 36 in NSW, 22 in Queensland, 10 in Victoria and three in South Australia.
The Victorian sites are Avenel, Balmattum Northbound, Balmattum Southbound, Dimboola, Dunkeld, Lismore, Marong, Rushworth, and Seymour.
Hot tea and coffee is served without a lid, so drivers must stick around and take a longer break to finish it, rather than hitting the road immediately.
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The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
These iconic long-weekend pit stops have saved countless lives. But they are now harder to find
NSW reached a peak of about 98 sites in 2004, but this fell to 56 in 2025. The SES did not have historical figures for Driver Reviver volunteer numbers, nor total hours dedicated per year. Some SES numbers were also rough estimates due to incomplete records. Fast facts about the Driver Reviver program About 220 sites dotted Australia in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, there are 175 sites and only 160 remain operational – a 27.3 per cent drop. New sites since 2023 include: Hinchinbrook (QLD), Campbelltown (TAS), Geurie (NSW), Mount Barker (WA), Springsure (QLD), Orford (TAS). Closed sites since 2023 include: Stawell (VIC), Gingin (WA), Kangaroo Valley (NSW), Port Pirie (SA), Williams (SA). Source: VICSES 'The main reasons for Driver Reviver closures over the decades is a combination of urban growth and road infrastructure upgrades, including bypasses and service centres with commercial operations that can substitute Driver Reviver with improved amenities,' the SES briefing note said. 'Shorter routes and speed limit increases are also getting people away from the city quicker.' Allan and Rhonda McCormac founded the national Driver Reviver network in 1989, bringing together a patchwork of independent roadside rest hubs before expanding further. The couple retired in 2022 and handed oversight to Victoria's SES, which works with Lions Clubs and other community groups to staff the sites. Allan McCormac, 83, says the decline in Driver Reviver sites was not necessarily a bad thing if roads were being made safer and people were resting elsewhere. 'It's dynamic, and it needs to change all the time to suit new roads,' he says. 'There are new freeways put in that mean that some of the old sites become redundant.' McCormac believes Driver Reviver still offers something unique compared to service stations. 'The people stopping are engaging with the volunteers, and that builds our culture,' he says. 'And that's something you don't get in a commercial operation.' Pandemic restrictions, however, hurt face-to-face volunteering and forced dozens of Driver Reviver sites to shutter. The SES says some sites, such as a stop in Stawell, permanently closed in the last two years as volunteering failed to recover after the pandemic. However, the agency says new and reactivated sites surpassed closures. 'Whilst overall volunteer numbers have remained fairly consistent in recent years, VICSES units across the state are always looking for new volunteers,' a spokesperson said. This King's Birthday weekend, the SES reports 71 sites will be active across Australia at different times, including 36 in NSW, 22 in Queensland, 10 in Victoria and three in South Australia. The Victorian sites are Avenel, Balmattum Northbound, Balmattum Southbound, Dimboola, Dunkeld, Lismore, Marong, Rushworth, and Seymour. Hot tea and coffee is served without a lid, so drivers must stick around and take a longer break to finish it, rather than hitting the road immediately.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
These iconic long-weekend pit stops have saved countless lives. But they are now harder to find
NSW reached a peak of about 98 sites in 2004, but this fell to 56 in 2025. The SES did not have historical figures for Driver Reviver volunteer numbers, nor total hours dedicated per year. Some SES numbers were also rough estimates due to incomplete records. Fast facts about the Driver Reviver program About 220 sites dotted Australia in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, there are 175 sites and only 160 remain operational – a 27.3 per cent drop. New sites since 2023 include: Hinchinbrook (QLD), Campbelltown (TAS), Geurie (NSW), Mount Barker (WA), Springsure (QLD), Orford (TAS). Closed sites since 2023 include: Stawell (VIC), Gingin (WA), Kangaroo Valley (NSW), Port Pirie (SA), Williams (SA). Source: VICSES 'The main reasons for Driver Reviver closures over the decades is a combination of urban growth and road infrastructure upgrades, including bypasses and service centres with commercial operations that can substitute Driver Reviver with improved amenities,' the SES briefing note said. 'Shorter routes and speed limit increases are also getting people away from the city quicker.' Allan and Rhonda McCormac founded the national Driver Reviver network in 1989, bringing together a patchwork of independent roadside rest hubs before expanding further. The couple retired in 2022 and handed oversight to Victoria's SES, which works with Lions Clubs and other community groups to staff the sites. Allan McCormac, 83, says the decline in Driver Reviver sites was not necessarily a bad thing if roads were being made safer and people were resting elsewhere. 'It's dynamic, and it needs to change all the time to suit new roads,' he says. 'There are new freeways put in that mean that some of the old sites become redundant.' McCormac believes Driver Reviver still offers something unique compared to service stations. 'The people stopping are engaging with the volunteers, and that builds our culture,' he says. 'And that's something you don't get in a commercial operation.' Pandemic restrictions, however, hurt face-to-face volunteering and forced dozens of Driver Reviver sites to shutter. The SES says some sites, such as a stop in Stawell, permanently closed in the last two years as volunteering failed to recover after the pandemic. However, the agency says new and reactivated sites surpassed closures. 'Whilst overall volunteer numbers have remained fairly consistent in recent years, VICSES units across the state are always looking for new volunteers,' a spokesperson said. This King's Birthday weekend, the SES reports 71 sites will be active across Australia at different times, including 36 in NSW, 22 in Queensland, 10 in Victoria and three in South Australia. The Victorian sites are Avenel, Balmattum Northbound, Balmattum Southbound, Dimboola, Dunkeld, Lismore, Marong, Rushworth, and Seymour. Hot tea and coffee is served without a lid, so drivers must stick around and take a longer break to finish it, rather than hitting the road immediately.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Sky News AU
Double demerit points come into force: Everything motorists need to know for the King's Birthday long weekend
Double demerit points will kick in from Friday across parts of the country for the King's Birthday long weekend, as police come out in force to crack down on road safety. Police are urging motorists to take extra care while driving over the next couple of days, as the number of lives lost on Australian roads continue to climb. While double demerit point schemes differ depending on the state or territory, police will be rolling out patrols to ensure road rules are being followed. Here's everything motorists need to know this long weekend. New South Wales In New South Wales, double demerit points will come into effect from 12am on Friday and remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday. Police will be targeting speeding drivers and motorcycle riders, as well as motorists who hit the roads under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Officers will also crackdown on fatigue and distracted driving in a bid to prevent road trauma throughout the long weekend. Victoria Victorian police have revealed the number of lives lost has already surged to a "16-year high", with 135 deaths on the state's roads so far in 2025 - a 13 per cent increase on this period in 2024. The last time Victoria recorded a similar road toll was in 2008 when 137 lives were lost. Victoria has also suffered its worst May on record since 2004, with 36 deaths recorded this year. Police have warned "speeding and distracted motorists will be a key focus" this public holiday long weekend, which is considered to be a "high-risk period" on the state's roads. The road safety blitz, dubbed Operation Regal, will start at 12.01am on Friday and end at 11.59pm on Monday. While Victoria does not enforce a double demerit point scheme, police stressed 7,000 road and traffic infringements were handed out on the same weekend last year. Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner David Byrt highlighted winter presents extra challenges for motorists given the roads are often slippery and there is poor visibility. "Whether you're travelling across the state this weekend or heading to the alpine regions, please take extra care on the roads and be sure to drive to the conditions," he said in a statement. "We're approaching the halfway point of the year and the amount of trauma we've experienced is extremely concerning. "These road trauma numbers of course represent actual people. People who have been killed, or whose lives are changed forever, simply from travelling on our roads." South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not impose a double demerit point scheme. All states will enjoy a long weekend for the King's Birthday, with the popular Dark Mofo musical festival also underway in Tasmania from Friday. Hobart Police Inspector John Toohey has asked motorists to be mindful of vulnerable road users, like pedestrians, during busy event periods. "This year already, three pedestrians have died on Tasmanian roads, with a further 14 seriously injured," he said in a statement ahead of the long weekend. "We're asking everyone to stay alert, avoid distractions such as phones or headphones, and only cross at designated crossings. "With many festival events taking place at night and in low-light conditions, we're hoping to see responsible behaviour, that is, people looking out for each other, obeying traffic signals and being visible in the dark." The ACT The double demerit points penalty will apply in the Australian Capital Territory this long weekend. Queensland Queensland does not observe the King's Birthday in June, as the public holiday is held on October 6. The state's double demerit point scheme operates a little differently to other jurisdictions, as the penalty applies to motorists who repeatedly commit specific offences in a 12-month period. "This doesn't just apply during holiday periods, but at any time of the year," the Queensland government website has stated. While it is not a long weekend in Queensland, motorists are always encouraged to take care as normal road rules apply. Western Australia Similarly to Queensland, Western Australia does not mark the King's Birthday until later in the year in late September. Therefore, double demerit points are not in effect this weekend.
