Drivers revived by over 450 cuppas

By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE SES volunteers served up more than 450 cups of tea and coffee on Tuesday, a welcome reviver for Easter holiday-makers making their way home.
The orange-overalled baristas were among more than 1000 SES volunteers operating more than 60 Driver Reviver sites around Victoria as part of VicSES’s aim to tackle driver fatigue.
The coffee stop at Dom Dom Saddle on the Black Spur was a welcome sight for Paul Matthews, 18, and David Van Est, 22, who pulled in on their way back to Melbourne after a weekend of bike riding and driving.
“It’s been a long day and we were feeling a bit tired so it’s good to have a break,” Mr Matthews said.
Berwick couple Peter Clayton and Deborah Taskis had driven about 300 kilometres taking in Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Bright before heading back home through Jamieson and Eildon.
They had followed at least two of the SES safety tips by sharing the driving, and pulling into the Driver Reviver stop.
“We’ve got about another 100 kilometres before we get home; we were ready for a break,” Ms Taskis said.
Family groups with young children were well represented during the afternoon – making the stop a survivor strategy for the parents, perhaps, as much as a reviver strategy!
SES deputy controller Steve Collins said 11 members had manned the stop from 9am to 6pm and although business was down on previous Reviver operations, every driver who stopped for a cuppa was adding to their chances, and others, of arriving home alive.