Driver Reviver site overwhelmed with volunteers
GEARED up with cups of teas and great conversations, the Wallangarra Driver Reviver site is overwhelmed with volunteers.
The small site, located at the Lions Park on Margetts St are receiving tremendous support from the community.
Balancing a full roster of 30 regular volunteers, the rest stop has a waiting list of shifts.
Coordinator of the site Brian Springborg said everyone was aware of how important the site was for road safety.
"All our volunteers just want to help save lives, encouraging people to stop and have a rest makes a big difference on the roads,” Mr Springborg said.
"Driver Reviver sites really make a difference, fatalities drop when we're open.”
Passing through Wallangarra, the driver reviver stop opens every school holidays and public holidays.
"We have people running the site during every school holiday, Queensland and New South Wales, every long weekend and holiday season,” Mr Springborg said.
The site opened Friday June 29 and will stay open until the beginning of the New South Wales school term next week.
Mr Springborg said volunteers came from all over the Wallangarra community.
"We work with a few volunteer groups like the SES, CWA and Jennings Public School,” he said.
"But we also get a handful of people who sign up from their own initiative.”
The border town attracts visitors from all over Australia passing through the two states and with its tidy facilities Mr Springborg said many make their way back to the site.
"There's everything here you need to stop, relax and recharge,” he said.
"Being part of the park families love the playground area with swings, picnic tables and barbecue site.
"We have a TV inside, heaters and the urn is always running for a fresh cup of tea or coffee.”
The group hasn't limited themselves to saving drivers on the road but their fundraising efforts will save lives in the community.
From the start of the year the site has homed a donation tin to raise money for a new defibrillator machine for the town.
"We've ordered the defibrillator which will go in a space sport at the police station,” Mr Springborg said.
"We will have signs around town telling everyone where it is and hopefully we'll save more lives in town.”
Any one interested in volunteering can head to the site this week between 8am-5pm to express interest.
Mr Springborg said the only requirement is the ability to pour a good cup of tea.