General News
19 April, 2025
Driver Reviver at Lochiel open for Easter and ANZAC
The Lions Driver Reviver at Lochiel on the Western Highway between Horsham and Nhill is easily recognisable because of its fresh coat of bright yellow paint.
Lions members will be on duty over the coming Easter and ANZAC long weekends, offering free tea, coffee, and a chat.
Lou Catania is responsible for the great paint job making the pit stop even more recognisable for travellers, so you won't miss it.
The Dimboola Lions Club members cover the morning shifts, and the Nhill Club members hold down the fort in the afternoon.
Nhill members Mandy, Melva, and Robert served 26 coffees and 2 teas to travellers on Sunday, April 6.
They also sold some snacks and ice cream and expect to be busy during the coming long weekends.
Some stop for a coffee, and others stop to walk the horses and dogs and stretch their legs to break up the trip.
The Dimboola Lions Club owns the shed, but after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nhill Club joined the Driver Reviver project to help the Dimboola Club with volunteer numbers.
"We were pleased to be able to help on the roster," Mandy said.
"A lady stopped at the Driver Reviver, who said she had been stopping here for 50 years.
"Every time she travels through this way, she stops for a coffee and a chat," Mandy said.
The building has been in use since 1998, but Lions have been offering the service even longer.
They began by creating a bonfire and a caravan for people to gather around while they took a break and shared a hot drink and a chat.
Farmers Peter and Melva recently handed the farm over to their son and were looking for a way to get involved in the community.
They are now regular volunteers at the Driver Reviver and other Lions projects.
"Nhill has about 15 members," Mandy said.
"Our numbers might be small, but we still clock up many thousands of hours of volunteer work in the community," she said.
If you are travelling this Easter or ANZAC weekends, take a break and stop at a Driver Reviver. Enjoy an Australian pick-me-up with a Bushells tea or coffee and an Arnotts biscuit.