THE drive from Sydney to Melbourne may soon become a “trip down memory lane” for motorists with a new organisation aiming to bring the Old Hume Highway back to life.

Old Hume Highway 31 represents 40 bypassed towns along the Hume Freeway, aiming to bring these communities together to preserve and market the former road as a touring route, similar to the famous Route 66 in the United States.

Dysons North East regional manager Brett Drinnan is a committee member and is a Wodonga spokesman for the group.

He said they wanted to get people reacquainted with history by getting them off the freeway and onto the old roads.

“Dysons owns Cobb & Co Coaches and they were one of the first runners up and down the old highway,” Mr Drinnan said.

“I travelled up and down the old Hume when I started driving buses back in the mid 80s.

“I think it’s just a trip down memory lane, the old highway used to pass right through the centre of town.”

The group is already working with VicRoads and the Roads and Maritime Services to develop a standard sign for the whole length of the old Hume Highway.
Convenor of Old Hume Highway 31 Ltd Frank Burke said a professional map of the route would be made.

“There are no comprehensive maps available of the old Hume Highway 31 nor is there any standardised signage to let people know whether they have found it.

“So how can we expect holiday makers and travellers to visit the old Hume Highway 31 if they can’t find it?

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the people of Australia to learn about Australia; this is the road around which our nation was built.”
Mr Burke said promotion of the tourist route would also help combat driver fatigue, the second biggest killer on the nation’s roads.

“Drivers need more rests and the best rest they can have is in the 40 towns along the old highway,” he said.

“Getting people to spend money in the smaller towns rather then just stopping at big multi-national convenience stores is also a win.”

The organisation was established at a meeting at Cooma Cottage, the house of Hamilton Hume, in Yass in July last year.

About 70 people representing VicRoads, the RMS, the National Trust and councils attended and unanimously agreed the organisation should be formed.

The group has received international publicity by working with Route 66 in the US and has been gaining momentum on its Facebook page.