The National Trust of Western Australia works to raise knowledge, awareness, understanding and commitment to Western Australia’s natural and cultural heritage. With 400 volunteers they have been a member of Volunteering WA since 2006.
Bronwen Shannon, Volunteer and Place Officer, National Trust of Western Australia, discusses their work, volunteers, and view of Volunteering WA.
Bronwen, tell us more about National Trust of Western Australia, your volunteering programs, and impact?
The National Trust of Western Australia works to raise knowledge, awareness, understanding and commitment to Western Australia’s natural and cultural heritage. In additional to maintaining a Heritage Register to identify and assess places and objects of cultural heritage significance, the National Trust manages 68 properties across Western Australia as well as 177 covenanted properties protecting bushland.
We have approximately 400 volunteers who contribute to the smooth running of the National Trust in a number of ways. Many of our volunteers help open our properties, greet visitors and introduce them to the amazing stories associated with our significant heritage places in the Perth metro area; Pinjarra, Margaret River and Albany. Volunteers are also involved in grounds maintenance. In addition, we have volunteers who help us with tasks from our West Perth office, ranging from library, administration, data entry, assistance at events.
What do you value about Volunteering WA?
Volunteering WA has proved a valuable source of information about the volunteering sector. We have used much material to ensure we meet the National Standards of Volunteering. I have learnt about opportunities to recognise our volunteers and attended other interesting training courses for volunteer managers through Volunteering WA.
I have used VIKTOR (the online volunteer recruitment platform) to advertise for volunteers and have found the system very simple and very successful. On a personal level I have found the networking opportunities to be of most use. Volunteering WA is where I found like-minded souls who support me to do my job successfully.
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