Volunteering on Rottnest Island
Volunteers on Rottnest Island undertake a wide variety of tasks including beach clean ups, dune rehabilitation, seed collection, tree planting, weeding, fauna monitoring, maintenance and construction works and the provision of interpretive tours.
The Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) thanks the many individuals who, in collaboration with a large number of independent volunteer organisations, contribute over 35 000 volunteer hours annually to preserving the natural, cultural and recreational values of the Island.
Due to the significant extent of volunteer contribution, the RIA has a full time Volunteer Coordinator based within its Community Engagement unit. This position enables the RIA to undertake a coordinated approach to all volunteer activities occurring on Rottnest.
The Rottnest Island Authority appreciates the interest of groups including schools, clubs and corporate groups who wish to contribute their time to volunteering on Rottnest. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to accommodate such requests outside of our established volunteer program. Please see below for the opportunities that exist with the Rottnest Island Authority and independent groups for volunteering on the island.
View one of our podcasts Discovering the Rottnest Island Nursery for an insight into the operations of the nursery which is run by the volunteers.
Volunteer Events
Throughout the year the RIA coordinates several public volunteer events which include Seawall Painting, Planting Days and Tangaroa Blue Beach Clean Ups.
Seawall Painting
Come help apply a new layer of lime based paint to assist in the preservation of this heritage asset. There will be a range of jobs involved, including mixing paint, painting steps and painting along the walls. This event is limited to a maximum of 12 people.
This event is weather dependant and may occur up to 4 times annually. General public painting days usually fall in February and October.
Date: Wednesday 16 October 2013. Bookings are essential as this event is limited to 12 people. Please enquire by emailing volunteers@rottnestisland.com.
National Tree Day
Get involved in a public tree planting day on your favourite Island! This year we will be planting around the Bickley area on the South East of the Island. Bookings will be accepted from May 1st 2013.
Limited to 50 people
Date: Sunday 28 July 2013
Rottnest Society - Working Weekends
The Rottnest Society working weekends are open to non-members. Costs are minimal and there is usually fantastic participation. For further information and bookings visit www.rottnestsociety.org.au.
There are three working weekends in 2013:
1. 10-12 May
2. 31 May- 2 June
3. 9-11 August
Group Beach Clean Ups
Groups looking to engage in community service while visiting Rottnest Island are encouraged to participate in beach clean ups. Beach clean up kits can be borrowed from the Rottnest Island Authority, and are designed to contribute data to the Tangaroa Blue Foundation's Australian Marine Debris Initiative. Each kit contains a clipboard, data sheets, rubbish bags, 20 sets of gloves and a marine debris identification manual. Clean ups take around 1½ hours to complete.
Did you know 6 million tonnes of debris enter the oceans each year?
Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s Australian Marine Debris Initiative uses data collected from beach clean ups to trace the most commonly found items back to their source. By utilising this data, Tangaroa’s aim is to influence the design or use of these items to prevent them from entering our oceans in the first place.For more information about Tangaroa Blue Foundation visit www.tangaroablue.org. To arrange a beach clean up please contact RIA staff: education@rottnestisland.com or (08) 9372 9777.
Conservation Volunteers Australia - Coastal Volunteer Week
"Come for an eco-holiday on Rottnest Island and help to preserve this iconic spot by assisting in various activities, including fencing, planting, dune rehabilitation, green stock maintenance and seawall painting. These activities encourage the ongoing upkeep of this heritage effort, increase the success rate of previously planted coastal vegetation, enhance the biodiversity of flora species, prevent erosion and assist with the overall ecological health of the island ecosystem.” (Conservation Volunteers Australia).
There are 3 separate events running in 2013:
For more information on these volunteer opportunities please contact the Rottnest Island Authority Volunteer Coordinator, volunteers@rottnestisland.com or (08) 9372 9736.