Rottnest volunteers

Rottnest Island is fortunate to have many dedicated volunteer groups contributing to its natural, historic and recreational values. 

Volunteers on Rottnest Island undertake a wide variety of tasks including tree planting, weeding, conservation works, and provision of interpretative tours, as well as maintenance and construction of RIA assets.

The RIA has a full time Volunteer Coordinator within the environment section. This position enables the RIA to take a coordinated approach to all volunteer activities occurring on Rottnest Island. To get involved in volunteering activities or for more information, please contact RIA Volunteer Coordinator on +61 08 9372 9736 or email sally.sneddon@rottnestisland.com

Would you like to volunteer on Rottnest Island in 2010? There is space available for volunteers on the following dates:

*contact Sue Folks at the Rottnest Society on phone +61 08 9438 1413 or email general@rottnestsociety.org.au

Before applying, please note the following: 

·         Numbers for all events will be limited at the discretion of the organiser

·         Free ferry travel for volunteers will be provided on the day, on the basis of five or more work hours being completed

·         Free accommodation will be provided to volunteers who take part in Rottnest Society work weekends

·         Please be considerate of other individual volunteers/ groups when applying, so that everyone has the opportunity to volunteer on Rottnest

·         Work tasks may vary slightly on the day

·         Rottnest Island Authority reserves the right to cancel or reschedule volunteer activities

·         Volunteer activities are of an outdoor nature and assume a basic level of fitness. If you require further information on this matter, please contact Sally Sneddon, Volunteer Coordinator on the details provided above.

For all activities, volunteers are required to come dressed appropriately with sun protective clothing, warm clothing, protective footwear and wet weather gear as appropriate.

The Rottnest Island Authority provides first aid kits, safety equipment, transport and communications relevant to each volunteering activity.

Monitoring programs:

Frog and Osprey monitoring already occurs on Rottnest Island, but 2010 is the first year that volunteers are invited to take part in these programs. Rottnest Island Authority staff will support volunteers in the field, however volunteers who are regularly available and perform to a high standard may be set up to work without supervision from staff.

Volunteers for these monitoring programs need to have flexibility as dates may change depending on environmental conditions. As these programs require training to ensure that data is accurate, it is also preferred that these volunteers can commit to at least 2 monitoring events. Volunteers require a driver’s license and will need to apply for a permit to drive on Rottnest Island.

Frog monitoring requires 1-2 volunteers for an evening shift beginning at sunset and taking 3-6 hours to complete. This is scheduled to take place every Tuesday from April to October (dependant on rains). Volunteers will be required to visit various bodies of water on the Island during the monitoring events. Accommodation for the night is provided on the Island.

Osprey monitoring requires 1-2 volunteers for a full day, spending 30 minute shifts observing each of the osprey nests on the Island. This will occur 4 times per year.

Other opportunities:

The Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association (RVGA) operates throughout the year, providing guided cultural and environmental tours on Rottnest Island. If you are interested in becoming involved with the RVGA, please email Marie at membership@rvga.asn.au or phone +61 08 9284 1987. For more information visit the RVGA website.

Rottnest Island Authority provides the opportunity for some corporate groups to take part in volunteering during the winter months. These groups are limited to 30 people, and tasks will vary.

The Rottnest Island Authority supports Reef Life Survey, a small network of skilled and committed recreational divers who complete regular surveys of the Island’s reefs. The divers collect technically-rigorous, species-level data on the abundance and size of fishes, corals, sea urchins and other invertebrates, as well as data on marine plants. For more information visit www.reeflifesurvey.com.

If you, or your organisation require more information or wish to put your hand up for any of the above volunteer activities in 2010, please contact the RIA Volunteer Coordinator on +61 08 9372 9736 or email sally.sneddon@rottnestisland.com