Volunteer services across Central Victoria are reporting a slight dip in volunteering rates after last year's coronavirus lockdowns and are putting the call out for people to get involved.
Key points:
- Heathcote's visitor centre is looking for volunteers
- Central Victorian volunteer organisations are reporting a slight drop in available volunteers following last year's COVID lockdowns
- Council says tourists visit the information centre for the volunteer's local knowledge
During National Volunteer Week, which celebrates the contribution and achievements of community volunteers, the City of Greater Bendigo is seeking volunteers to join Heathcote Visitor Centre.
Council's visitor services manager Jemma Docherty said a few of the centre's regular volunteers had left, they were "excitedly" looking for replacements.
Ms Docherty said volunteers could direct tourists, make up hampers of local produce, and promote the local gastronomy industry including unknown farm gates in the region.
Ms Docherty said tourists were drawn to the centre for the volunteers' trusted local knowledge.
Kevin Ball, who has been volunteering at the centre for eight years, said he enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life.
“It’s a great way to learn new skills in a friendly environment with like-minded people,” Mr Ball said.
"It's still important to have visitor centres even with GPS, internet resources and all the technical apps.
"It's amazing, we still dispense a lot of maps and a lot of brochures.
"But it's also the local knowledge.
"People come in and get a smile and a hello and how can we help them, and I think people appreciate that."