As we come to the end of Australia’s National Volunteer Week (16-22 May 2022) here at Binna Burra we reflect on the spirit of volunteerism that has been part of our organisational culture since the company was founded in the early 1930s.
Volunteering has always bought people together at Binna Burra, and it has built this social enterprise community into Australia’s largest ecotourism collective with over 1,300 mostly small investor shareholders and many thousands of people who support our stewardship of this heritage listed site.
Binna Burra celebrates and recognises the vital work of volunteers across the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape and says a big ‘thank you’ to all.
Volunteers have also been essential to Binna Burra’s resilience after the crisis of the 2019 bushfire devastation, the COVID 19 pandemic and the ‘rain-bomb’ weather events experienced over the past few months.
Along with our staff teams, volunteers are the backbone of Binna Burra during a crisis and emergencies we all seem to be experiencing more of these days.
Since 1984, the Friends of Binna Burra (FOBBs) have shared a love of nature and the bush and are interested in preserving and supporting the special beauty that is Binna Burra. This voluntary group meets four times a year at Binna Burra to undertake tasks for a weekend of work and friendship.
Since 1975, the Lamington Natural History Association (LNHA) has provided volunteers to inform visitors into the Lamington National Park
The newly incorporated Binna Burra Foundation has a Board of volunteers now shaping its longer term strategic role to protect, enhance and present the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape.
In 2022, the new Arts. Nature. Science. program at Binna Burra has bought together many new volunteers from the creative arts and crafts sector to inject new visitors and a new vitality at Binna Burra.
And volunteering has other benefits for new generations. ‘Especially for the younger generation, volunteer experience counts’ says Steve Noakes, Chairperson of Binna Burra Lodge.
‘For younger people seeking to enter the workforce, it’s worth remembering that volunteer experience is a valued experience for employers such as Binna Burra Lodge. A key element of any job interview is knowing the experiences candidates have had, and with less work experience, the less we know about their individual qualities, so volunteer experience is an advantage in a job interview.’
