Last week we celebrated National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering that recognises the vital support that the millions of volunteers in our country provide to their communities.
To celebrate and say thanks, we profiled some of our BOH Vollie family on our social media via a Q+A so we’ve done a wrap up of some of our favourite vollie responses…
Get to know… Elaine
How long have you been volunteering for BOH?
I started in 2014!
When you’re not volunteering with BOH, how do you spend your time?
In my free time, I am an avid sketcher of people and their surroundings. In my day job as an engineer, I work on strategic planning of water infrastructure and give advice in related areas, such as resilience and sustainability.
What was your motivation for volunteering for BOH?
If I hadn’t become an engineer, I think I would have loved to be an architect. In times past, engineering and architecture were actually quite blended.
What does a day of volunteering for BOH look like for you?
I usually help supervise tours, count visitors, and if I’m lucky, have a behind-the-scenes tour.
What’s the best part about volunteering for BOH?
It’s a great day out in architectural surroundings, with like minded people, in an atmosphere quite different from my day to day experience
What is your all-time favourite BOH building or space?
I loved seeing the tiny apartment kitted out by two architects, and the top level penthouse in the same building, in the residential/ medical mixed use building in Spring Hill
What has been your most enjoyable or rewarding experience while volunteering with BOH?
It was very cool getting to go to the off limits part of the top of the Windmill.
Have you learned anything new since you started volunteering with BOH?
It fascinated me to realise that architectural practice these days is mostly digital, with very few drafting tables any more.
Get to know… Ursula
How long have you been volunteering for BOH?
5 years
When you’re not volunteering with BOH, how do you spend your time?
Working 5 days a week – and enjoying outdoor activities in my free time
What was your motivation for volunteering for BOH?
Meeting people – explore history in Brisbane – learn new things
What does a day of volunteering for BOH look like for you?
Getting up and being excited already what the day will bring. Then get ready for the task. Arrive at the venue – collect all information needed and meet the team.
What’s the best part about volunteering for BOH?
The excitement of the unknown
What is your all-time favourite BOH building or space?
There are sooo many …But the mention two: Masonic Memorial Centre Freemasons Queensland and Newstead House
What has been your most enjoyable or rewarding experience while volunteering with BOH?
Making new friends and interact with likeminded people
Have you learned anything new since you started volunteering with BOH?
Brushing up my people skills
Get to know… Connie
How long have you been volunteering for BOH?
3 years
When you’re not volunteering with BOH, how do you spend your time?
I volunteer for Red Cross, Bundaberg Art Gallery and Bundaberg Visitors Centre
What was your motivation for volunteering for BOH?
I come from Brisbane and like to get involved with Open House to promote my home town
What does a day of volunteering for BOH look like for you?
Welcoming people to a heritage building or place where they can learn about Brisbane’s heritage
What’s the best part about volunteering for BOH?
I get to meet and greet people and learn about heritage buildings in Brisbane and come back home to my home town for a while
What is your all-time favourite BOH building or space?
Parliament house is interesting.
What has been your most enjoyable or rewarding experience while volunteering with BOH?
I have met some interesting people and learnt more about the buildings
Have you learned anything new since you started volunteering with BOH?
Yes, I have learnt a lot about the buildings I didn’t know about
Get to know… Shazy
How long have you been volunteering for BOH?
4 years or more
When you’re not volunteering with BOH, how do you spend your time?
Do craft and enter competitions
What was your motivation for volunteering for BOH?
Be part of popular event
What does a day of volunteering for BOH look like for you?
Depend on all the fun roles tours and attractions.
What’s the best part about volunteering for BOH?
Be part of a fun staff and volunteer team
What is your all-time favourite BOH building or space?
Queen st Mall, tours
What has been your most enjoyable or rewarding experience while volunteering with BOH?
Assisting staff and volunteers and assisting public on where to go and what to do.
Have you learned anything new since you started volunteering with BOH?
No but enjoy been part of it.
…but we have hundreds of others, who make up our team of dedicated vollies that help to welcome visitors, manage crowds and queues, provide advice and directions and count visitor numbers, and so much more.
From the bottom of our hearts – thank you! We can’t wait to see all your smiling faces in t-minus 8 weeks for #BOH2023.
For anyone wishing to get involved in BOH 2023, we have partnered with various organisations to provide a much rounder calendar of volunteering opportunities throughout the year to participate in, and support us.
This year, we also have a number of Volunteer Team Leader available for our 2023 event. If you are a good communicator, solutions-focussed and have experience in the fast-paced events industry, we’d love to hear from you.
For more information and to apply visit this page.