The Australiana Pioneer Village is calling on Hawkesbury residents to step forward and help preserve one of the region’s most important living-history attractions.
The volunteer-run Village will hold a Volunteer Drive Open Day at its Wilberforce grounds on Saturday, September 19, from 10am to 3pm.
The day will give prospective volunteers an opportunity to explore the Village, meet its existing volunteer team and learn about the many roles involved in maintaining the historic attraction.
Volunteers help welcome and guide visitors, preserve heritage buildings, maintain gardens, care for the grounds and support the Village’s program of community events and historical activities.
The open day will include guided tours, hands-on activities, information sessions and a sausage sizzle, with vegetarian options available.
Organisers say volunteering at the Village does not require a major or fixed commitment. People can contribute as much or as little time as their circumstances allow.
Students, retirees, families and people of all ages and backgrounds are being encouraged to attend.
Volunteering can provide opportunities to learn practical skills, gain experience, meet new people and become part of a community working to protect the Hawkesbury’s history for future generations.
“The volunteers are the heartbeat of the Village,” organisers said.
Whether people have specialist trade, gardening, historical, administrative or event-management skills or simply enthusiasm and some spare time the Village says there are many ways to contribute.
Situated on 28 acres at Rose Street, Wilberforce, the Australiana Pioneer Village contains a collection of historic buildings and exhibits recreating aspects of Australian life from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Many of its buildings were relocated from different parts of the Hawkesbury and surrounding districts to save them from demolition or deterioration.
The Village’s volunteers maintain the buildings and grounds while helping visitors understand the lives, work and experiences of earlier generations.
The Volunteer Drive Open Day is free, and people are welcome to drop in during the day. Prospective attendees are encouraged to register through Eventbrite or the Village’s Facebook event to assist organisers with catering.
The event will be held at the Australiana Pioneer Village, 10 Rose Street, Wilberforce, on Saturday, September 19, from 10am to 3pm.
For further information, telephone the Village office on (02) 4575 1777, email contact@theapv.org.au, or visit the Australiana Pioneer Village events page.
