VOLUNTEERS
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Bunbury Dolphin Discovery relies on the
assistance of volunteers to manage the Interaction Zone, answer
questions, and advise people on what happens here in Koombana Bay.
In many ways they are the backbone of our organisation.
WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING FOR BUNBURY DOLPHIN
DISCOVERY INVOLVE?
We have two types of volunteers at the Bunbury
Dolphin Discovery Centre:
Long term volunteers are usually
those who live and work in the Bunbury region. They must spend a
minimum of four hours at the Centre each week for a minimum of six
months, although they are welcome to spend much more.
Short term volunteers are
usually visitors to the Bunbury region and/or those who want to be
involved for a short time only. To become a short term volunteer
you must be able to spend a minimum of six weeks at the Centre and
be available to come in at least five days a week. There is a
standard minimum of 4 hours per day.
Activities of a volunteer:
- Talking to visitors on the beach - explaining
what the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre does
- Assisting in the management of the
Interaction Zone during dolphin visits
- Participating in "Coastcare" activities and
assist with current research projects
- Assisting with dolphin observations in the Bay
and monitoring of dolphin visits to the zone
- General maintenance and cleaning
- Tour guiding through the Interpretive Centre for
the general public, tour groups and school students
- Generally assisting with various tasks around
the Centre
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What we can offer volunteers
By volunteering for Bunbury Dolphin
Discovery you will achieve a great sense of satisfaction knowing
that you are assisting in a worthwhile project to increase public
awareness about dolphins and other marine life.
Volunteers learn a great deal through our
training course which covers a wide range of issues and skills and
includes presentations from a selection of guest speakers relevant
to the operation of the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery
Centre.
After having completed a minimum of 20 hours, you
are permitted to purchase an official Volunteer t-shirt for
$20 and, if required, hat for $10 which will identify you to the
public as a representative of Bunbury Dolphin
Discovery.
Regular volunteer meetings are held to ensure you
are kept up to date with the latest issues regarding marine mammal
management and the operations of Bunbury Dolphin
Discovery.
Our statement of commitment
Your commitment to the volunteer program is very
important. Volunteers are asked to make a pledge to the Centre
which involves:
- Becoming familiar with, and supportive of, the
organisation’s policies, procedures and objectives.
- Learning necessary and correct information so
you can pass it on to visitors.
- Attending meetings and information
sessions.
- Using a roster system each week and informing
appropriate staff if you are unable to make it.
Being a volunteer at the Bunbury Dolphin
Discovery Centre can be a wonderful experience. You meet people
from all around the world, not to mention the dolphins. However
your time as a volunteer will involve a lot more than being in the
water with the dolphins. Talking and answering questions is a very
important part of a volunteer's role. Eighty percent of a
volunteer’s day involves talking to people who come down to the
beach to see the dolphins. Volunteers make excellent tour
guides!!
As a volunteer you will be required to converse
well in English, however a second language is a wonderful asset as
so many of our visitors are international travellers.
If you wish to become a volunteer, please
click
here to download the
Volunteer Application Form.
We hope to see you at the Bunbury Dolphin
Discovery Centre one day soon. |
