Four events this week celebrated the efforts of volunteers at all of the National Trust’s properties. The events at Geelong, Chiltern and Ripponlea and McCrae Homestead, celebrated the efforts of several hundred National Trust volunteers. Over 1000 people regularly volunteer for the Trust throughout Victoria contributing thousands of hours per annum to the Trust’s conservation and heritage efforts. The events have been held to say ‘Thank You,’ for our volunteer’s ongoing commitment.

Volunteer Property Managers Sharon Bowen (thirteen years at McCrae Homestead) and Judy Turner (three years as a volunteer at Mulberry Hill) are pictured with the Chairman and CEO at the Mornington Peninsula event held on Saturday 19th May, having been recognised by the Trust and their colleagues as a 'special kind of volunteer', being two of the six volunteer managers recognised this week.

Awards for service from one year to an incredible 48 years have been presented by the Chairman Dr Graeme Blackman, CEO Martin Purslow and Dr Steven Cooke Conservation and Heritage Services Manager.

Martin Purslow praised the invaluable work undertaken by the Volunteers, ‘The National Trust could simply not function without our volunteers. Many of our regional properties are operated solely by unpaid staff. Volunteers also contribute to the work of our specialist advisory committees, assist in events and fundraising and make many other areas of our activity possible. Victorians owe our volunteers a great debt of thanks for their role in preserving our heritage and making it accessible.’