Australian National Botanic Gardens

Volunteer Guide Service

The Volunteer Guide Service is a joint program of the Staff and Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Aim

The Volunteer Guide Service aims to help the Australian National Botanic Gardens achieve its objectives by providing a high quality service which will:

• increase visitors enjoyment and knowledge of the Gardens;
• provide visitors with information on the Gardens, its scientific, educational, recreational and conservation roles; and on the biology, horticulture and use of Australian plants; and
• build community support for the institution.

Selection Procedure

Guides will be selected for training after an interview by a Guide Selection Panel. Places on the training program will be limited in order to provide high quality, practical training. Further training courses will be held as required to maintain a working number of guides.

Download Application Form (PDF) and Criteria for ANBG Guides (PDF)

Guides' Panel

The Guides' Selection Panel will oversee the selection, training and ongoing review of guides. The panel will be chosen from:

• a staff representative of the Visitor Services section of the Gardens
• representatives of the Volunteer Guide Service

Training Course

All prospective guides must complete a training course conducted by the Gardens. The course aims to familiarise guides with the Gardens, its design and layout, scientific, conservation and educational functions. The course will also include group dynamics and communication and planning skills.

The five week course is two full days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, commencing on October 11th to 9th November, 2005, from 10:00 am to 3.30 pm each day.

The course includes:

• The history and development of the Gardens
• The scientific, conservation and education functions of the Gardens
• An introduction to the biology and horticulture of Australian plants
• Plant names and classification
• Horticultural and record management at the Gardens
• Communication and planning skills for walks
• Facilities and services for visitors at the Gardens

Pre-requisites for the course are membership in the Friends Association, an interest in communicating with Gardens' visitors and the physical ability to lead walks in the Gardens.

An interest in the Gardens, gardening and Australian plants will be helpful for participants. No formal training in botany or horticulture is required.

Assessment

During the course, and at its conclusion, prospective guides will be assessed for their suitability for guiding work.

Insurance

All volunteers at the Gardens will be insured for personal accident or injury by COMCARE while they are performing their normal duties. Guides will be required to sign a volunteer agreement form and a register when working at the Gardens.

General Guidelines

To assist the administration of the Guide Service, provide a safe working environment and help provide a high quality service for visitors; the guides will operate under the following guidelines:

• Guides must be prepared to make a commitment to the Guide Service for at least 12 months.
• Guides should be available to lead at least two walks per month.
• Guides are required to attend the monthly meetings of the Guide Service.
• Guides will be expected to prepare their own walks and undertake the necessary research for them.
• Guides must strive to increase their knowledge of the Gardens and other relevant subjects by attending training sessions, and by undertaking individual research.
• Guides' performance will be monitored to ensure a high standard is maintained.
• Guides must be prepared to assist in the administration of the Guide Service.
• Guides should be prepared to assist in the training of new guides.
• Guides must at all times conform to Gardens' regulations and obey all restrictions pertaining to access to particular areas of the Gardens.
• Guides must not accept money for guided walks, but donations to the Friends of the ANBG are gratefully received.
• Guides must not make policy statements on behalf of the ANBG or purport to represent the ANBG on policy matters.

Applications

Prospective guides: Complete an application form and return it by 12/9/2005 to:

Co-ordinator, Volunteer Guides
Australian National Botanic Gardens
GPO Box 1777 Canberra ACT 2601.

Further Information

Please ring Sabrina Sonntag on (06) 6250 9538