Volunteering

For any volunteer enquiries, please contact: 

Lydia Kerrell-Vaughan 

Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator 

03 9415 3600 

lkerrellvaughan@abbotsfordconvent.com.au 

The Abbotsford Convent Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. 

Types of volunteering

Tour guide volunteers

Our tour guides play a vital role in educating our visitors and are a valuable source of information and history. The tour guides provide visitors with a solid understanding of how the site came to be, what it is now and how they can get involved.

This role is great for history buffs and people who are comfortable speaking to crowds and those they don’t know. As a tour guide, you will lead groups of people through areas that are normally unseen by the public and inform them of the past, present and future uses of the rooms and buildings. Living memories have been collected from people who have had a strong connection with the Convent, such as some of the Sisters and women who used to live here. These stories underpin the tour guide script.

Our social history tours are currently run most Sundays of the year at 2pm. We also offer private group tours on weekdays, these also include Convent Made tours which focus on artist studios and current uses of the site. Tour guides are rostered on for approximately one tour a month.

Event volunteering

Participants have the opportunity to assist on a variety of events and support the artistic and cultural projects of the organisation.

Garden volunteers

Garden volunteers play a vital role in the maintenance of the Convent’s gardens so they will survive and thrive for generations to come. Our garden volunteers assist in the care, maintenance and presentation of the Convent’s gardens and open spaces through tasks including but not limited to:

  • Weeding of selected areas
  • Sweeping or raking of paths and open ground areas
  • Picking up and moving leaves, garden cutting and similar
  • Mulching and composting of the gardens as nominated
  • Minor soil preparation and tillage
  • Plant cultivation
  • Pruning

While volunteers do not need to attend on a weekly basis, we do require a minimum two hour commitment when attending. It is preferred that you volunteer at least once a month, for a minimum commitment of three months.

Corporate volunteers

Corporate volunteering at the Convent is a great way for your company to develop staff skills, build teams and be associated with a much-loved community destination. Whether it’s important maintenance work in the heritage gardens and outdoor spaces, event support or utilising your skill-sets through dedicated initiatives in the Convent’s offices, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the many ways that your team of staff can get involved.