Take action!
There are a number of ways that an individual can take action. Not everyone can make a financial contribution, but everyone can contribute in some way.
If you believe in the saying 'Think globally. Act locally' and are passionate about making a difference, then convert your precious time into endangered species conservation work and improve your local environment by becoming a volunteer with the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater. Get connected! Learn skills, gain experiences, share knowledge.
Whether you are looking to do your bit for the environment, want work experience in the industry or want to volunteer with a great group of friendly people we have a role for you. No experience is necessary for most roles. Details of our current opportunities are listed below.
The best way to get started is by dropping into the nursery and saying hello. Check out our opening times here.
If you are studying natural resources, horticulture, teaching or undertaking some other form of education or training, community based work experience will be held in very high regard by employers. You can be involved in a number of ways.
For further information about any of our volunteer opportunities please contact us.
Nursery
- every Tuesday & Thursday
- 1st Saturday of the month (Apr-Dec)
Learn new skills in plant propagation and plant identification or share your knowledge. Come and enjoy the colour, movement and sound of the bush whilst enjoying the company of fellow Friends as you pot up plants and get involved in various aspects of nursery management. Check out our
opening times here. All activities are undertaken under the supervision and direction of our Nursery Manager.
Volunteers usually attend weekly or fortnightly on a Tuesday or Thursday and/or monthly on a Saturday from 9.30am-1pm
and bring a picnic lunch to have in the bushland surrounds afterwards. Morning tea and training is provided.
Contact us for further details.
Revegetation group
Activities may include tree planting, seed collecting or works around the nursery or at differing locations around the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve and area. Meet at the Yellingbo Ranger's House, 1217 Macclesfield Road, Yellingbo (Melway Map 305 Ref. G11) at 10am. BYO lunch. Most equipment is supplied. Please dress for the weather. Sturdy boots are required, gumboots in wet weather. All activities are undertaken under the supervision and direction of our Revegetation group Coordinator.
Contact us for upcoming dates.
Seed & plant stock collection
- weekdays & weekends - seasonal
All plants grown and sold by the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater community nursery are of local provenance. All propagation material is collected under permit to protect and preserve the integrity of our natural environment. All activities are undertaken under the supervision and direction of our Nursery Manager and Revegetation group coordinator..
Contact us for further details.
Helmeted Honeyeater supplementary feeding & monitoring program
- daily
- either Yellingbo, Gembrook or Tonimbuk
Use your bird observation skills in a hands-on supplementary feeding & monitoring program for newly released Helmeted Honeyeaters. Join a team of local people working to save this bird. Three (3) hours, morning commitment needed. Rosters operate 7 days p/week at Bunyip State Park & Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. Full training provided. Access to a 4WD vehicle would be an advantage. Applicants will be interviewed by the Department of Sustainability & Environment's (DSE) Field Ornithologist responsible for the in-field aspects of the Recovery program of the Helmeted Honeyeater.
Contact us for further details.
Bird surveys
- 2-4 p/year
- weekdays or weekends
Surveys are conducted under the supervision and direction of the Department of Sustainability & Environment's (DSE) Field Ornithologist responsible for the Recovery program of the Helmeted Honeyeater. Use your bird observation skills to help identify the location of Helmeted Honeyeater's in the wild. Surveys usually require an early start and full day commitment. A moderate level of fitness is required.
Contact us for further details.
Community Education
- various times and venues throughout the year
- weekdays or weekends
Use your presentation skills to assist school students and/or adult groups learn about the Helmeted Honeyeater, its habitat and the threats to them. Share your love of the environment with others. Reasonable PC and IT skills required for using a prepared Powerpoint presentation. Working with Children's Check (volunteer) required. Events may include classroom & community group talks and/or informal community markets & fetes. Training is provided by our Education Coordinator.
Contact us for further details.
School planting days
- usually May-October
- Tuesdays &/or Thursdays
Join our school group visits to Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. A core part of our education program with schools is to plant future habitat for the Helmeted Honeyeater and the other species that co-exist with it. The day may also include a guided habitat walk, a tour or hands-on experience in our nursery or environmental games. Use your love of, and skills with, children to involve them in all aspects of the day. All activities are undertaken under the supervision and direction of our Education Coordinator. Working with Children's Check (volunteer) required.
In 2010 we planted over 27,000 plants with
school, community & corporate groups. In 2011, our target is 14,000. Should be easy! In May/June 2011, Cockatoo PS, Oxley
College, Swinburne TAFE & Lilydale HS planted 4,160 habitat plants.
Great result! Only 9,840 to go before we reach our target. Can
you help?
Contact us for further details.
Corporate planting days or nursery days
- Tuesdays &/or Thursdays
- Planting days usually May-October
- Nursery days throughout the year
Are you looking for a volunteer activity that focuses on the outdoors and held during the working week? Our community group needs and welcomes assistance. Help us to plant or grow future habitat for the Helmeted Honeyeater and the other species that co-exist with it within Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. Your corporate group can make a substantial difference in just one day whilst having a great day out. All equipment is supplied. All activities are undertaken under the supervision and direction of our Education Coordinator or Nursery Manager.
Expression of interest form
Use your own special skills
One of our members provides fantastic photographic images for our presentations, merchandise and newsletter. Another member is a botanical artist and contributes her drawings for reproduction in our merchandise range. One member has particular skills in finance and committees. Another is really good at selling membership. These examples represent only four of our members. Everyone has something unique to contribute to the group. Let us know how you can contribute.
Contact us for further details.
Our wish list
- media liaison (times to suit you)
Do you have a flair for telling a story?
- nursery order assistant (Tuesday or Thursday)
Do you know your indigenous plants? Can you, for example, pick out a Eucalyptus viminalis or Carex appressa from our stock of 150 plant species?
- development of promotional and educational materials (times to suit you)
Do you enjoy working on and implementing projects that engage others?
- exploring fundraising opportunities (times to suit you)
Do you understand marketing and promotion? Can you help us unravel the secrets?
We look forward to hearing from you. Contact us.
