THE North Coast Regional Botanic Garden is one of Coffs Harbour’s most popular attractions.
Thousands of tourists and locals visit the 20-hectare site every year and a great way to get the most out of any trip is to take a free tour of the extensive and diverse Garden with one of the Friends of the Botanic Garden volunteer guides.
The free Guided Walks take place on the third Sunday of every month at 10am.
Guiding Coordinator Ros O’Connell has been volunteering as a guide for the past 11 years.
“I love meeting people and there’s always something to show them in the Garden. I get a real kick out of showing people our Garden. It’s got everything the larger Botanic Gardens have but on a smaller scale,” says the retired businesswoman.
“As we have so many different areas, I always say it’s like having a tour of the world.”
The Friends’ Publicity Officer, Eve Colley, has also been working as a guide for the past five years.
“I enjoy the interaction with people and, as a volunteer, you can do as much or as little as you like,” she says.
New volunteers are always welcome at the Garden and anyone wanting to be a guide will be able to take part in workshops to learn more about the Garden and its inhabitants, both animal and vegetable.
“Nobody needs to be an expert botanist or gardener. We’ve all gained our knowledge as we’ve worked in the Garden,” said Eve, a retired physiotherapist.
“Even people who don’t enjoy gardening particularly are also very welcome as there are always a lot of DIY or maintenance type jobs that the Friends carry out.”
The Friends also help coordinate a series of events throughout the year including the Botanica Festival in October, Jazz in the Garden and the Japanese Festival of Children’s Day.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer Guide in the Garden or a Friend of the Botanic Garden can contact Ros O’Connell on 02 6653 7298.
Call for volunteers
People who are passionate about their local area are being sought by Council to take part in a new community programme called Coffs Ambassadors - Volunteer Interpretive Tours. The programme involves community volunteers running short interpretive tours within the local area – that they themselves develop on themes that interest them – for residents and tourists. Please contact Coffs Harbour City Council on 6648 4672 to receive an Information Pack or go to www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/ambas sadors to download the information pack. An Information Session for potential Coffs Ambassadors will be held on Saturday, July 11 from 10am-11am at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour. Please RSVP to Coffs Harbour City Council on 6648 4672 by Wednesday, July 8 to join the Information Session.
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