Volunteer recognition completed with south coast trip

27 November 2025

The Foundation’s annual events to thank and acknowledge all our volunteers has been the focus of four recent events. Following previous events in Perth and Bunbury, the volunteer management team – Volunteer Manager Helen, Maintenance Manager Andrew and assistant Charmaine – travelled to Albany and Peaceful Bay over the weekend.

Thanking volunteers at a picnic in Bunbury

Volunteers at our afternoon tea in Albany

Frankland district volunteers at our final event in Peaceful Bay

The events are a lovely chance for us to catch-up with volunteers, share news and information, and present formal recognition. For many of the regional volunteers – mainly involved with Track maintenance and working independently on their allocated section – there are few such opportunities to connect with others doing the same work.

We’re extremely grateful for everyone who joins us in a volunteer role to support the Track and walkers. Supporters ‘give back’ in a voluntary capacity in the Foundation office, working in an admin capacity, by leading our walks and workshops as Guides, carrying out Track maintenance, entering data from the campsite logbooks, checking digital Track-use counters, helping with marketing and promotion, assisting with special projects, or serving on our governing Board. Check out Volunteer with us to find out more about all the ways the volunteer contribution is essential to our work.

We have two types of formal recognition presented to attending volunteers (and distributed individually to those who can’t make one of the events).

Annual Rewards are given in thanks for the contribution of an individual volunteer during a financial year. Whether it’s time spent on the Track or the time spent getting there, coming in to the office on a weekly basis, or many hours at home especially on the computer… we recognize that some roles require more time out of volunteers’ busy lives than others!

Meanwhile, our Long Service Awards recognise the loyalty, enthusiasm and ongoing commitment from a volunteer, regardless whether they do 5 or 500 hours a year! We are really lucky to have so many people who love the Track and are prepared to make ‘giving back’ such an ongoing part of their lives.