Australian Wooden Boat Festival volunteers left ‘warm and fuzzy’

Many hands make light work, and that’s something the Australian Wooden Boat Festival knows well with the event needing more than 300 volunteers to run. Find out how to get involved.

Volunteers Amillie White and John Kelly. Call for volunteers ahead of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The growth of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival is due to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers – and more are needed to ensure its continued success.

Paul Stephanus, general manager and festival director, said it was Tasmania’s largest free event and mostly run by volunteers.

“This growth and success have been made possible by the 400 plus volunteers who don the festival colours every two years and take on the vitals jobs that keep the Festival ticking,” he said.

“The festival is a place of pilgrimage for tens of thousands of maritime culture enthusiasts from across Australia and the globe.

“But more importantly, it is a massive grassroots community event that brings together Tasmanians from all walks of life.”

Volunteer manager Steph Wiltshire, is keen to attract more volunteers, even people who don’t know a lot about boats.

Steph Wiltshire volunteer manager Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Picture: Australian Wooden Boat Festival

“Last festival I managed a bit over 300 volunteers, but with more activities and exhibitions we need more than that this time,” she said.

“We aren’t there yet, so it would be great to have more people join us.

“Getting involved in volunteering enables this amazing community event to be accessible and free.

“Volunteering is lovely way to have a good time, make friends and discover and improve your passion.

“I often get feedback that volunteering enhances the experience of being at the festival, and is a great way to feel ‘warm and fuzzy’.”

Amillie White first volunteered when she was visiting from Guernsey in the UK and her uncle, who works for the Maritime Museum, was heavily involved in the festival.

She did a range of jobs on the food and beverage team and also supported the waste management team.

“I volunteered because it is fun to be involved and you have opportunities to meet wonderful people and see some beautiful boats,” Ms White said.

“I had the opportunity to attend the parade of sail at the beginning of the festival and am now volunteer crew for the SV Rhona H.”

Volunteers Amillie White and John Kelly. Call for volunteers ahead of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

John Kelly is a veteran festival volunteer and has had a love of wooden boats all his life, from when his father raced his 16 foot skiff on Sydney Harbour and he was the “bailer boy”.

“One of the attractions about volunteering, particularly at such large public events, is the team camaraderie that is created,” he said.

“I have had interstate visitors exclaim how consistently they come to Tasmania, just because of this event and the nautical atmosphere enveloping them here.

“It is a major world event, in the realms of wooden boats, something any Tasmanian can be very proud of.

“Volunteering could be the start of friendships and life experiences for anyone.”

The festival in Hobart is from February 7-10. To volunteer go to: https://australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/volunteer/