BEHIND the scenes, and amongst the action, Ballarat Tramway Museum has sixty volunteers keeping the organisation rolling.<\/p>\n
BTM member John Whiting said they\u2019re aiming to double that number as soon as they can, and encourage anyone who can give their time, whether once monthly, or weekly, to express interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the construction of the Tramway Museum building complete, and the potential to develop more day-to-day operations with functions and special events, we need more volunteers to work at the museum, to be on the trams, and to help maintain them,\u201d Mr Whiting said.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteers can assist in the shop area, so those with a background in sales and retail would be valuable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also slowly developing the function and social area out the back to serve more tea, coffee, and food, so a background in hospitality or cooking would be helpful there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also need friendly people to be our general museum guides. They don\u2019t need to arrive knowing the nuts and bolts about trams, as basic information will be taught to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Whiting said those out on the trams themselves, whether conducting or driving, would ideally be kind and approachable, and some experience with workplace safety would be handy.<\/p>\n
\u201cImportantly, we need people to maintain and do restoration work on the trams, so those who are or have been mechanics, woodworkers, carpenters, and plumbers, or know about high-voltage electricity and how it works, would be valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Whiting said the lifeblood of the Ballarat Tramway Museum is its volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t survive without them,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat we can offer in return is an inclusive space for any people of any age, background, or gender.<\/p>\n