International Volunteer Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, and is now celebrated worldwide.

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is very pleased to acknowledge the men and women who give so generously of their time and skills to the MoAD volunteer program and to thank them for enriching our visitors’ experience of the museum.

The origins of the MoAD volunteer program go back as far as 1992, the year that Old Parliament House was re-opened to the public by former Prime Ministers John Gorton and Gough Whitlam. The museum notes that two people from the first intake of volunteers in 1992 are still volunteering here almost 20 years on – a wonderful contribution.

Their involvement through leading guided tours, interpreting heritage spaces and generally interacting with visitors makes a valuable contribution to achieving the museum’s objectives, particularly in building satisfaction with the visitor experience at the museum.

A number of volunteers also assist with the museum’s oral history program, helping to make our intangible heritage accessible to all.

The museum thanks all our volunteers and congratulates them for their contribution to our visitors.