This International Volunteers Day, 5 December 2024, dive into something exciting with the Aquaculture Gladstone Volunteers Program.
Whether you’re passionate about sustainability or looking for a fun way to give back, now’s your chance to get involved and help make an impact.
Supporting sustainable aquaculture practices and environmental conservation, volunteers play a crucial role at the Aquaculture Gladstone Interpretive Display at Lake Awoonga.
Volunteers share vital information about hatchery operations, the fish breeding program, the release of fingerlings, and the local aquatic environment at Lake Awoonga.
They also participate in special events and private tours, helping visitors learn about the importance of sustainable aquaculture.
Gladstone Area Water Board CEO, Darren Barlow, praised the program’s early success.
“Our volunteers are an important part of our team. Their enthusiasm and dedication are key to showcasing the essential role aquaculture plays in preserving water quality and the Lake Awoonga ecosystem,” Mr Barlow said.
“This International Volunteers Day, I want to say a massive thank you to our volunteers, many who have been with us since the program launched in June, along with our program partner, NFP House, who coordinate the volunteers.
“Thanks to our volunteers and NFP House, we can now open the interpretive display six days a week, sharing our story and educating even more people about the importance of sustainable aquaculture.
“Volunteering is a fun and selfless way to serve the Gladstone community and we’re extremely proud of this program,” he said.
Aquaculture Gladstone volunteer, David Mills, said the program had been an enriching experience so far.
“I volunteer at the interpretive display alongside my wife Natasha, and we just love it,” Mr Mills said.
“It’s amazing to connect with people from all walks of life and share what the team is doing here at Aquaculture Gladstone.
“We love Lake Awoonga and it’s a joy to be part of this program. To anyone thinking about signing up – just do it. The team is incredibly supportive, and you won’t regret it.”
Volunteers don’t need an encyclopedic knowledge of fish or aquaculture, GAWB will provide all the information needed to support volunteers.
For more information about the Aquaculture Gladstone volunteer program and to apply, please visit the NFP House Volunteer Portal (https://portal.nfphouse.org.au/) or email NFP House (admin@nfphouse.org.au).
Please do not send applications directly to GAWB.
Aquaculture Gladstone is a multi-species, native fish hatchery, which is part of Gladstone Area Water Board.
Opened in November 2022, Aquaculture Gladstone has already reached impressive milestones, with one million Barramundi fingerlings bred and released into Lake Awoonga in the 2023 stocking period.
In addition to its successful fish breeding program, Aquaculture Gladstone opened the interpretive display at the hatchery in November 2023.
The interpretive display creates an accessible experience for visitors to learn about the different fish species being bred at the Aquaculture Gladstone fish hatchery, the aquaculture industry more broadly, biosecurity and biological pest species.
