The huge contribution volunteers make to Victoria's parks is being acknowledged during this week's National Volunteers Week.
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Mornington resident, Amelia Travers is among those being thanked by Parks Victoria for volunteering as a Campground Host in the Grampians National Park for 20 days last month.
Now in its thirteenth year, Parks Victoria's Campground Host Program is a great way for volunteers to get out and about in Victoria's parks, while providing a contact point for the public.
Parks Victoria Program co-ordinator, Andrew Roach said Amelia was based in the Borough Huts Campground and was great support to the park staff and visitors during the busy Easter weekend and school holidays.
"Amelia was involved in many activities including providing camping advice and park information to visitors such as explaining which areas had been affected by the recent bushfires.
"She regularly checked popular walking tracks for any issues and removed rubbish.
"We also appreciated her help in other park management activities including monitoring threatened species and conducting aboriginal cultural heritage surveys," Mr Roach said.
Amelia, who is studying a Diploma of Secondary Education (Geography) and has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Geography, said she loved her experience in the Grampians National Park and encouraged others to get involved.
"For me the highlights of working in the Grampians included working with a fantastic team of Parks Victoria staff who were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable.
"It was wonderful getting to learn about the park from people who know it like the back of their hand and then sharing that information with other campers.
"I enjoyed interacting with such a diverse range of campers from first timers to well-seasoned travellers. Being able to contribute to their holiday with advice, support and a smile was incredibly rewarding.
"It was also a great opportunity to take the time to experience a part of the world that I was relatively unfamiliar with.
"It was brilliant to get out on all the walks and explore the park without being rushed," she said.
Last year volunteers contributed a record 218,970 volunteer hours across 180 parks and reserves in Victoria which translates to 29,751 volunteer days.
There are many interesting and fun ways to get involved in volunteering to help care for our parks.
Parks Victoria would love to hear from anyone interested in getting involved.
For more information visit the volunteer page at www.parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963.