IF YOU have a passion for the outdoors and enjoy helping people, Parks Victoria needs you to join the sherpa volunteers team.
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Parks Victoria is once again seeking volunteers to be trained as all-terrain wheelchair operators to help people with limited mobility to explore the Grampians National Park.
The next induction session will be held from 10am-1pm on Saturday, September 20.
Parks Victoria Volunteer Coordinator, Caitlyn O'Reilly, said there had been increasing interest in the pilot Volunteer Sherpa Program and she was pleased that it would allow more people with a disability to experience the great outdoors.
"All-terrain wheelchairs have been introduced to many popular parks across the state and are proving to be really popular. However, not everybody has someone who can push the wheelchair along the park trails," she said.
"This program will give people a great opportunity to help others enjoy the beautiful surrounds right here on our doorstep and I think it will be highly rewarding for all those involved.
"Volunteers will learn how to operate the all-terrain wheelchairs and which trails have good wheelchair access. They will also gain an insight into interacting positively with a person who is living with a disability."
The induction session on Saturday, September 20 will be at Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap. The sessions is open to all willing and able volunteers.
Parks Victoria staff members will be joined by David Stratton, an advocate of the all-terrain wheelchairs who is living with a disability himself, to conduct the training.
Anyone interested in volunteering or attending the session can contact Caitlyn O'Reilly, Volunteer Coordinator, Grampians National Park on 0428 553 040 or Caitlyn.O'Reilly@parks.vic.gov.au