Volunteer With Us

As a Volunteer Guide at Waller House, you support the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) by helping deliver engaging, accurate, and memorable visitor experiences within one of Victoria’s most significant artist homes. Guides play a vital role in interpreting the history, artworks, and cultural significance of the Waller family and their creative legacy. Your participation helps visitors connect with the property, ensures safe movement through the house, and contributes to NTAV’s mission to inspire appreciation, conservation, and celebration of Victoria’s heritage.

This role includes an initial training period where you will serve as a Training Guide (Shadow Guide) before progressing to independent guiding.

Volunteer Duties can include 

• Lead your own scheduled tours of Waller House.
• Deliver tours without reading directly from a script.
• Refer complex or highly technical visitor questions to a supervising Guide or NTAV staff if needed.
• Use notes for object details, historical facts, or Acknowledgement of Country if this supports confident delivery.
• Maintain a warm, welcoming, and professional presence in all interactions.
• Inspire the community to value and protect Victoria’s heritage by sharing the stories of the Waller family, their artworks, and the home’s cultural significance.

Reports To

• NTAV Property Manager / Coordinator
• Lead Volunteer Guide

Time Commitment

• A minimum of one shift per month (site dependent).
• Additional shifts may be available depending on property needs and volunteer interest.

Benefits for Volunteers

• Connect with people who share an interest in art, history, design, and cultural heritage.
• Learn about one of Victoria’s most significant artist homes and its nationally important collection.
• Gain confidence and experience in public speaking, interpretation, and visitor engagement.
• Enjoy meaningful volunteering that supports wellbeing, creativity, and community participation.
• Free entry to Waller House on days you volunteer, including eligible tours, exhibitions, and events (by application).
• Become part of the wider NTAV volunteer community with opportunities for meetings, outings, and ongoing involvement.
• Make a positive contribution to the preservation and interpretation of Victoria’s cultural heritage.

Skills, Qualifications, or Experience (Required or Desirable)

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to learn and share the history of Waller House, the Waller family, and the property’s artistic legacy.
• Confidence speaking with diverse audiences, or willingness to develop this skill.
• Reliability, good time management, and ability to follow instructions.
• Adaptability to tailor communication to different visitor groups.
• Basic IT skills (e.g., rostering systems, receiving emails).

Other Requirements of the Role

• Completion of NTAV General Volunteer Induction.
• Waller House–specific site induction by the Property Manager or Guide Coordinator.
• Use of Guide Notes, interpretive materials, and provided research resources.
• Working With Children Check (WWCC).
• National Police Check.