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Como House and Gardens (South Yarra)

Enjoy the calm of an urban pleasure garden and historic house. Discover the story of Melbourne with a visit to Como House.

Known by many Melburnians as ‘the white house on the hill,’ Como overlooks the Birrurung (Yarra) river and is surrounded by a pleasure garden and community parkland.

Leila Armytage called her home ‘the last remaining oasis.’

Como is an atmospheric town mansion presented as a family home. The interiors reflect the tastes and style of the Armytages, who lived at Como for 95 years. It was the first house museum in Australia acquired with its contents of furniture, domestic technology and decorative arts. Como was a home but also a place of work, and the original servants’ quarters are preserved.

Built in 1847, Como House is an unusual mix of Australian Regency and classic Italianate architecture. The garden has retained many elements of its 1850s design.

Since colonisation, Como has changed with Melbourne, reflecting the booms and busts of Victoria’s history. This is the story you will hear on your visit.

Como House is located at the Corner of Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave, South Yarra

Opportunities Available

Gardening Volunteer

Join weekly social garden groups to support the maintenance of our gardens and their heritage value. Gain experience in a Heritage Garden, meet like-minded friends, experience the health benefits of being in the garden and help us look after these special places. The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) are seeking a Volunteers to assist in or weekly Gardening groups at various properties across the state.  

Thursday's 10:00am - 12 noon

Volunteer activities could include: 

  • Attend weekly working bees, under the direction of the NTAV representative (various for properties)  
  • Carry out garden maintenance and development tasks.  
  • Work co-operatively with other volunteers to keep the garden at the highest standard practicable within the available resources.   
  • Tasks vary with the seasons, Planting, Presentation, Weeding, Pruning, Raking 

Knowledge and Skills required :  

  • Experience is not always necessary 
  • Some knowledge and enjoyment of routine gardening practices is desirable but not essential.  
  • Willingness to adapt procedures to ensure maintenance of heritage aspects of the garden. 
  • Positive work ethic appreciated 

Volunteer Benefits include  

  • Social and community benefits 
  • Connection to meet people with similar interests and make new friends.  
  • Exercise and natural benefits and wellbeing from spending time in nature 
  • Learn about Horticulture, heritage and presentation of significant gardens.  
  • Joining a community of volunteers, with regular meetings and opportunities for attendance at events and outings organised by NTAV.  
  • Chance to make a positive difference to our cultural heritage 

Training and skill development in: 

  • National Trust general induction for all volunteers. 
  • Site Induction by Garden Coordinator. 

You will be one of a team of experienced volunteers. The National Trust is a not for profit organisation that aims to conserve Australia’s history and heritage for present and future generations. 

Volunteers can be provided with a letter of reference. 

As part of the application process, we will ask you to agree to register as a National Trust Volunteer.  Volunteers are required to have a current Working with Children’s Card (free for volunteers) and police check which you can apply for as part of the application process.  

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), please get in touch for more information volunteers@nattrust.com.au and please share this with your networks. 

Thank you for considering volunteering with us. We believe in inclusiveness, diversity, and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of that. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies. 

We promote diversity and practice equity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. 

General Interest Registration

Volunteering with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while connecting with our rich heritage. Whether you’re passionate about history, nature, or community, there’s a role for you. From guiding visitors through iconic properties to supporting events, being involved in our gardens and landscape spaces, conservation projects, or assisting with administration, you’ll play a vital part in preserving and celebrating our cultural legacy. Join our vibrant community of volunteers and help us protect the stories of the past for future generations.

If there is not a current Volunteer opportunity available that interests please apply and our Staff will contact you to discuss what opportunity best suits you

Knowledge and Skills required :  

  • Experience is not always necessary 
  • Positive work ethic appreciated 

Volunteer Benefits include  

  • Social and community benefits 
  • Connection to meet people with similar interests and make new friends.  
  • Joining a community of volunteers, with regular meetings and opportunities for attendance at events and outings organised by NTAV.  
  • Chance to make a positive difference to our cultural heritage 

Training and skill development in: 

  • National Trust general induction for all volunteers. 
  • Site Induction by National Trust Staff member

You will be one of a team of experienced volunteers. The National Trust is a not for profit organisation that aims to conserve Australia’s history and heritage for present and future generations. 

As part of the application process, we will ask you to agree to register as a National Trust Volunteer.  Volunteers are may be required to have a current Working with Children’s Card (free for volunteers) and police check which you can apply for as part of the application process.  

Thank you for considering volunteering with us. We believe in inclusiveness, diversity, and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of that. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies. 

We promote diversity and practice equity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. 

Collections Preventative Cleaning Volunteer

As a Collections Preventative Cleaning Volunteer with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), you will play an essential role in preserving our cultural heritage. This role involves caring for historical objects and building interiors through preventative conservation and intensive cleaning practices. Volunteers will receive training and follow detailed guidelines from the NTAV Housekeeping Manual to ensure the safe and effective care of collection items.

Volunteer activities could include: 

  • Preventative conservation and intensive cleaning 
  • Dust, clean and polish collection objects and building fabric as per techniques described in the NTAV housekeeping manual 
  • Follow list of objects needing intensive cleaning and tick off when completed

Knowledge and Skills required :  

  • Some object handling understanding and willingness to learn
  • Time management  skills and awareness
  • Basic IT skills

Volunteer Benefits include  

  • Opportunity to meet people with similar interests and make new friends weekly.
  • Learn about Australia heritage and cultural sites.
  • Gain experienced with respected and best practice industry expert
  • Meaningful volunteering with contributes to health and well being
  • Free entry to site where volunteering with a guided house tour, including events and  exhibitions, on application.
  • Join a community of volunteers, with regular meetings and opportunities for attendance at events and outings organised by NTAV.
  • Chance to make a positive difference to our cultural heritage .

Training and Skill Development

  • National Trust general induction for all volunteers. 
  • Site Induction by NTAV Coordinator. 
  • Ongoing learning in Collections and Object handling, 

You will be one of a team of experienced volunteers. The National Trust is a not for profit organisation that aims to conserve Australia’s history and heritage for present and future generations. 

As part of the application process, we will ask you to agree to register as a National Trust Volunteer.  Volunteers are required to have a current Working with Children’s Card (free for volunteers) and police check which you can apply for as part of the application process.  

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), please get in touch for more information volunteers@nattrust.com.au and please share this with your networks. 

Thank you for considering volunteering with us. We believe in inclusiveness, diversity, and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of that. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies. 

We promote diversity and practice equity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. 

Corporate Volunteering

Looking for a rewarding team-building experience that also gives back to the community? Como House & Gardens offers corporate volunteering opportunities where your team can step away from the office and make a tangible impact on one of Melbourne’s most treasured heritage sites. Whether it’s helping to maintain the beautiful gardens, assisting with events, or supporting conservation projects, your team’s contribution will play a vital role in preserving this historic estate. Join us for a meaningful day of teamwork, connection, and hands-on volunteering in a stunning heritage setting! 

Volunteer activities could include: 

  • Gardening
  • Light Maintenance work
  • Event Support
  • Conservation cleaning

Your Team will be hosted by a National Trust supervisor on the day and may enjoy a guided tour of the house also.
The National Trust is a not for profit organisation that aims to conserve Australia’s history and heritage for present and future generations. 

As part of the application process, we will ask you to agree to register as a National Trust Volunteer one off Volunteer. You will not be expected to hold a Working with children card or a Police check but you will be supervised through out the day. 

If this sounds like your team please get in touch for more information volunteers@nattrust.com.au and please share this with your networks. 
If you team has been booked for a corporate volunteering day please fill in an application form via the link and once approved you will be sent a full inductjon document and details of your corporate volunteering experience. 

Thank you for considering volunteering with us.
We believe in inclusiveness, diversity, and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of that.
We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies. 
We promote diversity and practice equity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. 

Fill in an application

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