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Meet the AWBF Volunteer Crew
In the lead-up to AWBF 2027, our monthly newsletter will shine a spotlight on some of the people who help make the festival happen. This month, we’re heading to the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood marquee to meet two of the volunteers who help keep the show running and the crowds happy with all things yummy!
Jill (L) with Alison at AWBF 2025. Photo credit: Supplied
Meet Jill, whose first year volunteering at AWBF took her from the Wooden Boat Symposium to the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood marquee, and gave her a whole new way to experience the Festival.
That’s Jill on the left, enjoying a well-deserved ice cream with her friend Alison at AWBF 2025.
How did you first become involved with the AWBF? I was a visitor to the 2013 festival. My friend Alison visited me in Sydney in 2024 and told me all about volunteering at AWBF. So I decided to join her to volunteer in 2025.
Can you tell us a little about what you do at the festival? The first day I was at the Symposium, showing people to their seats and taking the microphone round to audience members for questions to the guest speakers.
On the Sunday I was in the seafood tent, helping the chefs to prepare for their demonstrations, serving their dishes to the audience members and cleaning up in preparation for the next demonstration – and once again taking a microphone round for audience questions.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at AWBF? There’s such a fabulous atmosphere at the festival and being part of the volunteering team enriches the whole experience.
What is your favourite memory from a past festival? I always enjoy the Quick & Dirty event – and the live music and food throughout the weekend are amazing.
What are you most looking forward to at AWBF 2027? Being back with the volunteer ‘family’ again in beautiful Hobart.
Meet Sharon, a Hobart-based radio presenter, community volunteer and advocate who is no stranger to getting involved in community life. She brought that same enthusiasm to her first AWBF in 2025, joining the Gotta Love Tassie Seafood (GLTS) marquee team and taking to the stage as a co-emcee.
That’s Sharon on the left, co-emceeing with GLTS Program Manager Lek at AWBF 2025.
How did you first become involved with the AWBF? I found out about volunteering through the festival's social media and decided to join for 2025.
Can you tell us a little about what you do at the festival? Food preparation, presentation and audience engagement. I also had the opportunity to co-emcee, engaging with the audience and mingling with the crowds.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at AWBF? I love the food tasting and also mixing with festival visitors.
What is your favourite memory from a past festival? Learning from and working with professional chefs.
What are you most looking forward to at AWBF 2027? Definitely more food tasting, and meeting new people from all over the world!
Sharon (L) with Lek at the Seafood Marquee Photo credit: Supplied
Join the Crew for AWBF 2027
Inspired by these stories? Volunteer Expressions of Interest for the 2027 Australian Wooden Boat Festival are now open.
There are opportunities across the festival, from docks and on-water operations to front of house, visitor information, artist liaison, children’s activities, administration, construction, setup, pack-down and more.
Whether you have skills to share, would like to learn something new or simply want to meet people and be part of a remarkable community event, we’d love to hear from you.
