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Endra paddling with a punter aboard Sheldon's canoe at Constitution Dock. Photo credit: Alex Nicholson
Meet the AWBF Volunteer Crew
In the lead-up to AWBF 2027, every month we will shine a spotlight on some of the people who help make the festival happen. This July, we’re heading to the docks to meet two of the volunteers who keep the on-water action moving.
Endra at Constitution Dock. Photo credit: Supplied
Meet Endra, a dedicated member of the Living Boat Trust who has volunteered at four Australian Wooden Boat Festivals. At Constitution Dock, she helps children and adults learn to row, marshals the wooden dinghies, fits life jackets and keeps the activity running smoothly on the pontoon. Her contribution begins well before the festival opens, helping fellow Trust members deliver the dinghies from Franklin and return them home again afterwards.
How did you first become involved with the AWBF? I just love being with people and boats, especially with children, and realised that a lot of my old mates were also at the Festival, so I joined too.
Can you tell us a little about what you do at the festival? I help with public rowing at Constitution Dock. The fear factor can sometimes be big around the water and boats for families, which means teaching respect and balance in this area is so important. But most of all there is a lot of fun to be had.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at AWBF? I enjoy sharing my skills with the community and meeting new people.
What is your favourite memory from a past festival? Taking out visitors at Constitution Dock on the Tasmanian Aboriginal bark Canoe built by Sheldon Thomas.
What are you most looking forward to at AWBF 2027? Connecting once again with the River, families and wooden boats.
Meet Dion, a retired Master Mariner and Tassie local who has volunteered at around eight Australian Wooden Boat Festivals, possibly more! You’ll find him on the water with the RIB crew, working across the docks to help keep things running safely and smoothly. His festival spirit travels, too: in March, Dion joined us at the AWBF exhibition container at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival, helping spread the word about our festival across the Tasman.
How did you first become involved with the AWBF? I became involved with ABWF/co-founder Cathy Hawkins when I volunteered myself and, my RIB/zodiac to assist on the water as required. Dan Pullen was assigned to me as crew and has been with me ever since.
Can you tell us a little about what you do at the festival? Dan and I assist mainly with berthing and unberthing of the vessels that are arriving and departing on the Thursday, Friday and Monday of the festival. We've also assisted with the setting and dismantling of barges, mooring lines etc on the lead up and after the festival.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at AWBF? Being on the water assisting the boats as they arrive, the people and the atmosphere. It was good to help out AWBF in New Zealand at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival too, being able to talk up our festival and Hobart in general.
What is your favourite memory from a past festival? Fond memories are too numerous to mention. Probably most worthy of mention though is the appreciativeness of the crew once we get them berthed and secured alongside. Sometimes crews can be anxious on arrival with concerns of how they're going to berth and after a few calming suggestions and ideas we're able to assist in getting them secured unscathed. That's a good feeling.
What are you most looking forward to at AWBF 2027? Just getting back on the water again and seeing all the boats and people arrive and taking in the atmosphere. I really enjoy listening to the guest speakers and their presentations at the wooden boat symposium, too. Being a retired Master Mariner, its a great opportunity to catch up with my old work colleagues, friends and visitors to Hobart.
Dion at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festivl in 2026. 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.
