Volunteer with Dolphins in Western Australia

You'll meet people from all around the world, not to mention the dolphins! You'll talk about their characteristics and making the visitors aware of how crucial it is to conserve these wonderful animals. Apart from being in the water with the dolphins, you'll spend about 80% of your day talking and answering questions from people who come down to the beach to see the dolphins, thus educating them about the dolphins.

The Centre enables people to interact with Bottlenose dolphins in a variety of ways. Up close and personal with wild Dolphins! Contribute to the well-being of dolphins in an idyllic setting at a non-profit Centre committed to dolphin research, education, conservation and tourism.

Responsibilities include:
* Inputting the research data into databases for analysis
& General maintenance and cleaning.
& Tour guiding through the Interpretive Centre for the general public, tour groups and school students.
* Assisting with the research program, recording observations in the bay and monitoring dolphin visits to the zone.
* Participating in ’’Coastcare” activities and assisting with current research projects.
* Managing the front entrance and Dolphin Room area.
* Assisting to coordinate the Interaction Zone when dolphins visit.
* Talking to visitors on the beach - explaining what the Dolphin Centre does.

There are up to 100 dolphins living in the Bay and groups of them regularly visit the shallow waters in front of the Centre. The project runs from 1 October to 31 May every year.

The work that you'll be involved in depends on what is available at the time of your placement.

FOOD: Is not included in this project so you should budget for meals. We feel that a good guide would be a weekly budget of around AUD$70.

ACCOMMODATION: You'll live in a backpackers conveniently located in the heart of the town. We team up with two different hostels that are very similar in the facilities they provide and in their excellent location that is close to everything! You'll have the beach, the City Centre and lots of other attractions all within two minutes walk and you’ll be able to explore the nearby forests, national parks, beautiful waterways, historic towns, many vineyards and the incredibly beautiful coast-line on your days off.

In the town there is a colourful street of sidewalk cafes called the "Cappuccino Strip" that buzzes all day. There are lots of sidewalk cafes and a variety of waterside dining options offer numerous opportunities to taste the wonders of the local produce. These cafes and the award-winning restaurants, as well as atmospheric historic pubs, ensure the town hums. There are also plenty of Entertainment Centres, Art Galleries and cinemas.

TRAINING: You'll learn a great deal through the training course which covers a wide range of issues and skills and includes presentations from a selection of guest speakers relevant to the operation of the Centre. Regular volunteer meetings are held to ensure you are kept up-to-date with the latest issues regarding marine mammal management and the operations of the Centre.

After having completed a minimum of 20 hours training, you'll receive an official Volunteer T-Shirt which will identify you to the public as a trained representative of the Centre. Staff members attend monthly meetings, as well as regular video and BBQ nights, which you'll be invited to attend.

Hours of duty and Work Schedule: This project is a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks. You’ll work between 20-40 hours a week, with weekends off. This placement is definitely for animal loving enthusiasts who are willing to work hard and aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty - the rewards are well worth it!

English