Preserve the Past, Enrich the Future – Become a Volunteer with the Albany Historical Society
Volunteering offers many incredible benefits and opportunities. You can act on your values and interests while helping strengthen your community. It can bring meaning and purpose to your life, while increasing your self-esteem and wellbeing, you can meet new people and learn and share new skills.
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We believe everyone has something valuable to offer. Our volunteers range in age from 16 to 75 and bring a wide variety of backgrounds, talents, and experiences. No matter who you are or where you come from, there's a place for you here.
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The possibilities are endless—because every volunteer journey is unique.
Why Become a Volunteer?​
Volunteering for the Albany Historical Society offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in your community while pursuing your interests and developing new skills. Here's why you should consider joining our team of dedicated volunteers.
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Contribute to Preserving Local History: Safeguarding Heritage: You will play a vital role in preserving and celebrating Albany's/Kinjarling's rich and diverse cultural heritage for current and future generations. The Society is the custodian of significant historical treasures, and your help ensures our continued care and protection.
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Raising Awareness: Your efforts will help raise awareness and understanding of Albany's/Kinjarling's significant history within the community and among visitors.
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Supporting Research: The Society has an extensive collection of artefacts, books, documents, and photographs, which are invaluable resources. Volunteers help catalogue, restore, and display these items, making them accessible for research and education.
Volunteer Benefits
By volunteering for the Albany Historical Society, you will become part of a passionate team dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Albany/Kinjarling. You will also become more deeply connected to the Albany/Kinjarling community and its history, plus gain valuable experience in contributing to your community, and connect with others who share your interests and passions. Volunteers also receive benefits such as free admission to the Albany Convict Gaol and Patrick Taylor Cottage, honorary membership and discounts on our merchandise, as well as discounts offered by local businesses to our team.
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Personal Growth and Fulfilment: Volunteering can bring a sense of meaning and purpose to your life by allowing you to act on your values and contribute to something larger than yourself.
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Skill Development: You will have opportunities to learn new skills and share your existing talents in various roles.
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Increased Wellbeing: Volunteering can boost your self-esteem and overall wellbeing through social interaction and a sense of accomplishment.
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Meeting New People: You will connect with like-minded individuals who share an interest in history and the local community.
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Specific Opportunities and Benefits: The Albany Historical Society offers a range of volunteer roles to match your interests and abilities, from visitor services and curatorial assistance to administrative and event support.
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Valued Contribution: As the Society is entirely staffed by volunteers, your contribution will be genuinely valued and will be essential to our operations.​
What We Do
The Albany Historical Society, established in 1962, plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the rich history of Albany and the surrounding regions in Western Australia. Our key activities include:
Administering Museums: We operate two significant historical sites, Patrick Taylor Cottage (built 1832): The oldest dwelling in Western Australia, showcasing early colonial life and the story of Patrick Taylor, including many items from Albany’s first families. The Albany Convict Gaol, built in 1852, offers insights into the state and region's penal history. Both venues are staffed entirely by volunteers and open 364 days a year.
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Managing Collections: The Society cares for an extensive collection comprising around 20,000 historical items and approximately 30,000 photographs. These collections document various aspects of Albany's / Kinjarling's past, from early European settlement and maritime and pastoral history to everyday life and significant events.
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Preservation and Restoration: Volunteers work to catalogue, restore, and display the historical artefacts and documents in our care.
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Exhibitions: We organise exhibitions at our museums and occasionally loan items to other institutions, such as the Museum of the Great Southern, as well as to schools and local businesses for display purposes.
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Research and Education: The Society serves as a valuable resource for researchers and the public interested in Albany's/Kinjarling's history. While we do not directly handle research requests in most instances, we often collaborate with or direct enquiries to the Albany History Collection at the Albany Public Library.
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Community Engagement: We actively engage with the community through various projects, including historical walks and commemorations, such as the upcoming 2026 Bicentenary celebrations, which include several initiatives identified by the society's Bicentennial subcommittee.
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Staffing: The Albany Historical Society is staffed entirely by an incredible team of over 60 volunteers who contribute more than 17,000 hours each year to both our venues and the preservation of Albany's/Kinjarling's unique indigenous, built and social history.
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Membership: We have a diverse membership base of people who support our work in preserving and protecting our local history.
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Advocacy: The Society was initially formed to advocate for the promotion and protection of Albany's/Kinjarling's heritage and continues to play a role in heritage preservation.
In essence, the Albany Historical Society acts as a custodian and promoter of Albany's/Kinjarling's past, ensuring that its stories and the historical significance of our unique region are preserved and accessible for current and future generations.
Join Our Team
Our volunteers are everyday people, who make extraordinary contributions to our community.
Volunteering offers many incredible benefits and opportunities. You can act on your values and interests while helping strengthen your community. It can bring meaning and purpose to your life, while increasing your self-esteem and wellbeing, you can meet new people and learn and share new skills.