Academy Gallery director Malcom Bywaters said the volunteer club is essential as they install all the exhibitions, paint, complete domestic duties and most importantly, they work with exhibition curators and lighting specialist. 

“It is not so much a program, it is a volunteer club where they can learn those basics behind exhibition design,” Mr Bywaters said. 

“They assist and do all of that in that great learning curve and that is what it is fundamentally about, the great learning curve.”

The volunteer club was established in 2003 and is open to students, arts-enthusiasts, business people, retirees and anyone who is interested in participating in the arts. 

Volunteer club president Georgie Parker focuses on creating a personal connection with each of the volunteers. 

“I like to know volunteers, I’ll ring them up, introduce myself and get to know them cause I like to find out if there are any particular areas they like,” she said.

Ms Parker signed up as a volunteer in 2004 to compliment her TAFE studies. 

Being a volunteer at the university made the transition from TAFE “easy”. 

One of Ms Parker’s primary roles is to coordinate the 35 to 40 volunteers involved in the club.

“It is a great opportunity, especially for arts students to see behind the scenes of a gallery,” she said.  

“The main thing is there isn’t any pressure on volunteers...I know everybody is busy so if they can’t make it it is fine.”

The positive attitudes and eagerness to learn is what Ms Parker said keeps her going. 

“They are just delightful, they are all lovely...every year we just have a terrific bunch of people,” she said. 

Giving students the opportunity to work within the gallery space prepares them for life post-university. 

“We’ve had some who have got great jobs after they move on from us,” Ms Parker said. Forward planning meetings are held to communicate future exhibitions to volunteers and staff.