Despite the unique character of every one of those visitors’ experience at the Cataract Gorge there is one constant for all of them – a warm greeting by the smiling faces of the Basin Cottage’s volunteers.

The cottage has 15 regular volunteers who offer their time to help educate people about Launceston’s pride and joy.

One of those volunteers is Basin Cottage secretary Colin Williams. 

Mr Williams said the interactions with the public made it worth the 140 hours a month he spends volunteering at the Gorge.

“It’s quite interesting when people come from interstate and overseas,” he said.

“You get people from so many countries, like the Cook Islands, Tonga, Lithuania and all sorts of out of the way countries.

“Some people are interested in geology, some people are interested in the flora and some are just interested in the pool.

“You never know who you’re going to get.”

Mr Williams is in the process of recruiting new volunteers to expand the cottage’s services. 

A part of the overhaul will also result in the City of Launceston council installing new displays and exhibits at the visitor centre.

The new volunteers will be working alongside 2018 Volunteer Recognition Award recipient Geoffrey Drake. 

Mr Drake was recognised in the Community, Health and Education category at the City of Launceston council’s awards ceremony on Tuesday.

The ceremony was held to coincide with National Volunteer Week. 

Mr Drake has volunteered at the cottage since it opened in 2006 and regularly guides walking tours around the gorge. 

Among the countless people he has led around the Gorge is Foreign Minister Julie Bishop along with a large group of international ambassadors in 2016.

“The fellowship among the volunteers, the enjoyment in providing a worthwhile service to the community and their appreciation makes volunteering very rewarding,” Mr Drake said at the ceremony.

To learn more about volunteering at the Basin Cottage, contact Mr Williams on 6333 0715.