TWENTY-four thousand dollars has been raised by donations to the city’s Volunteer Heritage Walk Tours.
In 2017, Council re-started the Heritage Walk Tour program with a group of local volunteers.
The volunteers ask for a small donation to cover expenditure and improvements of the walk tour.
This year, the group had a surplus of funds totally $24,000 and split it across six charities in the city.
Four thousand dollars went to the Far West Local Health Service Palliative Care Unit, Silverlea Early Childhood Services, Bishop Fox Memorial Meal Centre, RSPCA Broken Hill, RFDS Broken Hill Women’s Auxiliary and the Broken Hill Uniting Church Flying Patrol (Flying Padre).
Of the $70,323.40 that was taken in donations since their inception, a total of $13,229.00 was spent on various expenditure items and improvements to the service (including uniforms, personal audio equipment, promotional items, and purchase of additional seating at the Syndicate of Seven busts).
A report that went before Council, during the December monthly meeting stated: “the raising of funds for charities is an additional motivation for all involved and has made it easier to recruit and retain volunteers as well as contribute to the already excellent reputation of this service among visitors and locals”.
On September 19, a Community Recognition Statement was delivered by Member for Barwon Roy Butler, praising the group for their efforts.
“I have seen firsthand the large number of tourists that take advantage of these tours, listening to the volunteers who are passionate about sharing their local history knowledge,” Mr Butler said.
“I have had the chance to listen in on the tour myself and am inspired by these incredible historians and storytellers. They certainly add to the tourist experience in Broken Hill.”
Council also moved that the volunteers be congratulated for providing an excellent heritage tour experience for tourists over many years and in doing so, raising much needed funds for local charities.
The tours are currently on hold for the summer and will re-start on Monday, March 10, 2025.
They run Monday to Friday 10am and Saturday 10.30am departing from the Visitor Information Centre.
There are currently have eight volunteers with a ninth coming on aboard.
Those wishing to volunteer as a Heritage Walk Tour Guide, or as a City Ambassador to welcome tourists and provide information, can contact Council’s Visitor Services Coordinator, Patrick Kreitner, on 8080 3571.
