CCF staff members and volunteers are sitting outside around a table under a tree. There is cake and tea on the table. Everyone is smiling and looking at the camera.

Busy Bees

Casual Public Volunteering at Collingwood Children’s Farm

Being a community-based not-for-profit organisation, Collingwood Children’s Farm has a long history of volunteer support—in many ways we’ve been built by volunteers!

By joining Busy Bees, you can contribute to the Farm's mission, learn from experienced professionals, engage with nature and animals, build community and have fun. We value the expertise, commitment and passion that our volunteers bring to the Farm and we look forward to welcoming you to our team.

Volunteers Jenn and Deb are smiling at the camera. Jenn is wearing a red raincoat, cap, mask and glasses. Deb is wearing a purple t-shirt with a black CCF logo on it.

How do I get involved?

Busy Bees sessions run from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, typically on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the Victorian school term. Dates are subject to change, contingent on staffing, task availability and weather conditions.

Sessions are limited to a maximum of 12 volunteers and online registration is essential. Registration closes at 9:00 am the day of each session, and if date isn't listed, it most likely means that session has reached capacity. You will receive a confirmation email with session details and a link to cancel your registration if your plans change.

  • As a working Farm, we respond to the changing seasons, weather and the needs of the animals, plants and people we care for. We can't guarantee particular tasks on any given day, but typical examples include

    • Cleaning the chicken and waterfowl houses, pig pens, guinea pig apartments, stables or goat yards.

    • Weeding, composting, soil preparation and mulching ornamental gardens and public paths.

    • Gathering manure, clearing logs or filling potholes in the paddocks.

    • Maintenance jobs in our food production gardens.

    • Tool mantenance and equipment inventory.

  • Busy Bees is primarily intended for individuals.

    If you’re a student organization, church group, club or similar, please send us an email at reception@farm.org.au to enquire if we can accommodate you.

    For-profit organizations seeking to volunteer at Collingwood Children’s Farm are invited to book with our Corporate Volunteering programme.

  • No. As Busy Bee volunteers have no direct interaction with young people, a Working With Children check is not required.

    Be advised that all volunteers must consent to abide by our Community Programmes Code of Conduct and Child Safety Code of Conduct.

  • Weather-appropriate clothing like long pants and sleeves, a hat, rain coat, a water bottle and your own gloves if you prefer.

    Please wear sturdy, enclosed and comfortable shoes for your safety.

  • Dedicated Community Program staff will run an introduction at the beginning of each session to familiarise you with our Farm, safety protocols, and the day's tasks. 

  • Collingwood Children’s Farm does

Volunteer Sam is wearing a navy CCF-branded cap and jumper. He is outdoors at CCF and hosing dirt off a light blue skid steer. The skid steer has 'TOYOTA' and a huski printed on it.
Volunteer Deb is kneeling and working outdoors in the Market Garden on a sunny day.
Volunteer Jenn is wearing a cap, glasses, mask and a blue jumper and vest. She is holding up a wooden finch box she has made. The box has a black silhouette of a bird painted on it.
Volunteer Deb is in the Seeder Yard with a group of goats at CCF. She is wearing a red t-shirt and a blue vest. She is holding a rake with one hand and gently petting a goat with her other hand. It is a sunny day.
A group of volunteers from Onemda are walking down the hill past the Workshop at CCF. The volunteers have their backs turned to the camera and are wearing blue CCF-branded vests. The vests read 'VOLUNTEER' on the back panel. It is a sunny day and the
Three volunteers are sitting on small stools around a kids' craft table in the Barn at CCF. They are painting masks orange. From left to right: Deb is wearing a purple t-shirt and red glasses, Meghan is wearing a navy raincoat and Jenn is wearing a r
James and Shane from CCF's Maintenance team are helping volunteer Meghan dig up soil in the Market Garden at CCF.
Volunteer Annika is smiling and looking at the camera. She is wearing a blue beanie, bright purple jumper, navy raincoat and colourful stripped scarf. She is standing in the Stables Paddock at CCF.
Volunteer Deb is wearing a red t-shirt and black apron. She is smiling at the camera and holding a roller paintbrush. She is painting a large sheet of ply black in the Workshop.