The volunteers perform a range of tasks including the setting-up and packing down of stalls, greeting and directing passengers and facilitating shuttle bus tours. Some travel from out of town and start work early in the morning to help ensure that cruise ship passengers enjoy their stop-over in Eden.

“It is an exciting thing to be part of,” volunteer and Eden resident John Aveyard said. “I get to talk with, and talk to, lots of  people.”

Mr Aveyard starts his day at 8.30 am on most cruise ship days. 

With microphone in hand, Mr Aveyard escorts cruise ship passengers on the complimentary shuttle bus into town. He provides instructions on how to get to places, answers questions and communicates some of the area’s history.

“A standard question from international travellers is where they might see a kangaroo. They are dead keen to see one,” he said. 

Mr Aveyard has been volunteering for close to four years and decided to contribute to the industry due to the benefits that it brings to the town he calls home.

“I became involved because of the benefits to the town,” he said. “The dollop of 2000 people into the town brings clear economic benefits. But also for domestic passengers, they see this nice place and want to return.”

Barb and Bob Westmacott travel from Tarranganda nearly every cruise day to greet passengers and facilitate guided tours.

It is a role they both enjoy as it also allows them to indulge their love of cruise ships and cruising.

“Bob has a love of the sea, and ships and we both love cruising,” Mrs Westmacott said.

Mrs Westmacott also said that she became “hooked on” volunteering with Cruise Eden because of the people.

“It is the people,” she said. “I know that sounds cliche, but Deb and Nat from Cruise Eden are incredible, and they really look after us.”

Mr and Mrs Westmacott have been volunteering with Cruise Eden for three years and believe that it is worth the long drive and early starts. 

“It beats staying home and doing housework,” Mrs Westmacott said.

Dirty dishes aside, Mrs Westmacott said that it is witnessing the effect that the Cruise Eden experience has on others that have impacted her the most.

Mrs Westmacott undertakes guided tours on one of the complimentary shuttle buses, and tries to inject as much fun and friendship into the tour as she can. 

“The other day one of the little girls on the tour was having a birthday,” she said. “I handed her the microphone and invited her to sit up the front of the bus.

“I also encouraged the whole bus to sing happy birthday to her. She responded by singing a beautiful rendition of ‘What a Wonderful World’. She got off the bus beaming.” 

Mr Westmacott said the experience had exposed him to a diverse array of people and personalities.

“You get to meet people from all walks of life, from domestic travellers on short cruises to those that board some of the most expensive cruise ships,” he said. 

Eden resident and volunteer Marge Snijder expressed a love of connecting with people as an impetus for volunteering but also the opportunity it affords her to share her love of Eden with others.

“I enjoy people and talking to people. I also have a great passion for Eden, and I love talking about it and selling it to others,” she said. 

For many of the volunteers, the camaraderie of volunteering for Cruise Eden is a strong motivating force.

“It is a like a big family. We all chip-in to help on another,” Mrs Snijder said. 

Natalie Godward from Cruise Eden said that volunteers provide invaluable support to Cruise Eden’s operations. 

“We have few paid staff, so our volunteers are vital to the service we provide,” she said. “Their dedication and passion is truly humbling.”

Mrs and Mr Westmacott hope to continue to provide this important service to the industry and the community. 

“I will keep going till I pop my clogs,” Mrs Westmacott said.