Volunteers

Volunteer with Parramatta Female Factory Friends

Parramatta Female Factory Friends Inc. is a volunteer, not-for-profit heritage and family history organisation dedicated to protecting, researching and sharing the stories of the women and children connected with the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct.

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Our tours, research, events, exhibitions, advocacy, publications, library, shop, catering, education programs and community engagement all depend on people willing to contribute their time, skills and enthusiasm.

Whether you have a background in history, family history, heritage, education, administration, finance, events, writing, art, photography, hospitality, information technology or simply a willingness to help, there may be a place for you at PFFF.

Membership and Volunteering

To volunteer with Parramatta Female Factory Friends, you must first be a current member of PFFF.

Membership helps support the ongoing work of the organisation and ensures volunteers are part of the wider PFFF community. If you are not yet a member, we warmly invite you to join and then express your interest in volunteering.

[Become a Member]

[Volunteer Expression of Interest]

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering with PFFF is an opportunity to make a real contribution to one of Australia’s most significant women’s convict and institutional heritage sites.

As a volunteer, you can help:

share the stories of the Parramatta Female Factory women and children;
support descendants and family historians;
assist visitors to understand the significance of the precinct;
help protect a National Heritage listed site;
contribute to advocacy for World Heritage recognition;
support events, talks, tours, exhibitions and public programs;
preserve and organise research material for future generations;
use your professional, creative or practical skills for community benefit.

Every volunteer helps keep this history alive.

Volunteer Roles

PFFF welcomes volunteers with a wide range of skills, interests and experience. Some roles are regular, while others are occasional or project-based.

Committee and Governance

PFFF relies on members who are willing to assist with leadership, planning, governance and administration. Committee volunteers help guide the organisation, support decision-making, contribute to strategy and ensure PFFF continues to meet its responsibilities as a volunteer heritage organisation.

We welcome people with skills in governance, management, administration, policy, heritage, education, community organisations, fundraising, grants, finance, law, communications and public engagement.

Guided Tours and Visitor Hosting

Our guided walking tours are one of the main ways visitors encounter the Parramatta Female Factory.

Volunteers can assist as tour guides, hosts, visitor assistants and room volunteers. Guides help interpret the history of the Female Factory, the women and children who lived and worked there, the class system, punishment, labour, childbirth, survival, resistance and the later institutional history of the precinct.

Hosts welcome visitors, assist with tour preparation, support the shop and displays, and help create a friendly and informative visitor experience.

Training and support are provided.

Research Centre and Family History

The PFFF Research Centre supports descendants, students, researchers and members of the public interested in female convict history and the Parramatta Female Factory.

Research volunteers may assist with family history inquiries, databases, research files, convict records, digital resources, microfilm, microfiche, books, displays and special research projects.

This is an ideal area for people with an interest in genealogy, archives, records, history, writing, indexing, databases or careful research.

Library and Collections

PFFF maintains valuable books, research files, display material and the Babette Smith Collection.

Library volunteers may assist with cataloguing, shelving, organising, documenting, maintaining records, supporting researchers and helping make the collection more accessible.

We welcome librarians, archivists, family historians, students and anyone with an interest in caring for historical resources.

Accounts, Administration and Office Support

Behind every successful volunteer organisation is good administration.

PFFF welcomes assistance with accounts, records, memberships, correspondence, data entry, filing, bookings, event administration, minutes, grants, reporting and general office support.

These roles are especially important in helping the organisation remain sustainable, accountable and well organised.

Events, Catering and Hospitality

PFFF holds events, talks, workshops, open days, commemorations, special programs and community activities throughout the year.

Volunteers can assist as event organisers, event helpers, room hosts, catering assistants, BBQ helpers, kitchen volunteers, greeters, setup and pack-down helpers, registration assistants and general support people.

These roles are ideal for friendly, practical people who enjoy working with others and helping events run smoothly.

Talks, Workshops and Education

PFFF provides public history and education programs for schools, community groups, historical societies, family history groups and the wider public.

Volunteers may assist with talks, workshops, learning materials, group visits, displays, school programs, presentations and public engagement.

We welcome people with skills in teaching, training, public speaking, history, heritage interpretation and community education.

PFFF has a strong tradition of sharing research, stories and updates through newsletters, publications, articles and public history writing.

We welcome newsletter contributors, editors, proofreaders, authors, researchers, bloggers and people interested in writing about female convict history, Parramatta history, family history, heritage protection and PFFF activities.

Artists, Sculptors and Creative Volunteers

The stories of the Parramatta Female Factory can be shared through many forms of creative expression.

PFFF welcomes artists, sculptors, designers, illustrators, makers, photographers, filmmakers and other creative volunteers who may be able to contribute to exhibitions, displays, commemorative projects, publications, education resources, events and public interpretation.

IT, Audio-Visual and Digital Support

PFFF uses digital technology for research, presentations, events, tours, communications and public engagement.

Volunteers with skills in IT, websites, audio-visual equipment, photography, video, databases, digital records, social media, livestreaming, Zoom, presentations or general technical support can make a valuable contribution.

Photography and Media

Photographers and media volunteers help document events, tours, displays, exhibitions, community activities, advocacy work and the precinct itself.

Good photographs help PFFF promote its work, preserve its activities and share the importance of the Parramatta Female Factory with the wider community.

How Much Time Do I Need to Give?

Volunteering can be regular, occasional or project-based.

Some volunteers help every week. Others assist with events, research projects, talks, tours, administration, catering or special activities when available.

Whether you can give a few hours occasionally or commit to a regular role, your contribution is valued.

Do I Need Experience?

Some roles require specific skills, but many do not.

A willingness to learn, work respectfully with others and support the purpose of PFFF is often the most important starting point. Training, guidance and support are provided where needed.

Some volunteer roles may require additional induction, supervision or checks depending on the nature of the activity.

Who Should Volunteer?

You may enjoy volunteering with PFFF if you are interested in:

Australian history;
women’s history;
family history and genealogy;
convict history;
Parramatta heritage;
museums and heritage interpretation;
archives, libraries and research;
education and public history;
events and community engagement;
advocacy and heritage protection;
creative projects and storytelling.

You do not need to be an expert. You simply need an interest in the work and a willingness to contribute.

Join Us

The Parramatta Female Factory is a place of national significance. Its stories belong to families, descendants, Parramatta, New South Wales and Australia.

By volunteering with PFFF, you can help ensure these stories continue to be researched, protected and shared.

If you would like to volunteer, please become a member and complete a Volunteer Expression of Interest.