Those of us who have volunteered our time in one way or another will, I'm sure, acknowledge the pleasure and benefits that brought. We also, however, may have teetered on the boundaries of 'over-use'.
During the peak seasons in WA, national park campsites are cared for my a large community of volunteer camp hosts. Largely these are retired couples who, following minimal induction and training, base themselves for a month at a time in a particular site. For free camping they welcome new campers, collect fees, provide guidance, clean toilets and any other facilities. They also handle complaints and battle difficult campers.
One host confided that she had been told by a ranger that without them the rangers, desperately under-staffed, simply couldn't keep up with all that is required. The hardest sites to fill we're told are those that are more remote and which require off-road vehicles. We met one couple who had traveled all the way from QLD to participate.
Sounds like a great adventure, but the Govt needs to be very careful not to ask too much.
