Working alongside Parks Victoria, we support the care and preservation of Coolart’s Homestead, wetlands and gardens, while creating opportunities for people to enjoy and discover the estate through events, exhibitions and community activities.
Friends of Coolart is managed by a volunteer committee of up to 12 members. The committee meets regularly, with an Annual General Meeting held each year.
You can find out more about our work, priorities and plans for the future in the documents below.
The Friends of Coolart is incorporated under Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) with incorporation number A0026916K*. The committee operates under CAV-approved Rules Feb 2024.
Friends of Coolart is also a registered Fundraiser under CAV, with registration number 14363.
At a Federal level, Friends of Coolart is a charity regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.
Friends of Coolart Inc. is committed to the safety, wellbeing, participation and empowerment of all children and young people involved in our activities and events. This policy demonstrates our commitment to implementing the Victorian Child Safe Standards, ensuring children are safe and feel safe within our organisation and its events.
Many opportunities exist to volunteer in ongoing and one-off activities of the Friends including; providing support for environmental activities such as revegetation and bird surveys, fund raising through grant applications and assisting in the Friend’s shop, assisting the rangers, creating newsletters, curating historical records to name just a few.
Friends’ members receive a quarterly newsletter updating members on upcoming events, news, the work of the committee, news from the rangers and ways for members to become involved. We are always looking for more volunteers and we welcome any questions or suggestions as to how you would like to become involved.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at info@coolart.org.au
| President | Marnee Wills |
| Acting Secretary | Andrew Giles |
| Treasurer | Andrew Giles |
| Events Coordinator | Jennie McCartney events@coolart.org.au |
| Membership Coordinator | Cheryl Lee membership@coolart.org.au |
| Maintenance Coordinator | Michael Mann |
| Committee Member | Cris Topfner-Rigby |
The Friends of Coolart committee was formed on 13th February 1982. The first newsletter was published in May 1982.
The development of Coolart Wetlands & Homestead, the activities of the Friends and the array of events held at Coolart since 1982 are captured in these newsletters.
Archived Newsletters
1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 Autumn 2020 Winter 2020 Autumn 2022 Spring 2022 Winter 2022
To help protect the native wildlife and wetlands, dogs are not permitted at Coolart under Parks Victoria regulations. We appreciate your understanding.
We acknowledge the Bunurong People as the traditional custodians of Coolart lands and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and future.
Coolart Wetlands and Homestead
40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers VIC 3927
Open 7 days 9am–5pm
Wednesday 11am–3pm
Saturday 11am–3pm
Sunday 11am–3pm
