Working Bees - City of Kingston

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Join Kingston's friendly working bee community and help protect local bushland, foreshore and wildlife habitat. These volunteer events are welcoming to parents and school-aged children who enjoy fresh air, purposeful activity and nature connection. Volunteering at a working bee is a practical way to teach kids about native plants, environmental stewardship and community spirit while getting outdoors.

You'll find sessions across Bonbeach, Chelsea, Cheltenham, Clayton South, Dingley Village, Highett and Mordialloc, with activities tailored to each site. Whether you have a single morning free or want to join regularly, there's a session to suit your family. The programme emphasises safety, hands-on learning and community connection, making it ideal for parents looking for meaningful weekend activities with their children.

These events are part of City of Kingston's ongoing environmental volunteering programme focused on revegetation, weed control and coast care. SEO keywords: volunteer working bee, Kingston bushland, foreshore conservation and indigenous plants have been included to help families searching for local environmental activities and community volunteering opportunities.

What to Expect

You can expect a mix of gentle to moderate outdoor tasks such as litter collection, hand weeding, planting indigenous species and seedling care. Volunteers are guided by council staff and local 'Friends of' groups who explain why each activity matters for local biodiversity and coastal protection, so it's educational as well as active.

Sessions are family-friendly with clear instructions for children and adults, and tools and gloves are usually provided. Typical tasks are safe for school-aged children when supervised, and parents are encouraged to participate alongside their kids to model sustainable behaviour and care for the environment.

Please bring weather-appropriate clothing, a hat and a water bottle, and wear sturdy shoes. If you're cycling or using public transport, consider leaving the car at home to reduce emissions and make the outing part of a greener family routine.

Activity Details

Events vary by site and date; some groups meet monthly while nursery sessions run on select Tuesdays. Example times are generally mornings, commonly 09:30 or 10:00 through to midday, making them easy to fit into a weekend routine for families. Next scheduled session shown on the page is 2026-02-14 09:30-12:00; other recurring dates run through 2025 and 2026 at different reserves.

Activities include:

- Litter collection and clean-up

- Hand weeding and invasive plant removal

- Revegetation and planting of indigenous species

- Nursery seedling propagation and maintenance

Sessions are free to attend and suitable for volunteers of varying fitness levels. Children should be supervised at all times and parents remain responsible for their children during the activity.

Location and Access

Locations are spread across the City of Kingston: Bonbeach Foreshore and Kingston Indigenous Nursery, Woolepe Bushland Reserve (Chelsea), Kingston Heath Reserve (Cheltenham), Grange Heathland Reserve and Namatjira Park (Clayton South), Rowan Woodland Reserve (Dingley Village), Sir William Fry Reserve (Highett), Bradshaw Bushland Reserve and Epsom Grassland Reserve (Mordialloc). Meeting points are listed for each site to make arrival simple for families.

Consider walking, cycling or using public transport where possible; many meeting points are close to local streets and public paths. Meeting instructions (for example, 'Meet at The Glade beach access in Bonbeach' or 'Meet at the reserve shed in Mordialloc') are provided for each session so families know where to gather.

If you need accessibility support or have questions about meeting locations, contact Kingston Customer Care ahead of time so staff can advise on best access routes and any physical considerations for participants.

Important Information

All sessions prioritise safety: wear sturdy footwear, sun protection and bring water. Gloves are typically provided if you do not have your own, and organisers will show safe lifting and planting techniques suitable for younger volunteers. Parents should ensure children are dressed appropriately and stay within sight of supervising adults.

Volunteers under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless otherwise stated by the specific 'Friends of' group. If anyone has medical conditions or requires medication, please bring what you need and inform the session leader on arrival so staff can support you in an emergency.

Events are weather-dependent and may be rescheduled; check the City of Kingston events page before travelling. These working bees support biodiversity, coastal protection and community learning, making them rewarding for families seeking outdoor environmental activities.

Booking and Prices

Most working bees are free to attend and do not require payment. Some specific groups invite expressions of interest for nursery volunteering or leadership roles; where required, details for submitting an EOI are listed on the event page. The overall programme is described as 'Free' on the City of Kingston event snapshot.

Bookings may be recommended for larger groups or nursery sessions to manage numbers; check the event listing for each date. If a session requests registration, follow the event link or contact Kingston Customer Care to register your family and receive final meeting details.

For any enquiries about bookings, locations or joining a 'Friends of' group, contact Kingston Customer Care via the council website or phone before the session. This keeps plans clear for busy parents coordinating weekend activities for school-aged children and ensures a smooth, family-friendly experience.