Firstly, let’s clear up a common question. What does Docent mean? Well, originating from a Latin word, docent basically means someone who promotes learning, who shows, who teaches. And that’s exactly what our amazing volunteers do Every. Single. Day – hence Docents 😊.
Meet Ros. A teacher by trade, she was inspired to become a Docent to continue her passion for educating people whilst also combining her love of wildlife and conservation. 31 years later, Ros is just as passionate as she was when she first donned the Docent uniform.
Image credit: Erinna Ford.
“My favourite thing about being a Docent is interacting with such a variety of people. I love the animals and I also love working with people who are passionate about the same thing,” said Ros.
Ros is celebrating 32 years of being a Perth Zoo Docent early next year and has no plans to hang up her Docent uniform just yet.
“The environment I am working in, the incredible work the Perth Zoo is doing with conservation and the amazing friendships that I have made is what has kept me coming back for more than 30 years. It’s more like a family than a workplace,” said Ros.
These dedicated and passionate individuals contribute around 43,400 hours in service to the Zoo in a year! They assist across numerous departments including helping Zoo keepers create enrichment activities for the animals and lending a green-thumb to our horticultural team. But most importantly, the Docents are the happy, smiling faces helping YOU live your best zoo life.
Interested in joining Ros and the rest of our amazing team of Docents and volunteering at the Zoo? Visit