Mrs Richards says she has a "full calendar", spending her time volunteering at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, Lyndoch Living, the Lighthouse Theatre, St Vincent de Paul and the Archie Graham Community Centre.

She enjoyed morning tea at the maritime village on Wednesday, in celebration of National Volunteers Week.

Mr Richards volunteers at the museum, at Brophy and at an advocacy centre.

The couple, both retired, moved to the city from Maryborough 15 months ago.

"I enjoy volunteering because I love meeting people," she said.

"I'm new to Warrnambool so it's a great way to get to know the area and the people. I love interacting with people at Flagstaff Hill because you meet people from all over the world. The opportunities here in Warrnambool are brilliant."

Mrs Richards volunteers in the lolly shop and dresses up in old-time costumes including a big hoop skirt.

"It's great just talking to people," she said.

"What surprises me is the amount of local people that come to visit. A lot have never come here before. They comment on how wonderful it is, how authentic it is and how well it is set out."

She encouraged locals who hadn't been to the village in a while, or those who had never visited, to check it out.

"Another must-do is the sound and light show," she said.

The couple moved to Warrnambool to live somewhere with a cooler climate that was closer to the ocean.

"Warrnambool is an ideal town," she said.

"It has everything here. We love it."

Another Flaggy volunteer is Terang's Kerry Thompson.

She is a friendly face behind the coffee machine at the village tea rooms.

"I absolutely love it," she said.

"I talk to wonderful people from across the world on holidays. Everyone is always happy on holidays and up for a chat."

She encouraged south-west residents to give volunteering a go.

Warrnambool City Council's visitor economy manager Dave McMahon said volunteers were essential to Flagstaff Hill and the wider community.

"Flagstaff Hill is nothing without them," he said.

"They bring the village to life every day. It was built by them and remains activated by them. They are the lifeblood of the place. They have a passion to promote Warrnambool. We would be lost without them."

He encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to get in touch with the council.

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