BY day they are Ballarat's lawyers, teachers, nurses and businesspeople.
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However, when these people walk through the gates of Sovereign Hill they play everything from the town drunk to the local doctor, vet and dentist.
The Friends of Sovereign Hill are celebrating their 20-year anniversary this month.
While Sovereign Hill also has 300 staff, its volunteers play an essential role in recreating Ballarat's goldrush era.
FOSH started with a letter calling for volunteers in The Courier in May 1981 and has grown into an army of 200 adults, 100 children and one dog.
Everyone calls Friends of Sovereign Hill president,Bonnie Flynn, mum.
Ms Flynn, 77, said the volunteers - ranging from babies to 80 year-old veterans - were essential to recreating of Ballarat's gold rush.
She joined six years ago and volunteers three days a year.
``I just fell in love with this place,'' she said.
``Every day you meet visitors from all over the world.''
FOSH member of 19 years Peter Cox has long been fascinated by the gold rush era and plays a digger twice a month.
``You become someone else when you step into costume,''he said.
FOSH is a family affair for married couple Gail and Jurgen Rochelmeyer
They have been volunteers for the past 10 years.
``Where else can you sit around drinking tea, cooking scones, wearing pretty dresses on a Sunday afternoon and be appreciated for it,'' Ms Rochelmeyer joked.
Anyone who would like to become a volunteer should phone Sovereign Hill on 5331 1944.
