April

Travel information

I am currently

Description

I'm an ecologist living and working in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in the country, helping out on family farms with vegetables, sheep and poultry. I love nature - exploring, birdwatching, identifying species, observing the interactions between them and their environment.
I'm also very into art and culture - I spend a lot of my spare time reading and enjoy seeing live performances. So these are the two things I focus most on when traveling: seeing species I've never seen before and experiencing the different cultures of the world.

My experience with farming started looking after "poddy" lambs on my uncle's merino farm. Even as a child I was preparing formula and feeding lambs early in the morning, and would often stay up late warming a cold lamb back to life.
In my adult life I have volunteered on a number of farms and conservation reserves which used animals for grazing. As well as sheep I have worked with cattle, ponies, rabbits, poultry and working dogs. I have also helped out with harvests, particularly spending a few weeks digging up hundreds of potatoes in Wales!

In my professional life I have done a lot of weeding and planting. I can use a brushcutter, pole saw and hand tools. I'm not very muscular but I have a lot of endurance and really enjoy physical work that is challenging while still within my limits.

Sadly my job is more office-based now than I would like, so I love spending my holidays working for my keep. It allows me to travel more affordably, lets me meet new people and opens up new experiences and places I wouldn't otherwise encounter.

Interests

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
German: Beginner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

General Maintenance

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Animal Care

More details about your skills

Animal feeding, herding and general care. Familiar with most household pets as well as sheep, chickens, ducks, fish, parrots and other pet birds, reptiles, snakes, rabbits, rats and mice, ferrets. Ok cook. Weeding, planting, harvesting. Modest DIY skills (although still better than a lot of the people I know!).

Age

33

What else ...

I'm a quick learner and willing to get hands on. I'm good at taking instruction and taking initiative once I am familiar with the task. I'm not afraid to ask questions and try new things.
I can work hard and love to wear myself out. I'm an early riser (which also means I'm early to bed).

I have a variety of farming and gardening experience, and was raised by a single mother who wasn't afraid to take on any task. I think I have learned that well from her!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements