Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
17
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
I have a large artistic house and garden in the Dandenong Ranges of outer Melbourne, near Belgrave. I have 4 children in their twenties who have just left home. I am used to a house full of people and have travelled through many countries. The travels I have enjoyed the most are when I have stayed with local people and developed relationships with them and shared our countries, language and lives. So, when my youngest daughter left home, I decided to fill their rooms with workaways. I am an architect, designer and project manager and work some days from home. I am also a qualified chef and pastry chef. I have studied permaculture and try to use those principles in my garden. I have a focus on sustainability and my house uses reclaimed timbers and recycled furniture and pieces made by my father a wood craftsman. Puffing Billy a vintage steam train runs along the back of my property, and we have views across to the sea.
The Dandenong ranges are an area where many tourists come. We have beautiful walks though temperate Mountain Ash forests, tea and coffee shops and many public gardens.
There is a bus stop that is 3 mins away which will take you to the train station, which takes you to Melbourne city. I am 45km from the city and the train takes around an hour. Be aware that the bus runs every 30 mins until 9.30pm. If you travel to the city for the evening you will need to catch a taxi or Uber to my home which costs around $10-$15. It never stopped my children enjoying nightlife. I will always be here to advise and help you and give you any information that you need. Please be aware that it is quiet and peaceful in the hills, and you are 8 mins by bus from the local shops/village and train. If you want a party house or lots of action you may need to look at Workaway hosts closer to the city.
I am a warm and welcoming person, who loves hospitality, and I don't expect you to do anything I wouldn't. But I do work hard. I have 3 rooms available with a shared bathroom. My house is yours while you are.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
In my experience it is the cultural exchange that benefits us all. Learning language, sharing our lives. Specifically you will learn about No dig gardens and permaculture skills. Forest gardening, composting and seed raising. Design and building projects. And in the house, pickling, breadmaking, sourdough, fermenting and preserving, jam making and anything food related.
Help
I am looking for workaways happy to help with projects around the garden specifically, which will involve digging, weeding, moving soil and mulch, planting and if you have the right skills, I am also wanting to build a greenhouse and shed. There is also painting and general jobs around the house. I have sheds to clean and sort and pergolas to build. I have a pool that I need help to clean when I buy a new pump so we can enjoy that for summer. Whilst there are some general cleaning jobs inside and of course weekly housekeeping, most of the projects are in the garden and outside.
If it is raining or you feel the weather is too hot or cold, you may not be able to help those days and will need to make up the hours by working longer on more suitable days. It would also work better for me if you were able to help on the days I work from home, (2- 3 days) so I can help advise you and answer questions. This would mean you would do morning help have lunch and then afternoon help. This we can discuss. It would mean you would have more free full days to explore or chill.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I am learning German and would love to learn how to speak it. I am also interested in understanding all languages and love to learn new words from everyone
Accommodation
You will have you own room with a double bed, a couple of friends or partners will share a double bed, depending on availability. I provide towels, there is wardrobe space and bedside lamps, spare blankets and washing machine available. There is a shared bathroom and 2 living areas in my home, TV and some streaming services. Plenty of outside space, a large decks, courtyard and lawns to lay on. Shared kitchen. Swimming pool (being repaired). There is free WIFI.
I will provide you with food and make most evening meals when I am home, I cook cuisines from many countries. I eat some fish but provide mainly vegetarian meals. You are welcome to cook your own food and have access to many of the items in the fridge and pantry. If you wish to eat meat you will need to buy this and cook your own meal. Please feel at home and make your own breakfast and lunch, picnic or takeaway of needed when you are out travelling for the day. I think it is great to eat together when we are all home so we can get to know one another.
What else ...
There are many walks around the hills. It is a bush environment with many artists living here. Some need you to catch a bus and others you can walk from here. We have many parks and gardens that are worth visiting. Coffee shops and tourist shops. I can take you to some places when I can and drop you off when I am out and about. There are a couple of walk around here where you will see kangaroos or wallabies and lyrebirds which I am happy to show you.
With easy access to the city there is also the opportunity to enjoy galleries, art, museums and cultural events there. There is always something happening. Just let me know what you are interested in and i can help you with an itinerary.
I expect people to help willingly and see the exchange of help as an equal exchange for your room and food and my hospitality. I will provide a list of jobs needed and show you what they are and the tools needed the night or day before. There will be priorities on the list which will need to bed done first and then inside jibs if it is raining. Again I don't except you to do anything I wouldn't do.
I have internet access. I have 2 cats and it is a non smoking house
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I work from home some days and the internet connection is fine
Space for parking camper vans
I have a large front drive that park your motorhome and an extension lead for power if needed.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (9)
We stayed in a lovely house surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers and felt at home as if we were in our own home.
The days we spent with Kaaren and the other workawayers made me feel like I had a family in Australia and I was happy.
I (Ayumi) was studying English and when I felt anxious… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
We stayed in a lovely house surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers and felt at home as if we were in our own home.
The days we spent with Kaaren and the other workawayers made me feel like I had a family in Australia and I was happy.
I (Ayumi) was studying English and when I felt anxious… read more
She did find the gardening tasks a bit tiring but always asked for clarification if she didn't understand. She… read more
She graciously did all the work I needed her to., when others would not. She spent days clearing a shed full of timber and old building materials to get ready for a garage sale. She was methodical, and communicated well when she needed guidance. I could not have had the sale if not for her commitment to the job..… read more
