Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Apr 2024
Reply rate
84.8 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
42
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
Volunteers helping on a horse farm. We have 15 horses (mainly Thoroughbreds) which we train for racing and eventing. We also run a riding school for equestrian and trackwork (racing education). We are located on 60 acres, 15 minutes from Pakenham. We are a family of 4, Glenn & Lyn both work on the farm and 2 kids aged 18 & 13.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We will provide all food & Wi-Fi. We will cook most evening meals and are also happy if you'd like to cook and share some of your culture with us. If you're not cooking, we always appreciate help cleaning up afterwards.
We have had a number of backpackers with us over the years and many we are still in touch with today (happy to provide references).
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Plenty of opportunities to ride (if you can already). If not, there are plenty of other tasks to do around the farm such as:
Feeding/Watering horses
Mucking out stables
Putting horses on the walker for exercise
Helping build/repair/paint fences
Painting
Gardening/Ride on lawn mower
Help with construction tasks
Cleaning (House, vehicles, horse gear etc)
Household duties
Help is five days a week, two clear days off. We are always renovating something and would love a hand with that if you are interested in building, painting etc.
We look forward to hearing from you & look forward to meeting soon. Please note, helping us does NOT count towards a second-year visa extension, nor is it paid work.
Minimum stay is 3 weeks - please do not apply unless you plan to stay for at least this length of time. We are non-smokers and prefer our Workaway helpers to also be non-smokers. If you have any dietary requirements, please notify us in your application. We will do our best to accomodate your needs but you may have to prepare some meals yourself. We cannot accomodate Vegans (unless you are willing to cook all of your own meals).
If you are travelling to Victoria and want to arrange your position ahead of time, we can do that, so let us know when you will be here and we can advise if we have a position available.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Separate accommodation next to main house. The Barn (as it is known) is a separate cottage with 2 bedrooms upstairs. One bedroom has a Queen size bed and the other bedroom (possibly shared) has 2 single beds. There is space to store your clothes (drawers, cupboards etc). The Barn has been recently renovated and has its own bathroom, wood fire & kitchen. Upstairs there is an electric heater & ceiling fans.
What else ...
Gippsland has some gorgeous areas to see & enjoy – we are about 1 hour from Phillip Island (see the Penguin Parade), 1 hour from Healesville Sanctuary (see native Australian animals), 1.5 hours from Mt Baw Baw (go skiing in Winter), 1 hour from lovely beaches, 1 hour from Melbourne, 1 hour from Walhalla (historic township). We're also right next to the Bunyip State Forest so you can go on bushwalks, riding or borrow our mountain bikes to explore. The walk at Mt Cannibal (around 10-minute drive) is also worthwhile.
To get here, the nearest train stations are Pakenham (Metro) or Nar Nar Goon (Vline). We can pick you up at either. If you're wanting to go into the city on your days off, we can drop you at the station.
We love having people stay with us who have a positive, can-do attitude and like experiencing new things. We love sharing meals at night and often playing a game or two together in the evenings. We love good quality, healthy food.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Any size van is welcome
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 days/week, 2 days off
Feedback (17)
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
With 26 horses, it is a lot of work to keep the stalls clean, feed and… read more
A large farm with 26 horses. There are event horses, showjumping, racing, cross-country race horses, dressage. But also horses dedicated to the sale.
The work consists of feeding the horses, cleaning the boxes, filling the water in each box and paddock, we sometimes do other jobs such as cleaning.
It was… read more
Lyn, Jamie and Charli treated me like family. I felt more than welcome!
I learned a lot about horses and racing and it was always more than a pleasure to work with you, all the other helpers and the… read more
I couldn't have asked for a better first workaway experience.
Very nice people, jamie is a passionate person who shares his passion for horses.
It's so interesting and rewarding to see the world of racehorses from so close !
The bacpackers house is just INCREDIBLE, it's so nice, clean and comfortable… read more
I could improved my english skills and learned a lot about racehorses and retrainers.
We had a wonderful time during the daily work, rides in the… read more
