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Help us with preparing an alternative festival in NSW, Australia

Australia
Favourited 220 times
Last activity: 23 Apr 2024

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100 %
Last replied
9 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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9
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Badges (2)

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Availability

2024

Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Description
BAAS - Body Art And Spirit

The event is in Easter - unless the predicted fire season is so bad everyone is in hiding! Sadly, this is getting less and less of a joke. So at the moment things are tentative.

Still, we hope to need builders, artists, musicians and all round nice people - preferably in the same person. But whatever, to assist us prepare and run our art space area. The festival is 100% unpaid volunteers (this includes us!!!) - but we can provide you with really nice food, transport and your own, tented, accommodation. And we promise to look after you! All for half days of pretty fun work.

Rob lives in Sydney and I (Craig) lives in Melbourne. Each year we become volunteers (people keep thinking we get paid or something - we don't !!! Never!!! We do get a BUDGET to cover the costs of the art space itself - with all purchases belonging to the festival). So, yes, we are part of of an alternative bush festival.

This is one of Australia's oldest festivals, with about 8000 people. It is an amazing communal experience, with workshops, improvised music and dance, talks and debate, acro-yoga, green and traditional technology, fire twirling, slack lining, open mic, meditations, bush walks, swimming and over 1000 workshops - given by festival goers! more. Everything happens. Everyone is an unpaid volunteer (have I Already mentioned this?) from the ticket gate to the fire crew and first aid tent. This festival is made by the people who are there and not the organisers. I think it is the freest you can possibly be.

And all set in 400 hectors of bush by a lovely River about 4-6 hours from Melbourne or Sydney. Kind of idyllic. Malee Country (Victoria)

We - Rob and Craig - are part of one of the largest festival Villages and need help ( working for half days) to get our village ready for the gathering in Easter 2024. Or not.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
...
...
What's this?
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
If your in Melbourne and you need a place to crash - this is what one person said (On Couch Surfing) -

Pauline Rosenbaum

Weimar, Thuringia, Germany

5 references • Member since 2021

Aug 2023 1 night
Confirmed Stay - Would Stay With CRAIG1 Again

I stayed with Craig for a few days & what can I say.. it was definitely a true couch surfing experience. First of all Craig is a super nice guy
who lets you feel very welcome straight away. Second: He cracks jokes all the time (or should I say he craigs jokes all the time :D)
No but seriously. If you want energy, ideas, good laughs and don’t mind being a part of a adventurous and also kind of chaotic (haha) time: Craig is your guy!
Besides that he is very thoughtful and you definitely won’t go hungry or freeze your ass off.
Craig just wants you to feel comfortable, see you smile and to share a great time with you. All the time he made sure I was having a good time which I definitely did have and which I really appreciate!

I hope you’ll find a sailboat which you can call your home soon and travel the world!
&Thank you for the adventure You, Noga and I had together!

Ps: Don’t be afraid to use enough salt in your cooking :D

All the best!

WE WILL LOOK AFTER YOU! PROMISE! Rob and I are both First Aid Trained and there are extensive safety procedures that we must follow. This includes Personal Protective Equipment. We will also have portable radios for you so you can let us know were you are and we can come find you.

And - there is no cost as it is a working bee - everything from transport to and from Melbourne and Sydney to food is paid for. We can cook Vegetarian and Vegan (me!) and meat dishes (Rob) - bring your own alcohol though. We are GOOD cooks!

Working in a natural Australian Bush in the famous Malee Country. There are a lot of kangaroos! And amazing bird life - for those that life Grass Parrots and Cockatoos.

Most of all being part of a amazing festival and contributing to it in a very real and wonderful way - and if you can come and join Arts Village during the festival itself next Easter!

Learn new building and landscaping skills and how a (small part) of this festival is organised.

Start to see what an alternative festival really is about and how people create it. This is called a transaction festival!
Help
Arty Stuff!, we hope to need builders, artists, musicians and all round nice people - preferably in the same person. But whatever, to assist us prepare and run our art space area.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We can provide tents (or van if you bring your own). We can provide donas and mattresses. However please remember you are in the bush and will be in a camping environment. Temperatures in late November are usually warm but there can be some chilly nights.

There is a bathroom/toilets building available as well as an indoor kitchen, hot shower and washing machine. All buildings have electricity. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT DURING THE FESTIVAL ITSELF
What else ...
Swim - the river is wonderful, bush walk - it's beautiful, see the Aboriginal Scar Trees. Drive around the property - it's huge. Hang out! Eat!
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 761246239455

Feedback (3)

11 Apr 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Benedetta)

Thank you, Ben!

Your presence has truly been a blessing to us all. Not only do you radiate happiness and positivity, but you effortlessly blended into our group and felt like family in such a short amount of time. We're very grateful for your help in bringing our ideas to life.

Within just an hour of arriving, you had the idea for a portrait… read more

(Excellent )

7 Apr 2024

Left by Workawayer (Benedetta) for host

I have to say three big thank you: thanks to the festival, that allow people to be what they feel inside, without any prejudices or limit; thanks to all the people with who I shared this amazing experience, a big family always ready to help each other and support in difficulties. I had the possibility to volunteering with other guys of my age that… read more

(Excellent )

25 Aug 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Pauline)

What was memorable about Pauline? Well, everything really. Which makes this reference so hard to write :) ! True story.

Okay while I do actually tend to be careful about my selection of volunteers, from the first Pauline naturally just fitted in. It was 'how can I be helpful (and not, like, it's all about me! I was so thankful :) ),' and we… read more hadn't even left Melbourne. Pauline (and the other volunteer, Noga) were full of enthusiasm and good ideas. Everyone got on really well. So what could I do, as a good (fake) Australian, but take them to the local pub for a night of local music, and we still all managed an early start next day. Pauline slept in her car that night so, was ready to go. Well, 450 km. Only we didn't take her car. Okay okay, I exaggerate, but...she is a fully independent unit. Which was great, as Pauline was really helpful in getting organised and helping get the bloody heavy back-seat of my van in. Which was no mean feat as we had to carry it down two flights of stairs without killing ourselves.

So eventually and 450 km. later we arrive at the festival site to do some pre-festival maintenance. Pauline not only fitted into what could be described as a trying environment full of aged (and sometimes too drunk) hippies, but added positively to the atmosphere. Even the caravan she slept in could at best be described as adequate...yet no complaints there. I think she was even worried about how I was doing!?! But in a nice way.

And so began our four day bush adventure doing maintenance at a festival site - on a small building. The really great thing for me was literally, I just could leave Pauline (and Noga) to just got on with it. This is wonderful, as normally it's me getting everyone working. With Pauline it was just me saying this needs doing - sort of point and click for adults. And Pauline is up on the structure getting it done! Nice! Even up a ladder, when she is not too keen on heights. And she wouldn't even take a break.

So we finished the project in a record half day, despite my best efforts! Which for this sort of thing is indeed bit of a record. Sweet. Thanks Pauline.

Then, there was the very large art canvas!

Pauline and Noga started painting together. It says a lot about her, that with someone she has never met before, Pauline can share the process of creation and produce a serious piece of art. Having commissioned a fair bit, over the years, I don't say this lightly. It will hang during the festival. With her typical determination the painting took two full days and work continued into the night, by torch light. A lot of thought went into it. I think it will greatly be appreciated and lifts the festival standard for art. I'm still thinking of going back up to site and stealing it back - as I like it soooo much.... Might even do that soonish. (thanks Pauline hehehe)

Okay, I tend to be over enthusiastic about things, especially with people who are trying their best (and succeeding). And so I was happy to provide Pauline (and Noga) with not only what they wanted but what I thought they needed. Pauline is not one to abuse hospitality - no matter how much she needs something. I think she will just go without - so always check that she is good. I did this in a small town on the way back and, honestly, for me it is one of the funniest and delightful things ever. She really is that humble, and in this strange way so honest about herself.

If you want someone who will genuinely try to do their best and genuinely interested in other people - and simply can't help putting themselves before others - meet Pauline. She is a great conversationalist and seriously smart. But beware, she is always thinking - not in a vindictive way - but in a way that might sum you up! So you have to try hard too, and match her!

Big Hugs Pauline! I wish you a great journey and happy travels. It was indeed both lovely and my privileged to meet you ! I just wish all travellers where more like you.

Cheers Craig

(Excellent )

24 Aug 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Noga)

Noga is just so likeable - from the first movement we met. She is indeed her CS profile - easy going , (very) positive and loves adventure and the outdoors. This is genuinely true! I already had enough people for the project but Noga replied to the invite I'd sent, that no one had ever reached out to her before. It was so sweet I couldn't turn her… read more down. I'm so glad now, I didn't.

On our little four day bush adventure, all the obstacles we encountered where for Noga, literally just there to be overcome. We where doing maintenance at a festival site - on a small building. Literally, I just could leave Noga (and Pauline) alone and they just got on with it. This is wonderful, as normally it's me getting everyone working...with Noga, it's - this is what needs doing - and next thing she's on top of the structure repairing a major joint that I wouldn't have even looked for!!! Good job Noga - this means the thing will stay standing!!! Which I think is quite important - as I errr....built it. I have this strong memory, even now, of Noga snaking her way through the structure, hanging there in very uncomfortable positions, examining or repairing every inch of the thing. Noga is not, as they say, a big person, but is practically unstoppable. Honestly, the hammer was bigger than her! As also was the over-sized Bowie knife I gave her for the duration. With which, after determinedly pacing out the dimensions with quite some accuracy, Noga used to cut through meters of tarp used to line the floor. Like a hot knife through butter.

Yet, my best memory of all this, was at the start; Noga throwing herself literally into the middle of the worst of the weeds that needed slashing, and that where only a little shorter than she. And me thinking this is not going to end well, but she will learn. The next time I looked, she was down to the dirt and digging out the roots. So one of us learned. It just wasn't Noga :) !

So we finished the project in a record half day, with no breaks despite my best efforts! Sweet. Thanks Noga.

Then, there was the very large canvas!

Noga and Pauline started painting together. It says a lot about her, that with someone she has never met before, Noga can share the process of creation and produce a serious piece of art. Having commissioned a fair bit, over the years, I don't say this lightly. It will hang at the festival. With typical determination the painting took two full days and the continued into the night. A lot of thought went into it. I think it will greatly be appreciated and lifts the standard for art.

Noga also stayed at my place and was, as you might expect a delight. She was tidy, cooked and cleaned up after herself. i also found she was going to great lengths to make sure I was happy, that she was not imposing on me and I felt respected. I know this sounds a little mechanical - but it wasn't. Noga really is like this works hard, thinks of others and is joyous to be with.

Big Hugs Noga! I wish you a great journey and happy travels. It was indeed my privileged to meet you !

Cheers Craig

(Excellent )

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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

11 Apr 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Benedetta)

(Excellent )

7 Apr 2024

Left by Workawayer (Benedetta) for host

(Excellent )

25 Aug 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Pauline)

(Excellent )

24 Aug 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Noga)

(Excellent )

17 Jun 2022

Left by Workawayer (Jennifer) for host

My volunteering experience with Craig was great 😊 I got to use a chainsaw, get into the river and drive a tractor! It was fun, whilst the work was somewhat physical (which I enjoy) we took the following day off to recover, but could have worked longer so it’s not that intense. It all about clearing the land for the festival! So it was a privilege… read more

(Excellent )

29 May 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Jennifer)

Jennifer (Jenn) was the mistress of the chainsaw and master of the machine - like really big ones. She was unstoppable - okay we did stop her because we'd had enough of work and, anyway, we certainly got through the scheduled work. Okay Jenn was not too keen on the local sandflies, but then neither where we, and Jenn kept working.

Back at the… read more

(Excellent )

28 Mar 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Leeloo & Stanislas )

Through Work Away, Leeloo agreed to assist with construction, as part of a festival set up. This was in a remote area in hot conditions. The work, refurbishing portable toilets, took longer and was more difficult than expected. This was Leeloo's first time in Australia.

Despite this, Leeloo proved to be a dedicated and effective worker, who was… read more

(Excellent )

9 Dec 2019

Left by Workawayer (Shai ) for host

6 days full of adventures, laughs, and Bibi! Craig is easy going, knowledgeable, and fun to work with. You should definitely get to know him if you have the chance. In addition to the work which was fun, we went for walks in the nature, kayaking down the river, and had great conversations. Craig, I had a pleasure to work with you and hopefully see… read more

(Excellent )

8 Dec 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Shai )

Shai has a heavy accent which is counteracted by a great sense of humour. So no problems there. Shai is a lovely guy who did all that was asked of him with enthusiasm and some skill. He did well on the tractor dragging logs for instance. Shai also worked hard on the building project in on some days very hot conditions. I was very happy to have his… read more

(Excellent )

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Help us with preparing an alternative festival in NSW, Australia

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Last replied

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Badges (2)

Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Help

Languages

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

How many Workawayers can stay?

Hours expected

Feedback (3)

Photos

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