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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Jan 2025
Reply rate
85.2 %
Usually responds within 8 days
Feedback
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Description
LOW RESPONSE TIME: due to my intentionally ignoring copy/paste requests or those that haven't bothered to read the profile. Also life was hectic.
Me:
Travelled continuously for over six years (2012-2018) spending time in 180+ countries. It changed me many, many times over - personally, politically, became way too travel skinny, etc.
Now back in Melbourne running my own business (cyber security) and teaching self-defence.
Suits anyone that wants to:
- learn about long-term travel (methods, places to avoid, places not to miss, safety, etc)
- learn how to stay interested and happy while travelling for a long time :) [most find it hard to stay motivated after two years]
- learn about cyber security (I get called when companies get hacked and they need help)
- take a break, enjoy the quiet life and some space to yourself
- hear perspectives on how Australian life, politics, culture, etc. differs from the rest of the world.
- learn home renovation - painting, floor laying, alterations and best of all ripping out the previous bathroom/kitchen/etc.
- come along to self-defence once a week - you're welcome along (class will be free for you).
- learn about self-defence (physical side and the pre-physical side)
(let me know if you're interested in any of the above, it's good for me to know, but also if you're just wanting a place to stay and aren't looking to learn anything in particular it's absolutely fine)
The project:
Just a home that needs some volunteers to help with the renovation (on top of what's already being done by professionals).
The last few years have been quite hard, I've been taking care of a few people that were struggling with health (grandmother and a suicidal partner [now-ex]) took its toll on me time, energy and somewhat motivation-wise. Now that nan has passed, and the other person is better (read not as bad), I'm trying to catch up on work and the to-do list as well as being able to enjoy life in the free moments.
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Happy to pass on knowledge:
- on what I've learnt from over six years of travel over the world
- on anything cyber
- self-defence (fair number of encounters it's saved me)
List I've things I've enjoyed in my life put together for another site:
Invited to/attended a service with HRH The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at the Tower of London ● Had a gun pulled on me in Kabul by famous Afghan singer Aryana Sayeed's now husband ● Swept down rapids (more than once, more than twice...), without being seriously injured ● Met my now best mates while hitch-hiking in Norway ● Found wonderful long-lost family in Ukraine – thanks to CS host Iurii and his mother! ● Had a Hyena on my back and been kissed by a Giraffe ● Received black belts in three arts (JiuJitsu, Judo and Kung Fu) last one was a huge waste of time... ● Visited Saint Helena and sailed on the final voyage of the very last Royal Mail Ship ● Spent five months in the Caribbean and boat hitch-hiked island to island ● Taipati festival, Easter Island ● Remediated / investigated hundreds of cyber breaches ● Tour of North Korea, including the 100th anniversary Mass Games ● 19,000 km solo motorcycle trip around India ● Christmas in the Queens House, Tower of London with Lord Dannat (former head of the British army) ● Nyiragongo Volcano/lava lake and Gorillas in DRC ● Flying into Svalbard: seeing hundreds of peaks jutting out through the clouds ● Snuck in and slept inside Pont Du Gard aqueduct (wasn't great) ● Sailed down the Amazon River over a week, enjoying Brazilian food and lounging in a hammock ● Aurora Borealis in Yellowknife, Canada ● Hearing/seeing Perito Moreno glacier calve ● Survived a motorcycle tyre blowout at 90km/h (scared shitless now) ● Scuba diving around the world ● Army convoy transport in South Sudan ● Öxarárfoss, Þingvellir, Iceland to myself at midnight ● Trekking the Himalayas, Nepal ● St. Patrick's WEEK in Montserrat (UK Caribbean island with people of Irish and West African heritage) ● Not sure how I'm alive after what must have been a head-on collision in India ● Crew on a tall ship sailing from Australia to NZ and around the Marlborough sounds ● Liloed through the Delegate River tunnel (I made it, lilo didn't) ● Saved two lives :( ● David is my third name (please write this at the top of your request) ● Visited every US state ● Felt the kindness of the French, Ukrainians, Americans, Jubans (South Sudan), Armenians, Persians, Saints (Saint Helena), Bruneians and Taiwanese ● Met fantastic people CouchSurfing around the world; the same goes for hitch-hiking ● Fell in love with England's pubs and incredible countryside ● By chance meeting, invited to closed underground service on Mont-Saint-Michel's "birthday"
Help
Let me know if you have any experience with any of the below:
(keep in mind I had someone that lied about their "extensive experience in x,y,z" and had them leave after only two days as they clearly had none)
I also love to learn about interesting things that you can teach me.
Let me know if you've experience with any of the following:
- Painting
- Basic carpentry skills might come in handy here and there, I've completed 95% of the work already.
- Installing laminate flooring
- Cleaning / dusting
- Weeding
- Other help fixing problems here and there
(if not, it's ok as I'm experienced in each and can teach you)
N.B. For the most part you'll working with other workawayers or solo - as I'll be working.
I'll set things up to make sure you know what you're doing, and I tend to do the harder stuff myself.
BE RELIABLE – far too often people have cancelled last minute. You're causing other workawayers to miss out / pay for accommodation / etc. So don't be selfish. Negative references will be left for those that cancel last minute!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Ukrainian: Beginner
Accommodation
Private room - King or Queen bed.
Private bathroom (shared with other workawayers) - it's currently going through renovation but there's still a sink, mirror, power and a shower.
Large peaceful green backyard with a hammock, outdoor table, sun lounges, etc.
Sometimes the are lots of workawayers here, sometimes there's only one.
It's a large house, so you'll have lots of room to yourself IF you're the only guest here.
I've hosted hundreds of people over the years (homeless, friends, family, etc.) so you should be comfortable.
Meals: you're welcome to (almost) anything in the fridge/pantry (excluding everything excluded). It's reasonably stocked 90% of the time. HOWEVER this doesn't mean eat everything - saw one German girl visibly put on weight once.
Each week I buy essentials, anything further you'll have to provide for yourself.
If I see or hear you're not considerate of others (i.e. eating all everything and others getting none) you might be kicked out without warning. Keep in mind, I'm extremely welcoming / giving but truly enjoy "hard" conversations / confrontation.
Food prep-wise, it's mostly prepare whatever you want for yourself / see if others would also like.
What else ...
Nearby sights:
Mount Dandenong (tourist and more importantly extremely beautiful area) not far away – can see it from my house. There's dozens of walks, great pubs, beautiful sites and very fresh air.
Food/supplies/transport:
Local shops (Wantirna Mall) – 5 mins walk away.
Westfield Knox – 5-10 mins bus / 30 mins green walk away.
Eastland – 10-15 mins bus away.
CBD – 50-60 mins bus/train away (assuming you go the right way). There have been upgrades to the train lines which have/are causing delays, so the trip might be longer atm.
P.S. You can join me at gym on Fri, Sat and/or Sun for free. It's one of the biggest gyms in the country, so it should have what you need.
P.P.S. Tend to go to a roller rink on Saturday nights if nothing else is on, so feel free to join ($18 including skates).
P.P.P.S. For those looking for/expecting rapid responses. Think about it... most Workaway hosts are needing help, which likely means they are short on time. Outside of winter I tend numerous requests each day – and as much as I'd like to get back to yours and all the other messages straight away, I have a business to run, renovations underway, self-defence to teach, a todo list so long you wouldn't believe... and on top of all that, I'd like to spend time enjoying! Short of this, the spiel in summary really is – sometimes I'll be able to respond straight away, sometimes I won't...
THAT BEING SAID, IF YOUR REQUEST IS AWESOME / ISN'T COPY/PASTE, I'LL GET BACK TO IT FAR SOONER!
So in your initial request, let me know (with numbers next to each).
1) what help needed you're able to provide (and what you can't or don't want to do)
2) what you'd like to learn (if anything, no pressure). (Remember to ask me once you're here)
3) if you have any dietary requirements.
4) if you want to come to the self-defence class I run (for free)
5) anything else that's important
Keep in mind I get a fair amount of requests on here so if you take time to confirm, someone else might take your place.
Last thing, be sure to bring warm clothing during the cold months.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Power, internet (Australian - so speed isn't great compared to UK/US/Europe), etc. Isolated wi-fi connection so no other devices will be able to touch yours.
Space for parking camper vans
Street parking in a safe court (cul de sac) available.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (14)
It was my first Workaway in AUS.
Grant is a very knowledgeable, kind, respectful, supportive, fun, professional and honest person.
He's also a kind teacher.
I've learned a lot from him.
He helpd me deal with a lot of medical and mental challenges, and for that I'm forever grateful.
Many Workawayers… read more
At one point he had to convince me to let him mow the lawn, as he'd already done so much.
Appreciate the times we were able to chat. Jun also got along well with the other people here as well.
Thank you for all of your help Jun!
Photos
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:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
It was my first Workaway in AUS.
Grant is a very knowledgeable, kind, respectful, supportive, fun, professional and honest person.
He's also a kind teacher.
I've learned a lot from him.
He helpd me deal with a lot of medical and mental challenges, and for that I'm forever grateful.
Many Workawayers… read more
At one point he had to convince me to let him mow the lawn, as he'd already done so much.
Appreciate the times we were able to chat. Jun also got along well with the other people here as well.
Thank you for all of your help Jun!
She brings such a fantastic positive attitude and appreciation of what life has to offer. This might sound cliché however these days most seem to… read more
Serghei has a lot of experience, is extremely intelligent and kept me on track when my mind was in a thousand places at once. Malaurie helped with many jobs and did them with diligence :)
You really don't need to read any more, just accept… read more
Grant is a very considerate host, always making sure that everything is alright even when he is super busy (and he is)
We often shared meals together and we were happy to have a chat with him on different topics, he isn't afraid to speak… read more
Such a gentleman! A hard worker and fun to have around.
I absolutely recommend him to anyone considering hosting him.
Thank you for all of your help buddy, I hope you're having a great time :)
He's wise, funny, helpful, to the point and also the kind of guy that wants to make sure others aren't taken advantage of.
I would have made a number of mistakes without his help and guidance early on.
Definitely recommend have him stay, or staying with and helping him out, as you will learn a… read more
Ketty did an amazing job translating an old French book, with dedication to ensure it was modernised/understandable and the old book itself well cared for.
She got along very well with everyone else – it would be a huge surprise if not – as her attitude and big smile bring in such a positive vibe.
Happy to have met you and thank you!
Talking with Grant and the other coworkers weas really interesting, I. opulent ask for a better first work away experience :)
Not only did she get on extremely well with the other workawayers, but she also made sure the help she and others were doing was done well and with care.
I really appreciate her help her and wish she could have stayed longer.
Good communicator, hard worker, fun to be around, doesn't hold a sense of self-entitlement and is… read more
She's one of genuine ones, both in her attitude to life and her desire to help out.
Lots of fun to help and hang out with. Definitely has some interesting stories once she gets to know you!
Just don't take her skating, she's hazard.
I helped… read more
Self managed her time, is trustworthy, did a great job on the tasks and communicates well.
Bad influence though, kept bringing delicious ice-cream into the house!
Don't play any card games with her, she's really good (either at the game… read more
She was great at all of the work, and helped teach others how to do the work involved.
If you're interested in learning Maltese, you will definitely hear some time to time, especially when she (tries) to play Tetris.
Would recommend 100%
In regards to the work, when given a task shown in detail he is able to self-manage and… read more
Basically, I cooked by myself and he bought foods I asked to for cooking. Additionally, he always accepts… read more
In regards to him helping out with the work, he's a quick learner and… read more
He received some hard news early on while he was here and it didn't change a thing – he was still the awesome guy that I (and the other workawayers came to know).
Even though I had to head up to Sydney for work at short notice,… read more
Most of the time I was working on the same project by my own, but here and there I also did some other work that needed to be done or helped the other workawayers with their tasks.
I planned to stay only 1-2 weeks but ended… read more
Apart from their taste in pasta sauce and Lucia's skating abilities, everything else was perfect - they were able to complete each job well and in good time, they took part in the jiujitsu classes, fit in well with all of the other workwayers and were great to have a laugh with.
Would have them… read more
They're both well versed at DIY having completed their own renovation at home, came and did well at jiujitsu, fit in well with the other workawayers that were here (when it was especially busy!),
We got to know each other quite well by the end of the their stay and I would have them back… read more
We stayed for one week and had a wonderful time. During our week we helped Grant in the garden and sanded the windows.
The rooms were super clean and everything was perfect.
Grant is so friendly and helpful and we are thankful for the time we spent there.
They worked extremely well independently and were very considerate around the home, respectful of the tools, performing a careful and meticulous job and cleaning up afterwards. Give them a task and the tools to do it and they will do an excellent job with dedication.
Great communicators as well.
Hanne and Mona… read more
Sleeping and living with him and in his house is recommended.
Thank you for my days and working with you.
During her time here, she helped clear the garden meticulously and wanted to work extra days even though she didn't need to.
Highly recommend Svenja :) Enjoy your travels.
They worked extremely well independently and were very considerate around the home, respectful of the tools, performing a careful and meticulous job and cleaning up afterwards. Give them a task and the tools to do it and they will do an excellent job with dedication.
Great communicators as well.
Hanne and Mona… read more
