Profile information
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Host is looking for help immediately
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Min stay requested: at least a week
Details
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Description
Hello. I am Laura and Honey is my sweet 16-year-old dog.
We live on a gorgeous 2/3-acre property near Castlemaine in rural Victoria. We have a big home with a solar system providing most of our power (in summer!), a large shed/workshop and a swimming pool. Another person will be moving here in the next few months. There are magnificent tall gum trees nearby and lots of bird life, which makes for a very peaceful rural vibe.
I have plans for an orchard (I have been growing fruit trees in pots for years in preparation), and I want to set up wicking beds for vegetables.
It's a seven-minute drive (or 15-minute bike ride) to the super-friendly, creative and funky town of Castlemaine. I have bicycles available if you don't have your own car. In town you'll find cafes, art galleries, cinema, restaurants, organic shops, bars, botanical gardens, op shops and some pretty amazing live venues.
I am looking for help mainly in the garden, and a bit of help aroubd the house possibly too (especially if raining). I am offering accommodation and two evening meals per week in exchange for 15 hours help per week (2 days off per week). Open to slightly different arrangements, just suggest!
I work from home as a freelance editor and I love swimming in the pool year round (it is icy in winter!). I have a studio which I use as a home office and art studio. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Help around the house
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Interests
Self development
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Events & social
Culture
LGBTQ
Writing
Plant care
Photography
Gardening
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Books
Art & design
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Camping -
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am genuinely interested in other cultures and would love to learn about your cultural background and what plans you have for travelling. I have lived in many places all around Australia and can share my lifestyle experiences with you. There are loads of native birds here because I am opposite bushland and while there is some traffic during the day, it's not continuous. On the whole, it is a very peaceful and quiet location, especially at night.
I am happy to take you when I visit local places of interest, cafes or visit friends and to show you around when I have time. I sometimes host dinner parties for friends and you will be welcome then, too.
There are some fantastic locations nearby to go for bushwalks and for anyone interested in local history, the region has a rich Aboriginal history and was also a gold-mining region in the mid-1800s. There's a brilliant art gallery and local museum.
I can teach you skills in gardening, permaculture, cooking and a bit of maintenance work. I am a professional writer and editor so if anyone is interested in that, I can help in that area. I can also teach sewing, knitting or crochet. -
Help
An idea of the type of outside tasks I want help with (mostly light tasks, with very occasional harder stuff like digging if you are up for it):
– weeding
– turning compost
– put mulch on garden beds
– sweeping
– watering garden
– plant small native shrubs
– help me sort out my shed (work together)
– putting in a watering system for established vegie bed
– setting up raised wicking beds
– remove a couple of small plants
– cut grass
– cleaning the car
– help pave an outdoor area (if someone has the skill for this)
Indoor help:
– occasional house cleaning
– clean windows -
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
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Accommodation
You will have a sunny north-facing bedroom with a lovely scenic outlook onto trees and the hill opposite, which often has lots of grazing kangaroos. The kitchen, bathroom and lounge are shared with me. The house is very spacious.
I am offering to provide dinner twice a week and the rest of the meals you will provide and prepare yourself (hence only asking for 15 hours help per week) as I have a health issue which affects my energy. I eat mainly healthy, fresh food and not much processed stuff. I can prepare meals that are vegan, vegetarian or include meat. I tend not to eat a huge amount of meat, though. -
What else ...
You'll need your own transport as my house is a 7-minute drive or a 15-minute bike ride to the town of Castlemaine where the shops are.
When you have free time, you might like to go bushwalking, bike riding along the creek, visit cafes, restaurants, art galleries, pubs, the local cinema, see live bands, op shops, nearby secondhand bookshop, swim or bushwalk at the gorgeous local reservoir (15 mins away and in a national park).
You might also like to visit our local tourist attractions: the steam train or the dingo and wildlife sanctuary. I have a folder with heaps of local information for visitors.
And when you have down time at home, you may be interested in doing some arty/crafty stuff or creative writing in my studio. I am open to discussing these kinds of ideas. -
A little more information
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Internet access
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Limited internet access
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We have pets
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We are smokers
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Can host families
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Space for parking camper vans
I have a huge and beautiful space suitable for people wanting to park their campervan.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
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My animals / pets
Honey (16 years)
Honey is a sweet old dog who is nearly completely deaf. She loves going for walks every day and checking her weemail. She spends a lot of time sleeping. She will melt your heart.
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