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Description
I am living in a very pretty, small rural village in the Southern Highlands of NSW in an old (circa 1926) cottage adjacent to the local primary school. You will love sleeping in your room and waking to extensive views over the Morton National Park, the entrance to which is only a kilometre or two from my home. When I was more physically mobile, I loved walking in the national park and all around the streets of the village. Now I drive there and walk shorter distances to experience the views, the native forests, flora and fauna and fresh air.
I enjoy a daily habit of having a late leisurely breakfast in one of the local cafes, where I can meet people I know or catch up on news. I am a singer so I usually practise during the day.
The village is host to numerous volunteer-run cultural events throughout the year and is frequented by tourists on weekends.
The highland weather ranges from warm, dry and mild to wet, windy and chilly, with frequent mists and windy periods. Everything is green. I have a wood burning stove to keep things cosy in winter.
My partner (who lives in Sydney) and most of my friends are musicians. I have an adult son living in Canberra. Both of them visit me at various times each fortnight and I visit them too. It's about two hours drive or train ride from my place north to Sydney and south to Canberra and about 90 minutes to the coast.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Nature
History
Politics / Social justice
Movies & TV
Events & social
Music
Books
Camping
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I offer access to the local live music scene, mainly what you might call folk but much broader than that. I can introduce you to people in the village and to my musician friends. By attending local cultural events you will get a taste of Australian rural village life. With close access to the Morton National Park you will experience the joys of bushwalking and Australian native flora and fauna. With Canberra, the capital of Australia, only two hours away by train you can explore the major national political and cultural institutions: Old and New Parliament Houses, National Gallery, National Museum, National Library, and the Arboretum. Two hours north by train is Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, with its glorious harbour, Opera House, Botanic Gardens and historical precincts to discover. About 90 minutes to the east you'll find Wollongong with its lovely beaches.
I love learning about other cultures, eating food from other countries' traditions, hearing music from other countries, especially songs that reflect cultures and histories other than my own. I was brought up in the Anglican Christian religion; however, I am not at all religious. I am interested in and accepting of the beliefs of others. I don't speak any language other than English but enjoy hearing other languages spoken.
Help
These days I am unable to do any bending, crouching, kneeling or heavy lifting, so any help in and around the house such as making beds, bathroom and window cleaning, car cleaning, mowing and weeding would be very much appreciated. Filling bins with plant clippings and prunings and pulling the full bins into position for collection.
One of the projects is to keep weeds at bay from the head of the steep gully which forms part of my property and from the fence line adjacent to the primary school and my small front garden.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
I have an enclosed verandah with floor to ceiling windows with pull down blinds, overlooking the Morton National Park. The room contains a double bed and a dining table and chairs. It has air conditioning, fans and lighting. There is also a stationary bicycle for exercise, which can be moved out if necessary.
The house has only one toilet (separate) and a bathroom/ laundry room which has a washing machine and tub, basin and a shower but no bath.
Another sleeping option is a small bedroom with a double bed.
I can provide camping gear if needed.
I am happy to pay and go with you to shop for food but I'm not a great cook and being a single person most of the time I tend to eat at random times. I'd be happy to do some cooking and share it but would prefer that you cook what you'd like, and eat when you'd like to eat most of the time. I would also love to share what you cook, if cooking is your pleasure. I love trying foods from other cultures.
What else ...
On your time off you can hop on a train and visit Sydney or Canberra.
There are plenty of barbecues, bushwalks and lookouts in the nearby national park and around the village, where you may encounter native animals and birds, such as kangaroos, wallabies, echidna, lyrebirds, rosellas and cockatoos.
You can have a drink, join a trivia night, listen to live music or dine out at the local hotel or restaurants and cafes.
Depending on the time of year, you could attend one of the numerous cultural events held in the village or local producers markets.
The local bus service can take you to other nearby villages and towns.
You might join me camping and volunteering at a regional NSW folk festival, depending on the time of year. There's one held in Bundanoon on the fourth weekend of November each year.
House rules include: no smoking; no mess in shared areas; lock up when you leave; please keep kitchen, bathroom and toilet clean and tidy; and if you use something put it back in the same place you found it. Try not to wake me up before 8:00am as I usually go to sleep after midnight.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Photos
