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Host rating
65 %
Last replied
13 Jul 2023
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Description
We are a family of 6 living on a rural property by Terania Creek, The Channon in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Myself, Terri (46) my husband Donovan (50), and our 4 sons (aged 5,10,12, 18 years) and our two dogs, Tallus and Bess (new kelpie pup), live completely off the grid on 6 hectares. We have thriving vegetable gardens and lots of rainforest regeneration and orchard projects. We also have two caravans that we are fixing up.
We’d love help with some of these outdoors projects and farm maintenance as well as just hanging with the kids and some domestic type help :) (cleaning, cooking, playing with kids etc).
Education/interests:
Terri: I am a massage therapist/herbalist/birth doula. I am also an artist with particular interest in wood burning and natural botanical dying on clothes and am a singersongwriter/play guitar. I am very involved with our community in a number of ways, especially disaster resilience projects and environmental protection projects such as helping to stop a huge dam nearby which would drown rainforest, koala habitat and sacred Widjabul Wia-bal sites. You'd be most welcome to learn/get involved in some of these interests while you are here. I lived in South America (Bolivia & Chile) for 3.5yrs so am fluent in Spanish and very connected with that culture over there, so we especially welcome Spanish-speaking workawayers.
Donovan: He is an arborist, and avid tree-climber so we often set up ropes in trees on our land for fun climbing. He's also into native bees and karate and... motorbikes.
Our kids: They are all high energy and pretty rowdy, loud and exuberant at times! And they are also completely sweet, creative, and just love connecting and being adventurous. Our #3 lad is particularly into birds.
What's nearby: There is a fantastic swimming creek bordering our land on 3 sides, with canoes to explore up the creek. We are 12km from the stunning rainforest of Nightcap National Park (Protestor's Falls), 50 mins from Byron Bay and beaches, 20 mins north of the town of Lismore (where we do our shopping) and 30 mins from Nimbin. The nearest shop/general store is at the small village of The Channon just 1.6km from us. The pub there is currently closed due to flood damage from 2022 Feb flood.
Accomodation: We have a lovely simple camper trailer or tents as a space for helpers to stay. Lots of great camping/tent/camper parking spots also if you have your own gear. Compost toilet available. Shared shower at our place. If you have your own ammenities that's cool. No power to camper/campsites. Wifi reaches a fair way from our home to your campsite. :)
Food: We eat everything but are very happy with vegetarian or vegan meals (eating them or making them). We try to use as much from our vegetarian garden as possible.
Things we'd love help any of these things:
Rainforest regeneration
- clearing weeds: lantana, privet, camphor plants/trees - by hand secateurs, handsaws, some chainsaw tasks
- planting trees: especially on riparian/creek edges - digging holes for trees, planting tube stock from our nursery
- potting up seedlings, sowing seeds for germination
Gardening
- weeding, prepping soil, planting seedlings, harvesting and preserving (like making jam/pickles etc)
- making new garden beds
Orchards
- mulching around the trees with wood chip from the piles here. Planting more fruit trees.
Caravan fixups
- We have 2 caravans that are gutted and need fixing up (so lining, painting, putting flooring in, putting mozzie screens up, putting new windows in, adding a deck next to one etc)
Home stuff
- open to help with general home - cooking, cleaning, some fixit things inside like shelving
Kid stuff
- we love it when people love hanging with and being creative/adventurous with all or some or one of our kids. It allows us to space to attend to some other things that need our attention.
Warmly, Terri & Donovan and the lads (and Tallus the dog)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live a very nature-based rustic rural lifestyle. We live off the grid in a pretty alternative way. You'd learn rainforest regen, gardening, living on the land. You could connect in and learn any of the specific interests we have in already ongoing projects/hobbies.
Having travelled extensively (especially in South America where I was also an exchange student) we know how amazing it can be to be welcomed into someones life and home in a different culture. We love providing a warm, welcoming and interesting place for our visitors.
Education/interests:
Terri: I am a massage therapist/herbalist/birth doula. I am also an artist with particular interest in wood burnin and natural botanical dying on clothes and am a singersongwriter/play guitar. I am very involved with our community in a number of ways, especially disaster resilience projects and environmental protection projects such as helping to stop a huge dam nearby which would drown rainforest, koala habitat and sacred Widjabul Wia-bal sites. You'd be most welcome to learn/get involved in some of these interests while you are here. I lived in South America (Bolivia & Chile) for 3.5yrs so am fluent in Spanish and very connected with that culture over there.
Donovan: He is an arborist, and avid tree-climber so we often set up ropes in trees on our land for fun climbing. He's also into native bees and karate and... motorbikes.
Our kids: They are all high energy and pretty rowdy, loud and exuberant at times! And they are also completely sweet, creative, and just love connecting and being adventurous. Our #3 lad is particularly into birds.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Things we'd love help any of these things:
Rainforest regeneration
- clearing weeds: lantana, privet, camphor plants/trees - by hand secateurs, handsaws, some chainsaw tasks
- planting trees: especially on riparian/creek edges - digging holes for trees, planting tube stock from our nursery
- potting up seedlings, sowing seeds for germination
Gardening
- weeding, prepping soil, planting seedlings, harvesting and preserving (like making jam/pickles etc)
- making new garden beds
Orchards
- mulching around the trees with wood chip from the piles here. Planting more fruit trees.
- picking fruit from orchard trees
Caravan fixups
- We have 2 caravans that are gutted and need fixing up (so lining, painting, putting flooring in, putting mozzie screens up, putting new windows in, adding a deck next to one etc)
Home stuff
- open to help with general home - cooking, cleaning, some fixit things inside like shelving
Kid stuff
- we love it when people love hanging with and being creative/adventurous with all or some or one of our kids. We love our kids learning about other cultures. It also allows us to space to attend to some other things that need our attention.
Languages
Languages spoken
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Terri is a fluent Spanish speaker from living in Bolivia & Chile for 3 years. We'd love to especially welcome Spanish speakers into our home for our kids to learn more. We can offer help with English or Spanish languages.
Accommodation
Accomodation: Basically camping, with no running water or power on camp site. We have a lovely simple camper trailer, or tents that workawayers can stay in. Lots of great camping/tent/camper parking spots also if you have your own gear. Compost toilet. Shared outside shower at our place. If you have your own ammenities that's cool. Wifi reaches a fair way from our home to your campsite. :)
Food: We will provide food, unless you'd prefer to do your own. We are very open and keen for help with cooking/meals if you are, but otherwise we'll provide food.
What else ...
What's nearby: There is a fantastic swimming creek bordering our land on 3 sides, with canoes to explore up the creek. We are 12km from the stunning rainforest of Nightcap National Park, 50 mins from Byron Bay, 20 mins north of the town of Lismore (where we do our shopping) and 30 mins from Nimbin. The nearest shop is at the small village of The Channon just 1.6km from us. The pub there is currently closed due to flood damage from 2022 Feb flood.
The Channon & surrounds is a vibrant community and there are many things happening at the local hall/oval like: yoga classes, choir, touch footy, disc golf, open mic, crop swaps, green wood carving. Also The iconic Channon Craft Markets is on the second Sunday of every month, at the local oval.
Transport: Best if you have your own but not essential. The school bus runs from The Channon village to Lismore town morning and afternoon. We have a push bike you could borrow.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have decent wifi. We would prefer you work in your own space (camper trailer/ tent provided (unless you have your own), so you'd just need to set up close enough for the wifi to reach you well. (Within about 100m of our home)
Space for parking camper vans
We have lots of space for any size of motorhome or camper van to park. We do not have a powered site for your van though. No running water to your site, but a tap nearby where you can access water.
Can possibly accept pets
Yes, willing to accept pets as long as they don't run after wallabies or other wildlife, so would need to be tied up at night especially. We have a dog also. Potentially open to people travelling with horses as we have pasture.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
