Margaret River - Share in the Art, Surf and the outdoors, Australia

  • Favourited 264 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Matan’s is a great place for getting involved in art projects and a positive, healthy lifestyle. We are half way from town to the beach in Margaret River. The projects range from large outdoor sculptures to small jewellery pieces. You stay in nice artistic surroundings on a rural small farm. Fun is a big part of the agenda. Beach excursions for surfing, paddle boarding or fishing are a part of life, not just for holidays. Cooking and beer making are done with care. We have been volunteer hosts for years, but now would like to expand the activity base to put more emphasis on the art projects. Experience with art is great but enthusiasm and a positive attitude are the best assets. People usually come to us for a week and then stay longer by mutual agreement. Their comments are ofter something like “ we stayed longer because at Matan’s we found what we came to australia to enjoy.”

    The beer is for consumption by people residing with us. Definately not commercial. Jewelry and other objects made by people staying with us can go into the gallery and an agreed amount paid to the maker upon sale.
    We also run a lodge that is like a small backpackers for artists and people doing their second year visa work.
    The lodge business is separate from the jobs that the work awayers will do. The lodge currently closed due to covid, usually runs with a couple who live in and look after the kitchen and 4 rooms.
    Work away people will work on the grounds and the garden. They will also help me with large art projects that will be used to decorate our surrounds.
    We have been working with volunteers for 25 years without a complaint. In fact most volunteers extend there stays, sometimes for months. The usual comment is that this place is what they come to Australia to enjoy.
    My work with the Wardan Aboriginal Cultural Centre ensures that there is positive contact with the local traditional owners.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    General Maintenance
    Farmstay help
    Art Projects
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange. I a US citizen and 50 years living inAustralia has given me a insight into the Australian history and culture. Ten years work with the WardanAborigional Cultural Centre has taught me a lot about the Indigenous culture, plants and special site in this region. My wife Cynamon was born in Malaysia and is a teacher and community arts worker. Travellers will possibly learn skills in wood working, steel fabrication, clay and cement work. Art and design principles will be a part of things. Possible tolearn paddle boarding. Tree pruning and some gardening.

  • Help

    Help

    There is variety in jobs to be done. The next art project will be large flag pole like sculptures. There is work to be done pruning trees and bushes to make the place safer from fire.
    Steel sculptures and craft cement or clay work also. We usually start people with a set project and then determine where they have skills or a desire to learn and go onto the next thing from there. In addition to large pieces there is the chance to work on jewellery or woven items.
    Your work is directed by Jim Matan who has half a century of art and building projects. He is ready to take some big steps in his art and needs energetic people to get involved and bring about some interesting pieces.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Indonesian: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is of a good standard. Matans was built as a place where artists would come and stay, work and exhibit. So the bedrooms are very good.
    Food is prepared by the people themselves. We provide all of the ingredients. There are usually 2 or more workers staying with us. They cook and eat together. Jim and Cynamon sometimes make meals and sometimes join with the others for meals. Any diets can be catered.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    MargaretRiver is a great place to visit. Wineries and beaches all around. Lots of the people who have stayed with us find work in the vineyards and hospitality venues. We can sometimes assist.
    The Wardan Aboriginal Centre is no far and we do various volunteer projects with the traditional owners. It is very interesting and rewarding.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have a good connection to NBN wireless with unlimited data. This is used for research and communications. It is limited in terms of streaming of entertainment if more than one user tries to download large files.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Plenty of space for vans. Can run power to vans. There is a toilet and shower for people staying in vans

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 367541451754

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