Busy home is bursting with life and animals, extra hands needed, in Victoria, Australia

Australia

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Feedback
16
Last activity
28/03/2022
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 1 day
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Availability

2022

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Description
We live in a beautiful area of Australlia and our busy home is bursting with life and animals. The whole family are animal lovers therefore we have many pets. Mayfield is a working cattle and sheep farm with a twist we also breed australian stockhorses, agist horses and run a college. The Australian college of Equine Podiotherapy trains hoof care professionals in the equine industry.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Animal Care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers will receive a real Aussie experience
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We welcome experienced horse riders. Jobs will be worked out to your area of expertise, however we try to make sure there is variety.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
Verrandah room on the house with a separate toilet and shower. No SMOKING
What else ...
There is a bus to Yarck that goes twice a day from southern cross station in Melbourne.

We would like people who willingly help us or our employees with the daily tasks as a part of the team. Half of our family are vegetarians and the other half not, so we eat a range of food and aren't opposed to new foods (we will be happy to accept vegans). Our diet is mostly sugar free.

we expect our helpers to be engaging and we will endeavor to treat them as one of the family.

On a farm your day to day activities vary seasonally. We run horses, cattle and sheep.

We feed horses twice a day and cattle and sheep at times of forage shortage.

We have hens and care for them daily collecting eggs.
We have two Kelpie working dogs, various pet birds and four cats (and much more).

Caring for the animals is all year round with the best times being when the babies are born.
Calving is in February
Lambing is in March/April
Foaling is in November/December

We begin at 7 am every day with important chores attending housed and sick animals.
We eat breakfast from 7.40 – 8.20 and then work out what will happen for the day depending on the weather and the season etc.

Our volunteers live with us and eat meals with us and are involved in most things except personal matters such as weddings and funerals and doctors appointments.

You are welcome to ride in your spare time. We have a pool and a spa.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4 hours a day, 5 days a week

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Feedback left by and about host (16)

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:
(5.0)

Communication:
(4.7)

16/07/2021

Left by Workawayer (Tegan) for host

I absolutely enjoyed my time here! Nicole and her family were so kind and accommodating. They're very upfront with what they expect of you, and nothing was unreasonable. They would never ask you to do anything they wouldn't be willing to do themselves. I had to leave earlier than expected due to family reasons but they were very understanding. If… read more

(Excellent )

11/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Rhiannon) for host

I had a wonderful time staying with the Bowe's and helping to look after the farm. Nikki is very generous and accommodating to your needs shopping and doing actvities etc. Andrew is very relaxed and you will learn a lot from him if you stay a while! The girls are hardworking and always interested in where you have come from and what you can teach… read more

(Excellent )

17/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Eilish) for host

I stayed with Nicky and her family for a month in February during which I had a wonderful experience. The farm is bursting with things to do so if you like to keep yourself busy you couldn't find a better place! The family have such a vast knowledge when it comes to horses and hoof care and I learnt so much during my time here. However it's not… read more

(Excellent )

17/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Emily) for host

We had 2 great weeks here as a proper farm experience just like you expect it in Australia. Definantly a place for horselovers and energetic people. We had a lot of fun at the Rodeos, waterskiing at the lakes, playing tennis, swimming in the pool or enjoying the evening rides and movie nights. Emma& Sophie are lovely girls and all the other… read more

(Very good )

24/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Emma)

Emma started off being very quiet and unsure BUT she bloomed whist here and really enjoyed herself.
She was a Quiet achiever and was excellent with our young horses. I would definitely employ such a young girl if she lived in Australia. We miss her and so do the horses.

(Excellent )

05/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Emma) for host

I had an amazing 3 weeks with the family. I loved working with their lovely horses and learning lots about barehoof care, cattlework and general Aussie life! The family is busy and hardworking yet they still arranged for me to have many amazing experiences like visiting a rodeo, lake and waterfall. I’m really grateful for the fun I had here and… read more

(Excellent )

24/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Elisa)

Elisa made an effort to fit in to our family and farm life and was always enthusiastic and helpful.
She was a lovely person to have around with a lot of positive energy. I really appreciated her help and she appreciated how busy I am.

(Excellent )

23/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Elisa) for host

On their host page stated: “A home bursting of life”. This is definitely not a lie. There is an energetic energy around all of the Bowe’s. I think the saying “Work hard, play hard” is very suitable for this family. There are always plenty of jobs to do, like on any farm. You wont get bored, promise. There are often opportunities to go for a horse… read more

(Excellent )

02/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Bettina) for host

If you like animals, specialy horses and you like to have real family experience then thats the place to be.
From the first second i felt like a team and familie member, everybody helps each other, you can learn a lot and have really nice chats. You will meet so many different people and if you are interestet and luky you can see from sheepsharing… read more

(Very good )

10/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Tamara) for host

I spent 3,5 weeks on the Bowe’s farm and I absolutely loved it!
As a workawayer you are a full part of the family and the team of other people working there (3 people are part-time employed for few days per week and ev. there are other workawayer – there was another girl during my stay – we were a great team :-) ). The whole family is working… read more

(Excellent )

22/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Magdalena) for host

I stayed last minute with the Bowes when my other workaway plans were cancelled. Nicky was very accommodating last minute and the whole family was welcoming. The property is beautiful, and there is no shortage of things to keep you busy. Thanks again!

(Excellent )

18/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (JOHANNA) for host

Thank you awesome Bowe-Family!
I had awesome 10 days on the farm, surrounded by pure beauty, amongst a lovely family. I enjoyed my stay with the Bowes very much. They are high-energy, hard working and generous people. I enjoyed the tasks, and there is always tasks to do, and I even got to do things like moving a mob of sheep on horse back...… read more

(Excellent )

23/04/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Melissa)

Mel was a lovely person to have stay with us. She was exceptionally helpful and open-minded to our way of life... she got on well with everyone and made a conscious effort to 'fit in' at our home.

Thankyou for staying with us Mel, you were amazing and are welcome here anytime.

(Excellent )

02/02/2017

Left by Workawayer (Melissa) for host

I spend a bit more than two weeks with Nicky and her family, and it was a great first workaway experience. They are all very welcoming, especially the girls who will you make feel at home straight away. Accommodation is great, the room(s) is/are of a very good size, very comfortable beds and plenty of space to put your stuff away if needed (always… read more

(Excellent )

06/01/2017

Left by Workawayer (Sarah) for host

I stayed with them over Christmas and helped them around the farm with different jobs, like feeding and other work around the animals gardening and farm duties.
They made me feel being a part of their family and I always felt home.
I learned a lot about horse hooves and laminitis and enjoyed every moment surrounded by the horses.
They have a… read more

(Excellent )

15/07/2015

Left by Workawayer (Esma & Merle) for host

I stayed with Nicky and Andrew for three weeks this autumn and had the best time I could hope for. There is an inexhaustible amount of things to learn reaching from trimming hooves to shifting cows and making cakes.
As they say they are a very busy family and anyone with a vague interest in horses or farming is sure not to get bored. My days,… read more

(Excellent )

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