Australia
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I live with my homeschooled 12 year old son on a suburban 900m block in an 1950s suburb in Albany that I bought in July 2017. We have chickens, food forest, fruit trees and vegie gardens. I did my Permaculture Design Course in 2013 and have attended several Permaculture Convergences. I practice permaculture in my gardening, finances and socially in community engagement (for example, the swap station on my front verge). We keep a radical low waste household and I teach and write about living plastic free. I have attended many Non Violent Communication workshops and can teach introductory level NVC. I am interested in gift economies and have set up several initiatives in my town. I am also a part-owner of a health food business in town.
Due to the pandemic, I'll ask if you are vaccinated for covid-19 because I'd like to be able to assess the risk to my household and community. From February 2022, I'll only be hosting people who've been double vaxxed. I'll reassess this in a few months depending on what happens after the WA borders reopen. If you've stayed with me and contract covid in the two weeks after you leave, I would appreciate knowing. Thanks.
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
You can learn how to make fermented foods, including kimchi, kombucha and sourdough bread. I can share ideas for living with less waste, and explain why we should avoid single use plastic. I can demonstrate and walk you through NVC tools for compassionate communication and conflict resolution. I can show you how to make natural beauty products and simple herbal medicines. My son can teach you how to build a cubby with pallets, fold really good paper planes, shop for groceries plastic-free and build Lego spaceships.
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Some of our current backyard projects include sheet-mulching to establish orchard areas, planting, fencing for chickens and ducks, making a duck pond and integrated apple orchard, building a earth pizza oven, plant propagation and division, seed saving and storage, and preparation works for an earthen walled goddess garden with trellises. Building projects might include painting murals, repairs, designing an attached greenhouse, small garden structures/trellises and installing weatherstripping. Other chores might include childminding, cleaning, preserving and making fermented foods, breadmaking and low-sugar baking.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Beginner
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
We have two bedrooms with double/queen beds available to travellers inside the house. We have hosted volunteers since 2014, so we are used to international travellers and have a collection of local maps and brochures for your days off. Volunteers usually join in with the meals, and can bring extra ingredients or help to cook if needed.
The house has a wood fire and a bath. There are spaces to relax outside and an interesting library.
It's 2km from town, and less than 1km from the supermarket. There is a bus 50m from the house, but the bus only runs for Monday to Saturday with limited stops.
There is broadband internet available. There's no house phone.
It's a shoes-off house.
Smoking is permitted outside the house. No additional pets are allowed. We run a radical zero waste household, but we can show you how to minimise your plastic purchases for common use.
Local food is prioritised over distant, organic over conventional. Organic backyard produce is the most valuable! Low sugar kitchen, lots of ferments, vegetables and homegrown food. This is a low meat household, mostly local ethical meat. Vegetarian meals are welcome.
There's no microwave, electric kettle or TV; we watch movies on laptops instead.
Dumpster diving is encouraged; needs at least two people.
I ask guests not to use aerosol deodorants, flyspray or highly scented products like candles. I can suggest natural substitutes for all these. Dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent and unscented toilet paper is bought in bulk. Soap is handmade, once or twice a year. Cleaning products are mostly bicarb and vinegar.
Albany is home to many attractions, including National Parks with magnificent hiking trails, the Porongurups and Stirling Ranges (50kms and 100kms away), beautiful beaches for surfing and fishing, good coffee shops, the oldest farm in WA and the National ANZAC Centre. I recommend Mt Romance for an indulgent gong session at the world's largest sandalwood distillery. You can find local beer, wine, cheese, milk, fruit and vegetables at local shops, farm-gate sales or markets. We have a great Farmer's Market run by local growers on Saturdays, and lots of live music around on weekends especially in summer. Festivals include Green Fair in early November, Denmark Markets from December-April and Sustainable Living Fair & Expo in March.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
I have unlimited Wifi but it's not very fast and sometimes drops out.
I have space in my driveway for a small campervan.
More than two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
