Stunning rural living, hanging out with my rescue dog near Melbourne, Australia

Details

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  Description

  Hello! Thank you for stopping here! Currently I'm looking for help for October and beyond.
  
  My preference is for someone who can stay a month ++, but two weeks is alright. Here's the info:
  
  We are in a beautiful rural area about 1.5hrs south-east of Melbourne, with train connections in nearby towns (Longwarry, Warragul, Drouin). Our home is on 5 acres of hilly bushland next to a forest, with stunning views. We keep chickens, ducks, a cat, a dog and lots of wonderful plants.
  
  There are just us two middle-agers (50/60) living here on this peaceful land, in a simple, modern, comfortable home. We're active, outdoor types. I enjoy walking the dog, caring for the animals, yoga, music & dancing, catching up with friends, day trips to the coast, or bushwalking or (rarely) heading into Melbourne for some city action! He is into bike riding, sailing, long walks, tending the large garden and watching sport.
  
  The Gippsland area includes large forests, stunning coastline, lovely rural towns and lush farmlands.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Self development

  

  Sustainability

  

  Gardening

  

  Animals

  

  Cycling

  

  Hiking

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Camping

  

  Beach

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Mountain

  

  Dancing

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are caring, sociable people who would love to know about you and your background, thoughts and travel plans, as well as share our lifestyle and experiences with you. We have done lots of travelling and speak several languages and have lived abroad. You will have the opportunity to experience a peaceful Australian home where you'll see many different birds, giant lizards called Lace Monitors, wombats, snakes and wallabies; but you'll also be not too far from our local towns and Melbourne is an easy day-trip by car or train. We are happy to take you to see the area, visit friends with us and generally facilitate your enjoyment and discovery of this part of Australia, when we have time.

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  Help

  The main help requirement for you is just hanging out with the sweet and fun rescue dog, Maddie, who cannot be alone due to her separation anxiety...so while I go to work as a teacher three days a week, you would be keeping her company. Yes, it's a really great job, right?! She's well-behaved, gentle and loves to go for walks, once she gets to trust you.
  
  The work/hosting arrangement is quite flexible. You will be responsible for Maddie all day, from about 8am to 5 or 6pm ish, Tue, Wed & Fri. Occasionally, you might be asked to take care of her at other times - perhaps if I want/need to geo out somewhere without her. Whilst Maddie cannot be left alone, you will have plenty of 'free time, as long as she has company (sometimes, Rob is home, so you could head out for a walk by yourself). Apart from feeding and walking Maddie, there are a number of routine household and outdoor tasks to get done every day. Keeping the kitchen clean and sweeping the dog hair off the floor are essential and cooking (simple) meals is highly appreciated! Feeding the chooks and ducks; various jobs like weeding, fixing or DIYing stuff, cleaning the car, pruning fruit trees, mending clothes, making yogurt, cleaning the chicken shed and so many other possible occupations!
  
  How you manage your work hours is often up to you, with some things having fixed times or priority - like the animal care. I usually make a little daily list for you and there are even videos and a Workawayer 'handbook' I'm putting together! The expectation is between 2- 4 hours of your effort per day ('being with Maddie is not counted as your work hours, as you have most of the time to do what you like, as long as you're a human body she feels secure with!), sometimes even on weekends. We will talk about the week ahead, make plans and just be honest and kind with each other, to ensure everyone feels respected and that our arrangement is fair. You have the chance to go exploring on days when I'm home or Rob is here - we'll drop you at the train station and you can go off for the day or a couple of days - expenses for your food, accommodation etc are your responsibility when you're out and about.
  
  We enjoy having your company, suggestions and knowing that you're comfortable here. Do ask questions to clarify anything, but I trust that if there's a problem or concern at any time when you are here, you will feel comfortable to raise it and we'll have a chat to sort things out :-).

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Chinese (Mandarin): Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  Chinese (Cantonese): Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I love all language and culture teaching & learning!
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  Accommodation

  You can have a room with bathroom; a tent or BYO campervan. The kitchen and lounge are shared with us.
  
  We can discuss food arrangements - we're flexible. Most of our meals are vegetarian (I am vegetarian) but we also have our own beef and sometimes chicken (raised and butchered here). We eat healthy, fresh food, nothing fancy. We mostly eat together, but sometimes it's 'help yourself,' especially lunches and weekends.

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  What else ...

  There's no public transport here so you will need your own vehicle or have to rely on us - we are happy to give you a lift when we can. The closest shops are 15 mins drive and towns are 15-25 min drive away.
  
  We require you to have travel insurance, an ID check and reference(s)/feedback.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Our house is on a hill with limited flat space, but camper van is do-able!

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Can be discussed

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  

  Maddie

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