Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
32
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
We moved from the city to a 12 acre property in South West Gippsland, Vic five years ago. The property suffered from about 20 years of neglect so we are working on a range of projects indoors and out. These include reclaiming gardens, clearing deadwood from the many cypress trees, fencing and improving existing pasture.
The property itself is set atop a spur in the Moyarra valley with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. The holiday town of Inverloch is about 20 mins away with swimming and surf beaches on offer. There are also a number of bushwalking trails. We are also about fifty minutes drive from Phillip Island where you can see many native Australian animals and the famous Fairy Penguins.
There are regular bus services from Melbourne to the nearby towns of Korrumburra and Wonthaggi which takes approximately an hour and a half so getting to this part of Gippsland is easy.
There are two houses on the property which both require a lot of work inside and out including structural, plastering and painting work. In addition general help with day to day cleaning and cooking is also welcome.
In the longer term we are also planning to set up a small market garden to supply our own needs.
As well as the outdoor and building work required to improve the property we have a growing menagerie which includes chickens, guinea fowl, a peacock, miniature goats and highland cattle as well as livestock guardian dogs cats, and parrots. Keeping everyone cleaned out, fed and generally cared for is an ongoing task we’d also be happy to have help with.
Cooking, bread making and entertaining are things we really enjoy and we'd love to learn more about cuisines from around the world. We are not vegetarian but do our best to ensure our food is ethically raised and processed. We can easily cater for any dietary requirements.
In our mid fifties with no children we have a range of work experiences in music, sound engineering, IT project management, teaching and running a fresh produce company. We have both travelled quite widely and enjoy the opportunity to share and learn from others.
Al & Karen
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have both travelled extensively and been closely involved in community arts and social organisations. Our property offers a chance to learn about sustainable hobby farming, aquaponics, local food and wine. As well as the opportunity to meet a range of people from local farmers to artists and musicians.
Help
We are looking to find people to help with a range of tasks around the farm as well as assist in setting up the gardens and building works. There is also a lot of general property maintenance and cleaning we’d welcome help with as well as animal care and feeding.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
The second house on our property is currently empty (elderly parent now in care) so workawayers will have the whole house to themselves. There are 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and fully set up kitchen etc. You would be required to look after an elderly German Shepherd and the cat (everything provided for them by us)
Full broadband connected
Airconditioned
What else ...
Gippsland has a wide range of activities and sights including beaches, cafes, wineries, bushwalking, surfing...
Own transport may be an advantage but not essential as we can assist. Kayaks are also available for anyone interested in exploring the coastal inlet nearby.
Non smoking household.
Whilst we eat meat we are happy to accommodate vegetarian/vegan choices.
Guests will need to be ok with large parrots who are part of the family as well as our livestock guardian dogs and a German Shepherd.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Unlimited broadband available throughout the house and in the guest room. A number of different work spaces available.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 25 hours / week, 5 days a week
Feedback (14)
We really enjoyed having her here and would highly recommend her to any future hosts.
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
We really enjoyed having her here and would highly recommend her to any future hosts.
Tom loves to cook and he is very good at it so them being vegan was really… read more
Nothing was too much trouble and… read more
Their work ethic is fantastic and everything we asked them to do was done to a… read more
It has been a pleasure meeting Karen and Al. We spent two very comfortable weeks with them, the tasks to be carried out are easy and entertaining. Karen is a great cook, we really enjoyed her meals and the conversations. Not suitable if you are on a diet!… read more
They are very nice, patient.
They explained a lot of things to me about the animals, about the garden.
I loved cooking with Karen (the meals are amazing), she gave me lots of tips. She shares… read more
Mylene was very self motivated and did heaps of things around the place from cleaning, gardening and cooking to animal care… read more
Nothing was too much trouble for them and they were happy to tackle any projects they we had to do including gardening, path building and the design of our vegetable garden fencing. They also helped with all the meal prep and cleaning up… read more
Karen and Al were very good at matching work to the skillset of volunteers staying. Our days were filled with work that we had pleasure doing. We built raised garden beds, split wood, built a brick walkway,… read more
They also helped sew lots of pouches and liners for animals… read more
they have a lot of lovely animals and are both very fun and easy going.
Karen welcomed me over the Christmas holidays at her family reunion wich was very lovely and kind to do!
The work was nice honest work mostly outside and often including animals wich I usually enjoyed.
But be careful about Karen!
She is… read more
I would highly recommend… read more
They were so welcoming, they made me feel like home from the first day, I loved so much to be surrounded by all their animals, especially Polar, this amazing dog I fell in love with !!!
After the work outside, it was so pleasant to cook and talk about… read more
He was great with all the animals and has a positive and upbeat attitude. We would highly recommend him to any host.
Our animals have never had so much attention and the garden around the… read more
