Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
20 Feb 2025
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 55 days
Feedback
38
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Email verified
Badges (3)
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Details
Description
This is a unique opportunity for you to come and live in a museum and use your creativity to make this an even more interesting place to visit.
The museum is located 19km south of Geraldton and 400km north of Perth. It is open daily between 8.30am and 3.30pm and located within an historic homestead built between 1862-80 which is surrounded by gardens, including a community vegetable garden.
Accommodation is in a separate wing of the museum building. I can only host single helpers.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Through your creativity there are many ways that you can leave your mark on this museum during your brief stay.This is also a great opportunity to learn more of this region's history, to meet the locals and visitors from all round the world and to improve your English.
Help
Helpers in the past have assisted by translating handouts into French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Korean and Japanese.
Others have helped redesign the webpage and museum brochures, or design software for the museum 'teleporter'. Those with artistic skills have decorated garden fixtures and furniture.
Assistance may also be required to keep the museum open. Also, if you like cooking, that is fantastic. Have a veggie garden, so there is always something fresh to pick.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Room available with single bed, share bathroom and other facilities. Preference towards workawayers over 25 and non-smokers.
What else ...
Please be aware the museum is located 19km from the nearest shops and there is no public transport available. I do have a bicycle you can use. However, it is within walking distance of isolated beaches. Volunteers must like animals as I have 2 dogs.
For helpers wanting to improve their English, I hold a Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (2001).
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Host ref number: 921399368135
Feedback (18)
4 Dec 2024
Left by Workawayer (Tim) for host
I had a wonderful time with Gary and I'm very thankful for his support in my first weeks in Australia. He is a very nice person and has two beautiful dogs.
The work was also very nice, a never worked in a garden before but I could earn my first experience.
Gary was always forced that I have a great time, so he took me to a Nationalpark, we went… read more
The work was also very nice, a never worked in a garden before but I could earn my first experience.
Gary was always forced that I have a great time, so he took me to a Nationalpark, we went… read more
2 Dec 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Tim)
It was a delight having Tim stay with me for 3 weeks. Tim was an excellent house guest and readily tackled any tasks I gave him. As well we had great conversations. I can highly recommended Tim to other hosts and wish him all the best in his travels through Australia.
(Excellent
)
18 Jun 2024
Left by Workawayer (Yanis) for host
I stayed with Gary for almost 4 weeks. It was my first volunteering experience and I must say that I couldn't have dreamed of anything better. Firstly, I came with the objective of learning and it was more than achieved! The tasks are very diverse (cleaning, gardening, painting, planting...), I even had the opportunity to accompany the museum in… read more
17 Jun 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Yanis)
It was a pleasure having Yanis stay with me for nearly 4 weeks. Usually I am hesitant about taking on helpers under 25. Yanis proved my doubts were unfounded. Whilst here he undertook a myriad of jobs, including cleaning, gardening and creating a new admissions spreadsheet for the museum. He is also a great house guest, and undertook tasks without… read more
(Excellent
)
3 Feb 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Laura)
Laura stayed with me a week and a gave her what could have been a daunting task in putting .together a Baby exhibition. Laura took to the challenge and created a great display.
Laura is also a great house-guest and I can highly recommend her to other hosts.
Many thanks Laura
Laura is also a great house-guest and I can highly recommend her to other hosts.
Many thanks Laura
(Excellent
)
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
4 Dec 2024
Left by Workawayer (Tim) for host
I had a wonderful time with Gary and I'm very thankful for his support in my first weeks in Australia. He is a very nice person and has two beautiful dogs.
The work was also very nice, a never worked in a garden before but I could earn my first experience.
Gary was always forced that I have a great time, so he took me to a Nationalpark, we went… read more
The work was also very nice, a never worked in a garden before but I could earn my first experience.
Gary was always forced that I have a great time, so he took me to a Nationalpark, we went… read more
2 Dec 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Tim)
It was a delight having Tim stay with me for 3 weeks. Tim was an excellent house guest and readily tackled any tasks I gave him. As well we had great conversations. I can highly recommended Tim to other hosts and wish him all the best in his travels through Australia.
(Excellent)
18 Jun 2024
Left by Workawayer (Yanis) for host
I stayed with Gary for almost 4 weeks. It was my first volunteering experience and I must say that I couldn't have dreamed of anything better. Firstly, I came with the objective of learning and it was more than achieved! The tasks are very diverse (cleaning, gardening, painting, planting...), I even had the opportunity to accompany the museum in… read more
17 Jun 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Yanis)
It was a pleasure having Yanis stay with me for nearly 4 weeks. Usually I am hesitant about taking on helpers under 25. Yanis proved my doubts were unfounded. Whilst here he undertook a myriad of jobs, including cleaning, gardening and creating a new admissions spreadsheet for the museum. He is also a great house guest, and undertook tasks without… read more
(Excellent)
3 Feb 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Laura)
Laura stayed with me a week and a gave her what could have been a daunting task in putting .together a Baby exhibition. Laura took to the challenge and created a great display.
Laura is also a great house-guest and I can highly recommend her to other hosts.
Many thanks Laura
Laura is also a great house-guest and I can highly recommend her to other hosts.
Many thanks Laura
(Excellent)
16 Jan 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (David)
Although David only stayed a couple of days with me, he achieved a lot. Thanks to David we now have a Spanish translation of the museum handout, and with his drone and camera skills he created short videos about this museum and his Workaway experience here.
David is a great house guest, good company and I wholeheartedly recommend him to other… read more
David is a great house guest, good company and I wholeheartedly recommend him to other… read more
(Excellent)
16 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (David) for host
What a great experience, Gary is an amazing person, he accepted my request even though it was just for a couple of days. He taught me about the museum and its history, he showed me the gardens, we went to the beach, he introduced me his mom and a couple of friends and also we cooked delicious food together. Gary treats you like family and that's… read more
24 Oct 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Lucia)
It was wonderful having Lucia stay at the museum for a week. She was a great help in the museum, and in giving my kitchen a much needed clean (and left the spiders up on the ceiling, as asked). Lucia is very easy to get on with and readily socialised with volunteers and friends (and can make a divine tiramisu). We had great conversations yet also… read more
(Excellent)
24 Oct 2022
Left by Workawayer (Lucia) for host
I stayed one lovely week at the museum with Gary, I am very happy about this experience!
It is surrounded by nature & beautiful gardens, this allows you to pick fresh vegetables for the meals or berries for the cake. As I love baking and veggies, I took over the sweet side of the menu and prepared fresh salad for lunch.
In the evening we always… read more
It is surrounded by nature & beautiful gardens, this allows you to pick fresh vegetables for the meals or berries for the cake. As I love baking and veggies, I took over the sweet side of the menu and prepared fresh salad for lunch.
In the evening we always… read more
31 Aug 2020
Left by Workawayer (Lorenzo) for host
Gary is a really generous person, he helped me during the covid19 lockdown and i ended up staying with him for 5 weeks and was beautiful! The museum is something that you have to see, something that you can't see anywhere else with plenty of amazing rooms with something to discover and learn. The place is really peaceful ,you can enjoy and read a… read more
6 May 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Lorenzo)
Lorenzo helped out at the museum for 5 weeks. He raked, mowed, pruned and built stone edgings in the garden. He cleaned gutters, painted and helped move heavy objects. Any task I gave Lorenzo, he happily tackled and completed diligently, without requiring any supervision. Lorenzo was also an ideal house guest, being clean, tidy and unobtrusive.
I… read more
I… read more
(Excellent)
21 Jan 2020
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
My stay with Gary at the museum was the best part of my trip in Australia. The museum has a lot to discover, a "dress up" room like in the old time, a piano, a garden with un expected details and so much more. My stay was like going back more than a 100 years earlier ! Gary is very kind, patient, he just let me express my artistic skills on a very… read more
21 Jan 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Workaway member)
Alisa came to the museum for a week in January and immediately accepted a project I suggested on decorating a bench. Alisa dedicated herself to this project, worked far more than the hours I expect, and the result far surpasses what I imagined. Thank you Alisa, whenever I look at that bench I will remember your stay here.
(Excellent)
7 Jan 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Joakim)
Joakim was a fantastic helper at this museum for two weeks. He is a quiet guy and a very good, conscientious worker, often undertaking tasks without being told. Joakim is an ideal house guest, very clean and tidy, and cooked some great meals. I can highly recommend Joakim to other hosts and wish him all the best.
(Very good)
1 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Oliver) for host
The museum and gardens are a beautiful place. The surrounding area is beautiful as well, lush and green during my months stay. Just down the road from the museum is a great dune walk to the ocean. The Greenough river runs just down the road, which I was lucky enough to see flowing. There are beautiful and interesting birds all over the area and… read more
27 Jul 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Oliver)
It was fantastic having Oliver help me at the museum for a month. Whilst here, I gave him a task of creating an interactive display. Oliver worked overtime on this project, showed a lot of ingenuity and the result surpassed my expectations. Oliver is very diligent at his work. He is also a very considerate house guest and we had great… read more
(Excellent)
3 Mar 2019
Left by Workawayer (Michele) for host
I stayed just one Week in gary's museum but i really enjoy my time. The place is Amazing, with a lovely garden and very peacefull.
Gary is a really good man, very patience and easygoing.
I definitly recommend this place!
Gary is a really good man, very patience and easygoing.
I definitly recommend this place!
3 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Michele)
In the week Michele stayed with me he proved a willing, reliable worker. Jobs undertaken included pruning, painting, cleaning and cooking. Michele is a very friendly, happy guy and I can highly recommend him to other hosts.
(Excellent)
2 Jul 2018
Left by Workawayer (Allyjoanne) for host
I loved my 2 weeks stay with Gari, Safie and Tess in the Museum. It is a unique nice and quiet place. The helped in house, museum and garden. Geri gave me great advice for explore the surroundings. I will come back soon.
27 Jun 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Allyjoanne)
Ellen stayed with me two weeks. She is a very cheerful, easy-going person with an great work ethic. Ellen also helped me improve my chess skills! I would willing recommended Ellen as a helper and wish her all the best on her travels around Australia.
(Excellent)
11 Jan 2018
Left by Workawayer (Sofie & Hans) for host
The week I stayed here, it was very quiet in the museum. So it was mostly me, Gary and the dogs in this rather remote place, an interesting experience! The museum has a wonderful garden in which I did some maintenance. I also saw a lot of white parrotlike birds, lovely!
21 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Sofie & Hans)
Although Sofie only stayed a week, she was a great help at the museum both with visitors and volunteers. Sofie also gave me great assistance in the garden, and cooked some very tasty meals. I wholeheartedly recommend Sofie to other hosts and wish her all the best in her journey through Australia.
(Excellent)
12 Aug 2017
Left by Workawayer (KlausK) for host
I stood at Gary´s Place for eleven weeks. It was a great time and Gray really cares that his volunteers learn something about Greenough and the surrounding area. During my stay, we cooked lots of different meals and baked a good amount of cakes (maybe we even gained some wight:-)). I really liked the pioneer museum and the conception that stands… read more
3 Jan 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (KlausK)
It was great having Klaus help out at the museum. He is a diligent sweeper, and was always finding jobs to do, both around the museum and in the house. Klaus is also a very sociable guy, who got on really well with visitors to the museum, volunteers and friends. He is also a great baker of cakes. Being such a reliable guy, I was confident in… read more
(Excellent)
7 Apr 2017
Left by Workawayer (Hiroko) for host
I highly recommend staying this museum. First, you can meet and talk a lot of guests, locals, supporters and curators. Second, our curator Gary is an amazing person. Always gentleman, open-minded, easygoing, and respectable person.It was very great experience for me. Definitely I will go there again! Gary, thank you for everything. Say hello to… read more
1 Apr 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Hiroko)
Hiroko helped me at the museum for 3 weeks. Hiroko is a very happy person, who got on very well with museum volunteers and visitors. Whilst here, she introduced me to some great Japanese food. Also may thanks Hiroko for translating the museum brochure into Japanese.
(Excellent)
24 Feb 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Jan )
It was a pleasure having Jan assist me at the museum. He is a very friendly, cheerful guy who got on well with the other volunteers and visitors. He was also willing to take on any task I gave him and is a very efficient worker.
(Excellent)
23 Feb 2017
Left by Workawayer (Jan ) for host
Thank you Gary (and Saffie, the lovely dog), all the Volunteers and the good friends for a wonderful time at Greenough. I really felt at home. We had very good conversations, talk about ideas for the museum and the way of life. Gary, you're a open-minded an humorous person and always pleased. To restore the beautiful birdhouse was a nice job. I… read more
3 Nov 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Sarah)
It was a delight having Sarah stay at the museum. Sarah got on so well with the museum volunteers, visitors and locals. She is a hard-working, methodical person. If I couldn't think of a job for her to do, she would look around and find something. Thanks Sarah.
(Excellent)
2 Nov 2016
Left by Workawayer (Sarah) for host
Absolutely loved my time here!! Absolutely beautiful grounds and climate, enjoyable work, and gives you the opportunity to be a part of the community. I felt like a local as soon as I got to Greenough, and Gary and everyone there were so friendly and interesting. Miss them all so much!
13 Jun 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Douwe Gerlof)
It was fantastic having Douwe help out at the museum. Through his guidance we have improved our social media profile; we also now have a much more interesting handout for visitors and a marketing policy to implement. None of this would have happened without Douwe's assistance. Douwe is also a great guy to host, and I wholeheartedly recommend him… read more
(Excellent)
13 Jun 2016
Left by Workawayer (Douwe Gerlof) for host
Thinking about Working Away in Western Australia? Try here with the friendly curator Gary! It was my first experience with Work Away and a good on. Being at a museum is something you'll never forget. Thank you Gary, thanks to all the lovely people I met during my stay.
23 Jan 2016
Left by Workawayer (Jacinta) for host
I had such a nice time staying here! Lot's of interesting and enjoyable discussions were had, and i'm grateful for the experience. It's a very relaxed, easy-going environment and Gary and all of his friend and family are a delight to be around. Would definitely recommend :D
23 Jan 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Jacinta)
It was a pleasure having Jacinta help me at the museum for 10 days. I really appreciate her discussion and ideas on how to make the museum even more people-friendly.
(Excellent)
5 Jan 2016
Left by Workawayer (Sven) for host
Gary is a really friendly and easy-going Person! I felt comfortable and welcome every Single day with him or his family! The work was always good and not too much. If you're looking for an interesting and beautiful place to stay and like to discuss about life, this is a good opportunity to take! I'm looking forward to see it again soon!
5 Jan 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Sven)
It was a delight having Sven stay with me for 3 weeks. He is an enthusiastic, happy guy, always willing to try something new. I wish him all the best in his travels and have no hesitation in recommending him to other hosts.
(Excellent)
24 Oct 2014
Left by Workawayer (Dietrich) for host
Thank's Gary for giving me a great time, meating a lot of great people in this great place. I left a good friend and a real educator with impressive ideas about us and how to present Australia's history, a practitioner of community life and expert on natural ways of living.
22 Oct 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Dietrich)
Really enjoyed having Didi stay with me for 5 weeks. He is very sociable, interesting, a hard worker and now a good friend. I wish him well on his travels and recommend Didi to other hosts.
(Excellent)
