Share knowledge and learn new skills in Melbourne, Australia

Infos

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  Description

  LOW RESPONSE TIME: due to my intentionally ignoring copy/paste requests or those that haven't bothered to read the profile. Also life was hectic.
  
  
  Me:
  Travelled continuously for over six years (2012-2018) spending time in 180+ countries. It changed me many, many times over - personally, politically, became way too travel skinny, etc.
  Now back in Melbourne running my own business (cyber security) and teaching self-defence.
  
  Suits anyone that wants to:
  - learn about long-term travel (methods, places to avoid, places not to miss, safety, etc)
  - learn how to stay interested and happy while travelling for a long time :) [most find it hard to stay motivated after two years]
  - learn about cyber security (I get called when companies get hacked and they need help)
  - take a break, enjoy the quiet life and some space to yourself
  - hear perspectives on how Australian life, politics, culture, etc. differs from the rest of the world.
  - learn home renovation - painting, floor laying, alterations and best of all ripping out the previous bathroom/kitchen/etc. (depends what needs doing at that time).
  - come along to self-defence once a week - you're welcome along (class will be free for you).
  - learn about self-defence (physical side and the pre-physical side)
  (let me know if you're interested in any of the above, it's good for me to know, but also if you're just wanting a place to stay and aren't looking to learn anything in particular it's absolutely fine)
  REMIND ME IN PERSON!
  
  The project:
  Just a home that needs some volunteers to help with the renovation (on top of what's already being done by professionals).
  
  The last few years have been quite hard, I've been taking care of a few people that were struggling with health (grandmother and a now-ex partner that was suicidal (and now better but a very different negative person) took its toll on me time, energy and somewhat motivation-wise. Now that nan has passed, and the other person is better (read not as bad), I'm trying to catch up on work and the to-do list as well as being able to enjoy life in the free moments.
  
  If you're the type that is using Workaway as a means of free accommodation, then my place is probably not for you. Freeloaders, selfish, lazy, rude, etc people don't last long here. Bring a sense of peace here :)

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Home sitting
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Vie en van

  

  Technologie

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Culture

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Musique

  

  Langues

  

  Auto-stop

  

  Histoire

  

  Jardinage

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Animaux

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Sports d’hiver

  

  Sports nautiques

  

  Voile / bateau

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Nature

  

  Montagne

  

  Randonnée

  

  Fitness

  

  Danse

  

  Cyclisme

  

  Camping

  

  Sports d'aventure
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Happy to pass on knowledge:
  - on what I've learnt from over six years of travel over the world
  - on anything cyber
  - self-defence (fair number of encounters it's saved me)
  
  List I've things I've enjoyed in my life put together for another site – I like to look at this when I'm not having a great moment to remind me how fortunate I've been:
  Invited to/attended a service with HRH The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at the Tower of London ● Had a gun pulled on me in Kabul by famous Afghan singer Aryana Sayeed's now husband ● Swept down rapids (more than once, more than twice...), without being seriously injured ● Met my now best mates while hitch-hiking in Norway ● Recently donated a WWII-era German-issued passport and citizenship documents of a Polish Jew to the Arolsen Archives (International Centre on Nazi Persecution) – found while urban exploring a closed Melbourne factory almost 20 years ago ● Found wonderful long-lost family in Ukraine – thanks to CS host Iurii and his mother! ● Had a Hyena on my back and been kissed by a Giraffe ● Received black belts in three arts (JiuJitsu, Judo and Kung Fu) last one was a huge waste of time... ● Visited Saint Helena and sailed on the final voyage of the very last Royal Mail Ship ● Spent five months in the Caribbean and boat hitch-hiked island to island ● Taipati festival, Easter Island ● Remediated / investigated hundreds of cyber breaches ● Tour of North Korea, including the 100th anniversary Mass Games ● 19,000 km solo motorcycle trip around India ● Christmas in the Queens House, Tower of London with Lord Dannat (former head of the British army) ● Nyiragongo Volcano/lava lake and Gorillas in DRC ● Flying into Svalbard: seeing hundreds of peaks jutting out through the clouds ● Slept inside Pont Du Gard aqueduct (wasn't great) ● Slept right through a lion ambling around our campsite in the middle of the night, in Gonarezhou NP Zimbabwe ● Sailed down the Amazon River over a week, enjoying Brazilian food and lounging in a hammock ● Aurora Borealis in Yellowknife, Canada ● Hearing/seeing Perito Moreno glacier calve ● Survived a motorcycle tyre blowout at 90km/h (scared shitless now) ● Scuba diving around the world ● Army convoy transport in South Sudan ● Öxarárfoss, Þingvellir, Iceland to myself at midnight ● Trekking the Himalayas, Nepal ● St. Patrick's WEEK in Montserrat (UK Caribbean island with people of Irish and West African heritage) ● Not sure how I'm alive after what must have been a head-on collision in India ● Crew on a tall ship sailing from Australia to NZ and around the Marlborough sounds ● Liloed through the Delegate River tunnel (I made it, lilo didn't) ● Saved two lives :( ● David is my third name (please write this at the top of your request) ● Visited every US state ● Felt the kindness of the French, Ukrainians, Americans, Jubans (South Sudan), Armenians, Persians, Saints (Saint Helena), Bruneians and Taiwanese ● Met fantastic people CouchSurfing around the world; the same goes for hitch-hiking ● Fell in love with England's pubs and incredible countryside ● By chance meeting, invited to closed underground service on Mont-Saint-Michel's "birthday"

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  Aide

  Let me know if you have any experience with any of the below:
  (keep in mind I had someone that lied about their "extensive experience in x,y,z" and had them leave after only two days as they clearly had none)
  
  I also love to learn about interesting things that you can teach me.
  
  Let me know if you've experience with any of the following:
  - Remedial Massage / Myotherapy / maybe Acupuncture even (I have a massage table) – Needing as I'm training a tonne these days.
  - Painting
  - Glazier work
  - Installing kitchens, bathrooms, or part of such as waterproofing, tiling, etc.
  - Installing laminate flooring
  - Cleaning / dusting / weeding
  - Other help fixing problems here and there
  (if not, it's ok as I'm experienced in each and can teach you)
  
  Also, I can't host those that will come back / make noise past 10:30pm, or leave before 7am as I'm a light sleeper and need quality rest for work / gym.
  
  N.B. For the most part you'll working with other workawayers (if there are any) or solo – as I'll be working.
  I'll set things up to make sure you know what you're doing, and I tend to do the harder stuff myself, unless you're experienced and appear capable.
  
  BE RELIABLE – far too often people have cancelled last minute. You're causing other workawayers to miss out / pay for accommodation / etc. So don't be selfish. Negative references will be left for those that cancel last minute!

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Débutant
  Français: Débutant
  Ukrainian: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  Private room - King or Queen bed.
  Shared bathroom. The guest bathroom has been gutted as part of the renovation and won't be finished for some time.
  
  Large peaceful green backyard with a hammock, outdoor table, sun lounges, etc.
  
  Sometimes there are lots of workawayers here, sometimes there's just the one.
  It's a large house, so you'll have lots of room to yourself IF you're the only guest here.
  
  I've hosted hundreds of people over the years (homeless, friends, family, etc.) so you should be comfortable.
  
  Meals: you're welcome to (almost) anything in the fridge/pantry (excluding everything excluded). It's reasonably stocked 90% of the time. HOWEVER this doesn't mean eat everything - saw one German girl (J) visibly put on heaps of weight once.
  Again, you're welcome to these things, but don't assume what I buy will be the only source of your meals.
  
  Each week I buy essentials, anything further you'll have to provide for yourself.
  
  If I see or hear you're not considerate of others (i.e. eating all everything and others getting none) you might be kicked out without warning. Keep in mind, I'm extremely welcoming / giving but truly enjoy "hard" conversations / confrontation.
  
  Food prep-wise, it's mostly prepare whatever you want for yourself / see if others would also like.

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  Autres infos...

  Nearby sights:
  Mount Dandenong (tourist and more importantly extremely beautiful area) not far away – can see it from my house. There's dozens of walks, great pubs, beautiful sites and very fresh air. [Public Transport options have unfortunately changed – it's not as easy to get up there anymore. If I'm heading up, I'll be happy to take you there.]
  
  Food/supplies/transport:
  Local shops (Wantirna Mall) – 5 mins walk away.
  Westfield Knox – 5-10 mins bus / 30 mins green walk away.
  Eastland – 10-15 mins bus away.
  CBD – 50-60 mins bus/train away (assuming you go the right way). There have been upgrades to the train lines which have/are causing delays, so the trip might be longer atm.
  
  P.S. You can join me at gym on Fri, Sat and/or Sun for free. It's one of the biggest gyms in the country, so it should have what you need.
  
  P.P.S. Tend to go to a roller rink on Saturday nights if nothing else is on, so feel free to join ($18 including skates).
  
  P.P.P.S. For those looking for/expecting rapid responses. Think about it... most Workaway hosts are needing help, which likely means they are short on time. Outside of winter I tend numerous requests each day – and as much as I'd like to get back to yours and all the other messages straight away, I have a business to run, renovations underway, self-defence to teach, a todo list so long you wouldn't believe... and on top of all that, I'd like to spend time enjoying! Short of this, the spiel in summary really is – sometimes I'll be able to respond straight away, sometimes I won't...
  THAT BEING SAID, IF YOUR REQUEST IS AWESOME / ISN'T COPY/PASTE, I'LL GET BACK TO IT FAR SOONER!
  
  So in your initial request, let me know (with numbers next to each).
  1) what help needed you're able to provide (and what you can't or don't want to do)
  2) what you'd like to learn (if anything, no pressure). (Remember to ask me once you're here)
  3) if you have any dietary requirements.
  4) if you want to come to the self-defence class I run (for free)
  5) anything else that's important
  
  Keep in mind I get a fair amount of requests on here so if you take time to confirm, someone else might take your place.
  
  Last thing, be sure to bring warm clothing during the cold months.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Power, internet (Australian - so speed isn't great compared to UK/US/Europe), etc. Isolated wi-fi connection so no other devices will be able to touch yours.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Street parking in a safe court (cul de sac) available.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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