Helen

Australia
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Profile information

Reply rate
100.0 %
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
Currently on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland managing a Bed & Breakfast.
My next destination:
Tewantin, Australia - from Feb 2025 until Aug 2025
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Description
I recently returned to my home country, Australia, after spending a year out in the world, travelling and having new experiences. I prefer to stay away from cities - I love being in nature, meeting new people and experiencing life (the good and the not-so-good). I love spending time with animals. I enjoy bringing sunshine into people's lives, and I love connection. I enjoy having fun, and when I need it, I enjoy spending some time on my own, to process my experiences and recharge my battery.
Interests
Mountain
Yoga / Wellness
Van life
Technology
Self development
Nature
Outdoor activities
Performing arts
Pets
Photography
Plant care
Music
Movies & TV
Languages
Gardening
Hiking
History
Events & social
Drawing & painting
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Culture
Blogging
Books
Camping
Cooking & food
Beach
Astronomy
Animals
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I am interested in learning Spanish
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity Work
Languages
Eco Projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Some knowledge of:
Animal Care
Life at a Farmstay
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Gardening
Babysitting and creative play
Teaching
House sitting
Able to teach about:
Being an elderly companion
More details about your skills
I am fantastic with animals - grooming, feeding, nursing, exercising, playing.
I can turn my hand to most things. I am great at tidying and organising and enjoy getting a place clean. I can cook, I have basic skills with fixing things. I can use most basic tools. I can drive.
Age
47
What else ...
My interests are wide... I love pretty much anything that involves connection with people or animals, and gets me out in nature. I enjoy music, culture, the arts.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  No

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14 Jan 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Work with your hands and look ...)

I spent just over a month volunteering here and overall had a memorable experience, with both highlights and challenges.

The location is absolutely stunning, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and some of the most incredible sunsets I’ve ever seen. Being surrounded by animals added a unique charm to the experience, and there was… read more always something to do, which kept things engaging. Sol is a fascinating person with a passion for animals & the land with a wealth of knowledge and experience and I appreciated the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience.

One of the most special aspects of my time here was the bonds I formed with the animals. Looking after the two horses, Prosapia and Alarik, was such a rewarding experience. I developed an especially strong connection with Alarik, and leaving was genuinely bittersweet - I would have loved to see how our bond could have progressed. I accomplished things with the horses I never thought possible, like confidently leading them down a gravel hill without slipping or getting trampled, and even cleaning their hooves!

The four dogs - old man Kaus, handsome Kiam, goofy Jack, and the mischievous yet lovable Jane (who ate my AirPod, and then later destroyed replacement ear buds!) - brought so much fun and joy to each day. The cats, Moon, Sky, and little Noël, were darling companions. I truly cherished every moment spent with all the animals & they left a lasting impression on me - I miss them dearly.

Beyond the animals, I also had the privilege of spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve with Sol and her family. I formed a lovely connection with Sol’s daughter and grandson, and sharing those special moments with them made my time here feel even more meaningful. The warmth and inclusion I felt during the holidays were truly heartwarming, and I’ll always treasure those memories.

A well-rounded review requires me to mention there are aspects that future volunteers should be aware of. The living conditions were quite basic, with limited supplies (e.g., no kettle, microwave) and very little to no privacy, particularly if you are sharing the space with other volunteers. The is also a persistent mouse issue. Volunteers need to be prepared to deal with this.

Workaway guidelines suggest that if hosts expect around 5 hours of work per day, all meals should be provided, or alternatively, fewer hours worked if meals are not fully covered. While every host has their own approach, communication around expectations & scheduling could have been clearer, as designated days off were not actively encouraged, making it challenging to plan sightseeing or personal time. The only set schedule each day is for the horses, and any other tasks need to be done around this, with volunteers expected to work this out themselves. Volunteers need to be assertive & proactive with their time and try to balance completing tasks efficiently while ensuring they don’t work more hours than is required as per Workaway guidelines and that they take their days off.

The work is also very physical, and the land is not flat. The sun is harsh and you will sweat and walk up and down hills many times in the day! Despite these challenges, I’m deeply grateful for the friendships formed, the animals I grew so fond of, and the unique experiences I gained during my stay. By the end of my time here, I truly felt like part of the family, and I hope to return one day soon. Thank you, Sol!!

(Very good )

4 Jan 2025

Left by host (Work with your hands and look ...) for Workawayer ()

Helen is a simply a wonderful person inside and out, I loved sharing with her the whole month, she is kind, loving, dedicated, passionate and full of details, beyond that she is an artist in deep cleaning she has a very particular gift with animals, she won the love of the horse Alarik who by the way his body language indicates that he misses her,… read more

(Excellent )

26 Nov 2024

Left by host for Workawayer ()

We were so grateful to Helen for traveling half way across the world to fill in when our original house sitter canceled due to an emergency. Our small lodge is remote, it was the low season with no guests, and yet Helen readily accepted the challenge with few complaints. The place was left neat and tidy and we couldn’t have asked for more! We hope… read more

(Excellent )

16 Jul 2024

Left by host (Experience a peaceful non ...) for Workawayer ()

We are so thankful for Helen! Ray of sunshine fits her well. She beams joy and delight wherever she goes, with whatever tasks are given. She was great at hospitality, kitchen support, housecleaning and land prep. We had a lot of people on property during her stay but she welcomed all the different roles of volunteering with open arms. What a… read more

(Excellent )

15 Jul 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience a peaceful non ...)

I stayed at the retreat centre for the month of June, 2024 and would come back and stay again in a heartbeat. Rebekah and Rob are kind and gracious hosts and my accommodation was very comfortable. I did have to move to a different location for the last week of my stay, which wasn't ideal, but they made every effort to make it as seamless as… read more

(Excellent )

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