Melanie

Australia
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
Dec 2019-March 2022 = Canada
April-June 2022 = Australia
July 2022 = Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Czech, Germany
Aug-Sept 2022 = Norway
Oct 2022-Jan 2023 = Tasmania
Feb-Oct 2023 = New Zealand
November 2023 = Denmark
December 2023 = Madeira, Azores, Lisbon, Barcelona
Jan-March 2024 = Canada
Now back in New Zealand for an unknown time!
I volunteered in multiple provinces with a variety of hosts in Canada plus 1 host in Denmark. I have also worked at hostels.
I loved doing such different work including physical labour & working outdoors. Farms, ranches, rural properties, B&B, hostel, lavender farm/winery, organic veg farm, etc.
I love learning self-suffiencey.
2019 I finally made my dream of travelling a reality! I sold EVERYTHING I own. I haven't gone back to "normal life" since.
I love animals & volunteered at a dog rescue for 2 years.
I love travelling, hiking, exploring, camping, road trips, adventures, recreational activities, adrenaline sports, trying new things.
I prefer the mountains & nature, being away from cities & towns.
I travelled across Canada & NZ sleeping in a car.
Interests
Languages
Books
Gardening
Drawing & painting
Yoga / Wellness
Plant care
History
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Culture
Carpentry
Charity work
Winter sports
Water sports
Van life
Sustainability
Sailing / Boating
Photography
Pets
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Movies & TV
Mountain
Hiking
Farming
Cycling
Camping
Animals
Adventure sports
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
More details about my language interests
I have started Spanish & French on DuoLingo but I am an absolute beginner!
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Being an elderly companion
General Maintenance
Eco Projects
Charity Work
Art Projects
Languages
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Helping with Computers/ Internet
More details about your skills
B&B - Ran it alone for 3 wks; house & dog sitting; snow shoveling; firewood; cooked breakfasts
Farm - Hay, water, feed for farm animals & sled dogs; collected eggs; firewood; snow shoveling
Rural Property - Fed sled dogs & cat; shoveled dog & horse poo; firewood; snow shoveling; trimmed, cut, ground & packaged bison meat
Organic Vege Farm - Weeding; picking, planting, washing veges; watering
Lavender Farm/Winery - Vineyard work; lavender harvesting; weeding
Hostels - housekeeper, reception
Bison Ranch - shot, skinned, gutted, cut up & packaged rabbit; plucked & gutted rooster; cut up & packaged sheep; assisted killing roosters; caught, gutted & cooked a fish; tanned a rabbit hide; made a knife & sheath; shot rifles, blowgun, bow; cleaned guest cabins; helped build wood shed, cabin frame, pig feeder; snow shoveling; painting; seedlings; tilling; cleaned coops; electric fencing; roof screws; drove snowmobile & quad; made homemade cider; made bracelet from wood/bone; built bed base for my van; made pendant out of bone
Organic Farm - food & water for cows, pigs, goats, chickens, cats, dogs; collected eggs; walked dogs; fire; cleaned workshop, barn floor, chicken coop
Farm - plastering, painting, firewood, planting
Age
36
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  I need 100% cigarette free accommodation
- Special dietary requirements
  No

Feedback

21 Feb 2024

Left by host (Shawnigan lake ...) for Workawayer (Melanie)

Was great to host Melanie. She was able to take initiative and direction and get things done without any oversight. This was very appreciated!

It is tricky hosting at my cabin while I am away working. Melanie made this part of the exchange stress free and easy for me.

The few days I was able to spend with Melanie were fun. We found common… read more

(Excellent )

9 Feb 2024

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Shawnigan lake ...)

Henry let me get dropped at his lake house while he wasn't there, so I had a few days to myself which happened to be during heavy snowfall! It was so nice to see the area while it was a Winter Wonderland & it provided me with my first jobs, snow shovelling!
Henry arrived on the weekend with another volunteer. We had a good conversation while he… read more

(Excellent )

28 Jan 2022

Left by host (Seeking fresh energy to help ...) for Workawayer (Melanie)

Melanie is a wonderful person who is very open to ideas and having conversations about the world and society and life! She was quiet at first but had no problem jumping right in and cleaning, helping with chores and was a fast learner. Our 5 dogs loved her and I'm sure miss her pets :)

We would highly recommend her to any host. She is welcome… read more

(Excellent )

28 Jan 2022

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Seeking fresh energy to help ...)

I spent 3 weeks at the farm after my road trip across Canada. I was comfortable & warm in my bedroom or watching TV and movies after great dinners with Patrick and Valencia. I enjoyed feeding & giving water to the cows, pigs, goats, chickens, cats and dogs. I loved keeping the 5 dogs company and joining them for walks through the woods on the 160… read more

(Excellent )

11 Dec 2021

Left by host (Help on a buffalo ranch in ...) for Workawayer (Melanie)

Mel was a great! help!! Just read her list of all the things she did and learned while here at the ranch. She was eager to help and learn and do everything. Mel is smart and conscientious, and I could rely on her for any jobs she did. One of our main jobs is cleaning the guests cabins, something I'm very particular about, and I could rely on Mel… read more

(Excellent )

3 Dec 2021

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Help on a buffalo ranch in ...)

I was at the ranch from mid-December til late September (except 2 road trips). I experienced all 4 seasons & even coming back after a few weeks, it looked like a new place! The nature is always changing & there are 100 acres to explore + the river & surrounding Blaeberry.

I helped with everything from cleaning cabins for guests to helping build… read more

(Excellent )

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21 Feb 2024

Left by host (Shawnigan lake ...) for Workawayer (Melanie)

(Excellent)

9 Feb 2024

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Shawnigan lake ...)

(Excellent)

28 Jan 2022

Left by host (Seeking fresh energy to help ...) for Workawayer (Melanie)

(Excellent)

28 Jan 2022

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Seeking fresh energy to help ...)

(Excellent)

11 Dec 2021

Left by host (Help on a buffalo ranch in ...) for Workawayer (Melanie)

(Excellent)

3 Dec 2021

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Help on a buffalo ranch in ...)

(Excellent)

19 Sep 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Melanie)

Mel was an excellent guest.

She was kind, clean, and completed any task asked of her. She is reliable, independent and adventurous. I would recommend her to any host. Best wished on your future travels Mel.

(Excellent)

16 Sep 2020

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Volunteer at a Lavender Farm ...)

Thank you for having me!
The work is 3 x 8 hour days + 1 hour a week cleaning the loft which leaves plenty of time for exploring. It's hard to get around with no car, but there are bikes to borrow & I managed to ride around Cobble Hill, Mill Bay, Lake Shawnigan, Cowichan Bay, Bamberton, etc. & was going to ride to Duncan too.
It was a good… read more

(Excellent)

30 Aug 2020

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Organic garden help in ...)

I was very grateful Joni took me on last minute. I only got to stay 2.5 weeks but wish I could have stayed longer! I got a decent size bedroom with murphy bed, fireplace (it was Summer though) and Mittens the fat cat coming in and out my window! My 1st day I got to see the CSA market at the house where clients pick up their vege boxes. I did… read more

(Excellent)

22 Jul 2020

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Lots to see and do,and nature ...)

I had a great experience staying with Hilarie, Ray & Charlie (who loved stealing my socks!) I felt comfortable & at home the whole time. Work is in the mornings & Hilarie encouraged me to go out exploring in the afternoons & on my days off which I did! It's very easy to get around by bus, train & a bicycle which they kindly let me use. Even though… read more

(Excellent)

21 Jul 2020

Left by host (Lots to see and do,and nature ...) for Workawayer (Melanie)

Melanie was with us for 2 weeks and we really enjoyed having her! She did her work willingly and very well and often did a few extras which we really appreciated.
Charlie our dog loved her, except he kept stealing her socks - we both got a chuckle out of that.
We took a car tour one afternoon and enjoyed some chips at the beach.
She is off on her… read more

(Excellent)

26 Mar 2020

Left by host (Active family of four on ...) for Workawayer (Melanie)

Mel stayed with us for 3.5 weeks in Feb/March 2020. She is arguably the quietest person we've ever had, but always respectful and willing to help. She enthusiastically took on responsibilities around the property and was always happy to heap love on the dogs. Mel is very game to push her limits and try new things (dog mushing, cross country… read more

(Very good)

24 Mar 2020

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Active family of four on ...)

I stayed with Meghann, Ryan, Margaret and Benji for 3.5 wks and I felt welcome and comfortable from the minute I got picked up. I enjoyed building a jump in front of the slide + taking turns on the kicksled + pretending to be a horse, etc. with Margaret and Benji. I will miss all the dogs especially giant puppy Duke & retired sled dog Fatty who… read more

(Excellent)

25 Mar 2020

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Discover life on our private ...)

This was my 1st "off-grid" experience where they have to get their own water and relying on woodstoves for heat, etc. and I enjoyed it, even though it took me a while to get the hang of my wood stove lol it felt good when I got it going and kept it going myself. I loved all the animals, the 4 house dogs who we took for a walk in the woods, the 4… read more

(Excellent)

27 Jan 2020

Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host (Help us in aurora country, ...)

I couldn't have asked for a better first Workaway experience. It was my 1st time volunteering as well as my 1st time travelling solo. I felt welcome and at home from the moment I arrived. Tessa picked me up from the airport even though I didn't arrive until midnight & my luggage never even made it onto the plane so she brought me a jacket, gloves… read more & hat to put on to walk to the car then provided me with full Winter gear as well as extra clothing to get me by until my luggage arrived a few days later + drove me to the airport to check if it had arrived yet! I felt like part of the family with Tessa & Mike, eating great meals together & joining them for dinners with friends/colleagues or for outings like Xmas carols. I met their son & daughter who I had fun nights out with leading to meeting more locals. I loved my big bedroom on the private basement level of the house. I feel like I got a real Canadian, Northern, Yellowknife experience becoming part of the family, community & experiencing everyday life living with a family that have been in the area for 40 years & know everyone! Plus it's a real Winter Wonderland, perfect for my 1st White Christmas! I left Sydney, Australia & arrived to temps in the minus 30s & it even got to minus 50-60 windchill for my stay! I enjoyed putting up Xmas decorations inside & out + learning new skills like chopping kindling, how to start the fire, how to bake Nanaimo Bars, how to cook different breakfasts, snow shovelling the decks, managing the B&B while they were away, mending a pair of socks, oiling wooden furniture, repotting plants, etc. The hours are flexible & they want you to get out & do things + meet people. I met guests from around the world & joined guests on a hike to the frozen waterfall. During my time in YK I visited the museum, gift shops, pubs/bars, tried tobogganing, snowshoed, went to Pilot's Monument, tried Caribou for the 1st time, had fish from Great Slave Lake, took Aurora photos, tried to do the hot water/steam photo, walked to Tincan Hill, went 5 pin bowling, made a snow angel, walked the dog around Bristol Monument area, went on Dettah Ice Rd, went on the Legislative Assembly Tour, got a pin & certificate at the Visitor's Centre, checked out the Snowking Castle being built & the house boats, etc! Tessa & Mike's dog Ehko became my best friend for my time there, keeping me company in my room when I was home alone & we went on many walks together! I will miss her a lot.
Tessa & Mike are very generous & I'm thankful for all they did for me including cake on my birthday!
I will miss the whole family & living in Yellowknife.

(Excellent)

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