WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) has grown to be a form of cultural exchange in which you live and work as family, whilst immersing yourself in the lifestyle of the people and the country you are visiting.
Working in exchange for your keep is the basis of ALL wwoofing. WWOOF suggest that 4-5 hours a day is fair exchange for a full days' board and lodging. For more information or to join WWOOF, visit their web site at www.wwoof.com.au.
Directions, Map and Bus Timetable
Rick and Naomi Coleman, (wwoof hosts VW 07) have been wwoof hosts since 1995. Our 10 acre property is a teaching and demonstration site, and is located between Philip Island and Wilsons Prom. Since 1994 we have been very busy transforming it into a permaculture paradise, integrating gardens, chooks, geese, orchards, yabbie dams, native bush foods and more.
Wwoofers are invited to come and share our knowledge, lifestyle, food and work. Jobs are varied and include: gardening, planting trees, construction and more. Learn more about permaculture, read our collection of books and visit the local beaches.
Accomodation for 4 people indoors in either caravans or mudbrick classroom. We eat a mixed diet and accept vegetarians but no other dietary restrictions. We have 4 children: Jarryd, Matilda, Riley and Sean, and Jerry the dog, Minimum stay of 3 days includes a free tour of property.
We keep a journal of our WWOOFers, with photos and an entry from each person outlining the valuable contribution each has made to our property. We encourage wwoofers to utilise their skills and talents where possible... one of our German wwoofers liked building with wood and constructed a jetty and pontoon out of reused timber pallettes. Later that year an Austrian wwoofer said he too liked working with wood - he built a superb treehouse for the kids.
Southern Cross Permaculture Institute was awarded an environmental grant by the WWOOF network in 2001 to plant a woodlot on 3 acres for conservation and wildlife. An outline of the processes used to plant the woodlot is given here as well as photos documenting the growth of the trees since planting in April 2002. Planting, staking and mulching these trees was completed in Autumn 2002.
We always have lots of work in the garden and on the property, so come on down.
Email us if you are interested.
AND THE WWOOFERS SAY...
Extracts from the wwoof journal
"Thanks for everything, and showing your appreciation for all my wwoofing efforts in such a genuine way"
Tony, Victoria.
"This is my first time as a wwoofer and I have loved it.I came to learn and that has happened many times over.Thank you Coleman family for welcoming me into your lives. My memories are many and will travel with me always."
Lisa, Victoria
"Thankyou Coleman family for a most wonderful visit and introduction to Sth Gippsland and cool climate permaculture in action. It has been exciting to see your property as my first wwoof PC property in Vic. Thanks for being so open to share your experience, knowledge, home, property and humour with everyone"
Ry, USA
"Thanks for all your kindness and teaching me the knowledge of permaculture, chess, backgammon, cricket, delicious meals and BBQ's, going to the beach and so on.....I truly enjoyed staying here."
Lee Ju-Han, Korea.
"Thank you very much for everything!! We came here with the intention to stay for 5 days-two and a half weeks later we're still here! Unfortunately we're leaving tomorrow. We can look back upon a great time over here, a wonderful experience."
Leonie and Stephanie, The Netherlands
We are not currently offering internships in Permaculture.
VOLUNTEERS
We encourage potential volunteers to join the wwoof network.
Contact us
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