the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Do nomads needa sunnier outlook?Most grey nomads would agree that the secret to a successful Big Lap is to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. And while psychologists would doubtless agree that it often pays to be cheerful and to look for the best in difficult situ-ations, is there a chance this endlessly sunny outlook could be taken too far? Well, the Queensland Tour-ism Industry Council certainly raised some eyebrows recently when it savaged the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for being too negative in its weather forecasting … and in frighten-ing away tourists by doing so.The organisation’s chief execu-tive, Daniel Gschwind, argued that current forecast language such as ‘partly cloudy’ and ‘chance of rain’ should be changed to ‘mostly sunny’ and ‘likely sunshine’.“And rain in Queensland doesn’t have the same im-plications as the northern hemisphere so I don’t think it should be framed in a bad way,” he said. “It could even be described as a ‘cooling down shower’ or something.”Leading clinical and health psychologist, Dr Bob Mont-gomery, says long-term

caravanners and mtorhomers already have a good excuse for always looking at the bright side of life. “Grey nomads are definitely doing a good thing,” he said. “Getting out and doing new things and going to new places is better than sitting at home watching endless TV, or not knowing how to fill the time.”However, the cheerfulness theory doesn’t always translate a happy reality.Ian and Helene Hipp reckon the biggest downside to the Big Lap is the grumpiness of their fellow grey nomads. “We were put off the ‘grey no-mad set’ as they spent a lot of time complaining about almost everything – nothing was good enough,” said Helene. “In fact, I was shocked that many grey nomads we met on our last trip thought Kakadu, a world heritage area of immense beau-ty and cultural importance,

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was a ‘waste of time’.”So, should grey nomads and the Bureau of Meteorology take heed of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s advice and try to put a more positive spin on things?Well, BOM at least seems to be very much sticking to a strictly scientific outlook. “A broad range of industries rely on accurate weather fore-casts in their operations,” said a spokesperson. “The most recent improvements to the rainfall forecast have delivered more specific, probabilistic forecasts to better inform our customers.”In other words, whether the rain gauge is seen as half full depends on how much precipi-tation there has been, not on how you look at it. • Do you see the Big Lap glass as half full, half empty … or is it absolutely overflowing?Click to comment

Issue 165 February 2, 2018

Positive thinking should be used by nomads and

weather forecasters alike

It may be hot and dusty, but, on the bright side, it sure is fun!

In this issue: •’We would love to have travelled longer’ •Beating whiplash •Lots to do in Gunnedah

Many thanksfor supportingthe GNTA massive thank you to all GNT readers who respond-ed to our start-of-the-year appeal for funds to support the running of the newslet-ter. Your voluntary contri-butions will make a huge difference, and enable us to keep improving. Since it was first sent out seven years ago, the newsletter’s popularity – and that of our website and busy forum – have grown, and so too has the workload involved. The GNT’s aim is to reach as many grey nomads as possible so, rather than charging all GNT read-ers a subscription, we are asking anyone who enjoys the publication – and who appreciates the work that goes into producing it – to consider making a oneoff annual contribution (see below). Thanks again to all.

Paypal: Click here or go to http://www.thegreyno-mads.com.au/shop/ and select ‘Grey Nomad Times voluntary subscription’

Direct Deposit: Funds can be deposited directly into this account: BSB: 062521Acct Number: 10297520

Post a cheque: Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Grey Nomads’ and posted to: The Grey Nomads, PO Box 5316, Gold Coast MC, QLD 9726

How to help:

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

‘Our only regret is we didn’t travel sooner!’

Roland and Coral Hersom began taking seriously long trips around Australia nearly 20 years ago. They have travelled tens of thousands of kilometres in a variety of rigs. They have been from Tassie to Cooktown and from Broken Hill to Broome. They’ve seen hundreds of Outback sunsets and stayed in some of the most beautiful and remote camp-sites on the planet.And yet, when financial con-straints and declining mobil-ity forced them to sell their beloved motorhome, they admitted they still had one major regret.“We just wish we had started 10 years earlier,” said Roland. “Others I have known have also rued their delay, espe-cially when their lives took an unexpected turn and prevent-ed them from seeing all the wonderful things to be seen in this wonderful country.”The couple, now in their late 70s, know they have been incredibly lucky and count their blessings each and every day. They met at high school as teenagers and have six chil-dren, 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.Other than each other and their massive ‘tribe’, it’s prob-ably not too much of a stretch

to say that the love of the couple’s lives has been a 1986 Nissan Civilian they named ‘Nissy’ which they bought a decade or so ago, and which Roland totally revamped to suit their needs. Ever since then, the Hersoms have spent much of their time criss-cross-ing the country discovering the magic of the Outback.“We are not van park fans and prefer to find places where we don’t have to camp on top of our neighbours,” said Roland. “We have good neighbours at home but we live only six metres away from them on each side so, when you are on holidays, it is more pleasant to be able to spread out a bit.”The couple says they were fre-quently the only occupants of campsites during their travels, and they found every place had its own unique diversity of

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Issue 165 February 2, 2018

Roland and Coral with their beloved ‘Nissy’

ambience, sound or solitude. “We have witnessed many beautiful landscapes and superb sunrises and sunsets,” said Roland. “However, it eventually became obvious that financial constraints, along with our inability to walk distances, required us to audit our situation.”Reluctantly, the couple put their beloved ‘Nissy’ up for sale and the first person to look at it, bought it. “Our future travelling, which won’t be as extensive as in the past, will now have to be done by car and park cabin … but them’s the breaks,” said Roland ruefully. “I believe an entire lifetime of normal travel would still leave things unseen … so my advice is don’t delay your touring and make sure you enjoy it while you can!”Click to comment

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Locked out!Recently our websitewww.thegreynomads.com.au reported that an RV stopo-ver in the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Cooroy is restricted to self-contained vehicles only … despite the fact there are toilet facilities there. Some grey nomads want to know why they are effectively locked out.

Click here for more

Other website must-reads:

From the ashes …Centre ready to waltz again

‘People love it!’Is online booking a winner?

Fracking hellNT faces drilling dilemma

Thieves strikeVan park awnings raided

Website highlights

SURVEYAre too many RV stopovers

labelled ‘self-contained only’? YES NO

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

How to have a ballLife on the Big Lap is more commonly associated with campchairs, sunsets and Hap-py Hours than with serious sporting activity … but that could all be about to change.Faced with a dire shortage of umpires, AFL Queensland is appealing for community-spirited grey nomads to help fill the void, so the game can go on.The umpire crisis is particu- larly acute in the regional areas where many long-termers like to travel. “The main aim is to maximise any grey nomads who travel north for the winter months and access their expertise or, better still, to introduce them to the game of AFL and the umpiring component,” said Paul Scullie, Competition & Club Development Manager, Mackay. “With the AFL season across most of the leagues run-ning from April to September, it is a perfect time for travellers to make their way to sunny Queensland and make a differ-

ence to our great game”. He says matches are generally played on a Saturday and the roles that required to be ful-filled include field, boundary and goal umpires; a role suited to anyone whether they have umpired before or not.“AFL umpiring is a perfect way to stay active, earn some cash and meet some great friends whilst also making a difference in supporting AFL across Queensland,” said Mr Scullie. “And, if you are head-ing to North Queensland plac-es like Cairns or Townsville, or Mackay, Rockhampton, or anywhere around the south-east Queensland areas, there are opportunities aplenty!”Grey nomad volunteers will be guaranteed a great view of the action .. and they’ll get a uni-

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form, as well as getting paid. “We at AFL Queensland are really looking forward to introducing our grey nomads’ recruiting drive to everyone across Queensland,” said AFL Queensland Community Um-pire Development Manager, Nicholas Liparota. “We are on the lookout for the travelling football lover who wants to give back to the community, stay active, make new and life-long friends, and to give back to Australia’s great game.” Grey nomads interested in finding out more about the AFL umpiring opportunities in Queensland can register their interest here: http://bit.ly/umpireinQLD• Can you see yourself umpiring sporting contests as you travel? Click to comment

Issue 165 February 2, 2018AFL authorities are hoping grey nomads can help fill a

severe umpire shortage

Authorities hope grey nomads will answer the call

‘We’ve won the lottery already’It’s official (nearly) … grey nomads think they’ve al-ready won the lottery of life by being free to endlessly travel Australia.A whopping 96.4% of respondents to our GNT poll on the subject said that – even if they scooped a jackpot of a million dollars or two – they would stay right where they were … enjoying the joys of the Big Lap.“Why change a wonderful lifestyle?” asked a mystified Max V. “But I would also donate to Camp Quality.”June T was equally adamant that an instant fortune wouldn’t tempt her away from a life of sunsets, Happy Hours, and campchairs … but she would make one change.“We’d certainly get a big rig upgrade,” she said.Julie W agreed, and she wanted the chance to prove she meant what she said.“Pick me, pick me!” she begged.

Click to comment

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Page 4

Re: Travelling without hubby (GNT: 164). Oma … you go girl! You are right about this beautiful country … it’s absolutely stunning. What an education and experience it has been for me. I’ve been travelling now for more than nine years with a small dog and I have lots of wonderful memories. I hope that I bump into you some day and share a few stories with you. Take care and stay safe!

Tosha

I am in my 60s and also enjoy car camping. My favourite country areas to explore are south of Perth. I fly over from Queensland, borrow or rent a car and head off to Bridge-town for the country gardens festival in May or October/November. I am small enough to comfortably sleep in the back seat. There are so many great places beside creeks or pools, old foresty campsites and excellent national park camping areas to overnight in. I carry a little fold-up table and chair, a portable gas stove, a rechargeable torch, water, an Esky, some tucker and a few clothes.

Lorraine B

Good on you, Oma. You only have one life to live and if you have a passion or dream you need to follow it. You are so lucky you have an under-standing husband who’s

willing to do without you while you do that.

Di DRe: caravan buying tips (GNT: 164). I thought John made some good points. For me, his last point about having a stable ‘tug’ up front with plenty of power and braking capacity was the most impor-tant. Add to this having a re-ally good understanding of the various legal weights including the combined vehicle mass of the entire rig. Few dealers will tell you how little ‘stuff ’ you can actually load in your van once you fill up the water

tanks. Many will be reluctant to tell you that you’ll have to trade up to an $80,000-plus LandCruiser if you want to buy that awesome three-tonne beast with all the great gear on board. If they won’t discuss this stuff, walk away.

Cliff BWell, we did all this soul searching and investigating before we bought our first van … and we still got it wrong! You see most caravan manu-facturers quote the exterior length of the van eg 21’. Our guy quoted us the interior. So, we took delivery of a van that

is over a metre longer than we wanted it to be. Which proves the saying that, ‘you never get it right the first time’. Gggggr-rrrrrrrr!

Peter S Re: Kiama (Great Places: GNT 164). When we were tour-ing down that way we always looked forward to a few days or even a week enjoying the area. But, since they changed the caravan park at the blow-hole to ‘cabins only’, we gave it a miss. Pity, as it was a great spot to spend a few days.

Graham PRe: Battery cooker (Gadgets: GNT 164). I love the sound of the Morphcooker. Gas costs money and if I can make it last longer by using a battery-pow-ered cooker, happy days.

Pete RAnother piece of over-engi-neered rubbish for the truly bored. Gas or a few twigs will do this for almost nothing!

Geoff SRe: great camp. If you are going through Forbes in New South Wales, they have a beautiful free campground alongside the lake, and a few minutes’ walk to the centre of the town. It has water taps, and a dump point. It’s a pity other country towns didn’t follow suit as it brings revenue for the whole of the town, not just the caravan parks.

Josie H

Issue 165 February 2, 2018

A huge thank you to Leah Rossi for sending in this atmos-pheric photo of the Dalmorton Tunnel on the Old Glen Innes Road between Grafton and the New England tablelands. Leah and her loyal canine companion took a tour of the area in northern New South Wales in May of last year. The Old Glen Innes Road was constructed using civilian labour during the 1800s, and this tunnel was carved out of the rock a few kilometres west of Dalmorton.

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Page 5

Issue 165 February 2, 2018

Re: shower water wars (Jaclyn & Heidi: GNT 164). My wife is also a clean freak, but she is also very practical. She loves the shower in the van but is realistic enough to modify the method. We both rinse, turn off the water, soap up, then rinse again. Water use is about nine litres per shower, except when she washes her hair, and then it’s 20 litres. We can free camp for a couple of weeks, but also plan ahead as to where we will fill our tanks. It takes planning and co-operation, but isn’t that what makes a good marriage? So far, we have lasted 55 years, so I guess it works.

John KBlock up half the holes in the shower head.

Tony LSeek out a replacement shower head with about three water jets. That should ensure a very low flow of water for the duration of your shower time while also ensuring the ability to keep ‘clean’.

Chris TInstall both a flow restrictor and an electronic timer on the water pump. Then put on your armour, and await the battle to come! Ha, ha, ha!

Michael P (Alcopop)Chris and I will fill a nine-litre watering can and sit it in the sun. If it doesn’t get warm enough, boil a billy of water and add. Plenty of water for

showing, including washing hair.

Garry DI’ve often wondered what it would take to convert one of the water tanks to a grey water tank, or just have a third tank and then, with a purpose designed filtration and backwash system, recycle the used shower water (only) back into the shower system. 99% of shower water is just clean water anyway. As long as only soap and water, noth-ing too yukky, went down the drain you could shower for as long as the gas for hot water and the batteries for the pump held up. A smart system would have the ability to switch to a rinse using ‘fresh’ water. I’m sure there’s a water

engineer out there who could even design a basic custom system right now!

Cliff BRe: free camp debate (GNT: 164). I am a camper and ex caravan park owner so can see both views! I purchased a car-avan park many years ago in Tasmania. At that time, there was a push to the councils by

Jim and Gayle Tomlinson photographed this cowboy scul-pture while in Queensland on their way from Aramac to the birdwatchers’ paradise of Lake Dunn. It’s one of 25 artworks in the sculpture trail created by local artist Milynda Rogers. Have you got a favourite pic to share? Email it to us here.

other caravan park owners to stop free camping in the area. After pondering this ‘new’ trend of free camping, I came up with my own plan instead … offering a cheaper site to people who did not need the power or main facilities (this was way before the recent trend of cheaper sites). Mostly this worked, but I did still see free campers camped right opposite my gates, and was told by other paying guests they also crept in for free showers etc. I was at this time only charging $5 per van! That seems to be the nature of some campers.

Vonjean

We went to Melbourne to stay with family over the Christmas/New Year period and were quoted $56 for an unpowered site in Alexander, miles out from the town. We stayed at the show- grounds instead. It would have taken all of our pen-sion, and some, to stay there. Ridiculous!

Linde R

Identify the Bird In GNT 164, we asked you to identify the bird (pictured). The winner is Lyn O who said the elusive WA bird was known variously as:* the bue wren* malurus splendens * Splendid fairywren* Splendid wren

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Inventor ahead of the rest

Having spent a year caravan-ning around Australia, Chris Albert is well aware of the strains that driving long dis-tances puts on an ageing body. And, as someone who has also been involved in a nasty car accident, he is also well aware of the devastating impact that whiplash injuries can have.It was these two life-changing experiences that inspired the 70-year-old to start looking for answers. And, after four years of head scratching, designing, re-designing, trialling, nego-tiating, and finally going into production, the result is the Safe-T-Rest headrest.

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The product is intended to improve comfort and sup-port for drivers and, crucially, reduce the severity of whiplash injuries in the event of an ac-cident. The Safe-T-Rest seeks to better accommodate the erratic movement a head can make following a collision. “In the event of a rear-end crash, my product will support your head and neck simultane-

ously,” he said. “Most standard headrests are adjusted above the seat, so there is a void area between the top of the seat and the headrest bottom, allowing no protection for your neck.”And the retired builder from Gympie says his headrest also improves comfort, and would thus be ideal for grey nomads.“As you get older you tend to suffer more from headaches

Issue 165 February 2, 2018and neck aches, especially driving long distances on Out-back roads,” he said. “It’s nice to put your head back and feel the support of my new head-neck rest and not feel you are being pushed forward.”Chris’s headrest can be fitted into almost all car seats, and he says it has passed the requi-site safety guidelines. He has now registered design patents around the globe. And, while he may have sac-rificed an easy retirement and invested his own money into the project, Chris is energised by his mission and excited by where it might lead. “My dream is that one day I can see my Safe-T-Rest in many, many cars,” he said. “There is nothing like it in the entire world!”Click to comment

Chris Albert (above) and the Safe-T-Rest (left)

Adjustable posts

Head/Neck Support Free pair of matching Find out more about this embroidered seat covers Amazing product on line when you order your headrests

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Gotta go to GunnedahSitting on the junction of the Kamilaroi and Oxley High-ways, the attractive rural town of Gunnedah is a natural stop-ping off point for grey nomads exploring the wheatbelt of northern New South Wales. However, the settlement of 10,000 or so – which is situ-ated on a sloping ridge above the Namoi and Mooki Rivers –has a lot more going for it than simple convenience.It was the sheer natural beauty of the local landscape that inspired Dorothea MacKellar to write her best-known work, ‘My Country’. And like the iconic poet, today’s caravan-ners and motorhomers love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains.This is rich agricultural land and the livestock selling centre here is one of the biggest in the state. Visitors are welcome to absorb the bustling atmos-phere at the sale yards when the auctions kick off every Tuesday. While beef, wool and wheat have helped shaped Gunnedah, so too has coal and coalmining. A real country welcome awaits visitors, along with a great range of services, cafes, restaurants and shops. Gunne-dah’s Cultural Precinct is the heart of it all and incorporates the heritage-listed Town Hall,

cinema, theatre, art gallery, and Visitor Information Centre. The Gunnedah Tourist Cara-van Park offers a quiet spot for grey nomads to park up for a night or two, and there’s also a 72-hours-only RV Camping area on South Street. There’s a free camping area at the Red Bank Rest Area, about 10 kilo-metres east of town. Another popular place for grey nomads to camp is at Lake Keepit State Park, about 40 kilometres away towards Tamworth.For hikers, the 22-kilometre Bindea Walking Track – which can be subdivided into a series of shorter loops – is an excel-lent way to get your bearings. There are also a couple of great lookouts in the area to give vis-itors a greater understanding of why this country so inspired Dorothea MacKellar. Porcu-pine Lookout is two kilometres from town, off Apex Road. To the north, it offers views to the Nandewar Ranges, over 100 kilometres away, and to

the south are panoramic views of the agricultural land of the Breeza and Pullaming plains. There are amazing views also from Pensioners Hill Lookout, which was actually the site of a shanty town during the great depression. There are a num-ber of rock sculptures here de-picting people and characters from Gunnedah’s history.Elsewhere, there is a life-sized bronze statue in Anzac Park memorialising Dorothea MacKellar, who spent time here between 1905 and the late 1930s. Another famous former resident of the area, the bushranger Ben Hall, is remembered on a mural wall at a rest area in Breeza, just off the Kamilaroi Highway. If all of that wasn’t enough, the Gunnedah area is also home to the largest koala colony west of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales ... and they are regularly spotted in town.

Click here to comment

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Issue 165 February 2, 2018

Dorothea MacKellar is commemorated in GunnedahPic: Destination NSW

Coil Springs

Last week’s picture puzzle winner was Dan W

QUIZ CORNER

Win grey nomad stickers!Email the solution to the puzzle. Winner announced in Issue 166. CLUE: The solution to a grey nomad’s bush power problems?

Do You Know1. If you start with a triggered weapon, and then reverse through Haden … which NSW town will you discover on the Oxley Highway?.

2. Before it was officially gazet-ted as ‘Young’ in 1869 in honour of the Governor of New South Wales, Sir John Young, this NSW town was known as:a) Old … after the first European to visit the area, Sir Douglas Old.b) Lambing Flat … because it was where sheep on an early property here liked to give birth.c) Gold … in honour of the pre-cious metal that was discovered here in 1860.3. I am travelling directly between the NSW of towns of Gilgandra and Walgett. Which highway am I on? 4. Shortest road distance be-tween NT town of Alice Springs and Boulia in Queensland?a) 649 km b)723 km c) 812 km

5. Mr Naked (Anagram) Sort out this mix-up to find a whole country in a small WA town.

Answers on p. 8

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the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Page 8

Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,My husband’s a recently retired policeman and I’m terrified he’s about to turn into a grey nomad dibber dobber! Eric has always found it difficult to remember when he’s off duty, if you know what I mean … and I’m petrified he’s going to make a lot more enemies than friends when we hit the road in a few weeks. I just know that anyone he spots littering, or ignoring the honesty box, or who takes up more space than they should at a campsite, or who talks loudly beyond ‘curfew’, is in for a surprise. The list of potential red flag situations is endless. We’ve only done weekend cara-van trips before and they were bad enough. The silly thing is that when he relaxes and ‘looks the other way’ Eric is charming … but he rarely looks the other way. Help!

Nancy

Hubby can’t stop policing Don’t be too hard on Eric, Nancy. It can’t be easy com-ing from somewhere where everything is very much black and white to somewhere where there are so many grey areas. Be patient. Like so many other recent retirees, Eric will take a while to ‘wind down’ from his job … but there’s no place like the Big Lap to speed along the relaxation process. The former chief executives don’t take long to realise that a Happy Hour is no board meeting; the former bank-ers quickly realise that the smiling, relaxed couple on Site 56 aren’t after free financial advice; and the ex-plumbers soon understand that it’s best not to tell everyone what they used to do … unless they want to be getting their hands dirty again in a succession of grey nomad caravans with leaky taps or creaky pipes or worse! Eric will get there, Nancy!

Jaclyn

Well, if Eric is going to go after every litterer, late-night chatterer, every thoughtless parker, and generator jack ass … you’re right to be wor-ried, Nancy. He’s going to be ‘working’ more overtime than he ever did on the force! Eric’s job now is to make sure that you – and he – have a fantastic journey together …. and for that to happen, he is going to have to hand in his campsite cop badge and put on his chilled-out caravanner hat in-stead. Tell him he’s going deep undercover into the big bad world of Australia’s notorious grey nomad fraternity and it’s vital that he doesn’t blow his cover until his mission is complete. Hopefully, after a couple of years on the road he’ll have ‘turned bad’ and he’ll be prepared to leave the caravan park at 10.02am when the rules clearly state checkout time is 10am!

Heidi Click to comment

Issue 165 February 2, 2018

CLASSIFIEDS

DISCLAIMER: The Grey Nomad Times team is not responsible for any sale, trade, or other transactions between vendors and vendees or advertisers and respondents. All parties enter into transactions at their own risk.

FOR SALE

Nomads in Brief Park deathAuthorities have found the body of a 28-year-old tourist who went missing while swimming beneath Mac-Kenzie Falls in Grampians National Park, about 250 kil-ometres west of Melbourne.

Track worksRoad improvement works have started on 30 kilome-tres of the Oodnadatta Track and 25 kilometres of Kempe Road in regional South Aus-tralia. The $3 million project is being funded under the Roads to Recovery program.

the Times Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Page 9

CLASSIFIEDS DARWIN, NTDates: 10 July – 15 August 2018Looking for couple to house sit Rural Property in Herbert, about 30km from Darwin CBD. The property is on 5 acres, lush tropical gardens, pool, outside entertainment area with BBQ. There is an air conditioned granny flat attached to the side of house with 2 beds and bathroom facilities. House can be made available for laundry and kitchen facilities. Gardens and lawn are on reticulation the only task we ask of the house sitters is to feed two medium size dogs and pet cow daily. House sitters pets welcome also. Plenty of room for van or motor home parking close to house with 15amp power point.Click here

***CAPTAIN CREEK, QLDCaretaker required at Captain Creek Qld for 20Apr-4May 2018 (14days). Feed chooks and goldfish and some hand hosing. Rural block approx. 15mins from Agnes Water/1770. Own caravan access to power, water and laundry if needed. Click here.

***CUNNAMULLA, QLDWe are a young couple looking for some-one to look after our house and garden from mid March to the start of May while I’m away having a baby. We live in a quiet Beautiful riverside location in Cunnam-ulla, South west Qld. We are hoping to get someone with their own caravan or camper van that could use our power and bathroom facilities. My husband will be home on weekends so this is an oppor-tunity to explore the area. We would just need someone to run the pump for our automatic watering system and keep an eye on the house and garden. Click here.

***HERVEY BAY, QLDWe are looking for a “cat sitter”, for about 2 weeks at the beginning of March. We have a couple of acres on the waterfront at Hervey Bay, looking over to Fraser Island and Big Woody. So if you like fishing or views, it is lovely. About 10 – 15 minutes from shopping. Need someone who has a little understanding of Siamese cats. Would prefer your staying in your own caravan, but have access to power and water, and bathroom and toilet. Click here.

***FOREST GLEN, SUNSHINE COAST, QLDWanted: Short term Property Sitter with self contained caravan to park on our small acreage for a week from 24/2/2018 to 2/3/2018. We are located at Forest Glen on the Sunshine Coast which is 100kms north of Brisbane. Click here.

***GLENWOOD, QLDHousesitter wanted from end of February for 4-6 months, shorter times available if needed. We are in Glenwood, Queensland which is 30 minutes north of Gympie. We have a new house on 1.5 acres with outdoor kitchen, shed containing toilet, gym, TV available to housesitters. Our caravan shed will be available to house their caravan with 15 amp power. We only require a bit of watering and mowing if possible on ride on. Click here.

***MANDURAH, WAHousesitters wanted to stay in house in Mandurah in August for about three weeks. Our home is a four bed 2 bath. It has a 1.2m deep pool.The only task, if you can call it a task for dog lovers, is to look after my dog. She has anxiety but is on medication to ease the symptoms. Click here.

Issue 165 February 2, 2018

PROPERTY SALE

GYMPIE, QLDCaretaker couple wanted. Borumba deer Park is seeking a couple for after hours caretaker duties. The caretakers would be responsible for: Assisting after hours arriv-als, Minor cleaning of amenities in evenings and mornings, Minor park maintenanceSome paid shifts are available in the kiosk by agreement with the caretakers. Some ground maintenance work is also available by agreement with the caretakers. We offer a private covered ensuite site and remuneration will be agreed with successful applicants. Borumba Deer Park is a family friendly caravan and camping park ap-proximately 40 Kms South West of Gympie and 9kms from Imbil. It is 2Kms from Lake Borumba. Click here.

***ADELAIDE HILLS, SAWe run a 100acre horse and cattle farm in Oakbank, South Australia, which is about 30 min from Adelaide and the same from the Barossa and Hahndorf. We train horses on the farm and as such we have a busy life.We are looking for a couple with a self-contained caravan / motor-home to give us a hand. We will provide a beautiful setting/ site and power and water. Ideally someone who enjoys gardening, mowing, trimming and tinkering away fixing anything that needs to be fixed etc.So please contact us if you would like somewhere to put roots down for a couple of weeks or so and basically keep the home fires burning. We live in a beautiful part of the Adelaide hills on the Lenswood creek. Click here.

***KARNUP, WAWe are offering a free powered site on our lovely leafy property in Karnup (30 mins south of Perth city) in exchange for about an hour/day of yard work (mowing, reticulation maintenance, weeding, sweeping, pruning etc.). Includes access to a shed with a kitchen and toilet. Shops and beach nearby. Available from Feb 2018. Click here.

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WOODBURN, NSW Hobby Farm Sitters – Great Location. We are looking at going on a caravan trip in March or May (not school holiday times) for around 4 weeks. There is a 5 acre block where you can set up your own caravan with power & water near a pretty little dam plus access to inside rumpus room toilet. Great position at Swan Bay/New Italy, 10 mins to Woodburn, 20 mins to Evans Head, 40 mins to Ballina & Lismore. Duties in exchange would be to feed fish daily; lock 14 sheep in shed after they have gone in themselves at sundown and let them out in the morning; water plants and if you are a bird lover feed our talking cockatiel that may be left in the Rumpus Room. Idyllic rest & recreation property. Click here.

***WHERROL FLAT, NSWWe are seeking housesitters for late May til Early Sept 2018. We have a small herd of cows which will need moving on occassion. We have chooks and a vegie garden. There would be some mowing required, but it will be winter and that will be slow. We live in a picturesque valley on 40 acres. Click here.

***’MURRURUNDI, NSWHousesitter wanted for lovely farm 10 Apr 2018 to 30th April. 30 minutes from town. Sealed road. Duties caring for ducks, chooks, birds, cocker spaniel. Farm experi-ence preferred but not essential. Cabin available if required. Click here.

ORMEAU, QLDWe are looking for a live in caretaker (single person) for our storage property in Ormeau who will receive free accommoda-tion including a furnished room with all bills included (Elec, water,). Accommoda-tion available from Friday 16th Feb 2018 for short or long term caretaker. Can live in your caravan on site or in our accom-modation. In return you will need to be onsite after customers access hours 7 days a week from 8pm – 5am (a must)Click here.

***BLACKBUTT, QLDBlackbutt (Qld) Macadamia OrchardHelp wanted to keep cockatoos out of our macadamia orchard, 2 hours (approx.) in the early morning and again in the even-ing at dusk for the next 2 months, when owner not present. Position available from early-mid February. In return, can offer site for van with access to bathroom facilities and electricity and small renumeration to be negotiated. Click here.

***CHANNEL COUNTRY CATTLE STATION, QLD We are seeking a Bore Runner and Station Cook. Bore Runner – must be active and fit with some mechanical skills. Ability to service pumps and keep a check on the watering points. Also could be work on heavy machinery if interested. (grader/loader). Station Cook – Cooking for 10-12 people, breakfast, smoko, lunch and dinner. Just need decent home cooked nutritious meals for the crew and to keep the cake and biscuit tin full. Have cold meat cooked for packed lunches etc. Maintain a high level of cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen. This position would also involve a stint of camping out for a few weeks through out the year if cattle are being trucked. Perfect if you had a caravan as there is power/water and Wifi at camp. Position is available from about March/April through to Octoberish. Click here.

***APPLE TREE CREEK, QLDFlying High Bird Sanctuary is situated on the Bruce Highway at Apple Tree Creek, QLD. It is Australia’s largest walk through aviary that covers almost two acres and reaches a height of over 7 metres. We have Australian natives, Asiatic and South American birds flying through our aviary and we offer a safe sanctuary for sur-rendered birds as well as caring for sick and injured wildlife. We require volunteers to help around the sanctuary (no prior experience is required). Tasks will include cleaning, feeding and general mainte-nance. In return power and parking are available for your self-contained caravan or RV. Click here.

***BLACKALL, QLDHelp Wanted to help establish a Bakery in Blackall QLD. Prefer someone with experi-ence. Longer stay preferable. Accommo-dation can be arranged or a place to plug in your van. Click here.

***SCENIC RIM, QLDWe are looking for a mature reliable care-taker couple to assist on our 60 acre camp ground located in the beautiful scenic rim area of the gold coast hinterland. Duties are mowing, cleaning small amenity block. kiosk work, bookings + kiosk . Free pow-ered site provided + wage you would need your own caravan. Click here.

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