WANTED: Resident Gardener/Caretakers

 

We seek :
A conscientious, garden-loving couple or suitable single, interested in wildlife and the environment and keen to conserve both - to fill the position of resident gardeners/caretakers at Kingbilli. The position offered is not salaried, but instead is based on the Help Exchange concept, which entails part-time work in exchange for accommodation and full use of the property's facilities.

We offer :
Private accommodation in a secluded self-contained, fully-furnished bluestone cottage with open fire; gas-BBQ; heated outdoor jacuzzi & creekside gazebo ... photographs and details of inclusions below.

Part-time work entails :
· Care of all landscaped gardens
mowing, brushcutting, planting, pruning, edging garden beds, raking, mulching, weeding
· Cleaning & maintenance of two guest cottages
cleaning, sweeping paths, clearing gutters, windows, de-cobwebbing, jacuzzi maintenance, rubbish removal
· Chainsawing and collection of firewood
collect/deliver/split kindling and firewood for Cottages and Homestead
· General property maintenance
spraying, pumping tanks, maintaining driveways, assisting with fencing and construction
· Habitat conservation and development
maintaining 'Possum Wood', planting, removing invasive weeds (ie. blackberry, pennyroyal, patterson's curse)
· Guiding Llama Eco-Treks
this is the one exception as far as income is concerned as our couple is paid to do this particular task.
 

The work-schedule at Kingbilli leaves considerable free time available to our resident couple/single to either :
(a) operate your own home-based business,
(b) take advantage of the wide range of paid part-time work available locally,
(c) undertake further study (via distance education) ... or

(d) simply enjoy the relaxed country lifestyle Kingbilli provides.

 

The property :
Kingbilli is a 300 acre property on the banks of the Little River in the Cathedral Valley at Taggerty, just ninety minutes north-east of Melbourne. Our nearest major township, Alexandra, is 18km from us, whilst the smaller villages of Taggerty, Thornton and Marysville are all closeby ... 5km; 10km; and 15km respectively. The general area has an excellent range of social and sporting clubs; churches; golf courses etc., in addition to the usual mix of country community activities.

Operations:

1. Wildlife Conservation :
Kingbilli is a registered Native Wildlife Refuge and Rescue Centre, developing selected areas of the property

as native wildlife habitat, controlling invasive species and operating a rescue, rehabilitation and release program for injured and orphaned wildlife.

2. Interactive Ecotourism :
We provide self-catered accommodation in two self-contained bluestone cottages for the domestic and international tourist market. Interactive initiatives include llama eco-treks; outdoor eco-education for children; birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

3. Sustainable Agriculture
We breed Llamas and Horses.

For a better understanding of our activities at Kingbilli, click here to browse through the rest of our website.

As far as outdoor recreation is concerned, we're well placed. In summer, if you're interested in boating, fishing or any form of water sports you'll enjoy the magnificent inland waterway of Lake Eildon just 15kms away. During winter there is excellent cross-country skiing at nearby Lake Mountain, whilst if down-hill skiing is your preference, the pristine slopes of Mt Buller are only a little further afield. For more details, click here.

Bushwalkers, rock-climbers, camping enthusiasts or just plain wilderness lovers are catered for also. The Cathedral Range State Park, with its spectacular 7km ridge of upturned sedimentary rock is just outside the gates, waiting to be explored ... whilst Lake Eildon National Park, covering 27,750ha of rocky slopes and woodlands, a large part of which encircles Lake Eildon, is only a 20-minute drive to our north

Your Accommodation: Ballards

The gardener/caretaker cottage, Ballards, is set beside a gently flowing

creek. 
  
 From its rooms, lit softly

by delicate leadlight windows and warmed by a brass-canopied open fire, French doors open onto a long, low rose-covered

verandah, perfect for lazy lunches or summer evening barbeques.
 

Pink paved steps lead to a trellised creekside summer house and in a leafy garden corner a hot jacuzzi bubbles.


Ballards
comprises a separate living/dining room; fully equipped kitchen; and bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Satellite TV; dailup internet; gas; electricity; linen; crockery; cutlery; glassware; kitchen utensils; cookware; gas-BBQ; firewood and laundry facilities are provided.

Also included are basic household items such as tea; coffee; sugar; pepper & salt; toilet paper; kitchen paper; light globes; dishwashing detergent; laundry detergent; and a range of standard household cleaning products.

Off property income may be sought locally through work in one of the district's key industry sectors:
· Agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and viticulture
· Forestry and timber processing
· Tourism, Hospitality and Conferencing
· Manufacturing and Engineering
· Retail and trade services
· Education (general, outdoor education and corporate training)

A wide range of casual seasonal work, such as fruit harvesting and the like, is available within a 20-25km radius.

The successful applicant(s) will be a couple or single who enjoy country living; are conscientious; self-motivated; and most importantly, keen gardeners with a genuine interest in conservation and the environment. This position is not suitable for folk with children still living at home, and as there is no public transport locally, you will need a vehicle of your own.

Also, due to Kingbilli's status as a wildlife refuge, we cannot accept pets.

Ideally, we would like a someone to take this on long-term, in which case, six weeks annual leave is included - three weeks in August, one over Christmas and two in February. In order to establish we can work happily together, initially, a 3-month trial period will apply, which if successful, may be followed by on-going terms of 12 months, with the option to renew.

If the position interests you, complete and submit the form below ... and we shall be in touch. If you have any difficulties submitting the form, simply send your details via email to kb@kingbilli.com.au

 
APPLICATION FORM
Name1

 

Date of Birth

 

Name2

 

Date of Birth

 

Telephone

 

Mobile

 

Address

 

Individual Job Histories

 

Experience in the kind of work listed

 

References
(three per person)

 

Hobbies/Interests

 

Why would you like this job?

 

   

 
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