Opportunity for Gap Year Senior in Australia : 3 to 4 weeks in August/September

I am a Wycombe senior (circle 143), and I am looking for some help in Australia for 3-4 weeks in September 2004.

BACKGROUND

My husband Tim has practiced as a doctor (GP) all over the world, but settled in the Australian bush 10 years ago where he found himself to be in charge not only of people, but pets and teeth as well! He loves the outdoor way of life and was recently singled out as one of the few GP's to hold private pilot's licences in three countries at once (USA, UK and Australia).

He is as at home on water as he is in the air and anyone who comes to stay with us will have plenty of opportunities to acquaint themselves with the Australian surf, surfski or just plain canoeing lifestyle (we have 3 canoes, a laser sailing boat and a small motor boat)!

Like Tim, I am English but have spent much of my life overseas. My work was in international marketing (tennis) and I have been lucky enough to travel a lot in that role. My parents moved from Africa to Greece when I was a child and it was my mother's ill health that took me back to Corfu for most of last year. A gap year student from Bedales came out to work with us last September and she was a real asset and became a valued member of the family.

Tim and I have Benj (just 7) and Jamie (2). We live right on the water and have a ricketty old jetty next to the boathouse, perfect for keeping little boys busy after school. Our address is 'Maroochy Waters' which is within Maroochydore, a good sized coastal town about an hour north of Brisbane by car in an area known as the Sunshine Coast. Having lived all over Australia, it is no coincidence that we ended up here. The area boasts miles of white sandy beaches, countless wonders to see - including Fraser Island the world heritage site and largest sand island in the world. It is also a convenient stop-off point between Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef, and there is so much to do.

THE JOB

We are looking for an easy going person to be part of the team in general, though with special responsibility for the boys. I don't anticipate it being overly hard work because the applicant will have weekends and all evenings 'off'. In addition both boys are at school 3 days a week, Benj 5 days a week so really it is just a case of getting them ready for school, picking them up and playing with them till bedtime. We live in a very friendly street full of other children so it isn't hard to keep them occupied.

In my experience, flexibility is the key. Roo (the Bedalian senior) often elected to join us on her days off and we tried to show her spots she might otherwise not get to see. There are many many backpackers tours here all of whom pick clients up at the door and deliver them back so the house guest will be able to meet both locals and tourists. The town is walking (or canoeing) distance so a car isn't necessary, though we do need a driver for school runs etc.

All food, laundry and accommodation will be paid for by us, whether we are eating/sleeping at home or elswhere. We will pay for transport to and from our home within Australia (East Coast). We will also pay a contribution towards living expenses (to be discussed with the applicant). We would not expect to pay for meals out if we are not present - unless we haven't provided food at home for any reason.

Our situation is that I need to go back to the UK for 10-14 days from September 1st and so we are looking to have at least a week together before I leave, with the possibility of extending when I get back if that's the way it suits everyone.

As I mentioned, flexibility is the key, and if it turned out that two girls wanted to come, we could accommodate that, but obviously we could only 'pay' for one, since the job is really only part time for one person.I can only add that we would strive to make this a FUN time for anyone brave enough to adopt us. We've only ever had successes in the past.

We could hire locally, but we remember our own gap years and how much it meant to be living and working in a new country.

Liz Holloway-Kenny (c.143)
ozzykenny@bigpond.com