Australian Retreat
Placement number:
Location: Southeast Queensland, Australia
Preferred Languages: English
Date: All year
Minimum Period: 2 weeks
At the Retreat we try to blend a level of self sufficiency with our exotic orchards and vegetable garden. We are bordered by a 150 megalitre lake and native timbers that we have enhanced over the years. Our Ecoteers can swim, canoe, fish or keep an eye open for the platypus. We operate a wholesale fruit tree nursery, and orchards with the inclusion of a small Bed and Breakfast. We are presently in the process of establishing two ecolodge cabins close to the lake.
Role of Volunteer
We have a project that we would like to undertake at Rossmount with the help of an Ecoteer. We have been building trails through our remnant rainforest and we would like an Ecoteer to identify the trees (we have the necessary botanical information to guide them with this) and to map that information. (July 2008)
Our first rule is that the Ecoteer must be prepared to be inclusive laugh, join in and have fun while at Rossmount.
FRUIT TREES GALORE
From working in the orchards, picking fruit, weeding around the trees, pruning, shaping and eating the fruit.
RESEARCH & CATALOGING
There is a volume of fruit tree articles written by David over the past 30 and published, to be catalogued, and bound in book form. In the past 25 - 30 years many articles have also been written about Rossmount that should also catalogued. The person involved in this project may also enjoy mapping the exotic orchards throughout the property. Computer skills essential for this position.
SCULPTING
There are many interesting things to be found on the property that would lend themselves to an artist's creation and we have a beautiful area in which to display their art. We will be totally supportive of their creative spirit.
TRACK BUILDING
Along the lake, where the swamp hens and platypus can be seen, we would like identification and mapping of the trees. Repair and continuation of our trail with the idea of enhancing some areas of bushlands and building secretive viewing platforms or hides in the best spots to watch for the platypus. There is probably an interesting project for a student in watching the wildlife in the lake or the creek area.
REMNANT FOREST
We have an area of remnant wet sclerophyll forest that is protected by law and we would like to identify the species in this forest, protect it further by fencing and create pathways that wont interfere and further enriching the area to add to its environment value.
Cost
We will provide all volunteers with their meals and accommodation in exchange for their volunteering.
Travel
Bus or train to Gympie North Station, about three hours from Brisbane on the train, 160 km by road. We will meet you in Gympie.
We are 16 kms on the main road through to Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay, where the dolphins play.
Broadband is available and we have a Wireless Router.
Volunteer Stories
In November 2007 Stefano, our Italian Ecoteer, armed with a magnificent new SLR camera and lens captured the following photo. He was stunned to note how aggressive the Water Dragon was chasing the platypus. We never found out because our shy platypus did a duck dive and the scene ended.
Rossmount boasts a magnificent lake where quiet observation can reveal the most miraculous events. We have enjoyed watching the Platypus or is it platypie for about 34 years and it never ceases to amaze us. Some general information on Platypus follows, and if you want to chill out and wait for the platypus at Rossmount Rural Retreat, we look forward to sharing our little bit of paradise with you. The photoof the platypuscan be seen opposite.
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