Hello and Welcome to our new subscribers to the Summer Edition of the WWOOF Australia Newsletter.
Emergency Planning
While the warmth and the fun of Summer is welcome the current climate change challenges need to be addressed. We ask all Hosts to include evacuation and safety plans for their WWOOFers in their Summer Survival Guides.
The majority of WWOOFers are international travellers and it is essential they have the appropriate protection against the sun which is a lot fiercer than they are used to. Please consider providing Hats and Sunscreen, working in the cooler parts of the day and even evacuating your WWOOFers on days rated Extreme.
WWOOF Japan meeting
WWOOF Australia has recently had the opportunity to meet with Glenn & Kiyoko from WWOOF Japan. WWOOF Australia has long associations with the other National WWOOF Groups in the Asia Pacific area and we value collaborating and exchanging ideas face to face. WWOOF Australia, WWOOF Japan and WWOOF New Zealand also collaborate with providing a comprehensive list of all National WWOOF Groups through WWOOF International www.wwoofinternational.org There are currently 36 National WWOOF Groups offering WWOOFing opportunities across the world.
Changes to the Calendar
Currently we are exploring a more interactive Calendar on all WWOOF Profiles. This will enable WWOOFers to request to ‘book’ dates they wish to stay with a particular Host. Once a WWOOFer sends this request to the Host it will remain in ‘pending’ until negotiations are complete and the Host has accepted the booking.
False Facebook Pages
There are a number of Facebook Pages that people are confusing for WWOOF Australia. The WWOOF Australia Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/WWOOFingAustralia/) is the only genuine Facebook Page. We have been contacting other pages to have them adjust their page names to avoid confusion.
Please know that the only genuine place where you can advertise for WWOOFers and Hosts is our Member Only WWOOF Australia website www.wwoof.com.au
When you connect with WWOOFers through our website you know that they are Members of WWOOF Australia and have agreed to our terms of use, have declared they have appropriate health insurance and are accountable to you and the WWOOF Office for their behaviour.
Tag Us!
When you do post on your Social Media (Facebook, Instagram or TikTok) please pop in #WWOOFAustralia in the story so that we can share and promote you through our socials
Guestbook Pages
On joining we send all Hosts a sample Guestbook Page . One of our Host Guidelines is that all Hosts will keep a Guestbook for WWOOFers to sign in and record their Membership details. This is an important step we have found Hosts have been missing. It is an obligation that you record the stay of your WWOOFers and their information in case of emergency, to assist police and immigration and as a keepsake. Once a WWOOFers membership has expired all of their contact details are lost and you will not be able to retain any correspondence.
If we do receive a complaint from another WWOOFer staying at your property we will ask you for details of past WWOOFers who have stayed so that we may contact them for unbiased reviews on their stay on your property.
Blogs and News
Our latest Blog features Wine Country Lavender in Singleton NSW. We recently added a Blog on travelling in Darwin during the Winter months. To read our latest Blogs check out the News section of our webpage.
Would you like us to write about your farm or journey? Email us at wwoof@wwoof.com.au
WWOOF Australia T-Shirts
WWOOF Australia T-Shirts are available in the WWOOF Shop for $36.00. The fabric is 60% recycled organic cotton blended with 40% PET bottles – a lovely soft, sustainable T-Shirt. Perfect to gift your WWOOFer or wear to be visible on pick-up.
Reviews & Feedback
More and more members are utilising the Review feature of their Membership which is great! From time to time there are reviews left with the minimum stars. If these reviews are not defamatory or accusatory we leave them published as honest reviews are important in allowing all members to make informed decisions using WWOOF Australia.
Wishing you all a Safe and Happy Festive Season,
Tam, Emma & Skye
