Honest, Reliable, Responsible

More information about this house sitter

Hi, I'm a single, mature female, and have been full-time sitting and property caretaking for 10 years, with 30+ wonderful references - there would be more, however I'm now doing repeat sits, plus my sits are longer these days, so there's fewer of them. I can care for your animals and property, pets and livestock, garden, vegie garden, house, pool etc., very well.

I am extremely responsible and honest, quiet, and I love rural/country life, although I did grow up in Sydney. I'm single, and happy to be on my own for periods of time. I have my own car and am a non-smoker.

Animals are attracted to me, they are always hanging around and following me. When I walk around a property it's not unusual for the animals - dogs of course, but also the cats, and sometimes the chooks/ducks - to go walking with me. I feel like the Pied Piper sometimes :-). I've had quite a few animals adopt me - neighbour's cats and dogs, even a lizard (quite a character) who came to live on my back porch for 6 months and would climb onto my hand to be fed!

I have a great work ethic and love helping people :

* Co-founder of the non-profit Single Parent Family Association (Single With Children) in Sydney. Their 20 year anniversary was in April 2016.
* Volunteer work - lots, including website services for non-profits
* Managed three jewellery stores in Sydney
* Managed two furniture factories and a furniture showroom in Sydney
* Other past jobs include swimming teaching and training, tour manager of a reggae band, interior decorating, and real estate consultant.
* Freelanced for the past few years - creating business websites, selling online, consulting to businesses, real estate co-ordinator, investing, teaching how to sell online, analysing websites for usability.

Because of my website work, good access to internet is important to me and I'd appreciate sharing your connection.

I've owned cats, including one I had for 17 years from a teeny kitten (a rescue); looked after dogs, indoor and outdoor fish, chickens, ducks, geese, cows, caged birds, breeding birds, peacocks, guinea fowl, alpacas, goats, sheep, horses, an aquaponics system, and hatchlings from an incubator. I'm happy for you to teach me how to care for your animals in the way that you want, and learn from you.

I have many other qualifications, interests and skills :
* Permaculture
* Natural cleaning methods
* Natural alternatives to chemicals wherever possible for anything - personal care, weed control, insect control, health, etc
* I was a champion swimmer in my younger days, and have looked after many types of pools.
* Organic vegetable gardening
* Holistic grazing and holistic management (Alan Savory)
* Rural land planning
* Decluttering
* Interior decorating
* Real estate consulting
* Website creation
* Website analysis, consulting and usability
* Search engine optimisation (SEO) for websites
* Writing
* Puzzles - all sorts - and card games
* Selling online on eBay, Facebook, Gumtree etc
* Swimming teacher/training/style improvement
* Lawn bowls, beginner in 2024

House sitting is increasing my skill base : riding a quad bike, using a bore pump to refill water tanks, maintaining an aquaponics system, living off-the-grid, zero-turn ride-on mowing (what fun!), plus the many types of animals I've cared for ~ and I look forward to learning much more.

I've had many interesting experiences during my house sitting life, like when I chased a 3 metre long goanna up a tree, when it tried to steal the chooks' eggs that I was planning to have for dinner. (No, it didn't try that again!)

I am usually booked 8-12+ months ahead.

I like to arrive a day or two before the sit starts, to learn your household routines, and so we can become acquainted with each other. When you then leave me in charge, we'll be friends instead of strangers and you can relax and enjoy your trip free from anxiety, knowing I'm there to care for everything while you're away.


REFERENCES - I’m new to this website, so here are my references from other websites......

Margo was like an absolute gem from the moment she arrived at our home the night before we left for our trip she was like a long-lost friend. Very friendly with an easy-going personality. She communicated to us by email once a week without fail and text messaged in between if there was anything else important. She provided me with an informational document prior to the sit which helped me put together a folder of useful information. Being our first time using a house sitter this was very helpful. Margo resurrected some of our ailing plants and kept the yard and gardens tidy. I would highly recommend Margo to anyone looking for a house sitter.
Karen - Mallabulla NSW

Margo did an amazing job. Great communication, took perfect care of our animals, and left the house very neat and tidy. Would absolutely use again.
Alex - Berriedale Tas

Margo was fantastic from the first communication. Loved her pre-sit questions as we both knew what to expect from the start. She cared for our place the same way we do and it was a pleasure to come home to. Will have her back any time if we are lucky enough to find her available
Chris - Tinonee NSW

Margo cared for our house and garden and cat during a very difficult period with extreme heat and threat of fire conditions. We could not be more grateful. Our house was a delight to come home too and we would welcome her back any time. Thank you, thank you Margo!
John - Dungog NSW

Margo was a pleasure to communicate with during all phases of the sit. We came home to an immaculately clean and tidy house. It was obvious that Margo is diligent, caring, and responsible. We would not hesitate to recommend Margo to anyone else, or to have her return here.
Christina - Withcott Qld

Dear Margo, Thank you so much for looking after our place so well while we were away. It was such a pleasure to come home to a place looking cared for after being away for 6 weeks, and to walk into a house so clean and welcoming. I really appreciate the weeding and garden work you did while you were here.
We are first time users of a "house sitter", so your helpful notes on what is important for a sitter to know about the place are going to be very useful in the future. We are most appreciative, and would recommend you highly as a house sitter.
Thank you again
Rosslyn and David - Orange, NSW

Hi Margo,
Just a note to thank you for looking after our place so well. It was great to come home to a clean tidy house, & a well cared for garden. The vegies are coming along nicely, particularly as we have had a little rain & warm days. The birds have obviously been spoilt.
I would recommend you as a house sitter & have no hesitation in having you do future house sits here.
Jane - Port Macquarie NSW

Margo was a wonderful house-sitter: regular about reporting in on the chooks and the cat while I was away, and very respectful of my possessions. In fact, when I returned I found the place probably cleaner than it was when I left! Added to this, the cat really liked her (and that's always a plus). A highly reliable sitter, and I'd certainly ask for her services again "
Sara, Medlow Bath, NSW

Margo is very professional in her approach to house sitting. Her pre-sit information made it easy for us to prepare for the sit. We felt completely comfortable throughout our holiday that our cat and our house were in very safe hands and that Margo could competently handle any situation that arose. We will certainly try to get her back when we can take another holiday.
Kent - Southside Qld


Margo did a good job of caring for our home and dog during a week of very hot weather and then very wet weather. everything was in good order when we arrived home. thank you Margo
Noel - Gunnedah NSW

I had many conversations and email communication with Margo but never meet this lovely lady. She managed to provide me with peace of mind whist I was away. received frequent updates and reports. Margo took care of all my pets and respected my house/home. I believe any future home owner who engages Margo would be satisfied with her service. Cheers Cathy
Cathy - Greenmount Qld

We didn't have the opportunity to meet with Margo prior to our ten week house sit, however her references reflected her experience as a house sitter. And they did not disappoint us! It was really easy to communicate with Margo prior and during the house-sit weeks. It was a pleasure to return to our home as it was left very clean and tidy, thank you Margo for a job well done..
Bob - Nanango Qld

Margo was a fantastic house sitter while we were away for 5 weeks. The dogs were so happy and relaxed when we returned (even though they are both highly strung and require a lot of attention!) Margo's exceptional efforts to keep our large garden alive during a major heatwave was evident and very much appreciated as well. And the house was neat and tidy when we arrived home. She also kept in regular contact throughout our trip which gave us great peace of mind that things were all ok at home. We would happily recommend Margo as a house sitter for others in the future and would gladly use her again ourselves. Thanks for all your effort Margo!
Anne - Morpeth NSW

Margo came well credentialled and certainly lived up to these high recommendations. She bonded well with our canine family member and cared for him well. Margo communicated regularly and as agreed upon, and promptly with any extra things that arose. Margo has a clean, green approach and we returned to a gleaming house with weeded lawns and gardens. Well recommended and we will request her services again!
Narelle - Mulgowie Qld

We went for a 3 week holiday trip and left Margo in charge for our house, cat and garden, in the blue mountains , in the middle of a heatwave and fire season . Margo did a wonderful job ( turned out the cat had fleas) she communicated when she was unclear about things and on return the house was clean garden watered ( cat flea free) So thank you very much Margo
Karin - Woodford NSW

I was very happy to have Margo house sit for me recently. When I returned after 6 weeks, the house was clean and tidy, the garden was thriving and my cat was looking very happy and healthy. I think he's still wondering where she's gone! I would be very pleased to have Margo come again or to recommend her to others.
Lorraine - Nambucca Heads

Margo looked after my home & aquaponics for 10 weeks, giving us the chance to travel within Australia. I like that Margo has paper & pen & writes down what needs to be done & how it is done. Then from her notes she does the required job. Great idea. The aquaponics has been up & running since Feb 2016, & with all new endeavors the is a steep learning curve. Margo wasn't daunted by the events that arose, she researched & emailed us. I also like that Margo emailed a report once a week, it is good to hear what is happening while on the road. The house & yard were clean, neat & tidy when we got back. Thanks Margo for your efforts. All the best for your future sits.
Merryl - Jimboomba Qld

It was a pleasure to have Margo house sitting for us and be secure in the knowledge that while we were away she was here looking after our home. How good it was to come home and walk into a lovely clean and tidy home. Thank you Margo.
Ruth - Glamorgan Vale Qld April 2017

Margo did an excellent job for us taking care of our garden through exceptionally hot and dry conditions in February. We were delighted to find our home spotless on our return.
Jan - Tamworth NSW

I was very happy with Margo, who looked after our house, 77 acre property and part Border Collie dog for approximately two and a half months while we were overseas. Margo had to contend with lack of rain, extremely high temperatures 35 to 45 deg at times and three storms which caused sizeable tree branches to break off and need to be cleared away. Margo regularly kept us well informed by email of relevant happenings at home. We were very happy with the condition of the house and surrounds when we returned. We had peace of mind, knowing that there was someone there for security. Our dog looked extremely well-fed and happy when we returned. Even the mail was not overwhelming when we returned. Margo had brought anything that looked urgent to our attention at the time, and 'pruned' the regular requests for donations. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone wanting a conscientious and reliable person to care for their place.
Christine - Calala NSW

Thanks to Margo for looking after our home and cat while we were away for 6 weeks. We had a lot of peace of mind and Margo kept us up to date when needed. We came home to a nice clean home. Highly recommend Margo :)
Kellie - Morwell Vic


We had Margo house sit for us for 5 weeks, from the end of May to the be ginning of July 2016. We have 3 cats and one horse that were well cared for and the house was left clean and tidy. We recommend her to others.
Rosemary - Moruya NSW

We would absolutely recommend Margo to anyone requiring a trustworthy and reliable housesitter while they are away. Margo made sure that our furry friend, Muffin the cat was well loved and cared for just as we would, plus took great care of our chickens. The house was immaculate when we arrived home. Margo arrived to an exceptionally long, hot dry spell, and as a result had a lot of extra work taking care of our rather large garden on 5 acres, including our vegetable garden. She did a fantastic job, and everything looked great when we arrived home. Margo is extremely capable and house owners would be very fortunate to have her sit for them. We hope to convince her to return in the future for another sit!!
Shar - Kootingal NSW

 I highly recommend Margo to house sit, she was amazing. She did everything we asked and made us feel comfortable while we were away. Thanks Belle
Belle - Muswellbrook NSW

Margo was a dream house sitter. The animals absolutely loved her. Our male dog was embarrasingly besotted, and that seldom happens! Margo was very attentive to all their needs and noted even the smallest detail. She is extremely well organised and the house was perfect when we got back. I would highly recommend Margo as a person of quality and care. We would love to see her again!
Tracy - Gloucester NSW

Margo stayed in our home and looked after two very old cats and a dog, as well as chickens and cows. All the animals were happy and contented upon our return and the house had been left clean and tidy. Margo was reliable and I would happily recommend her to any home owners looking for a good sitter
Ann - Coffs Harbour NSW

Thanks Margo for taking our rather challenging sit. Not only did you have to cope with our dog who is petrified of storms and has a tendency to run away but do a crash course in horse care. The wet weather didn't help but you were organised and did a marvellous job and had a good rapport with our agistees. I'm pleased you enjoyed you stay and treated our home as if it were your own, everything lovely and pot plants cared for. We certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend Margo, and thanks again for a job well done. Ann-Maree & Bruce
Bruce - Millers Forest NSW

Margo looked after our house and pets for nearly three months and did an excellent job. She had to look after our gardens, pool, lawns and the dog and cat. It was so good to come home and everything was just as we left it. Everything was clean and tidy, the pets were happy and healthy, and would recommend her to anyone that needed a house and pet sitter. Thank you again Margo for such a wonderful job. Jemma and Jimmy are both well!!!
Wayne Innes Park Qld

We had the pleasure of Margo taking care of my animals and garden for nearly a month.. she is an amazing lady, happy, eager & energetic. She turned my anti- social Cat into a purring blob and my other cat & dog loved her too..(plus 4 Muscovy Ducks) She is neat, tidy and very organised. She's multi-skilled and her willingness to learn anything more is never ending.. We will have her back every time we go away in future if she's not booked out without a worry.. Sincerely, Nancy.. 2015, 2017, 2018.............. Had Margo back twice more and still happy..
Nancy - Coringa Qld

To Whom it may concern, Margo has looked after our home and our cats 4 times now. The organization is always quick and easy with no problems, we used Aussie House Sitters to find her. Margo stayed in our home with our 3 cats, one of which had to be medicated weekly. She took to them easily and genuinely seemed to like them. She also looked after our 2 fish tanks which included cleaning them weekly and feeding them daily. On return our home was spotless and our cats happy and relaxed. I would have no hesitation in recommending her for any house sit she may wish to do, and look forward to her sitting for us again. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me by email or phone. Yours sincere Tina and Mark Foskett
Tina - Hervey Bay Qld

Margo came to look after our home and three crazy cats. She did a great job. The cats were well fed, relaxed and happy, and our home was neat and tidy. It was a pleasure to come home to. We would certainly use Margo again as she did a great job!
Kylie - Corndale NSW

MY BOOKINGS :

2025 (so far):
* Nowra NSW - 5 months to end Sept - cat, lawns, garden
* West Brisbane Qld - 2.5 months, garden, security
* Sydney NSW- 1 week - cat and garden

2024 :
* Rural Victoria - 4 months - acreage, dog, chooks, cockatoo, pool, and a BnB
* Port Stephens, NSW - 6 weeks - suburban, plants, security, mail
* Leeton, NSW - 7 months - in town, plants, mail and security

2023 :
* Rural Brisbane, Qld - 3 months, 10 acres - 3 horses, 3 dogs
* Taree, NSW - 3 acres, fish and watering
* Tasmania, rural, garden care, mail - 2 acres, 6 months

2022 :
* Kyogle, NSW 3 months - 10 acres, rural farm stay, 3 cats, 3 cows
* Rural Brisbane, Qld - 2 months - 3 horses, 3 dogs
* Gympie (non-sit during covid - health/dietary carer, 5 months)
* North Brisbane (during covid - ran a home for homeless women, 5 months)

2021 :
* Noosa hinterland, Qld (2 dogs, 1 horse, 1 cat, 2 chooks) on acreage
* Bundaberg, Qld (1 cat, suburban)
* Gladstone, Qld (pot plants and garden, small acreage)
* Hervey Bay, Qld (2 cats, suburban, repeat sit)
* Toowoomba (fish, gardens, pool, security)

2020 :
* Denman, NSW (1 cat, suburban)
* Leeton/Griffith, NSW (2 dogs, steers, on acreage)
* Thornton, NSW ( 2 indoor cats, suburban)
* Gunnedah, NSW (1 dog, small acreage)
* Taree, NSW (security, 5 months) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
* Inverleigh, Vic (dog, cat, small acreage 6 weeks) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
* Mudgee, NSW (cat, livestock, small acreage) CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

2019 :
* Maitland, NSW (exotic birds)
* Toowoomba, Qld (4 cats, chooks)
* Nanango, Qld (gardening)
* Killarney, Qld (2 cats, chooks, parrots)
* Kempsey, NSW (on acreage - 1 alsatian dog, cows, gardening) - cut short when evacuated out from the fires with my charge
* Hunter Valley, NSW (1 cat and chooks, rural)

2018 :
* Blue Mountains nr Sydney (1 cat, suburban)
* Hervey Bay, Qld (repeat sit, 3 cats, suburban)
* Near Childers, Qld (repeat sit, 2 cats, 4 ducks on 7 acres)
* Near Childers, Qld (4 dogs, sheep, chooks, ducks, horses, hatchlings on acreage)
* Mulgowie near Toowoomba, Qld (1 dog, 65 acres, 4 months)
* Maitland, NSW - 1 cat
* Lorne, NSW, rural acreage, security, watering
* Tamworth, NSW - 1 cat
* Morpeth, NSW - 2 dogs and chooks

2017 :
* Tamworth, NSW (watering esp in heatwaves, 1 dog on 70 acres)
* Tamworth, NSW (gardens only on 3 acres in prolonged heatwave)
* Tamworth, NSW (1 dog, garden, suburban)
* Near Ipswich, Qld (watering and security on 3 acres)
* Jimboomba, Qld (chooks and a fish/vegetable garden aquaponics system on 12 acres)
* Near Childers, Qld (repeat sit, cats, horses and ducks on 7 acres)
* Hervey Bay, Qld (repeat sit, 3 cats, suburban)
* Near Rockhampton, Qld (3 cats, suburban)
* Kingscliff, NSW (1 cat, suburban)
* Tenterfield, NSW (Chooks on 50 acres, off grid)
* Nambucca, NSW (cat and garden)

2016 :
* Near Gloucester, NSW (3 dogs, 7 horses, 1 cat on 35 acres)
* Near Taree, NSW (watering, 32 cows on 120 acres)
* Medlow Bath, NSW (1 cat, 2 chooks, suburban)
* Near Orange, NSW (gardening and watering only on 100 acres)
* Near Tamworth, NSW (watering during drought, 1 cat and 11 chooks on 5 acres)
* Moruya, NSW (3 cats, 1 horse on 5 acres)
* Strathalbyn, S.A. (2 dogs, 3 cats, 3 chooks, suburban)
* Mt Compass, S.A. (3 alpacas, 5 goats, 4 cats, 1 dog, 6 chooks, 6 peacocks, fish on 10 acres)
*Morwell, Vic (1 cat, suburban)

2015 :
* Lismore, NSW (3 cats on 5 acres) - (1st sit - for the director of AHS!)
* Near Childers, Qld (2 cats, 1 dog, 3 ducks on 7 acres)
* Hervey Bay, Qld (3 cats and fish, suburban)
* Near Mackay, Qld (watering, 8 cows, 1 dog, 1 cat on 30 acres)
* Near Raymond Terrace, NSW (6 horses and 1 dog on 30 acres)
* Near Coffs Harbour, NSW (cows, 2 cats, 1 dog, 6 chooks on 106 acres)
* Near Taree, NSW (1 dog, 1 duck, 8 chooks on 1.5 acres)

I look forward to hearing from, and meeting you :-)

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