Lynne and Cameron

More information about this house sitter

Cameron and Lynne have just become empty nesters (2023 - 56 years old) and have decided to "reset" by taking a year or two 'freelancing' before any grandkids come along. We are non-smokers!

OUR CAREER BACKGROUND
Cameron and I (Lynne) have had extensive time in the Accommodation and tourism industry, having begun managing resorts at 23 years of age. This role provided us with a rich array of experiences in NSW, QLD & NT. From Keppel Island (Cameron only) to Brampton Island, then up to The Tip of Cape York in early 1990's to Pajinka Wilderness Lodge, living and working in the rainforest, an environment of Crocs, Taipans, King Browns, Death Adders, wild boar and Box Jellyfish to name a few. We moved back to the Gold Coast to have our first child, then took a management couple role in Alice Springs ‘Ross River Homestead’ (outback horse and camel resort), then up to Darwin’s Atrium Hotel. When our son was two we ventured to Norfolk Island for 2 years, Cameron managed the South Pacific Hotel and Colonial Hotel. This led to an offer to Manage the Leichhardt Hotel (110 room), so settled in Rockhampton for 8 years and expanded our family by having 3 more children there.

In 2005, we longed to be back with family and raise our children through their mid-years in the Northern Rivers and in 2009 landed an offer to lease new development and began our own 4.5-star, 43-room accommodation hotel in Byron Bay, which we built up over 7 years to achieve great occupancy and excellent reputation.

In 2012 we ventured into the festival arena and brought to Australia the first Canvas Belle tent glamping pop-up hotel. Applying our hotel experience together with partners, we created an upmarket, comfortable, clean & security-manned tent accommodation. Our hotel popped up at all the major festivals (Splendour in the Grass, Blues Fest & Falls Festival). We also looked after other private events eg. trackside for Porsche at Bathurst and Mercedes's new vehicle launch at Elements in Byron in conjunction with The Farms dining. We pride ourselves on enhancing the ‘guest experience’ and always aimed to add features at each event, that would delight and exceed guests’ expectations.

Having moved on from both businesses, Cameron continues to focus on Tourism, as a well known and respected industry leader, having held a position as ‘Chair of Destination North Coast' (Region spanning from Tweed Heads down to Foster Tuncurry) along with current other board directorships including Byron Bays Indigenous ARAWKAL, and Coffs Harbour Big Banana. Cameron is the Vice president of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail a voluntary position close to his heart and is so proud to see the first sector (Murwillumbah to Crystal Creek) come to fruition and open to the community. Cameron has also worked as a Strengthening Business Advisor for Federal Government from June 2022 to June 2023 and consults through his own brand ‘Regen Tourism’ (found on the web, this site won't allow web addresses which is fair enough)

Over the past 7 years (Lynne) was drawn to the heart-centred ‘support sector’, completing two years of training, and achieving a Graduate Diploma in Family and Relationship Counselling. For two years I gained experience as a voluntary Telephone Crisis Supporter for Lifeline whilst also returning to university to work through a Bachelor of Social Welfare which I'm 3/4 way through and have paused for time out). This was mainly due to difficulties managing full-time employment in a large Disability Support Organisation. I was offered a responsible role as a 7-day-on 7-day-off Overnight support worker alongside the shift supervisor, assisting our residents (‘customers’) to gain skills in living as independently as possible in their own homes which was very rewarding.
I now work independently as a private support worker a few days a week in tandem with a contract role for 3 days per week, in the Business Concierge Team (an administration/support role). The Business Hub which is located at Southern Cross University was set up to support flood-impacted businesses in Lismore & surrounds by Business NSW and partners.

LIFESTYLE & HOBBIES
Having lived the past 18 years in Northern Rivers NSW, we have sampled it all, choosing to live by the sea in Kingscliff, on the canals in Pottsville, out on 12 acres in Billinudgel, on the hillside of Terranora and most recently in Bilambil Heights with breathtaking views of Terranora lake. We love adventuring outdoors, walking in and admiring nature, being in the water, swimming, paddle boarding, and exercising (gym or yoga to maintain strength at this stage of life). We love rising with the sun and ending with sunset gazing!

WHY DO WE WANT TO PET SIT
We’ve had pets everywhere we’ve been, from two horses, two guinea pigs, a rabbit, two ducks, and two border collies. Our animals have always integrated closely into our lives and are cared for affectionately, as they belong in our family pack. Even our duck slept alongside our dog. One of our horses would stand outside our kitchen window watching us curiously, wishing he could come inside. We have always looked out for our neighbours and happily been their pet minding service when they go on holidays. We’ve embraced our neighbourhood pets as extensions of our family and often taken them on our regular daily walks 'just because', enjoying their little unique personalities.
Since our last child left in March 2023, we decided to combat any chance of feeling ‘the void’ (as most empty nesters forwarn), and decided to become minimalists, sell almost everything we owned and become HOME & PET carers for a few years. During the Covid lockdown and isolation period, my youngest daughter (in her HSC year), joined Cameron in renovating a Mercedes Sprinter van as a sideline to study. Together they stripped out 11 seats & a wheelchair lift and beautifully created a comfortable Joy on wheels! Since we love the singer Vance Joy we nick-named it VANSJOY! So in between house sits we’ll continue to venture in our van, off-grid or in parks, whilst doing the work we love.
Hopefully, this 'novel-size' description above helps to give you a sense of us. We welcome a chat over the phone if you have any further questions. Read more...