Mark Austin

Hello house owners..
Let me ask you a quick question.

Is the security of your precious dwelling and the well being of your beloved pets of great importance to you? And the answer is simple. Of course it is.

Hi, I'm Mark Austin, and I specialize in taking excellent professional care of your valuable abode and much loved pets, especially high end properties in premium locations.

My promise is this:
-to keep your home clean and protected,
- to keep your pets safe and well,
-to give them food, water, lots of love, walks, pats and whatever treats or medications you suggest
-to maintain whatever routine and regimen you have outlined
-to stay in regular communication with you about your pets and home.
-to water any indoor or outdoor plants you have nominated
-ideally to leave your place in the same or better condition than when you left.

I love both dogs and cats and their welfare is of great importance to me.

My main focus areas are Sydney's Northern Beaches, the Central and South Coast, and I have been servicing houses and pets for the last 10 years.

If you want your house kept secure, and your pets safe during your absence so you have peace of mind while away, then I have done that numerous times for other clients and I can deliver exactly that for you too..

My confidence comes from my experience house sitting over 70 properties and sitting pets over 100 times,

For your information I am double vaxed with a booster, have a clean police record., am police checked and security cleared to work in schools and Federal and State elections.

Also I am a mature, responsible, non smoking, no drug taking, reliable person who is polite and considerate of your neighbours and those around me.

I have a very reliable car and am in excellent health, and have a positive outlook on life.

Currently I am researching and writing so I would be home a good deal of the time.

My working life has been in service professions such as hospitality, education, retail and government.

In hospitality I have been an assistant restaurant manager, venue supervisor, bar manager. My career has taken me to working in the private homes of Alan Bond, Rose Hancock and David Lowy of Westfield, as well as serving John Howard, Paul Keating and captains of industry.

After that I have lived in Canberra for 22 years, working in government departments such as The Royal Australian Mint, The Australian Electoral Commission and Elections ACT.

I have worked in both government and Catholic school systems in the ACT as well as being the assistant manager and weekend manager of a 'House' kitchenware retail franchise store for 12 years and a store manager for 12 months.

Much of my later working life has found me gravitating to positions of responsibility and trust and I offer you this same attitude as a house and pet owner .

Professionalism:
* Successfully completed over 100 house sits to date
* All pets have been maintained in a happy and healthy condition
* On many occasions I have been entrusted with multi-million dollar homes, such as my third last sit at Berry which has just sold for over $2 million(Endorsed)
* All homes have been left in an equal and mostly better state than they were left in.
* Recently a dog breeder in Mount Hutton Newcastle paid for my travel costs to look after her 10 Springer Spaniels show dogs worth $3,000 each and an Air BnB flat.
* Last year another dog breeder in Scone also paid for my travel costs to look after his 4 prize Siberian Huskies
* An Adelaide couple paid half my airfare to Adelaide to care for their beloved Springer Spaniel because of the quality of my references compared to other applicants
* In 2015 was chosen for a 5 week house sit in Noosa where I managed the bookings, cleaning, reception and handover for an Air BnB flat attached to the owners' house (ref attached)


Career responsibilities:
* In Sydney managed a National Trust building as a wedding venue in Kings Cross for 4 years
* Supervised functions in the NSW Art Gallery, Sydney Maritime Museum and Queen Victoria building so aware of upkeep and security of prestige buildings
* Boardroom waiter for prestigious Sydney clients like BHP
* Have served Prince Charles, John Howard, Paul Keating and Kerry Packer at functions
* Was assistant manager and manager of 2 kitchen shops in Canberra(House & Sauvage Urbain) over the last 12 years, responsible for cash, banking, security, stock ordering and store safety so I am tidy, honest, responsible, and aware of interiors and their upkeep.

Also I have attached a house sitting checklist to help capture the important details that make a housesit successful and worry free.

Of course I would arrive early just to make sure the handover is smooth and efficient to reduce any stress on your pets so you know they are in good hands before you leave.

My references support this.

Security and Police checks:
A) I hold a current "Working with Vulnerable People's Card" (modern equivalent of a police check)
B) Worked in ACT & NSW Public and Catholic school systems at Primary and Secondary level for 8 years as a Teacher's Assistant, also giving workshops on writing and storytelling at 140 schools.
C) Security cleared to work at Sydney Olympics, 2000.
D) Worked at the Royal Australian Mint and needed a mid-level Public Service security clearance
E) Have been security cleared to work in the 2016 ACT and Federal Elections, 2022 Federal Election, 2019 &2013 NSW State and local council elections, 2017 New England by election, the 2018 & November 2022 Victorian state elections
F) Security cleared to work as an examination supervisor for Monash University November 2018

Please be aware that all the security checks listed above have been demanded and conducted by recognised Australian Government security organisations such as the Australian Federal Police, which are mandatory to work in schools, and government institutions such as The Royal Australian Mint, The Australian Electoral Commission and Elections ACT. They cover a history of almost 20 years.

References:
This site will direct you to my profile with photos of animals I have sat. Also if you click on the blue box next to the photos, there is a video reference available of a sit involving 2 dogs, 2 cats and a fish tank which I did on 4 separate occasions.

At present I have 33 endorsements with a few more in the offing. There are still a few sitters who I am following up, so expect to see this number change as I request more.

Also I was on the 'Trusted House Sitters' site up till Covid 19 arrived, and 18 house owners have given me '5 star' reviews with 2 more pending.

My last 15 sits in the last 12 months are as follows:
November 11 - 26, 2023
Newport, Sydney
Repeat sit for Mara & Graeme & Cara at their luxury 2 storey residence.

October 12 - November 10, 2023
Sussex Inlet, NSW South Coast
Caring for modern house, 9 year old Malamute Suzie, and Ragdoll cat Stormy. Walking Suzie and driving her to the beach for walks.

September 6 - October 12
The Arbour, Berry - Over 55's independent living village
Caring for 2 small dogs, Lexie and Sophie

August 16 - September 5, 2023
Newport, Sydney
Looking after a luxury house on Pittwater with 3 year old Golden Retriever Sylvester-Walking, feeding and driving to the local dog park.

August 7 - 20, 2023 (See May 2-5 & Feb 5- March 11 this year)
Newport, Sydney
14 day repeat sit for Cara the German Shepherd

August 2-7
Newport, Sydney - 7 day repeat sit for a 2 year old chocolate Lab 'Ziggy'

May 10 - June 11, 2023
Woy Woy, Central Coast - One month sit for near waterfront modern house with pool and Lucy the dog. Over 50 pot plants to care for.

May 2-5, 2023
Newport, Sydney - 4 day repeat sit for Mara and Graeme and their German Shepherd Cara in 2 storey luxury house with pool.

April 26-29, 2023
Jaspers Brush, Berry - 4 day sit for Lynne, Kevin and Rosie the cattledog and 2 chooks. Repeat sit. (Reviewed)

April 15 - 25, 2023
Kiama - 10 day sit for 2 cats. Garden care (Backdated to May)
Reviewed)

April 1-10, 2023
Randwick, Sydney - 10 day sit for 2 cats in 1 bedroom unit in Randwick (Reviewed)

Feb 5 -March 11, 2023
Newport Sydney - 5 week sit for a 4 bedroom house & pool, and a 5 year old German Shepherd(medications administered with meals, pool cleaned, nbn box replaced after storm surge and handyman found & supervised to replace door with broken hinges) (Reviewed)

January 7-21, 2023
Narrabeen - 3 bedroom house with 13 mth old Labrador- intensive dog training as a strong puller, daily drives to Mona Vale Dog park, repaired front gate that was broken. (Reviewed)

December 23-30
Bronte - 8 day sit for Ziggy, a dingo Cross for family friends - short walks as dog very anxious of other dogs

December 10 - 20, 2022
Macmasters Beach - Second repeat sit for Mac, a 5 year old Maltese X Shitzu (twice daily beach walks) (See August 2022 review)

December 6-10, 2022
Wamberal, Central Coast - third repeat sit of a 7 year old Border Collie, daily beach walks and some pool cleaning (Reviewed)

Nov 12 -14, 2022
O'Connor ACT - Weekend sit for 12 month Sharpei and 3 legged Golden retriever - daily dog park visits in my car (Review)

October / November 2022
Macgregor ACT - 3 week sit for American Staffy
Daily walks, paid gardening
(Word of mouth repeat sit #2)

October, 2022
Cromer Sydney - 3 weeks sit for 3 cats - feeding and litter changes every 3 days, did extra cleaning inside and out of the house (Reviewed)

September, 2022
Newport Sydney - 3 week sit for a 2 year old chocolate Labrador (twice daily drive and walks at local dog park & surrounds) Family friends (Word of mouth-repeat sit #2)

August-September, 2022
Macmasters Beach - 5 week sit for Mac, a 5 year old Maltese X Shitzu( some gardening and on site for renovations and driveway concreting) (twice daily beach and surrounds walks) Reviewed)

July, 2022
Shelly Beach - 9 day sit for Harry, 10 year old Cocker Spaniel & a cat. (twice daily walks) (Reviewed)

June, 2022
Wright ACT - 10 day sit for a Beagle Cross Staffy named Lucky (twice daily walks) Reviewed-see bottom of my review for them)

June, 2022
Lisarow Central Coast - 5 day sit of Jack Russell Monty (walks in local State Forest) Reviewed)

March,& April, 2022,
Wamberal - 2 separate sits for Chips, a Border Collie cross (Pool clean and twice daily walks to beach and surrounds

2021
8 separate sits which can be itemised at a later date.

I did very few sits during Covid 19 for obvious reasons.

Last 20 Pre Covid Housesits: (TH= From Trusted House Sitters site, AH= From Aussie House Sitters site)

(December 23-January 4, 2020) : Viscount Close, Shelly Beach, NSW Central Coast- 15 day sit for 3 cocker spaniels (AH-Graeme & Cath Tiernan-3rd repeat sit)

No sits in 2019 due to a hip injury and subsequent hip replacement operation that went very well.

December 2018-Jan 2019
-(Dec 28- January 2): Attunga St Charlestown, NSW - 4 day sit for German Shepherd "Lucky" (TH)

-(December 13-28, 2018) : Viscount Close, Shelly Beach, NSW Central Coast- 15 day sit for 3 cocker spaniels (AH-Graeme & Cath Tiernan)
-(December 8-13, 2018) - Fisherman's Parade Daley's Point-5 day house sit for a friend- no pets

October/November 2018
-(November 21-30) - Park St South Melbourne: 10 day sit for a lovely Groodle called Tessa(TH)
-(October 14 - November 6) - Erskine Ave, Cheltenham : 3 week sit for 2 Beagles(1 X Jack Russell Cross) -(TH-Frank-5 star review)
-(October 1 -10) -Hansens Road, Tumbi Umbi(Central Coast) : 10 day sit for 2 German Shepherds(TH-Chantelle-5 star review)

August/September 2018
- (Sept 19 - Sep 30) - Juncia Close Charlestown (Newcastle) : 12 day sit for 1 Groodle, 2 Burmese cats - (Endorsed AH-Kate)
- (August 22 - Sept 16) - Cole Street, North Brighton: 24 day sit with young German Shepherd in a Federation style house (TH-Sue-5 star review)

June / July 2018
- (July21-31) - Leopold St, Glen Iris: 10 day sit for 2 cats ( TH-Jacqui-5 star review)
- (July 11-July 20) - Were St, Brighton. Melbourne: 10 day sit with an older dog and very large house with tennis court and extensive garden. This is my 3rd sit for Jim (TH- see May, June 2018 for 2 previous sits)
- (June 27 - July 11) - David Street Hampton: 10 day sit for a King Charles Cavalier spaniel, a cat and a rabbit in a modern 2 bedroom house (Trusted Housesitters)
- (June 23-27) - Frankston: Modern House with 2 Siamese cats -(TH-Ross-5 star review)
- (June 8-12) - Brighton: Large older style mansion with 1 elderly dog & tennis court - 2nd repeat sit

May 2018:
- ( May 10 - June 4) - Brighton: Large older style mansion with 1 elderly dog & tennis court (TH- Fran and Jim)

April 2018:
(Apr 13-27) Kiama: Modern 3 bedroom luxury home on Kendall's Beach. No pets (AH-Endorsed-Adele)
(Apr 16-21) Gerringong: 2 dogs, 1 cat, 100 chooks on 20 acre farm for 5 days (AH-Endorsed-Vanessa)
(Apr 10-12) Berry: 2 dogs and 2 cats for 2 nights-Classic renovated home that sold for area price high (AH-endorsed- Andrew)
(March 30-Apr 3) Newcastle: 10 Springer Spaniels-show dogs worth $3,000 each and an Air BnB flat for 6 days (Pending-Owner doing house reno and another dog birthing at present)
2018 March:
Canberra: weekend sit for 2 food hungry Beagles and affectionate cat (TH-5 star review-Sue)
Canberra: Holt- Ragdoll cat for 6 days (6 x Repeat Sits- attached Ref #4- Trish Roberson)
Melbourne: 6 day standard Poodle sit in Wantirna in early March (TH-5 star review-Glenis)

2018 February:
Wollongong: mid-February- a 14 day Ragdoll cat sit (AH-endorsed- Peter)
Narooma: 5 day cat sit with delightful affectionate male Burmese cat (written reference)

2018 January:
Avoca Beach: across Australia Day-4 day sit for 2 dogs (TH-5 star review-Ian)
Mittagong: Early January-10 days on 5 acres for a dog, 4 chooks and a large garden (AH-3 x Repeat Sit-ref attached below-Caroline Walters)

2017 December:
December 26-Jan 2) - Wollongong: over New Year for 7 days with 3 dogs till January 2 (Endorsed Lisa & Quinn)
Kiama Downs: one week sit at for a dog and a lovely cat till Xmas (endorsed - Mike)
Adelaide: 9 day sit with a lively non desexed male English Springer TH=4 star review-Rebekah)

2017 November:
Scone for 4 days caring for 4 Siberian Huskie show dogs (AH-Endorsed-Craig)
Daylesford: Victoria for 4 days with 3 cats, a large herb and vegetable garden. (TH-5 star review-Marie Louise)

Naturally you would like to meet. That will depend on where I am sitting. If closeby we can arrange to meet at a time suitable to you when I arrive. Otherwise I am happy to talk on Whats App, Skype or whatever platform you are comfortable with.

As for your pets, I have sat cats or dogs on over 60 occasions and enjoy their loving nature and playful disposition. So I'm really happy to be around them and will give them the love and attention they deserve.

More previous sits:
October 2017
Lillian Rock for 8 chooks and a garden on 15 acres for 12 days (endorsed-Sally)
Eltham: 7 days for a Staffy and 6 head of cattle (endorsed-Rhonda & Peter)

September 2017:
Brisbane: 4 day sit for 2 beagles in Moggill (endorsed-Emma)
Brisbane: 4 day sit for 1 beagle, a maltese and a cat in Murrarie (Pending)
Brisbane: 4 day sit for 1 staffy,1 sheltie in Clayfield (endorsed-Tanya and Steve)

August 2017:
Wamberal, NSW Central Coast: 1 dog sit at for 3 weeks (endorsed- Fay Cooper)
Umina, NSW Central Coast: one week 2 dog sit-2 Japanese Spitz (Pending)


July 2017
Canberra: 2 King Charles Cavaliers for 10 day in Kambah(TH-external review-Irina)
Sydney: 7 day cat sit for Thomas at Mona Vale (endorsed-Karen)

June 2017:
Copacabana, NSW Central Coast: 1 English Pointer for 5 weeks

May 2017:
Canberra: 3 week sit in for 2 daschunds in Weston ACT (Pending)

April 2017:
Sydney: 3 day cat sit at over Easter '17 at Tamarama, near Bondi (Pending)

October 2016:
Copacabana, Central Coast NSW: 3 day cat sit at Copacabana Beach (endorsed-Judy)

September 2016:
Canberra: 4 week sit for 2 energetic spoodles in Deakin ACT (attached Ref-Eileen Chappell)
Canberra: weekend sit for 2 energetic spoodles in Deakin ACT (attached Ref-Eileen Chappell)

Hopefully I have piqued your interest before you become inundated with replies. If interested to know more please reply here or call.

All the best in finding your best "Aussie House Sitter'.

Mark

------------ MARK AUSTIN HOUSESITTING REFERENCES -----------

SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCE # 1 (Personal)
5 April 2017

Cherie
Delittle Circuit
Greenway ACT 2902

To Whom It May Concern,
House sitting reference for Mark

I have known Mark for approximately 2 years both socially and professionally. Recently from March 20 -27 I engaged Mark to house sit for me, which also involves taking care of my much loved Hugh (little dog) and Latte (cat).

Marks attitude towards the security, cleanliness of my home and the care of my two pets, has proved Mark to be a caring and responsible house sitter.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Mark as a suitable person to housesit and care for your animals and property. In the time that I have known Mark, he has proved to be honest, genuine and personable.

Yours sincerely

Cherie (phone number available on request)
___________________________________________________________________________

SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCE # 2 (Personal)

25 March 2017

To whom it my concern
I, Eileen of Deakin, ACT 2600, am providing a written reference for Mark.

I have known Mark many years and have found Mark to be genuine, trustworthy and caring.

More recently, Mark house sat for me in Canberra and stayed at my beach home looking after very expensive and irreplaceable fine arts, and furniture. Mark has always treated my homes with the upmost respect and left them in immaculate condition. In fact often in better condition than I left them myself.

Mark, further, cared for my two 3 year Spoodles (dogs) and spent many hours training them to behave which was a wonderful benefit stemming from Mark house and pet sitting.

Mark also walked my dogs frequently, took them to the park, groomed them and provided fantastic care for them.

I have no hesitation recommending Mark to care for somebody's home and / or pets.

Should you require any further details please don't hesitate to contact me (phone number available on request)

Regards

Eileen

SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCE # 3 (Aussie House Sitters)

Note: I have done this sit 3 times-the first time with my partner Carol-the second and third times alone in Jan 2017, and Jan 2018. They had added a dog as a pet the last 2 times I sat alone.

Mittagong NSW 2575

Friday 8th January 2016

To whom it may concern,

I am delighted to be able to provide a reference for Mark and Carol who looked after our family home for a week in January 2016.

From what I observed Mark and Carol were extremely honest, reliable and clean. They were very prompt and organised and easy to liaise with and they looked after our large 5 acre family home including 1 bunny and 6 chooks and did this with ease. The house was left in immaculate condition and all the animals were fed and watered and very happy!

I have no hesitation in recommending them as a wonderful house sit couple and am more than happy to provide further information if required.

Regards

Caroline (phone number available on request)
________________________________________________________
SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCE # 4 (Personal and work)
I have done this sit 6 times, including March/April 2018

8 May 2013

House Minding Reference for Mark
Dear Householders,
If you are considering Mark as a house minding prospect I can recommend him highly.
He has taken care of my house and looked after my 2 precious pussy cats, Grace and Pudda quite a few times. In the course of my business I have gone away on short trips for 2-3 days to Trade Fairs and longer holidays overseas for up to 14 days. Mark has house sat and cat minded on for me on many of these occasions.
Whenever I come back my two fur children are well fed, combed and the house is often in a better state than when I left it. He has even paid bills for me while I was away.
I have also employed Mark for over 12 years and trust him with money, possessions, cars and valuables. In that area he is very trustworthy and reliable.
Please do not hesitate to contact me on the above numbers if you have any further questions.
Yours sincerely

Patricia
Former Franchisee of House Belconnen, owner of Whisk Kitchenware-Belconnen, Woden
_________________________________________________________

SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCE # 5 (Personal)
Did this weekend sit twice and was paid $50 a day

13 March 2016

Recommendation: House care by Mark and Carol

From: Camille

My pet care provider recommended Mark and Carol, as she was unavailable for the dates I required. I have a small dog and 2 cats and I prefer to have them cared for in my home when I am away. Mark and Carol visited prior to the dates I needed and I knew immediately that I had the right people as they ensured we thoroughly discussed the household schedule.

Upon my return I was impressed that not only had my little ones been cared for but my house as well - all was clean and tidy. While away, Mark did notify me that all was going well.

It is my pleasure to recommend Mark and Carol for house and pet care services.

Sincerely,

Camille
Forde, ACT
___________________________________________________________
SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCE # 6 (Aussie House Sitters)
I did most of this sit on my own-my ex-partner Carol came for 2 weeks

7th September 2015
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Mark house-sat for us for five weeks in July/August 2015. We had had a large number of responses and chose carefully as our needs were complex. Besides the house and veggie garden, we needed someone to take care of our holiday apartment, which included liaising with guests both by email and onsite during one of our peak seasons.

When we came back the property looked and felt as though we had never been away, except that the bathroom was cleaner than before. The veggie garden had flourished, including some very young seedlings. Mark was impeccably attentive each day to email enquiries for the rental property, and his ability to deal with people showed in the satisfaction expressed by guests who stayed, as well as his well-worded emails. While we were away Mark gave us regular reports by text and email, and checked in about anything that he wasn't sure about.

I recommend Mark for his communication skills, reliability, initiative, honesty and the respect with which he lives in other people's spaces.

Jean