STAFF

John L. Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Sup'n Cert., FIOH, FPLA, MAIH, MACHPER, MASA
Mr Mason has had over 35 years experience in the fields of Horticulture, Recreation, Education and Journalism. He has extensive experience both as a public servant, and as a small business owner. He has held positions ranging from Director of Parks and Recreation (City of Essendon) to magazine editor.
John is a well respected member of many professional associations, and author of over thirty five books and of over two thousand magazine articles. Even today, John continues to write books for various publishers including Simon and Shuster, and Landlinks Press (CSIRO Publishing).

Miriam ter Borg B.Sc., DipRem.Massage, Cert Ourdoor Rec.

Previously Outdoor Pursuits Instructor, Youth Worker, Surfing Collage Program Coordinator, Massage Therapist, Business Owner/Manager.

Maggi is regarded as an expert in organic growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association. She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more than three decades.

Author and teacher with extensive experience in childrens writing and community education. June has, among other things, published two childrens novels with Lothian/Time Warner Books. She also has an extensive background in writing tenders, contracts, quality procedures and other technical documentation. June was contract manager for 10 years in Network Design and Construct at Telstra, and a quality auditor.

Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., M. Psych. Cert.Garden Design, MACA
Gavin has over 20 years of industry experience in Psychology, Landscaping, Publishing and Education. He was operations manager for a highly reputable British Landscape firm (The Chelsea Gardener) before starting up his own firm. He spent the best part of three years working in our Gold Coast office, partly as a writer for Your Backyard (gardening magazine), and partly as a tutor in both psychology and horticulture.

Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management

In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification

She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work. 

John Edwards BA(Hons) Photography, BSc (Hons) Env.Mgt, PGCE

25 years industry experience in Photography and Environmental Management/Water services. John is today a professional photographer, with a particular interest in fine art photography. Recent projects have included travelling to and photographing deserted gulag towns in Siberia.

Rosemary Davies  Dip Hort Sc.

Originally from Melbourne, Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Burnley, a campus of Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer, taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer.

She then studied Education and Training, teaching TAFE apprentices and developing curriculum for TAFE, before taking up an offer as a full time columnist with the Herald and Weekly Times and its magazine department after a number of years as columnist with the Age. She has worked for a number of companies in writing and publications, PR community education and management and has led several tours to Europe.

In 1999 Rosemary was BPW Bendigo Business Woman of the Year and is one of the founders and the Patron, of the Friends of the Bendigo Botanic gardens. She has completed her 6^th book this year and is working on concepts for several others.

Peter has over 40 years of experience in Agriculture and resources management. He is a former lecturer with the University of Queensland (Gatton), and manager of Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. He also established and managed the wildlife park for Dreamworld, one of Australia's largest theme parks. Peter has both wide ranging experience in farming and wildlife management, and continues to apply that knowledge both through his work with ACS, and helping his adult children who have pursued careers of their own in similar areas.

Marius Erasmus B.Sc.Agric., B.Sc.(Wildlife), M.Sc.Agric.
Subsequent to completing a BSc (Agric) degree in animal science, he completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South Africa in wildlife management, dairy, beef and poultry farming.

Dr James Euclid graduated with honours in Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland, Australia in 1985. After 5 years in mixed practice, he undertook a PhD in Veterinary Parasitology at James Cook University in Queensland. Upon completion, he tutored at the University of Melbourne. After a year, he returned to general practice. He has since written two books on veterinary clinical practice and runs his own practice in Melbourne, Australia.

Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care., Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert 1V Assessment and Training., Adv.Dip.Hort.
Adriana has over 25 years of experience in horticulture and organic growing, business, project management and writing. She has worked extensively in the nursery and garden design industry, as a TAFE teacher and in community education. She also operated a display herb garden at her home for students interested in herb identification and propagation. She also worked as a project manager for Community Jobs Programs - developing public parks and gardens. Adriana has written regularly for a range of publications (including Australia's national Grass Roots Magazine) since the early 1980's. She continues to be actively involved in writing, gardening and organic growing - in addition to her work for ACS as tutor, course counsellor and course writer.

Rosalie Hofman H Dip Ed (Wits); F Dip. In Education (Computer Science); Cert. IV in Workplace Assessment and Training.
Rosalie has 20 years experience in various subjects and fields in several countries. She has also been the National Examiner for Business Economics for the Independent Examination Board for 2 years.

Denise Hodges   Adv.Dip.Bus., Dip Clothing Design, Adv.Dip.Naturopathy (completing)  Formerly Promotions Manager for ABC retail, Fitness Programmer/Instructor, Small Business Owner, Marketing Coordinator (Laserpoint).   
After trying out a number of career directions, Denise studied Marketing, and honed her skills by working in promotions for the ABC for 10 years. However, Naturopathy studies have allowed her to share and further indulge her real passion, which lies in health and fitness. Denise continues to enjoy learning and sharing her interests with others.

Bob has 40 years experience in industry, having held a wide variety of senior positions in both government and private enterprise.

Bob's experience and knowledge is diverse, encompassing the fields of Horticulture, Agriculture, Environmental Management, Business and Professional Writing.

Tracey has around 15 years experience within the psychology and social work field, particularly working with people with learning disabilities. She is also qualified as a teacher and now teaches psychology and social work related subjects.

She is a book reviewer for the British Journal of Social Work. Tracey has also written a text book on Psychology and has had several short stories published.

Freelance photographer based in Coventry (UK). Photographer of the year in 1982 for Commercial Sector within Midlands Region of UK from BIPP. Recently was awarded 3 merits in the architectural Sector within Midlands Region of UK from BIPP.

Karen Lee  BSc. Hons (Biological Sciences), Postgraduate Diploma Nutrition and Dietetics

Karen graduated with first class honours degree in Biological Sciences from Lancaster University and subsequently completed a Postgraduate diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics from Leeds Metropolitan University. Karen is a registered dietitian with over 10 years of experience of working in the NHS. Karen has undertaken a number of research projects and has lectured to undergraduate university students.

Jennifer McAnany B.HSc (Nursing), B.Naturopathy
We are very pleased to welcome Jennifer to our team of Academics. Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge to ACS. A Registered Nurse with 15 years experience to her name, Jennifer is also a registered Naturopath, specialising in Herbal Medicine. She is also a member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS). Jennifer has a special interest in children’s health.

Dr Morgan has a broad expertise in horticulture and crop production, and a keen appreciation of the global scene. She travels widely as a partner in Suntec Horticultural Consultants, and has clients in central America, the USA, Caribbean, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. Gareth Pearce BSc(Hons), BVSc, MA, MVetS, PhD, GradCertEd(HE), PGCertAqVetS, PGCertWLBio&Cons, DiplECPHM, MRCVS.  Gareth has over 25 years of experience in teaching and research in agriculture, veterinary medicine, wildlife ecology and conservation in a variety of colleges and universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon at the Universities of Melbourne and Bristol, having previously graduated in Agricultural Science and gained a PhD in Livestock Behaviour and Production. He also has post-graduate qualifications in Education, Wildlife Conservation Medicine, Aquatic Veterinary Studies and Wildlife Biology & Conservation.

Jade Pollock B.Sc.Biol, Dip.Professional Education, Cert Food Hygiene
Former Business Coordinator, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Secondary School teacher (Biology); Administrator (Recruitment), Senior Supervisor (Youth Welfare).

Lyn Quirk M.Prof.Ed.; Adv.Dip.Compl.Med (Naturopathy); Adv.Dip.Sports Therapy

Lyn has 25 years of experience in the Fitness, Health and Leisure Industries. She has a string of qualifications that are far too long to list here; being qualified and registered to teach, coach or instruct a wide range of different sports and other skills.

Lyn established and managed Health clubs at three major five star resorts on Australia's Gold Coast, including The Marriot. She was a department head for a large government vocational college (TAFE), and has conducted her own aquafitness business for many years. Lyn has amongst her other commitments worked as a tutor for ACS for almost 10 years, and over that time, participated in the development or upgrading of most courses in her fields of expertise. 

Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne has travelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades.

Anna Sylvester B.Sc.Hons.(Human Biology), M.Sc.Equine

Anna graduated with a degree in Human Biology from Loughborough University and then went on to complete an MSc in Equine Science at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and this is where her speciality lies. She has since spent time in managerial, research and lecturing positions within the equine field. She also has practical equine experience, and still competes nationally whenever the opportunity arises.

Rachel Syers B.Journalism

Rachel has worked as a newspaper journalist for the past 15 years, in a range of roles from sub-editor and social columnist to news reporter, covering rounds such as education, health, council, music, television, court, police, Aboriginal and Islander affairs, and agriculture.

Her current role is Fashion Editor, features writer and features sub-editor with The Gold Coast Bulletin. She has co-authored a successful biography "Roma: From Prison to Paradise" about former prisoner-of-war turned yoga guru, Roma Blair, as well as freelanced as a writer, reviewer and researcher for Australian music and celebrity magazines such as WHO Weekly, Rave, Australasian Post and New Idea. Rachel has tutored for ACS for the past 10 years.

Jane Thompson B.App.Sc (Natural Systems & Wildlife Management), Grad Dip. Education

With 12 years experience working in the field of wildlife conservation and management, Jane has expertise in planning for wildlife, habitat mapping, and fauna surveying. Jane has also prepared many reports and co-authored papers on wildlife conservation for conferences and publication.

Karin von Behrens - M. Arts and Media, Grad Cert Communication and PR, Hons. Screen Studies and B. Creative Arts.

Karin has an extensive background in Creative Arts and Media including animation, film production, radio, journalism, visual arts and creative writing. Having attended six different universities, Karin has a diverse knowledge of the arts both nationally and internationally and has spent a number of years travelling the globe. Her undergraduate degree included a year of exchange studies at the University of California Santa Cruz. Karin has worked on feature films, short films, festivals and spent four years with the City of Sydney Council doing everything from teaching creative writing to the elderly to event management and administration.

Kevin Wong Cert PC Assembly, B.Info.Tech.
Eight years experience in the IT industry in Mauritius and Australia working in IT support, programming and customer service.

Dr Mark L. Berman

Dr Berman is a psychological consultant who operates out of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Prior to that he was on the faculty of The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Washington for a number of years.

He has been a member of the American Psychological Association for thirty two years, and the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology for nearly twenty six years. Dr. Berman has served as a Contributing Editor to Educational Technology, as a Field Reader for the U.S. Office of Education, and as a Manuscript Reviewer for Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, as well as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. His professional interests and experiences are widespread, and include comprehensive psychotherapy, evaluations of persons from ages four through ninety, and personal energy management. His fifth book is due for publication this coming Spring, and he has more than sixty articles, invited chapters, etc.

Cheryl Wilson B.Sc.(Hons), HND Horse Mgt, C&G Teaching Cert

20 years experience in agriculture, equine and animal industries.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE STAFF

Leonie Mason - Administration Director

Elaine Wilson - Administration/Student Services
Kerri Smith - Administration/Student Services

Natalie Irving