STAFF

John L. MasonDip.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).

Horticultural consultant, former lecturer at Writtle Horticultural College, 30 years experience in the UK horticulture industry.

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 Brown
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 them three decades.

June Colbert B.A., Dip.Ed., Dip.TESOL, Dip Bus.Mgt, Cert.  June is a well published author and teacher, with extensive experience in childrens writing and community education. She has, amongst 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., Cert.Garden Design, MACA
Gavin has over 18 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. Gavin is now based in the UK, working with ACS and pursuing studies toward a Masters Degree in Psychology.

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.

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 inVictoria) 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 Douglas Dip Animal Husbandry
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.

Dr James Euclid B.Vsc.(Hons), B.VBiol (Hons), PhD.
Dr James Euclid graduated with honours in Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland , Australia in 1985. After 5 years in mixed practise, 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 practise. He has since written two books on veterinary clinical practise and runs his own practise in Melbourne , Australia.

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.

Marius ErasmusB.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. 

 Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Adv.Dip.Hort.
20 years of experience in horticulture, business and journalism.
Adriana has written regularly for a range of publications (including Australia's national Grass Roots Magazine) since the early 1980's.She operated a commercial display herb garden in her previous home, hosting visits regularly for all types of groups. She is developing a similar venture at her new property and continues to be actively involved in writing, tourism and practical gardening; in addition to her work for ACS.

Kate Gibson BSoc.Sc, PostGrad Dip Org
With 4 years experience as a marketing advisor and previous experience as a project manager. Kate has traveled and worked in a variety of locations including: London

Denise Hodges   Adv.Dip.Bus., Dip Clothing Design, Adv.Dip.Naturopathy (part completed)  formerly Promotions Manager 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.' 

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

Bob James Dip.Animal Husb, B.App.Sc., Grad.Dip.Mgt, PDC
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 fields of Horticulture, Agriculture, Environmental Management, Business and professional writing.

Tracey Jones - Academic Officer & Tutor (U.K.)
B.Sc. (Hons) (Psychology), M.Soc.Sc (social work), DipSW (social work), PGCE (Education), PGD (Learning Disability Studies). 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

Ian Kerr Dip.Photog, ABIPP 
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 a first class 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.

Honor McGregor   B.Sc., PG.Dip.Ed.A background working with National Parks (NSW) and in web development with Macquarie University; Honor has also travelled widely, climbed major peaks in the Himalayas and New Zealand; and worked in the employmant industry assisting unemployed moving back to the workforce.

David Mason Dip.Comp.Prog., AACS
15 years experience in the I.T. industry. David has held major positions over the years such as Head Technical Support Analyst for Pacific Access (Yellow & White Pages) Queensland, software and hardware technician for Data#3, S.T.O. and programmer for Coles Myer Ltd, head technician for Corporate Clones (Melbourne) and primary web developer for QLDNET, Technet 2000 and Acenet. David is the IT consultant for ACS, and has his own very successful Web Site Development business.

Jennifer McAnanyB.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. Lynette Morgan B. Hort. Tech., Ph.D. in Horticultural Science
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 Queensland'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.

Yvonne Sharpe  RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne hastravelled 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.  

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. 

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 has a high level of expertise in equine science. She has since spent time in managerial, research and lecturing positions. She also has practical equine experience, and still competes nationally whenever the opportunity arises.

Jane Thompson B. App. Sc. (Natural Systems & Wildlife Management)
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 Wilton  BIPP PQE
Over 25 years experience in professional photography in Australia and the UK.        Over 27 years experience in professional photography in Australia and the UK. Specialising in the Industrial and Commercial areas of the market, where clients were design groups, the UK Government, all aspects of the electrical generating industry, transport, steel production and coal mining.  Extensive experience in the use of all film formats; from 35mm to 4x5” and 8x10”, and also capture and use of digital media, as well as Photoshop, ACR, Lightroom and Bridge for image correction and manipulation.  Kevin has a wealth of lighting experience both in the studio and out on location, in factories, offices, nuclear power stations, location landscapes, industrial landscapes and the like – all of which were lit.  

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 widespreead, 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.