Grew up next door to the beautiful Royal National Park, Sydney. My interest in horses led me to Hawkesbury Agricultural College where I studied Agriculture/Horticulture, completing my Diploma. Before I studied Horticulture I didn't even know that Eucalypts flowered. Eventually, one of my hobbies was to name all the native species of the National Park that was outside my door. I was also introduced to organic growing and Permaculture, and like Geoff says, once you know about Permaculture, it is life changing and there is no going back. This was the early 80's
I came to Wagga Wagga to do a Dip Ed and have been here since. I have lived on a conventional broad acre sheep/wheat farm for 27yrs, raised 4 kids, poddy lambs, poddy calves, propagated and sold herbs and worked part-time as a high school/Tafe teacher. I managed the 10acres around the house in a very sustainable manner, using Permaculture principles. As well as establishing native grasses for grazing, large wind breaks and a treelot from self propagated seeds, I produced all my organic fruit and veggies and more. I was able to modify a very unproductive, exposed piece of land into an inviting haven for people and native wildlife.
My current place of residence is a small urban block that is being converted into a productive and sustainable place to live. I completed a Cert IV in Permaculture where I focussed on Urban Permaculture and in the same year had a wonderful WWoofing experience in the US. I now have a PDC and Permaculture teacher training certificate. I want to teach Permaculture and eventually be useful as a designer. I have booked a spot with the Community College to present an Intro to Permaculture and am designing a friends yard for starters. I've always tried to pass on this information to others but now I want it to reach more people, more quickly.
I have added a number of water collecting and redirecting methods on my property that has significantly reduced my water needs.
Certificate IV in Permaculture |
Type: Other |
Verifying teacher: National Environment Centre, Thurgoona |
Other Teachers: Sue Brunskill |
Location: Albury |
Date: Jan 2012 |
PDC Teacher Training Course |
Type: Teacher Training |
Teacher: Geoff Lawton |
Location: PRI, Zaytuna Farm, The Channon |
Date: Aug 2013 |
Online Permaculture Design Certificate |
Type: Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course |
Teacher: Geoff Lawton |
Location: Permaculture Research Institute, NSW Australia |
Date: May 2013 |