All Courses
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Meet our Writers and Tutors
Staff of ACS Distance Education
THE PRINCIPAL
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 forty 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). In recent years he has had books published on Herbs, Vegetables, Commercial Hydroponics, Cutting Propagation and Sustainable Agriculture. John writes regularly for a number of publications including Australia's Garden Guru newspaper and Landscape Contractor Magazine. |
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Writers and Tutors
Dr Valeria Astorga PhD (Life Sc), B.Biol, Dip. Nutrition
Since graduating from Barcelona University in 1988, Valeria has worked across diverse areas of biological science, from environmental management to landscaping and human nutrition; mostly in Spain, Chile and Australia. She is a distinguished and well published academic, with a unique practical experience. |
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Rosemary Brown B.Business
15 years experience in the stock market, internbational trading and small business. 5 years with ACS, in our Melbourne office administration, and as a tutor and course writer. |
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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. |
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Alison Bundock Ass.Dip.Hort, B.A., Grad.Dip.Hort.
Alison's formal studies were at the University of Western Sydney (Hawkesbury); University of New England (Armidale) and VCAH Burnley, in Victoria.Over 20 years, she has worked as a writer, editor and horticulturist.
She worked for ACS in the late 80's as a tutor and writer both on courses and gardening magazines in the Melbourne office. During the 90's she lived and worked in both New South Wales and Tasmania, in a range of positions ranging from editor for Kangaroo Press, to Technical writer for Australian Paper Mills. She rejoined ACS in 2000, upon moving to far north New South Wales; working as a writer on both courses and the monthly gardening magazine Your Backyard. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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Kate Freeth BSc (Hons) Hort, RHS Gen Exam, Cert Chainsaw tech, Dip.Fashion Design
Former War Graves Horticultural Manager in France, many years of experience as a horticultural consultant, board member of the International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration, Committee member and International representative for the Institute of Horticulture (UK). Widely travelled having worked in horticulture throughout the UK, Europe and the middle east. |
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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
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Shane Holborn Ass.Dip.Hort; Dip.Perm.Design.
With 23 years experience in horticulture and permaculture; Shane offers our students a wealth of practical and down to earth experience. He was one of the first people to become involved in Permaculture (in the late 1970's).
For more than a decade he managed and developed the grounds of Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, the National Trust Owned wildlife park and tourist attraction on the Gold Coast. In the late 90's he established a commercial mushroom farm, built it into a thriving enterprise and then sold it; moving on to take charge of landscaping a new 8 lane freeway development between the Gold Coast and Brisbane.Shane continues to pursue a variety of roles, largely as a consultant, in addition to his work with ACS as a tutor and course counsellor. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Simon Lennard M.Hort.Sc
Over 20 years experience in commercial horticulture and research. Simon has a Bachelors Degree in Horticultural Science and a Masterate in Horticultural Science from Massey University New Zealand |
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Carmen Locke B.App.Sc. (Environmental Resource Mgt), B. App.Sc.(Waste Management) Almost a decade of industry experience in a variety of environmental management and assessment positions.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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Christine Williams BSc (hons), PGCE (Education)
Christine Williams graduated with honours in Environmental Management and is also qualified as a teacher. She has gained relevant experience working in education, hospitality and tourism sectors and now teaches Travel and Tourism and Business Studies related subjects. Christine is currently studying a PhD research programme in 14-19 Vocational Education Studies, where she plans to expand her career in the education sector by working alongside with the government to help to improve issues that are related to 14-19 Vocational Education.
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OFFICE STAFF
Leonie Mason - Administration Director
Melissa Denton - Administration/Student Services
Venessa Bremer -Administration/Student Services
Kerri Smith -Administration |
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