The Erda Institute Inc faculty is a dynamic team of experiened permaculture practitioners representing a diverse range of experience and skills operating within a Bioregional Campus to integrate the vocational training with community education, in and beyond the classroom.

 

FACULTY MEMBERS

Meet the core team of Erda Institute's APT trainers at Djanbung Gardens.........

 

 

Robyn Francis

 

Award-winning international permaculture pioneer, designer, educator, presenter and innovator, Erda Institute’s principal tutor draws on 25 years of permaculture work throughout Australia and overseas. Robyn was founding director Permaculture International Ltd (PIL) in 1987, Permaculture Eduation 1989, designer and creator of Djanbung Gardens permaculture living Learn-scape. Robyn was a member of the National Reference Group which developed the Accredited Permaculture Training™ (APT) and continues to play an important role in the national introduction and administration of APT for Permaulture International Ltd.

Since completing her PDC in 1983, Robyn Francis has worked in Australia, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Cuba, Malaysia and USA on diverse projects including domestic and public edible landscapes, ecological restoration, landuse planning, urban & rural ecovillage design, regional & social planning, community development & facilitation, with government and corporate clients, NGO’s, community groups, indigenous communities and private clients.

Robyn has taught over 100 PDC’s, over 70 advanced courses, 5 years of full-time APT training plus countless workshops, making her one of permaculture's most experienced educators and trainers.

Qualifications: Diploma of Permaculture(APT/AQF), Cert IV in Training and Assessment, Cert IV AWT, APT-ATR, Permaculture Institute Dip Perm Des. Further info & Robyn's Bio...

Janelle Schafer

Permaculture teacher & practitioner, with a background in fine arts and horticulture, Janelle has been teaching at Djanbung Gardens for over 10 years. Janelle key teaching areas include APT Cert III, Organic Integrated Pest & Weed Management, food forests, orchards, permaculture water systems, design for fire and natural disaster, Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S). Janelle has served as a director for Permaculture International and is currently on the Perma Fund Committee and Erda Institute's treasurer and administration manager.

Qualifications include: PDC, Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, APT-COW, APT-ATR, St John's Cross First Aid Certificate, Horticulture Certificate

Carla Tipping

Permaculture practitioner, design consultant and community development activist, Carla walks her talk on a small rural property near Lismore and is a key player in setting up the Rainbow Region Community Farms initiative in Lismore. Carla is a founding member of Erda Institute Inc. Carla teaches part of the rural and urban design modules, client communications, community development and organisation, and animal systems.

Qualifications: Certificate IV in Permaculture, Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, PDC, APT-COW.

Peter Hardwick

Permaculturist and authority on restoration ecology, bushfoods and indigenous cultural ecology/ethnobotany, Peter established the first specialist bushfoods nursery in the 1980's. Peter consults and teaches bushfoods and retoration ecology. Peter also teaches charcoal making and basic smithing on his handbuilt portable forge.

Qualifications: PDC, Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, APT-COW plus horticultural studies.

Giseppe (Jingles) Taccori

Jingles brings over 30 years experience in building and landscaping into the team, including working with earthbrick, timber, rock work and a wide range of traditional and alternative materials. An avid gardener, handy-man and jack of all trades, Jingles also does lighting and installations for events and is passionate about the environment and healthy living. Active in the local community, Climate Action Group, Bushfire Brigade and community radio, Jingles hosts a regular program on Nim FM. Jingles teaches and supervises hands-on skills training in building, landscaping and practical project work.

Qualifications: PDC (1997), Assessor & Workplace Training Cert IV, St John's Cross First Aid Certificate, Crew Leader Nimbin Fire Brigade, Breathing Apparatus Certificate

Robert Rosen B.E.c

Robert is a former Director & Treasurer of the Australian Bush Heritage Fund, Chair of the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW and National Secretary of the Australian Green Party. He has a background in public accounting and real estate and was one of the pioneers of the ethical investment industry in Australia. Robert has worked with Robyn Francis since the mid 1980's in the founding of Permaculture International Ltd, Earthbank Society and is a founding member of Erda Institute Inc. Robert is an advisor to Erda Institute and specialist tutor in community legal structures, ethical enterprise and business management for Cert IV and Diploma courses.

Michelle Taylor

Permaculture and Conversation and Land Management educator, Michelle is building a healthy and sustainable home with her husband and two children at Jarlanbah Permaculture Hamlet, Nimbin. Prior to joining the team at Djanbung Gardens, Michelle taught Organic Horticulture programs for Grovely TAFE (Brisbane), at primary schools and community gardens with parents and volunteers learning how to establish and maintain sustainable productive garden systems. Michelle also adapted the program for participants with disabilities to complete the course.
Since the early 2000's Michelle worked at Northey Street City Farm (Brisbane), initially as a volunteer in the nursery and gardens and later as tour guide and educational tutor.  She has been involved in Beelarong Community Farm and Alexandra Hills Community Garden in Brisbane, and with the Australian City Farm & Community Garden Network (ACFCGN) at a national and state level, assisting with three state conferences in Queensland.  In 2006 Michelle established an organic garden at Cleveland State School (Qld) with funding from a Healthy Schools Grant.  Currently she is assisting in the writing of the new SEMP for Tuntable Falls Primary School.

Qualifications:  Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, PDC, Implemented Sustainable Horticulture Practices, Cert III in Conservation and Land Management, Cert III in Office Administration, Certificate of Governess/Tutor Practices, Senior First Aid, and completion of general horticulture and landscaping subjects.

Julia DesBrosses  guest tutor

Lisa Talbot - Special guest tutor PDC Jun-Jul 2009

Lisa Talbot, environmental educator, permaculture teacher and design consultant, is Co-chair of Permaculture in New Zealand (PiNZ), founder of Conscious – Sustainable Living by Design and Community Garden coordinator for Whanganui Regional Primary Health.  Over the past 2 years Lisa has taught permaculture in New Zealand, Australia and Vietnam, and developed the 'The Lawn Liberation' and 'Grow Your Groceries' courses. Her permaculture teachers were the late Joe Polaischer and very living Trish Allen of Rainbow Valley Farm, Matakana, New Zealand, where she teaches and caters for the PDC’s held there. Known locally as the ‘Worm Lady’, Lisa lives in an intentional community in Aotearoa, New Zealand, is mother of two teenage daughters, an avid gardener, cook and enthusiast of all things Permaculture - especially Gaudian architecture and earth building.