Jessica Perini – from the Permaculture Australia education team – is combining local and refugee learners in a new model of online learning. She hopes to create long-distance connections, funding for refugee projects, and lasting memories and opportunities for all.
Elijah and I have been friends for a while now.
Together we do yoga sessions over Zoom, even though he’s in Nakivale, among the largest refugee camps in the world, and even though his internet is … well, rubbish … But we laugh over tree pose, and the constant internet dropouts. Laughter is the ultimate remedy.
Having worked with refugees remotely since COVID, I’ve come to understand that connection is among the most important things for people like Elijah.
I know this because around 4 pm Sydney time I am inundated with messages that tell me East Africa is waking up. ‘Hey Jess, how you going?’ ‘Hi big sis.’ ‘Hi Mum.’ Followed by copious photos of mulching, worms, and food forests flourishing. Mostly from refugees in settlements in Uganda, and Kenya. My group, Permaculture Partners, has built these connections since the pandemic through numerous workshops. Generally covering the topics most requested by refugees. (Maggot farming being one of the most popular – go figure!)
This is just my observation as an outsider, but having contact with the outside world seems to sustain these refugees. And when it comes to permaculture, this also means hope.
What does all this have to do with mushrooms?
A few months ago, I was running a training session for Elijah’s group (Biogreen) on the three most important soil properties – physical, chemical, and biological. Their main question (apart from ‘What do you mean “chemicals”? Aren’t chemicals bad?’ – translating English to Swahili is fraught!) was ‘When can we learn about mushrooms?’
A 15-minute discussion on soils quickly turned into a one-and-a-half-hour Q and A about the best types of mushrooms, whether refugee farmers would be able to grow them, how quickly they grew and how much they’d have to spend to get the business going. From these people who had little experience with mushroom farming, the fascination was palpable.
Many conversations ensued. Elijah went on a mission to the nearest big local town, Mbarara, 42 kilometres away. I’d found trainers there, but the cost was many thousands of dollars, so we looked at alternatives.
Knowing of his love and knowledge of mushrooms, I asked Nick Ritar of Milkwood if he would volunteer to teach a two-hour introductory session online.
Having worked with Milkwood on and off since I did their Permaculture Design Certificate in 2010, and having completed their excellent Home Mushroom Cultivation Course, I was delighted when they said they’d help. The workshop was set for 1 June.
The model I’ve developed over the years is simple. Put on two-hour training for local Australian audiences and refugees in camps concurrently; charge the locals, and the refugees attend for free. The locals finance materials for the refugees. Everyone gets to mingle and connect. People grow more food. Beautiful connections are made.
As we sold tickets to the June 1 event, I sent the funds to Elijah. Mushroom supplies were hard to come by in Mbarara, so he had to go further afield – to the capital of Uganda, Kampala. This involved numerous buses and boda bodas (motorbike taxis with whole families precariously perched on them, and, sometimes, astounding amounts of furniture).*
Working his way through the markets and squares, Elijah found the materials he needed. Grain spawn, alcohol for cleaning, gloves, gypsum … all the bits and pieces he would be hard-pressed to find in the refugee camp.
Together we workshopped a few ideas and adapted them.
Finding clean water and materials to burn in a refugee camp can be challenging. Boiling water was going to be a problem. So we explored steeping the substrate in cold water overnight.
For a time we couldn’t locate hydrated lime, so we considered using wood ash to raise the water’s pH. Although it doesn’t have all the same properties and functions as hydrated lime, it was a good alternative – provided Elijah’s group could get the pH to around 12 or 13.
They just needed pH strips … Another hurdle! We needed low-tech solutions. Think, think! Red cabbage water! Did they have red cabbage? Yes! A workshop for another day.
When the June 1 workshop rolled around, Elijah and his team had found everything they needed; it had been a Herculean feat. But we still had the dodgy internet to contend with.
The various refugee groups would be gathered – around 15 people per group – projecting the computer screen onto their walls, and we had no way of knowing whether the internet would hold up. If it rained, or if someone sneezed strangely … goodbye workshop. We met a few days pre-workshop to run through the process. Worst case scenario, Elijah could show them all the materials and play back the recorded session later.
On June 1, the refugees and locals came online to hear Nick speak. The participants from Uganda were thrown off the call by their weak connections, so we stumbled around for solutions. I considered WhatsApping, beaming my screen to them through two platforms. But eventually, the internet picked up, and most people hopped back in.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the session, and we were so thankful for Nick’s help and guidance. He answered a barrage of questions and has continued helping us over the last month.
Since then, Elijah and I have been growing our mushrooms in tandem. Mine have bloomed, but Biogreen’s first attempt has been patchy, the Nakivale team struggling with conditions in the camp. The heat, combined with the tin roof of the mushroom growing house, is not ideal. The new plan is to purpose-build a structure, with a leafy roof to mitigate the extreme heat. Maybe low-tech air con. More workshopping to come.
As the mushrooms reach the fruiting stage, the team will also have to contend with theft due to starvation. In a similar situation in Kakuma camp, my refugee friends have had to create a separate garden, with strong fences and 24-hour guards to protect their harvests.
Fair share is well and good when you’re not starving. But when you’re surrounded by a mounting refugee population, and your United Nations Food Program rations have gone down to a paltry $5 a month, or 1.5 kilos of flour, who can blame anyone for stealing food?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the problems faced by refugee communities like Elijah’s. I’ve sat on this story for almost a month, trying to think of the perfect way forward.
But yesterday, I saw a photo of Elijah. As much as he smiles and jokes, his limbs all twisted into Eagle pose, and rushes about on these crazy quests, and tries to grow mushrooms in non-ideal conditions, he’s still skinny as.
Still disconnected from the bounties we enjoy here. Still struggling.
We can’t wait for the perfect answer to these big issues. Nor can we stumble at all the hurdles.
Elijah and his team have started a second batch of mushrooms, learning from their issues the first time around.
And we’re pressing ahead with small solutions. We have $100 left from the workshop sales, which is enough for transport, food, and 3-days of business and mushroom-growing training for Elijah in Kampala. After that, he’ll be equipped to teach his Nakivale group and the villagers beyond.
They’ll still need close and ongoing support from someone who’s not 11,000 kilometres away.
In the last month, we’ve met several people who are growing mushrooms not far from Nakivale. Some are even preparing their own spawn, despite the limitations of an African setting. A few have very kindly offered to come to Nakivale and help the farmers establish a mushroom-growing enterprise. We just need to set the farmers up with a few basics and they’ll be on their way.
So the plan is: get Elijah to Kampala. When he comes back, at some stage ask a kind individual or group with experience to come and help them get set up. Create a secure building, well suited to mushroom growing. Buy some materials. Milkwood has very kindly offered scholarships in its online mushroom-growing course – ongoing education is key.
Two days into the new grow, Elijah texts me: ‘I have good news.’ I’m on a call with someone else, so I can’t answer. ‘I have good news!’ That exclamation is a good amount of energy from Elijah. I have to check-in. When I get him on a video call, his eyes are shining. The second batch of mushrooms is growing! I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy.
We’d like to give our heartfelt thanks to Nick and Kirsten from Milkwood for giving us their time, knowledge and patience as we work our way through this process. We’d also like to thank everyone who came along on 1 June and donated to this wonderful venture, and the countless individuals who help conduct workshops, and give their time and experience free of charge to help refugees in these camps. A big shout out to BioGreen and all the groups that attended on the day. Individuals such as Elijah volunteer for such groups purely for the benefit of their communities, and we are inspired by their persistence, grace in the face of extreme difficulty, and big smiles when things go well.
If you’d like to help us set up a group of 25 farmers with a secure building and enough spawn to get them cracking in mushroom growing you can donate here.
*Photo of boda boda used with permission courtesy of Elizabeth Fekonia, from her June 2023 permaculture workshop tour of Kenya and Uganda. Thanks to Elijah and BioGreen for the workshop photos.
Permaculture South Australia hosted an incredible three-day event celebrating permaculture, sustainability and urban food movements from across Australia. Featuring inspiring keynote speakers, workshops, stalls, hands-on activities and more, it was a weekend of learning, connecting and sharing. Held at the beautiful Mount Barker Waldorf School, at Yaktunga / Mount Barker in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills and with the autumn sun shining, it was an APC for the memory books.
22nd to the 24th April, 2023
With special thanks to the incredible team at Permaculture South Australia and all their amazing volunteers, who put in months (years even!) of energy, hard work and passion to create a wonderful event that will be celebrated for years!
Click on the photos to make them larger and save your favorites!
When the last minute cancellation of the Permaculture Australia AGM was announced by the board, a quick decision was made to not lose the opportunity for a gathering of great minds in creating a vision of the future.
Graciously facilitated by Meg McGowan, the 40 plus in the room and 10 online were given the following framing
Human organisations in the dominant culture have traditionally been dendritic (top down). Permaculture Australia also adopted this model but by default it is not the only pattern. If we are to redesign the organisation we need good questions.
What do indigenous patterns teach us?
What would nature do?
If Permaculture was a forest, what role would Permaculture Australia play in that ecosystem, perhaps it would be the soil, sun and rain creating the environment that supports the healthy growth of permaculture?
Perhaps it would be the mycelium,connecting the various life forms that rely upon it for connection. But what about animals, birds and insects?
No clear answers emerge because organisational design is a wicked problem.
We know the current pattern no longer serves us and we do not yet know what the new pattern will look like, so we need to establish a clear collective vision and join together in heading in that direction.
Fortunately we have joint stewardship of a powerful model for redesign - permaculture.
Set alongside client interviews, visioning planning, implementing, learning and then proceeding around and around the design spiral - learn - dream - plan - do - repeat
We will not find answers today but we might evolve great questions
What does the Earth need?
How might we contribute to that?
How might we design in a capacity to evolve and adapt?
And how do we incorporate the ethics and principles of permaculture not as a design overlay but as a base map.
Activation Question
It's 5 years from now and Permaculture Australia is the world's best example of permaculture ethics and principles? What does this look like?
In the interest of keeping as true to the discussion as possible, the dot points below are grouped in their working groups. They may not read clearly and smoothly as they are a bit of a visioning, mind dump process. Points have just been cleared up for content and clarity.
The zoom recording is available if you would like to view it please contact hello@permacultureaustralia.org.au
These are the responses from the group work
Million dollar charitable organisation
All Permaculture organisations in Australia being members of PA
Public liability insurance for members of PA to run tours etc at their site
Register of sites around Australia - similar to what the UK has done
Peak body of research that is communicated to the World
PA is recognised as a leader of land restoration and climate action and recovery and emergency response
Permaculture units are core in a variety of diverse qualifications
Permaculture is taught in 90% of schools
PA funds international permaculture projects being a philanthropic organisation
PA has a strong marketing and PR campaign group to get the message out to the rest of the World, Australia and into the Mainstream
Active permaculture media that documents all the wonderful things we are doing around Australia
It has a position as the peak body within Australia and other industries and is consulted and our voice is included in national matters and decisions that affect all of us
It is known as a functional organisation that attracted the best and broad talents within the Permaculture community
It's a driver in offering formative permaculture education and that the educators are accredited using peer review model to help set standards within permaculture teaching and training and helps maintain those standards
Recognise and interact with indigenous communities and learn from them and work together
Sociocracy
PA building connections - collaboration with state permaculture organisations in a meaningful way
Lobbying for planet and for people
Professional partnerships with other sustainable organisations and also great relationships with international bodies
A PA that is inclusive - so actively and meaningfully supporting inclusivity projects
Having a first nations advisory team
Actively promoting diversity
Permaculture translation support for people applying for grants and funding but also for educational materials
And standing against white supremacy actively
Education - helping people to get the certificate 4 training and assessment by running it as a national body a couple of times of year
Being a hub for information so that is Youtube - ebooks, educational resources
Helping with professional development
PA is very well organised so that it doesn’t burn through people. It adds to people's livelihoods and adds to the fun in their daily lives
It uses sociocracy and that leads to an inclusivity and empowerment of people and transparency
Scrum mentioned as another way to organise ourselves in groups
Strong marketing PR group -paid, which ensures PA is relevant
An active Permaculture media
PA has a position as a peak body, is consulted and has a voice in important matters.
It is known as a functional organisation that attracts effective and best talent
PA has a strong presence
PA is a driver and offers formative permaculture education.
PDC educators accreditation using a peer review model
Recognize and integrate with indigenous community
PA delivers effective communication
Giving out $500,000 of micro grants annually
Fund projects around the globe and in Australia
Implement school gardens across the country
Upside down pyramid - at the top local permaculture groups - connected to the regional - PA at the bottom
Being a voice on global and national issues and handing out solutions from our wealth of knowledge within the movement
Write the solutions and slip them on the desk in Canberra and let them grab it and take it forward
Stand with other groups and voices
Coordinate permaculture education - teaching permaculture training that doesn’t have to go through a separate university - university of permaculture
Effective communication between the smaller groups and the larger groups
Connecting the smaller groups up via membership
Free membership if you are member of your local organisation you are automatically a member of PA
A heart group doing the nurturing the well being of the whole
Enabling not controlling
Inclusive
Filled with opportunities and really well funded
Place specific and connected with first nations cultures
First nations advisory team
Connected through the biosphere regions and connected with state and national organisations
Permies want to join
Representative
Regenerative and supportive
People are proud to belong to it
Everyone has a voice
Resources rich in information that is widely shared with everyone and highly accessible
Cost not being a barrier as well
How to be well funded though - have to work that through
Organisational structure made up of circles and links interconnected and decentralised
But also well connected outside the permie community
Being able to engage in lobbying role in local state and national government as well as the education sector and business sector but that nodes are still relatively autonomous
Structures in place that help build and are represented by past present and emerging leaders through meetings like we have right now - but maybe other structures similar as well
And that we have diverse representation that is really inclusive
Elder recognition and allowing space for exhalation for our elders and
Succession planning
Terms of PA board 2 years or 3 and 3 that swap so that there is not a full change over
Fair representation for youth
Structures where there are interlinked in groups
Sociocracy
Talk about things like the taurus where pressure in the change is welcomed as a pathway toward flourishing
figure of 8 infinity symbol to do with the ecological succession modelling because theories of change we need to welcome as well as well as theories of solidity
Fairness - farmers market funding young farmers as a model that PA could use to fund
Resource to new people to run courses and make scholarship through Permafund to help get those things up and running
Needs based - organisation supports each of the directors of PA checks in on where it meets their needs to be there and how it can so they don’t burn out so easy
And what are the needs of PA directors and board so that they get care as well
Peak body
Political influence and an advisory role
Representation of not only the states but also by Bio regions
Overlays and connecting in many different ways
Education from School through to university and research beyond that
Peer reviewed journal / magazines
Not top down
Indigenous voices connections and leadership
Have moved past the white fragility stage
At our core we are a safe place and our ethics of care are paramount in everything we do
Not aligned with narrow philosophical beliefs
We have an international presence
Website is an amazing online resource that is like our organisation, it is inviting and inspirational and respected
Not like a one stop permaculture warehouse but more of a social forest ecosystem where you can go for a walk in the forest and come out with something that you need and you might not know that you needed
The body for Permaculture Australia, being involved in Politics
Representing all of Australia at a governmental level
Advocacy role to represent our views to decision makers, from refugees to agriculture implementation would require ramping up communication,
Increased visibility of PA
Permaculture is a grassroots effort from the soil to the top of the atmosphere, a peak body would have to keep this in mind to be sure to be heard
PA could collects points of communication from the whole country, from grassroots people
PA could have a larger role as a hub in regards to all states
Connection between states, has been some discussion over the years to look at joint memberships as an example
Committee associations to connect with PA board
Growth, reason to be a member. Accreditation, how to make people aware of events in their area
Discounted books and online workshops and in person lectures
Education at a tertiary level could be our approach to keep younger generations engaged
Permaculture Australia is the peak body that represents all Permaculture groups at a federal and state level, integrated in education at all levels including tertiary education. PA connects with all state and territory community organisations to build deeper connections for our aims. Our biggest opportunity will remain in the future generations that we leave this earth to by assisting them to use our knowledge through the challenges we face through climate change.
PA is a peak body that embodies the space, operating as a beacon and is very aware of what it does do and what it doesn’t do
It has a lot more members and the reason it has a lot more members is because it offers great value to its members - in the form of insurance, resources, particularly for new people entering the permie world. Pathways so that goes to training, mentorship
research - international as well, looking at what other organisations around the world offer
Courses
Advocacy
Global ecological design - basemap of australia working with indigenous people to do a base map of australia
Trusted form of leadership
With a stronger focus on fair share the sense is that we need more assistance from PA in that area and a non competitive model of economics
Diversity - one person in the group wanted centralisation others want decentralisation
Offering multiple levels of access
PA also provides fantastic support to local groups to begin and lots of resources to begin local permaculture groups if they don't have one locally
To read more about our fantasic nominees, simply click on the arrows under their names.
The Permaculture Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on Sunday 28th May 2023, 4pm AESTvia Zoom.
Online voting will OPEN at 7am Friday 26th May and will close when the 2022 board roles are declared vacant by the Returning Officer – Item 8 on the Agenda
For more detailed information about the AGM - CLICK HERE
Toad Dell - Renominating
Permaculture background
Co-founder of PermaQueer and Permaculture educator
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
A focus on uplifting the diverse forms permaculture is practiced and also the diverse people practicing it. I'm deeply passionate about social permaculture and designing social systems and processes that move in equitable ways towards a just, regenerative future. Currently I'm sitting on the board and hoping to continue the work I've started.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
PDC
Linda Woodrow
Permaculture background
Linda is an Permaculture icon in Australia and internationally. Her 1996 book "The Permaculture Home Garden" introduced Permaculture to innumerable homes, and her recent novel "470" has offered an extraordinarily prescient analysis of the impacts of climate change. Her blog, the Witches Kitchen, reflects her decades of experience as a fully engaged, practicing permie: https://witcheskitchen.com.au/
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
Linda's decades of experience in the Permaculture movement in Australia means she brings a deep historical perspective to the board. Her 40 years of living ethically and sustainably, her experience of teaching Permaculture in the VET system, her wise and gentle approach to the world all enhance her capacity to provide guidance and direction to Permaculture Australia. Her engagement, ,through her writing, with recent and current crises (climate change; pandemic) demonstrate Linda's capacity to offer clarity and vision to PA's mission for the future.
Linda has had forty years experience as a company director in an intentional community, including several terms as secretary and as treasurer. She is well experienced in the legal, accountability, and ethical aspects of governance, and has developed and run a course on "Good Meetings" for community organisations.
Linda also has experience in overseas aid, as part of the Green Team in Cuba during the Special Period.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
PDC
Diploma TAE, and Master of Arts (Humanities & Media)
Naomi Amber
Permaculture background
Raised on a self-sustainable farm and continue to live according to permaculture principles. Taught permaculture in secondary schools. Currently on the Permaculture Australia Education Team.
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
In addition to above answer, I have been on committees in the past, including holding the role of secretary. I have excellent organisational, communication and IT skills.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
PDC - Limestone Permaculture (2021) Permaculture Teacher Training - Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute (2022) Also have an Honours Degree in Forestry and a Diploma of Education.
Greta Carroll
Permaculture background
I have lived and worked on Permaculture farms since 2017, started running courses with Permaculture for Refugees and Permaculture College Australia in 2019. Board member for PA in 2020. Currently still teaching PDCs and TOTs in Australia and Internationally.
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
I bring prior knowledge of PA, having previously sat on the board as Board Member and Permafund Liason. I believe I have good communication skills and a desire to see PA develop into a responsive, inclusive, leadership body for the Permaculture Community.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
PDC, Ian Trew 2017
John McKenzie
Permaculture background
* Supported many Permaculture initiatives and events in and around Melbourne including the start up of the Down’s community project in Frankston, an environment project, community garden and market garden. * Member of Permaculture Victoria since 1990’s including terms on the committee * Member of the Permafund Team. A founding member of the current Permafund team and proud of it’s 11 years of project grants and team solidarity. One of the three people on the team who are registered with the Federal Dept of the Environment as the ‘Responsible Persons“ for PA’s Deductible Gift Recipient Fund, * Member of Permaculture Australia (PIL) since 2010 including terms on the Board. * Many years working with NGO’s in the overseas aid sector. Supported many projects using Permacultural approaches.
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
I have experience of PA on the Board and with the Permafund team and I see substantial capacity for both PA and Permafund to grow.. I am nominated for the Board by Permaculture Victoria. They are keen to support PA to take the next steps in formation to adopt a governance structure that is representative of the many permaculture groups around Australia. They are keen to see PA grow in it’s capacity to be a voice promoting Permacultural responses to social and environmental issues. I am seconded in the nomination by the Permafund Team. Permafund is a major productive team in PA and this year is seeking two seats out of the seven available. The Permafund team seeks two seats on the Board to complete the REO compliance repairs and to support the work of moving PA to stronger representative governance as a Peak Body. The Permafund nominees are myself as the hand seeking a final term and Felix Liebelt the new member seeking to step up to the role.
More specifically the work I hope to do if elected: * Maintain PA’s DGR compliance Last year I wrote a 10 page report on gaps in PA’s DGR compliance and how they could be fixed. These were issues that had emerged from PA’s constitution, accounts and annual reporting. We are 80% through the fixing and the remaining 20% is still to be done.
* Increased collaboration between PA teams, staff, volunteers and Board More connection within PA’s operations and more open decision-making will improve risk management and better connection with the experience and knowledge of the volunteers, staff and teams.
* A governance structure for PA that provides representational connection with the many Permaculture groups around Australia. I understand this is the final step needed in the formation of PA. It is a big idea and needs a working group to consider options on how it gets done. A working group open to delegates and submissions from the various groups around Australia.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
PDC with Vries Gravestein & Terry White, Latrobe Uni, Vic 1992 Advanced Permaculture Course with David Holmgren Hepburn 2010 BSc, Monash U 1976, Dip Ed Melbourne U 1989
Felix Leibelt
Permaculture Background
PDC with John Champagne of Brogo Permaculture Gardens 2017 and second PDC with Aaron Sorenson and Dan Deighton of Elemental Permaculture Port Kembla. 2022 Permaculture Teacher Training with Rosemary Morrow and Brenna Q. Supported living classroom projects in the illawarra and Shoalhaven. Supported Permaculture intro with John Champagne and Aaron Sorenson. Started a Permaculture design and landscaping business in 2017- to present(Geco Gardens ) .Member of the Permafund Team.
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
I have experience in working with the Permafund team for nearly 2 years now and I see immense potential for both PA and Permafund to grow. I am nominated for the Board by John Champagne. John is keen to encourage me to support PA to be representative of Permafund’s work and the next generation of Permaculture professionals and teachers stepping up in shaping the future for Permaculture Australia. My nomination is also seconded by the Permafund Team. Permafund as a major productive team in PA and is seeking two seats on the 2022-3 Board out of the seven available. I am the other nomination that Permafund makes, I am Felix Leibelt seeking to step up as Permafund Liaison Officer and learning the role on the board alongside very experienced John Mc Kenzie. My aims for the year are :
- Assisting Meg in the renewal of Permafund’s Online presence and sharing of the stories of the grant recipients and lessons learnt. - Network with other Environmental Charities to help PA work towards being recognised as a valid voice in environmental and social issues in Australia and abroad. - Limiting my workload on the board to being the Liaison person for the Permafund team, reporting back to the Permafund Committee and vice versa.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
Grew up in the 90's flipping through the illustrations of Permaculture One and the Designer's Manual on the kitchen table at our off-grid home in South-West WA, whilst surrounded by chickens, worm farms and a composting dunny.
After completing my Cert III & Teacher Training with Robyn Francis in 2012, dove into co-teaching a couple of Intro to PC courses and a PDC in Fremantle, WA before embarking on a different kind of permaculture educational/advocacy journey with the inception of the 'Permaculture Ukulele Project' (which became the band, Formidable Vegetable).
Toured for 7 years, promoting permaculture ethics/principles and connecting people who had never heard the word before with local projects & courses in over 20 countries.
Moved to Melliodora Hepburn Permaculture in 2020 and assisted David & Su with marketing & promotion of the publishing business.
In 2021, moved to Peace St Permaculture Community in WA, where we trained in & implemented Sociocracy as a governance framework and currently working with community members on co-designing a permaculture hub for the Great Southern region.
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
Passionate about connecting people and ideas. Excited to work with younger permies on innovative, new pathways, while honouring the 40+ years of knowledge in the movement. Keen to do outreach and advocacy to increase the diversity & range of skills, backgrounds and experience in the permaculture movement.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
Cert III in Permaculture + Advanced Design & Teacher Training with Robyn Francis at Permaculture College Australia, Djanbung Gardens, NSW (2011), Teacher Training with Rosemary Morrow, Brenna Quinlan & Greta Carroll at Fair Harvest, WA (2022)
Jesus (Alex) AGUILAR HERNANDEZ
Permaculture background
PDC and 1/3 owner of a permaculture farm in Djab Wurrung / Woi Wurrung country
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
I could bore you by saying I'm a queer immigrant, a professional marketer, an IT engineer or something along those lines. I didn't know I would be nominating before coming to convergence. This event has reminded me that when I think of permaculture, I think of energetic, colourful and empowered people changing the world, changing the conversations we're having. I think it's paramount that PA mirrors that same passion and energy, looking at where to go next. I want to be part of that.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
PDC - Fall in love with the world while fixing it - Delldint Fleming - 2021
Graham King
Permaculture background
I have for decades followed an environmental ethical path. I had heard of permaculture decades ago, but only in the last 6 or 7 years have I actively engaged in practicing and acquiring permaculture detailed knowledge specifically. I quickly came to realise "I have known this all along". I now teach permaculture PDC with my wife Meg McGowan, we are known as Permacoach. I am currently the Treasurer and Public Officer for Permaculture Central Coast.
What would you/they bring to PA and the board? Skills, knowledge, experience etc
from conversations at the Convergence, it was my understanding that a new Treasurer is sought within the board. I have since come to know that there is currently a treasurer in Donna Morawiak, we have communicated and she seems keen to transfer that role.
In the case that Donna is indeed comfortable to hand over the role of treasurer, I have decided I will nominate to become a board member, specifically to execute that position.
Brief History.
Employment. I have had a 4 decade career in the Information Technology industry. Now retired. My roles were broadly in the area of enterprise level computer operating systems management and security, particularly mainframe systems programming and midrange unix systems, and consequent data centre management. for most of that time I was typically the team leader/manager for a small group of highly skilled systems specialists. The latter part of my career comprised a decade in the Cybersecurity division of a global IT services provider. Amongst other roles, I managed a large operations team of security specialists for some years, providing cyber security services for a broad range of clients, including federal government departments and major corporations of the finance and primary resources industries. For much of those 4 decades, I have been primarily responsible for the ongoing operation, security and reliability of large scale enterprise computer systems.
Appropriate Treasurer skills. From 2010-2021 I was a volunteer bush fire fighter with my local NSW Rural Fire Service brigade. I achieved the qualification of Crew Leader and consequently Deputy Captain within the brigade. I took on many roles (secretary, president, IT guru) and for the 5 years to April 2021, I was treasurer for the brigade. This required high level of scrutiny, reporting and Audit, and I am very familiar with the requirements of DGR. The brigade operated with a consistent balance of $35K-40K, with an annual turnover of $8-10K. I medically retired form the RFS in 2021.
Since Nov 2020, I have been the treasurer for Permaculture Central Coast. PCC operates with a balance of around $8K, and annual turnover of around $4-5K.
Other things. I enjoy teaching Ethics to my local primary school. I am an excellent bass guitarist, and compose.
I understand I need to seek nominations from other members. My wife Meg McGowan is also a member, and I have included her details in this form for now. However I will ask publicly in any PA members will also nominate me, and forward their details to hello@PA.
If my nomination is acceptable, please advise and I will seek the nod from others.
Qualifications (Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate or VET Permaculture Cert III or higher)
PDC (Holmgren 2019) and Advanced PDC (Permacoach/McGowan 2020)
This year, vocational training in permaculture turns 20. Affectionately known as APT (Accredited Permaculture Training), these courses have been part of Nationally Recognised Training since Permaculture Australia registered an accredited course with Queensland Training in July 2003.
Since then APT has had its ups and downs, and a huge amount of work has been done (largely by volunteers) to bring us to now. In February 2023, the newly reviewed and updated components (units of competency, qualifications and skill sets) were published on the training.gov.au website.
APT falls under what is known as Vocational Education and Training in Australia, meaning that the qualifications and skill sets have met certain standards under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) which means that a Certificate III in Permaculture is equivalent to a Certificate III in Agriculture, or Hospitality, or Childcare etc. Permaculture components, with PER in their codes are part of the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation & Ecosystem Management (AHC) training package. Training Packages are nationally recognised, although some aspects of their implementation are State-based – such as funding.
The recent review of the AHC Training Package has coincided with the Federal Government’s Skills Reform initiative. These reforms have ensured that students and employers are central to the training approved by the industry sectors themselves (in the past, the training sector- the providers of the training such as TAFEs - had greater influence over the training provided and this was often at odds with what was needed in the workplace). The new Jobs and Skills Councils (replacing “Industry Clusters”) include opportunities for industry peak bodies to have a seat on the Council. Permaculture Australia will have a seat on the Agribusiness Skills Council.
The review of Permaculture (in conjunction with Organic Production and Composting) was completed in 2022, after 18 months of work and consultation. Qualifications, skill sets and units have been restructured and updated to reflect the skills required to provide for human needs in a way that works with natural processes and ecology. Updates have been made to remove barriers to training delivery and better reflect job tasks. In addition, skills for permaculture have been incorporated throughout agriculture qualifications, as they are useful and necessary across a range of job roles and environments.
Key changes in a nutshell: Five qualifications were revised and updated to incorporate unit changes including merging of content and adjustments to Australian Qualification Framework alignment for some units. Although the Certificate I in Permaculture was initially proposed for deletion it will be retained, as there are successful programs currently delivered and the enrolment trend is increasing.
Twelve new skills sets were developed to meet industry needs related to permaculture fundamentals, including structure, water systems, design, planning community governance and developing strategic plans for permaculture projects.
One existing skill set for a Permaculture Demonstrator was revised to include updated units of competency.
Forty nine permaculture (PER) units of competency were reviewed, including: o Forty eight were revised, with clarification around assessor requirements and rationalisation of knowledge evidence to ensure essential underpinning knowledge required for carrying out permaculture job tasks is captured. o Four units were merged into two. o One new unit was developed based on a previously deleted permaculture unit. o Five units deleted. Two diploma level units that were proposed for deletion at earlier stages of the project were retained. o Selected units are to be included in Certificate I to Diploma level Agriculture qualifications.
Guidance for RTOs for engaging trainers and assessors was included in a newly developed Companion Volume User Guide released along with an updated version of the AHC Companion Volume Implementation Guide and the newly endorsed permaculture qualifications and units.
Accompanying the reviewed Permaculture courses, an Implementation Guide has been written to support the roll out and inform RTOs and trainers, as well as employers, as to how these courses should be understood. There have been many opportunities for engagement with the review process and lots of permaculture people have participated which is great as it means the Units, Qualifications and Skill Sets are now ‘fit for purpose’. Not only that but you will have the chance to participate in and benefit from the roll out of the reviewed courses, if you wish. Training providers, including those offering the PDC, might be interested in partnering with RTOs to offer some components of this training There will be funding available for some programs in some States There will be opportunities for those with current qualifications (including Certificate IV in Training and Assessment) to deliver this training There will also be opportunities to work with the Education Team of Permaculture Australia to update assessment tools and training materials And of course there will be opportunities for study and professional development
It is exciting to note that many of the barriers between the PDC and the accredited training have been removed, and it is now much easier for teachers and trainers to find work in the accredited system (with a TAE qualification, of course). It is also exciting to note that two of the new skill sets have been specifically developed to bridge gaps:
This skill set describes the skills and knowledge for working with clients and community to design and develop private, community or enterprise based permaculture systems in rural and urban environments. Comprised of units: AHCPER417 Investigate and recommend species for a permaculture system AHCPER418 Provide advice on permaculture principles and practices AHCPER419 Design a rural permaculture system AHCPER420 Design an urban permaculture system AHCPER421 Select appropriate technology for a permaculture system AHCPER422 Identify and analyse bioregional characteristics and resources
AHCSS00140 Advanced Permaculture Skill Set – bridges the gap between Diploma of Permaculture and Bachelor Degree in the Higher Education system. This skill set describes advanced skills and knowledge to help individuals to transition into higher education. The units provide skills and knowledge for planning community governance and developing strategic plans for permaculture projects. Comprised of units: AHCPER601 Develop a strategic plan for a permaculture project or enterprise AHCPER602 Plan community governance and decision-making processes AHCPER603 Prepare a sustainable community and bioregional development strategy
If you are interested in the process or want to familiarise yourself with what has been done, please go to the Skills Impact project page and click through to the areas that interest you. You can find the documents that correspond to earlier stages in the process by clicking on the arrows in the flow chart. Finally, Permaculture Australia would like to acknowledge the work of the following people and organisations who participated in the Subject Matter Expert Working Group:
Lis Bastian, Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute Fiona Blackham, GAIA Permaculture Sue Brunskill, Permaculture Australia Rob Fenton, TAFE NSW Robyn Francis, Permaculture College Australia Graeme George, Permaculture Yarra Valley Megan Hall, South Regional TAFE WA Julianne Hartman, Byron Regional Community College Martina Hoeppner, Permaculture West Keri Hopeward, Permaculture SA Lachlan McKenzie, International Permaculture Educators Network Ross Mars, Water Installations Pty Ltd Janet Milllington, Miltech Services Pty Ltd Kushala Prem, Natural Systems Permaculture Nicole Steel, Byron Regional Community College Karen van Huizen, Van Huizen Design Aaron Sorensen, Elemental Permaculture
Virginia Solomon, Permaculture Australia Richard Vinycomb, Byron Regional Community College And our amazing professional training consultants from Skills Impact Ruth Geldard, Industry Skills Standards Specialist, Skills Impact Ron Barrow, Writer, Skills Impact and Nestor Consulting
We all look forward to rolling out our new courses and to energetic participation and enthusiasm from permies everywhere. For further information on the Review and the new components, please contact education@permacultureaustralia.org.au
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