Principal
John L. Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Sup'n Cert., FIOH, FPLA, MAIH, MACHPER, MASA
Mr Mason has had over 38 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).
Tutors & Academic Staff
Jemima Beaumont B.A.; Adv.Dip Photog (part)
Jemima has a diverse background, in retailing, administration, counselling and photography; including Optical Dispenser (OPSM), Student Guidence Mentor (ANU) and Office Manager (People with Disabilities)
Rosemary Brown B.Business
15 years experience in the stock market, international trading and small business. 8 years with ACS, in our Melbourne office administration, and as a tutor and course writer.
Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
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 (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.
Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA
Gavin has over 20 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.
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.
Peter Douglas Dip Animal Husbandry
Peter has over 45 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.
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.
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.
Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Adv.Dip.Hort. 25 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.
Pam Fricker Dip Sport, Cert Education,Cert Physical Education
Pam has worked in the sport fitness and tourism industries since 1991.
Kate Gibson B.Soc.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, N.Z and Australia.
Elizabeth Graves B.Sc.Hons. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University, Liz worked between 1997 to 2007 in the UK, in the medical industry (incl Medical Representative, Medical Advisor, Medical Information Manager). She is now studying a Masters Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Griffith University in Australia
Shane Holborn 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.
Bob James M.Env., Sc., 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 and 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
Sasha Kumar B.A. Hons (Economics & Maths), AICB (Comp)Sasha has worked for large financial companies and government authorities for over 12 years, as a Loss Assessor to Pensions Consultant. She has also worked for an F.E. College as an Examination Officer, helping students with Learning disabilities. Sasha is also fully qualified Bookkeeper ( Manual and Computerised), her hobbies are writing short stories for children, long country walks and fund-raising.
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.
Ray Leonnsen B. Soc.Sc.(Psychol). A Danish citizen, Ray comes originally from a small island near Iceland. His industry experience is varied including: Child Care Worker, Customer Service, and Information management. He is currently studying an honors degree at Bond University in Australia.
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
David Mason Dip.Comp.Prog., AACS
20 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 an IT consultant for ACS, and has his own very successful Web Site Development business.
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.
Stephanie Quek B.Sc., Dip.Inf.Studies Currently understaking an MBA while working with ACS in Australia. Stephanie has previously held positions a Senior Information Specialist and Marketing Engineer in Singapore.
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.
Spencer Scriven B.Sc., H.N.C. (Building), Cert. Electric. Over 15 years of industry experience in electrical and construction industries. Spencer has a particular interest and expertise in alternative energy.
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.
Nicole Steel B.Env.Sc., Post Grad Dip.Ed., B.A.(66% completed)
Over 13 years of diverse industry experience in jobs as varied as Chef to travel consultant and radio announcer. Experienced environmental scientist (co founder of Marine Biology Assoc. Flinders Uni)
Alison Sweet BBioMedSc (Hon)
Alison has 5 years experience as a medical research scientist with her work included in two publications in the American Journal of Medical Genetics. A member of the ESA, ASMR and Nutrition Australia she has given presentations at a number of professional conferences around Australia. A trained phlebotomist, Alison is currently completing her PhD thesis in Molecular Biology.
Rachel Syers B.Journalism
Rachel has worked as a professional newspaper journalist for over 15 years, co -authored a successful biography and tutored for ACS for more than 10 years.
Robert Smith B.A.(Hons), ACCA Certified Diploma, M.A. (Education)
Alison Sweet B.Sc.(Hons) Many years of experience in research and laboratory testing at university and in hospitals. A distinguished medical scientis completing PhD.
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.
Angus Thomson
Develops and maintains the ACS websites. He is an expperienced .Net programmer and is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Avionics)
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.
Tracey Winning B.Bus (Acc.), Adv.Dip. Arts(Media), Cert. Mort. Lend.
12 years experience as an accountant, financial manager, marketing, running a small business. Also 4 years experience in script writing/editing/evaluating.
Kevin Wong Cert PC Assembly, B.Info.Tech. 8 years experience in the I.T. industry in Mauritius and Australia.
Tosca Zraikat B.A. (Writing); B.Teaching
Over 35 years of industry experience in writing, education, management and welfare. Tosca is completing the final stages of a Masters Degree in writing she also works as a tutor and writer for ACS, and runs a small editing business.
Dr. Mark L. Berman Ph.D.
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.
ADMINISTRATION STAFF
Leonie Mason - Administration Director
Elaine Wilson - UK Administration Manager
Melissa Denton - Administration/Quality Control
Kerri Smith -General Administration
Venessa Bremer-General Administration
