Principal

John L. Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Sup'n Cert., FIOH, FPLA, FAIH, MACHPER, MASA

 Mr Mason has had over 41 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). Amongst other bodies, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Horticulture (UK), Member of the Garden Media Guild and Fellow of Parks and Leisure Australia and of Institute of Horticulture (Australia).

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.

Jenny Bragg – MA (Professional Hospitality & Tourism Management), PGCE (Post Compulsory Education), BA (Hons) Hospitality Business Management.

Jenny has experience across many different business areas including marketing, operations management and human resources, her specialty fields are events, hospitality and tourism. She has worked in a number of different service sector organisations including hotels, restaurants, bars and specialist event providers. Jenny is a trained teacher and has worked with different educational bodies in the UK, as well as providing a consultancy service to the business and events sector. 

Diana Cole B.A. (Joint Hons), RHS Diploma in Horticulture (levels 2-4), BTEC Higher Diploma in Garden Design, Permaculture Design Certificate (Member of the Permaculture Association), City & Guilds construction qualifications, NPTC pesticide spraying licence (PA1 & PA6), PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector), Diploma Chartered Institute Personnel & Development

After working as a Senior Manager in NHS Human Resources for 15 years, Diana continues to run her own landscape garden design & build business, Arbella Gardens (since 2005).  Consultations/work projects include: garden & permaculture designs/builds; construction drawings; planning applications; installation of water features/ponds, patios, walls, driveways.  Also: planting plans; planting and turfing; erosion control; and garden rejuvenation including an historic English Landscape garden designed by Capability Brown.

She has taught the Royal Horticultural Society qualifications (Levels 2 & 3 theory) at two local colleges, and RHS practical horticulture qualifications at an Ecology Centre.  The practical course focussed on Sustainability.  She is a member of her local repair cafe/transition group/Incredible Edible group. 

She now has her own moorland farm with sheep, and runs short courses from home, as well as growing and selling cut flowers at her local market.  The farm is run using Permaculture Design principles and a current project is planting a small woodland area where land is unsuitable for machinery.

Jacinda Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA

Jacinda has expertise in psychology and horticulture. She holds a BSc (hons) in Psychology and a Masters in Psychology (Clinical) and also trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the London Centre for Psychotherapy. In horticulture she has a Certificate in Garden Design and ran her own landscaping and garden design business for a number of years. Jacinda also has many years experience in course development and educational writing.  

Jennifer McAnany B.HSc (Nursing), B.Naturopathy

Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge to ACS. A Registered Nurse with 15 years experience to her name, Jennifer is also a registered Naturopath, specialising in Herbal Medicine. She is also a member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS). Jennifer has a special interest in children’s health.

David Crothers  FCA, GAICD,  B.Sc.Econ (Hons), Cert IV TAA

David is a graduate of Queens University Belfast, and a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years working experience in corporate and financial roles, both in Australia and other parts of the world. He is currently working as Chief Financial Officer at a diversified business in Sydney where his responsibilities include fiscal and managerial leadership, internal and external reporting, cash management, budgeting, debt funding and productivity improving. While David has worked at several multinational organisations, his current focus is family business management and he is an active participant in international family business conferences. He is also a passionate advocate of education, and currently tutors in a range of business and accounting subjects.

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.

Kate Gibson B.Soc.Sc, PostGrad Dip Org

Kate has over 6 years experience in marketing, and has worked as a project manager. Kate has traveled and worked in a variety of locations including London, N.Z and Australia.

Denise Hodges Adv.Dip.Bus., Dip Clothing Design, Adv.Dip.Naturopathy (completing)

Formerly Promotions Manager ABC retail, Fitness Programmer/Instructor, Small Business Owner, Marketing Coordinator (Laserpoint). After trying out a number of career directions Denise studied Marketing, and honed her skills by working in promotions for the ABC for 10 years. However, Naturopathy studies have allowed her to share and further indulge her real passion, which lies in health and wellness. Denise continues to enjoy learning and sharing her interests with others.

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 over 25 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 has written books and eBooks in psychology, creative writing, research methods and a range of other topics.

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.

Jade Pollock B.Sc.Biol, Dip.Professional Education, Cert Food Hygiene

Former Business Coordinator, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Secondary School teacher (Biology); Administrator (Recruitment), Senior Supervisor (Youth Welfare).

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.

Dr. Gareth Pearce BSc(Hons), BVSc, MA, MVetS, PhD, GradCertEd(HE), PGCertAqVetS, PGCertWLBio&Cons, DiplECPHM, MRCVS.

Gareth has over 25 years of experience in teaching and research in agriculture, veterinary medicine, wildlife ecology and conservation in a variety of colleges and universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon at the Universities of Melbourne and Bristol, having previously graduated in Agricultural Science and gained a PhD in Livestock Behaviour and Production. He also has post-graduate qualifications in Education, Wildlife Conservation Medicine, Aquatic Veterinary Studies and Wildlife Biology & Conservation.  

Timothy Walker  B.A.(Botany),  RHS.M. Hort., Post.Grad.Dip.Ed.

Botanist, Horticulturist and Gardener. Author and lecturer at Somerville College, Oxford. After training at a number of gardens  including Windsor Great Park, and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew commenced work at Oxford Botanic Gardens in 1986. Appointed as Horti Praefectus (ie. superintendent/director) there in 1988, and held that position till 2014.

 Kara Wright - BSc (Applied Bioscience and Zoology), HND (Animal Care), HND (Photography & Imaging)

Kara gained an HND in Animal Care and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Applied Bioscience and Zoology.  She has a wide range of experience working with animals such dogs, small pets, birds, zoo animals, British wildlife and reptiles.

Leonie Mason

Sandy Plaza

Kerri Smith

General Administration