PDC Courses
Next PDC Course at SCPI
Friday November 26th - Saturday December 11th 2010
All courses run for 2 weeks with the middle weekend off to tour the area or refresh.
You can register using the button at the end of this page to secure your place on this excellent PDC course.
Maximum 25 students.
Free camping! Lunches included in course cost. See details below for more info.
email scpi@activ8.net.au for more information or call 03 5664 3301
SCPI have conducted 6 PDC courses in Tasmania in the last 4 years in association with Permaculture Association of Tasmania (PAT). For information on future permaculture courses in Tasmania...
Contact Hannah Moloney - bikemeup@gmail.com
What is the Permaculture Design Certificate ?
The Permaculture Design Certificate Course (PDC) is a 72 hour course which follows the curriculum set by Bill Mollison of The Permaculture Institute. We have been registered teachers with this Institute, however in 2010 the Institute stopped registering teachers. We now issue our own certificates and continue to send our graduate list to The Permaculture Institute.
On completion of the PDC course you will become a fully qualified permaculture graduate, able to design your property and others, act as a permaculture consultant and teacher, and use the name permaculture in your business. You will receive a certificate issued by SCPI and be able to work towards a Diploma of Permaculture. Our PDC course is also a recognised module for Accredited Permaculture Training.
We run residential permaculture design courses on our demonstration permaculture site, a 10 acre property in Leongatha South, which we have been developing since 1994.
Once a degraded dairy property, with overgrazed, compacted heavy clay soils, poor drainage, weeds and frosts, not to mention howling winds, the main problem was an excess of water. Using the permaculture addage "the problem is the solution" we developed extensive aquaculture systems to deal with the excess and turn it into a productive element of the property.
The site has been transformed. It now features vegetable gardens, greenhouse, integrated poultry system, young orchards, extensive aquaculture system (including chinampa ponds growing yabbies and fish). Thousands of trees have been planted for woodlots, windbreaks, fuel and shelter, native bush foods (including macadamia trees). We have built a mud brick classroom demonstrating passive solar design principles which doubles as a WWOOF recreation room and library. We have added a mudbrick bathroom with gas hot water for student showers. We also have 3 caravans for student accommodation during courses and are in the process of completing our strawbale bunkhouse, to provide more accommodation choices.
Our property was featured in the Permaculture International Journal (#72) with a 4 page spread titled A Passion For Permaculture.
PDC site visits include an urban property, a permaculture nursery, a guided tour of a native bush-tucker farm and an organic dairy farm.
Directions, Map and Bus Timetable
The Tutors
Rick and Naomi Coleman
Rick and Naomi both hold a Diploma of Permaculture Design in Education and Community Development, awarded by the Permaculture Institute. Naomi is a qualified primary teacher, (B.Ed.), and has lectured at tertiary level. Rick is a consultant for aid agencies, working on sustainable aid projects overseas. We have taught on every continent. We also hold the Accredited Diploma of Permaculture under the AQTF system, a nationally recognised Diploma.
Rick and Naomi are active permaculturists involved in site development, with fifteen years experience, teaching a range of permaculture courses and workshops in Australia and overseas.
We use a range of techniques and teaching strategies to enhance effective learning of permaculture concepts and have gained an excellent reputation internationally. We cater for individual needs and provide practical sessions to develop skills needed to turn the theory into practice.
Guest tutors include: Kat Lavers (Permablitz Designers Guild), Colin Goodwin (ATA) Sue Mitchell (architect), Ron Smith, Gil and Meredith Freeman from Tarnuk Bush Foods, Chris Ennis (CERES farm manager, and Peta Christensen from Cultivating Communities.
Andrew presents the group 'Ecotopia' design at the end of
the Permaculture course
Rick and Naomi cooking bush tucker lunch around
the campfire on PDC course
PDC COURSE DETAILS....
Venue
Southern Cross Permaculture Institute
7710 Bass Highway
Leongatha South, Vic, 3953
Dates
See above... all our PDC courses run for two weeks with a free weekend in the middle to refresh or tour the area.
Times
Daily from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm with the middle weekend free. Some optional evening sessions. Design tasks in the second week will require some time in the evenings to complete.
Cost
$1,090 (inc GST)
Price includes lunch and morning tea & fruit
Concessions and work exchange available
Discount of $95 per person for couples
Special Group Offer: 4 for the price of 3
First 10 people to book (with payment) receive a free copy of Introduction to Permaculture or Permaculture Two by Bill Mollison or other text.
Accommodation
· Free camping on our property.
· Basic accomodation in caravans ($10 per night amenities fee to cover electricity and water)
· Accomodation in strawbale bunkhouse ($20 per night amenities fee to cover electricity and water)
Dinners are on a community roster. Three people provide food and cook for everyone each night, and then relax and enjoy everyone else’s cooking for the duration.
Upcoming courses
PDC Nov / Dec 2010
from Friday 26 November 2010 to Saturday 11 December 2010, 8.45am - 5.30 pm daily with weekend break in middle
We run two PDC courses on site each year, and have been teaching permaculture for 17 years. This two week residential program is known for its blend of practical sessions, site trips, theory and active learning exercises. Come and live permaculture while you learn it. We offer real design exercises, small group and individual attention, and a range of teaching styles to cater for different learning needs. Our community atmosphere during the course will ensure you have fun while you learn and make lifelong frienships while you are here. Feel free to contact us before you register if you'd like to talk more about the course.
After you have completed the registration online, you will need to send a deposit of $150 via cheque or internet banking to confirm and to hold your place. The deposit is non refundable but is transferable for 12 months if you need to defer.
BSB 704-191 acc 86586 N&R Coleman SCPI
with YOUR NAME in the reference
Email us to let us know you have made a deposit and we'll send you a registration pack!
Upcoming tours
Tour
from Sunday 19 September 2010 to Sunday 19 September 2010, 2 pm - 4.30 pm
This 2 hour tour of our permaculture property demonstrates the principles of permaculture in practice. Come and see how we have transformed a degraded swamp into a productive paradise. The price of $25 includes afternoon tea and can be paid on the day. You will need to wear good shoes and a hat. Children on the tour are free, but must be able to keep up and not disturb other participants please.
Baby sitting is now available with Matilda's Babysitting Service!! Only $5 per child for 2.5 hours, with a maximum of $10 per family. Please book via email once you receive the registration email from us.
Please note that even if an error message occurs when you register, it is still entering our system. We are working on this problem. You should hear from us by email within a week of registering.