Andrew presents his 'Ecotopia' design at the end of
the Permaculture course
Rick and Naomi cooking bush tucker lunch around
the campfire on PDC course
The Permaculture Design Certificate Course (PDC) is a 72 hour course which follows the curriculum set by Bill Mollison of The Permaculture Institute. We are registered teachers with this 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 the Permaculture Institute and be able to work towards a Diploma of Permaculture. Our PDC course is also a recognised module for Accredited Permaculture Training, and is a prerequisite for commencing Certificate III or IV in Permaculture.
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 WWOOF accomodation, and recently added a mudbrick bathroom for student showers. We also have 3 caravans for student accommodation during courses.
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
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 Cam Wilson, Ron Smith, Tarnuk Bush Foods and Peta Christensen from Cultivating Communities.
Andrew presents his 'Ecotopia' design at the end of
the Permaculture course
Rick and Naomi cooking bush tucker lunch around
the campfire on PDC course
Venue
7710 Bass Highway
Leongatha South, Vic, 3953
Dates
Starts Friday evening April 11th and finishes on Saturday April 26th
2008 with a free weekend in the middle to refresh or tour the area.
Times
Daily from 9 am to 5.30 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
$950 (inc GST)
Price includes lunch and morning tea & fruit
Concessions and work exchange available
Discount of $80 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 or classroom ($10 per night amenities fee to cover
electricity and water)
· Local accommodation also available
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.
PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE COURSE
REGISTRATION FORM
If you have any further enquiries, you can always contact us
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