The PCA team have come together finalising plans in readiness for the new semester start on Feb 21, and after a 3 hour meeting we felt inspired, invigorated and charged with anticipation for a great year ahead. At times like this i feel truly blessed to work with such an awesome group, passionate about what they do... the earthcare practicalities AND quality 'people care' in our living learning community here at Djanbung

We are all looking forward to the arrival of new class of full-time students doing the APT Certificates and Diploma courses at PCA. Most will be studying here for the full year, with a few living on site as residential interns, and others living in the local community.  After Easter, the core class will be joined by a limited number of overseas students doing the International Internship program.

So meet the PCA team. Left to right: Julia DeBrosses, Tracy Lewis, Lynne Oldfield, Janelle Schafer, Guy Stewart, Robyn Francis, Caroline Todd

Janelle Schafer is the PCA administrator, office manager and teaches parts of the PDC and Certificates III & IV program. With a background in fine arts and horticulture she completed her PDC with Bill Mollison and Jude Fanton in 1993. Her many qualifications include Natural Resource Management and business management. Janelle teaches water systems, food forests & fruit trees, integrated weed and pest management, design for disaster and cccupational health and safety.

Guy Stewart completed his Diploma of Permaculture at PCA and employed as Nimbin’s Food Security initiatives coordinator. Guy will be involving PCA students in real-life research and community project work in the food security program. A wiz with Macintosh management and design software, web building and a myriad other skills, Guy will also be conducting workshops in IT and how to use sketchup in Permaculture design work.

Tracy Lewis, who completed her trade certificate III in Permaculture last year, loves the place so much she came back to join the team. Tracy has a background in animal care, manages the residential facilities at Djanbung Gardens, and is part of the PCA Events Team with plans for a great program of Conversation cafes, film evenings and random community and cultural events at Djanbung.

Caroline Todd, senior diploma student, is the garden coordinator, manages the PCA seed bank, and teams with her husband, Ian, and 2 teenage sons, caring for the grounds and keep the place ship-shape. Caroline is also on the Events team, as is Lynne Oldfield who will be running the canteen and seducing all with her luscious organic cakes.

Lynne also has qualifications in video and media, organizing film events and has a wealth of practical knowledge and skills from many years of gardening, nursery work, food preservation, homesteading and as an active member of the local community. Caroline and Lynne are completing their diploma studies at PCA and creating livelihoods here at Djanbung.

Julia DeBrosses also supports classes and events here, in between working as a bareoot permaculturist and seed activist in Brazil and other parts of South America. One of her current passions is establishing hives of natives bees.

So, do come and meet the team, and enjoy our Permaculture paradise as a student, visitor or guest and join us in walking the talk - earth care, people care and fair share.

In abundance…

Robyn Francis

oh, and me? well just check out my profile page :)