Permaculture Consultant and Tutor
Landuse & Landscape Designer
NAME:
Stephen Poole
ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 40, Aldinga Beach, South Australia 5173
TELEPHONE
Mb: 0412 797742 H:(08) 8270 5639
I began my first Permaculture and Organic Farming / Gardening training in the early 1980's. I have studied with Bill Mollison, David Holmgren, Peter Bennett and Max Lindegger, amongst others. Since 1992 I have been teaching ‘Introduction to Permaculture ’, the (PDC) Permaculture Design Certificate Course, Landscape design workshops and Consulting across Australia in Permaculture.
My work as a professional landscaper has familiarized me with the commercial practice of Permaculture design.
I hold the diploma of Permaculture (APT) Accredited Permaculture Training, a diploma in Permaculture Design, Education & Community Development issued by ‘The Permaculture Institute’ and a certificate in Eco-Village Design.
In 1994 I was awarded the Permaculture community service award for my work as a founder of the Permaculture Network of South Australian and its bioregional groups.
I am a founding member of the Kooringa CoHousing Cooperative Inc., Burra SA. This project was a 23 Home Co-Housing Co-op., Permaculture village, 1991-1996.
I later founded the Permaculture Community Housing Co-op in the Southern Vales district of South Australia.
In 1996, after an Ecovillage/housing design 'study tour' of Central and West America,
I embarked on my current project as the Permaculture Design Consultant and progressed to Landscape Site Manager of the ‘Aldinga Arts Ecovillage’. S.A.
This project located 50km south of Adelaide in South Australia is based on Permaculture principles and has been designed to accommodate up to 600 people.
It is an Ecological Residential Development with an equal focus on the arts and ecology.
The ‘Aldinga Arts Ecovillage’ spans 32 hectares of which 15 hectares is commonly owned farmland.
The ‘Aldinga Arts Ecovillage’, owns and manages, its Common Land and its infrastructures, including the Waste Water Treatment Plant, Water Management Systems, Roads, Telecommunications and Community & Cultural Buildings.
This is the first Arts Ecovillage in Australia and is the largest Community Title in South Australia
to date.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Since 1992 I have been Facilitating and Teaching, innovative participative hand’s on learning workshops and courses, i.e.’ Urban Permaculture’, and ‘Rural Permaculture’.
Other courses contracted to the W.E.A (Workers Education Ass. of S.A.), are all Organic Horticulture and Landscaping, based.
I have contracted courses and workshops to, Onkaparinga City Council, Onkaparinga Catchment
Water Management Board and TAFE.
In both S.A. and Vic. I have facilitated, run and co-taught many ‘Permaculture Design Cert. Courses’
Endorsed by The Permaculture Institute.
I have worked with Adults and High School Children with different capabilities and run private courses - Specialising in ‘Intro. To Permaculture’, ‘Practical Home Gardening’, Landscape Design and Community Gardens.
COURSES FACILITATED/TAUGHT
GENERAL
Landscaping - construction - 20 hours
Landscape Gardening - understanding design - 16 hours
Creating Paradise In Your Own Backyard - 20 hours
Practical Home Gardening - 20 hours
Composting - 7 hours
Pruning - 6 hours
Water Care in your Garden - 6 hours
PERMACULTURE
Permaculture Design Cert. Course - 95 hours approx.
10 and 12 days intensives; 5 long weekends
Introduction to Permaculture - 18 hours
Permaculture in a Community Garden - 10 weeks
Permaculture as a Sustainable Lifestyle - 18 hours
Community Gardens - 20 hours
Ecovillages - 16 hours
Urban Permaculture - 20 hours
Rural Permaculture - 24 hours
Permaculture in Practice - 24 hours
Small-scale Urban Food Gardens - 8 hours
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN and DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
2003+
The Dryland Permaculture Research Farm Nursery, Geraldton, W. A.
Wholesale propagation nursery producing 30,000 trees annually.
Permaculture consultancy, educational courses and farm tours.
Contact: Julie Firth
1992 +
Workers Education Association S.A. ( W E A )
Teaching – ‘Permaculture a Sustainable Lifestyle’ and ‘Practical Home Gardening’
1990 +
Stephen Poole Permaculture Consultancy and Tuition
Self Employed - Private Consultant
1999-2004
Aldinga Arts Ecovillage (A.A.E.V. Pty./ltd.) Aldinga, S.A.
2001/04
A.A.E.V. Pty. Ltd. - Permaculture Landscape Development - Supervision of all Landscaping works
Strategic planning, budgeting, scheduling, ordering materials and the employing of all contractors for the Common Land Landscaping Works for Stages 1, 2 and 3 - (extra work 2006)
Supervision of site works, (civil) Constructions
Stages 1, 2 and 3
Supervision and Management of all the Ecovillage Site Maintenance
Both farm and residential areas
Strategic planning, budgeting, scheduling and employing contractors
Teaching landcare understanding and tree planting skills, to: Adult community members, Green Corps, WWOOF student workers and classes of school children, mainly years 10 and 11.
2000/01
A.A.E.V. Pty. Ltd. - Permaculture Landscape Design.
Site analysis, community consultancy, research, design and staged implementation and planning land management model.
1999/02
A.A.E.V. Pty. Ltd. - Ecovillage Community Title Doc’s.
Responsible for research, design and development of ‘ Scheme Description’, ‘By-laws’ and ‘Developers Contract’ in consultation with the Community and Lawyer
A.A.E.V. Landscape Publications
2005 - Article for the ABC magazine ‘Organic Gardener’
2002 - ‘Vegetation Guidelines’; Ecovillage Permaculture Designs ‘Green Plan’
2002/03 - Landscape plan and the revised specifications, maps and budgets, Stages 1, 2 and 3 Landscaping
2002/03 - Farm Plan
2004 - Fruit and Nut Tree Maintenance and Schedule; Common Land Landscape Maintenance and Schedule
2003 - A.A.E.V. P/L. Stages 1 and 2 Landscaping Handover Brief ‘Completion of Landscaping’
2002 - Facilitated and Co-wrote Community Title Doc’s. ‘ Scheme Description’, ‘By-laws’ and ‘Developers Contract’
2003/04 - A.A.E.V. Neighbourhood Groups, Maps and Manuals
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN and DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: cont.
1997 - Inman Valley Orchids S.A. - Horticultural pruning
1994/95 - John Young Landuse Consultants - Salinity trials and large-scale revegetation projects and water monitoring in ‘The Bore Field’ S.A.
1993/94 - ‘The Food Forest’ Gawler S.A. - Tutor and Garden Craftsman - Teaching Agriculture and Horticulture farm skills units to Skillshare and LEAP students.
Erecting of fox and cat proof fence and general farm development
1992/96 - Dryland Permaculture Demonstration Farm & Education Facility, Burra S.A. - Co. Establishment & Management - Development of demonstration and educational site, gardens, tree crops, earthworks (earth road, dam and swale systems) and building research; Contact: Colin Endean
1992/96 - ‘Kooringa’ Permaculture Ecological Village, Burra S.A. - Co. Establishment & Management - A 23 home, rammed earth, Co-housing cluster with composting toilets and reedbeds; from Concept design through to development and building approvals
1992 + Stephen Poole Landscaping – Self Employed - Private Clients, landscape design and development work
1990/92 - Avant Garden Horticulture Enterprises S.A. - Landscape gardener, rehabilitation, maintenance and Permaculture design advice
1986/89 - W.R. Grace Aust. P./L. - Warehouse stores manager
1985/86 - Extraman P./L. - Relieving storeman, driver, labourer
1984/85 - Adelaide Arcade Health foods – Shop manager and Sales
1984 - Daw Park Hospital (Dept. of Repatriation) S.A. - Pharmacy storeman
1983/84 - Disposal City Records - Shop manager and Sales
1979/83 - Pfizer P./L. - Storeman
1978 - Chandlers Hill Chickens – Farm hand
COURSES OFFERED
Both content and hours of any of the courses have been tailored to suit a target audience.
GENERAL
Landscaping - understanding design - 16 hours
Themes, natural patterns, Hard scape design & constructions, soils, plants and water.
Practical Home Gardening - 18 hours
Permaculture design principles, sustainable soils, composting /organics, plants, edible landscaping and efficient watering techniques.
Pruning - 6 hours
Specialized techniques for roses, fruit trees & shrubs.
Waterwise Gardening - 16 hours
Landscaping your garden - drought hardy plants, building soils, hydro zoning and irrigation techniques.
PERMACULTURE
Permaculture is a conscious design system for sustainable human settlements. It is a philosophy and an approach to Landuse, which weaves together, natural ecology, microclimates, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, energy, water management and human needs.
Introduction to Permaculture - 16 hours
Sustainable landscape design - History, principles and ethics, design, general overview. Basic techniques.
Community Gardens - 6-24 hours
Getting started - community groups, organic gardens, soils and garden structures.
Ecovillages - 12 hours
Ecologically sustainable communities, benefits, ecological responsibilities, legalities, conceptual design, existing communities.
Permaculture as a sustainable lifestyle - 18 hours
Philosophical overview of Permaculture, history, current status and future directions. Tools and systems for positive change, e.g. recycling, seed saving, composting, local economic systems, food co-ops & networks.
Rural Permaculture - 18 hours
Principles of Permaculture design and layout for rural properties. Modifying macroclimates, revegetation, appropriate plant systems and animals.
Small-scale urban food gardens - 8 hours
Design theory and implementation techniques of a productive organic home garden. eg. Mandala or Herb spiral.
Urban Permaculture - 18 hours
Principles of Permaculture design and layout for urban properties. Creating microclimates, appropriate plants and animals.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and SPECIALIST COURSES:
2005 - Permaculture Dip.; Hortus Australia
2004 - Certificate IV in Workplace Training; Hortus Australia
2004 - ‘Cow’ (APT); ‘The Food Forest’ S.A.
2000 - Project Management; WEA
1999 - Advanced Permaculture Ecovillage Design Course Cert.; Global Ecovillage Network & Sustainable Futures Qld.
1999 - Geoscience; TAFE S.A.
1998 - Ecovillages – Planing and Development; David Holmgren
1998 - Coastal Planning; Local Government Training Authority S.A.
1998 - Coastal Process and Ecology; Local Government Training Authority S.A.
1998 - Land Management Course; Central Hills Land Management Conservation Board
1998 - Soils; Chris Penfold; Roseworthy Ag. College
1997 - Sustainable Land-use Techniques Workshop; Darren Doherty; Kenton Range Tree Farm
1996 - Soil Science Sense; Neal Kinsey (U.S.A.)
1995 - Agro forestry; Ian Newburg; ‘The Food Forest’ S.A.
1995 - 6th. National Permaculture Conference; Roseworthy Ag. College S.A.
1995 - Reading Landscapes and Approaches to Learning From Nature; David Holmgren; Kenton Range Tree Farm
1995 - Sustainable Communities; Robert Gilman (USA)
1995 - Teaching and Learning Cert.; TAFE S.A.
1995 - Emu Farming; WEA
1995 - Creating and Building Community; Robyn McCurdy
1995 - Working with Children (In and Out of Schools); Robyn McCurdy
1994 - Propagating Local Plants Course; Andrew Crompton, Possum Park S.A.
1994 - Hills Plants and Habitats; Andrew Crompton, Possum Park S.A.
1994 - Permaculture Dip. (Design, Education & Community Development); Bill Mollison, The Permaculture Institute
1994 - Walking The Land; David Holmgren; Kenton Range Tree Farm
1993 - Advanced Permaculture Teaching, Facilitators Course; Sky/ Robyn Clayfield, Burra S.A.
1992 - Grafting and Budding Course; Peter Taverna
1992 - 2nd. World Eco City’s Conference; Adelaide S.A.
1992 - Garden Design Cert.; TAFE Brookway Park S.A
1992 - Landscaping Course; Derek Moule Landscaping School
1992 - Landscaping and Construction Course; Derek Moule Landscaping School
1992 - Organic Gardening and Farming; Peter Bennett S.A.
1991 - Permaculture Design Course Cert.; Bill Mollison & Jude Fanton; Byron Bay
1990 - Garden Maintenance Course; Skillshare S.A.
1984 - Permaculture Design Course Cert.; PASA
1982 - Organic Gardening and Farming; Peter Bennett S.A.
1981 - Small Scale Farming; WEA
HONORARY & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
I have presented numerous Public Talks to interested groups and Associations (e.g. The Solar Energy Ass. Clarendon Agricultural Bureau, Adelaide Uni. Friends of The Earth and P.C. Bioregional Groups) on Permaculture, Ecovillages, Housing Co-op’s, Organic and Permaculture Gardening, including workshops with Garden Building.
2002/03 - Onkaparinga City Council S.A.; ‘Permaculture’- Library - ‘Community Education Workshops’
1999/02 - Housing Co-op. Housing upgrade and maintenance work
1997/02 - ‘Village For The Living Arts Inc.’; Committee member
1998/02 - ‘Permaculture Community Housing Co-Op Inc.’; Founding Member, Chair Person, Treasurer, Purchasing Officer (on rotation)
1992/98 - ‘Kooringa CoHousing Co-op Inc.’; Founding Member, Chair Person, Treasurer, Purchasing Officer (on rotation)
1994 - ‘The Soil Association S.A.’; Vice President
1994 - ‘Permaculture Community Award’; The Permaculture Institute, Bill Mollison
1996/98 - ‘The Big Backyard’; a community Permaculture/Gardening Network supported by Local Council and The Community Health Centre Permaculture and Organic Horticulture workshops
1995 - Permaculture Ass. Of South Australia; Committee member, Events and Displays Coordinator for The 6th Australian National Permaculture Conference held at Roseworthy Ag College S.A.
1995/05 - Permaculture Ass. Of South Australia; Numerous Public presentations on ‘What is Permaculture?’, Permaculture related subjects and Ecovillages
1990/96 - The Permaculture Network Of South Australia; Numerous Public Talks and presentations to Bioregional Groups on What is Permaculture, Permaculture related subjects, Ecovillages, Housing Co-op’s, Organic Gardening, with Garden building workshops and Field days
1992/04 - The Permaculture Tent - Displays and Information - Presented at yearly South Coast Country Ag. Shows, Local Council Environment Days, and presented with Urban Ecology Aus. and the S.A. Permaculture Ass. Go Organics Conference S.A. 1991
The Victor Harbour Folk Festival
Womad – Adelaide World Music Festival
REFEREES
John Maitland
Director ‘Energy Architecture’ Adelaide, South Australia
Ph. (08) 84104999; Mb: 0407189159
Graham /Annamare Brookman
Owner’s ‘The Food Forest’, Gawler, South Australia.
Ph. (08) 85226450; Mb: 0407771985
Elizabeth Heij
Facilitator, CSIRO Sustainability Network, Resident, and Management Committee member of the ‘Aldinga Arts Ecovillage’ Aldinga S.A.
Ph. (08) 85566892
Mb: 0417611244