About us at PermacultureVisions.com

Our History and Service

Permaculture Visions began in 1991.  It is a family based small business, now with a big project. It started with an initial investment of a shared 386 computer, months of writing and a small text add in a grass root magazine .  Inspired by Bill's word to find a niche market it aimed to serve working people who wanted to learn about permaculture but couldn't afford to do a two week face-to-face course or were too far away from a course. The project was initially borne out of a personal interest in permaculture coupled with isolation from other like-minded people.  Now, there are more people interested in permaculture in our area and the sense of isolation has eased but the demand for good tuition by distance learning is growing.  People want to know what to do to build a more sustainable lifestyle, they are ready to tackle complex issues such as dynamic, evolving design.

The teaching project has been a very organic dynamic process.  It has not ever needed external funding or government grants.  This financial freedom was critical in allowing it to follow the student's needs and toy with innovative ideas such as the internet and electronic documents. The project has not been in debt either, and has always found ways to run on a tiny budget.   

The office is an evironmentally responsible home-office on one acre suburban village block with a warm temperate climate. It is on the outskirts of Wollongong, an industrial, cosmopolitan, and surprisingly, picturesque coastline on the South Coast of N.S.W. There are many pressing environmental issues and very few permaculturalists. Although there is a strong environmentally aware political community, there is no official permaculture association or branch. However, there is a variety of resources, a good climate, and a means to live happily practising permaculture.
Permaculture Visions evolved with an aim to meet the demands of students in similar isolated experiences, working alone, on a tight budget with limited time. Because the project is data-based we became a leading documenter of permaculture theories and working examples.   It was a great surprise to us that the project would be so wide-spread internationally, now in over 30 countries. 

Our Current Vision is remain leaders in documenting and developing ideas in Permaculture whilst retaining our own happy lifestyle.
 We appreciate the importance of walking the talk and we value a lifestyle that is healthy and purposeful.

Bill and Lisa Mollison and Nina (officers of the Permaculture Institute) wrote [2004]: "We recognise all of the Permaculture work you have accomplished on the ground, to say nothing of what we presume you will achieve in the years to come."

• The Head tutor is April Sampson-Kelly ADPA., BCA., MCA., Grad Dip Biomedical Science a Science and Creative Arts graduate. She sought certification after practising permaculture on a shared site with Paul Kelly for several years. She spent two years full time writing our course notes, and the last 10 years part time reviewing it and incorporating student ideas and feedback.  She has also designed for a wide range of sites, in colour landscape presentations in Australia and Malaysia. She speaks regularly as guest tutor for other teachers PDC courses, at expo, fairs, for gardening clubs, rotary and local newspaper articles and community radio. She has been co-ordinator for the local LETS group and assists with the local Permaculture group. She has a background in Music and Biomechanics.  She has never wanted to be seen as a specialist in permaculture, but as an ordinary person doing extra-ordinary things. She specialises in Permaculture Research and Commercial Design.
• Meg Sampson Grad Dip.science.TQM is our administrator. She is a Management consultant, (Certified Quality management consultant with the Quality Society of Australasia.CQMC and Lead Assessor in Quality) specialising in Environmental Management Systems and Total Quality Management. She is a member of the author's society and tutors on problem solving techniques, business operations, grass root politics, media use, marketing and product development tools. She is studying for her Masters degree by Research in Environmental Management Systems.
• Paul Kelly BMet is a Materials engineer our computer trouble shooter, always interested in gadgets and the like. His input is invaluable for the permaculture multi-media program that he and April are writing together, ideas on designing soft technologies, and problem solving.
• Thanks to the Late Chief Editor Jessie Evans our eldest gardener and avid reader. She had a small urban garden brimming with roses, herbs and vegetables.  Thanks also to Esther Deans who was a great mentor.
• Lloyd and Ryan Kelly who work and live in the garden and subjects of many of the photos on the site. Ryan also helps manages the chickens and has some design ideas.
• There have been workers in our garden: Robert K who is a powerhouse, Martin N who is a fast and effecient worker, Brian G who is a neat and careful gardener, Heike R who sang to scare away snakes and Ben R who planted a number of trees that are flourishing, Kim G, Allison and Kate, Jon M (now back in Japan) who were a pleasure to work with, Geita M who is a powerful woman and lives in Albion Park without electricity. Weiss who is patient and kind and has returned to Belgium. Laurel who smiles as she works. There has been many others over the past decade and we thank you too.

Our Policy on Feedback from tutors: The student is granted unlimited feedback and guidance notes. Students will be given only constructive criticism and encouragement.  There is no wrong answer, but there can be more input needed, and thats where we can help. Always include your name and student number. Feedback is swift with the use of internet, if you don't hear an answer with the week, please try again as it may have been mislayed.
Records and Privacy: We respect student privacy. Permaculture Visions may publish the best students work to shared with other students. Please notify Permaculture Visions if you wish to have your name published with your work. (We will ask regularly). Otherwise, your work will be entitled 'Submitted by student in 2004 for sub-tropical site', etc. This is to ensure your privacy.
We prefer to acknowledge our students and publish your work with your name. Students studying for certification in Permaculture Design shall have entries recorded to validate their satisfaction of course requirements as set out by Permaculture Institute.

Our Ethics: Permaculture Visions upholds the international ethics of Permaculture:

"Care of the Earth" - all living and non-living things, such as animals, plants, land, water, air. Promoting reduction of waste and use of non-renewable resources.  We use recycled paper and minimalise the use of paper by offering courses as downloads and on CD, shared course notes and recycled mailing material. We also practice permaculture in our sub-urban model, where the office is also located.

"Care of People" - promoting self-reliance and community responsibility, peace and good-health for all persons.

We aim to respect student health and minimise stress by offering flexibility in the course and at the same time encouraging student growth and understanding of how permaculture can help their health and relationship with their environment.

"Give away surplus" - to pass on anything in surplus, encourage sharing and generosity for the above aims. Permaculture Visions keeps very little capital in the banking systems, as we prefer to invest in procreative ventures 'living projects' rather than degenerative 'dying' capital (e.g. Lending money to banks for their use on real estate or mining etc.). We spend money as a lobby group and provide as much information as is feasible to those members of the public interested in permaculture free of charge.

We have provided our teaching services free of charge to a Village in India, students in South America, Nepal, Vietnam and lately the Czech Replublic. We always offer students in areas of need similar support.  If you have a means to assist in tutoring scholarship holders, either by donation or time, pleaselcontact us.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Permaculture Visions is provided in good Faith and is only offered as a guide. The student use of this information is his/her responsibility. We strongly encourage the student to seek professional advice on safety, medical, and veterinary problems.

Your Copy Of Course Notes: Your copy of course notes is current at date of issue and often tailored for your personal needs and situation. Subsequent course notes for new students will be different, ideas and events that are current are incorporated into each new set of course notes.

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