Permaculture Education | Who We Are | 2006 Course Calendar | Short Courses & Workshops | Registration

Who We Are

Permaculture Education was established in 1989 by Robyn Francis, international permaculture designer and educator. In 1993 the property, Djanbung Gardens, for her permaculture education centre was secured in Nimbin, Northern NSW which is now home to a number of permaculture initiatives

ERDA Institute, a charitable trust, was established 1999 by Robyn Francis with the support of Bill Mollison, co-founder of the permaculture concept. ERDA Institute Trust administers internships, scholarships and volunteer programmes at Djanbung Gardens.

'Erda' is the name of an ancient European earth goddess, from which the english word ‘earth’ was derived and the German word 'Erde', meaning earth. The name is used in the spirit of Gaia, respecting planet earth as a single living organism of which we are an integral part.

Djanbung Gardens Permaculture Education Centre is a 5 acre (2ha) property established in 1994 as a centre for education, training and research in sustainable earth-friendly living and ecological solutions. The name 'Djanbung' (pronounced with silent 'd') means platypus in the local Aboriginal Wiayabul dialect and was given to the centre by senior elder and law-keeper of the Bundjalung, 'Uncle' Eric Walker.



ERDA TEACHING TEAM

Robyn Francis-
Principal tutor for Permaculture Education
Robyn Francis is well known for her extensive work in permaculture since 1984: as a teacher, designer, presenter, writer, editor of the Permaculture International Journal ('87-92) & founding director of Permaculture International Ltd. She has taught and consulted in USA, Germany, New Zealand, India, Bali & many parts of Australia including work with Aboriginal communities.

Robyn Francis’ extensive design work has included suburban edible landscapes, self-sufficiency & commercial farms, community gardens, public landscapes, rural communities & village development, in climates ranging from cold temperate to arid & humid tropics, for grass roots individuals and businesses through to Government Departments.

As a teacher she draws on this rich practical experience as well as the years of organic gardening, herb production and small farming that preceded her permaculture work. Her experiential approach to learning as an active and empowering experience emphases the practical applications of permaculture ideals & principles

In 1985 Robyn Francis received the Permaculture Community Service Award and a Diploma of Permaculture Design (in areas of: Site Design, Education, Site Development, Community Development, Media and Communications) from The Permaculture Institute. In 1995 she received the ABC Rural Woman of the Year Award for NSW North Coast for her contribution to sustainable agriculture and land use planning.

Robyn Francis is also known for her presentation of The Mandala Garden video and author of the Mandala Garden book, and as a singer-song writer. In ‘96 she produced the Celtic Eightfold Year Garden Charts. In 2001 Robyn published the 'Bushfoods Cookbook - Recipes & Tips for the Gourmet Backyard Gardener'

In between everything else, Robyn produces most of her own food, enjoys keeping poultry and creating a permaculture paradise at Djanbung Gardens.

See Robyn's Curricula Vitae for more information about her work


Janelle Schafer -
Janelle draws on her background in horticulture, practical experience in permaculture and living on the land on an intentional community. Janelle has lectured for TAFE and been a regular guest tutor at Djanbung Gardens for 8 years

Peter Hardwick-
Peter’s speciality is Aboriginal ethno-botany and the rich heritage of Australian native plants and animals as yet underutilised in contemporary diets, medicine, landscapes and food producing systems. Peter has been a key player in establishing the bushfoods industry and in its ecologically sustainable development.

Permaculture Education | Who We Are | 2006 Course Calendar | Short Courses & Workshops | Registration