The Permaculture College Australia faculty is a dynamic team of qualified and highly experienced permaculture practitioners representing a diverse range of experience and skills. Lead by Robyn Francis, who is regarded as one of permaculture’s leading educators and pioneers, the team is committed to quality training in a supportive community environment. The core team of trainers are supported by a bioregional network of local specialists, practitioners, projects, enterprises and organisations involved in all aspects of permaculture, organics, sustainability and community development. Read on for faculty member’s bios and profiles.

Since completing her PDC in 1983, Robyn Francis has worked as an educator and consultant throughout Australia and in New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Cuba, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Iceland, Germany, France and USA on diverse projects including domestic and public edible landscapes, ecological restoration, landuse planning, urban & rural ecovillage design, regional & social planning, community development & facilitation, with government and corporate clients, NGO’s, community groups, indigenous communities and private clients.
Robyn has taught over 150 PDC’s, over 100 advanced courses, and 11 years of full-time accredited APT training, plus countless workshops and masterclasses, making her one of permaculture’s most experienced educators and trainers.
Qualifications: Diploma of Permaculture (APT/AQF, Hortus Aus), Cert IV in Training and Assessment, Cert IV AWT, APT-ATR, Permaculture Institute Diploma of Permaculture Design. Further info & Robyn’s Bio…


Guy has been involved in the Permaculture movement since 2006. He is currently a director of Permaculture Australia (PIL) and the PCA management committee. Guy is committed to returning the surplus from his experience to inspire and educate others. He believes strongly in self empowerment and community resilience as a strategy for responding to the myriad of problems we face. Areas of special interest he teaches include local food security, community development and transition initiatives, renewable energy and appropriate technology and computer assisted design with Sketchup. Guy is a regular teacher in the Permaculture Design Courses at Robyn Francis’ Permaculture College Australia.
Guy has developed a permaculture property to be economically and ecologically sustainable. It’s self sufficient qualities include solar hot water, solar electricity, rainwater collection, composting toilet and hemp insulation. He also works in community development at the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre on the 7 Sibley St Sustainable Living Hub, progressing the Sustainable Nimbin Community Plan and also works at Rainbow Power Company. This work was recently recognised by the NSW Government and awarded the 2013 Premiers Choice and Community Sustainability Green Globes. His simple purpose is to live in a healthy environment with the freedom to be creative and loving.
Qualifications: PDC, Diploma of Permaculture, Cert IV in Training and Assessment


Melian Fertl Melian is a qualified chef and permaculturist, and operates the Abundance Cafe at Djanbung Gardens. Melian is the daughter of Robyn Francis and has grown up surrounded by permaculture, She did her first PDC in 1992 when she was 10 years old. Melian spent 9 years in Melbourne undertaking her chef’s apprenticeship and working in some of Melbourne top restaurants as a fine food chef. She returned to Djanbung Gardens in in 2013 to manage the food production systems and establish her local food enterprise. Melian is passionate about quality local food and the full garden to table process, food as medicine, fermentation and making artisan conserves with the garden surplus. Melian manages the catering for our residential courses and events, and operates the Abundance Cafe.

Andrew Anderson

Sam Newton