THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL



Mr John Mason
Dip.Hort.Sci., Sup'n Cert.
FPLA, FIOH, MACHPER, MASA, MISHS.
(Principal - Australian Correspondence Schools)

Mr Mason has over 40 years experience in the fields of Horticulture, Recreation, Education & Journalism. He has held positions ranging from Director of Parks & Recreation (City of Essendon) to magazine editor. John has lectured in Technical & Further Education Colleges (TAFE), and is a well respected member of many professional bodies. He is the author of more than forty books, and of hundreds of magazines and newspaper articles. He is a keen photographer, with many of his photographs having been published in books and magazines.



John L. MASON

Dip. Hort. Sci. (VCAH Burnley,1971),
Supervision Certificate (RMIT, 1977)
B.A (Planning Studies) at F.I.T. 50% completed.
Cert. in Theology 90% completed.
Adv.Cert.App.Management-Publishing & Journalism

Professional
Memberships:
  • Australian Institute of Horticulture (past State President, State secretary, and national vice president. State committee member 1978-80, 84-88)
  • Parks & Leisure Australia (formerly Royal Australian Institute of Parks and Recreation) (fellow since 1998, associate since 1984; member since 1974)
  • Queensland Nursery Industry Association
  • Australian Nursery Industry Association
  • Australian Council Health Physical Education and Recreation
  • International Plant Propagators Society (executive board member '90-95)
  • International Herb Association
  • Australian Society of Authors
  • Australasian Plant Pathology Society
  • International Playgrounds Association (Aust. Rep. '77-80)
  • Royal Horticultural Society (U.K.)
  • Horticultural Media Association (Australia)
  • Fellow of Institute of Horticulture (U.K.)
  • Complementary Medicine Association (U.K.)
  • British Institute of Learning and Development

Area of Expertise:

  • Horticulture, Small Business, Education, Writing, Agriculture, Recreation and Management.
  • Plant identification, landscape design, parks management, nursery management
  • Hydroponics, herbs, Australian plants
  • Childrens play and playground design, fitness
  • Photography, journalism, community participation.

Career History:

1971     Graduated after 3yrs of full time study from Burnley Horticultural College Rotary Youth Leadership Award
1972 Self employed Landscaping, garden maintenance and wholesale nursery business.
1972 Technical Officer, Fisons Ltd.
1972-75 Youth Leader (part time) Baptist Church
1972-73 Retail Nursery management and landscaping.
1973-76 Superintendent of Parks and Gardens, Shire of Melton
1974 Established Melton Garden Club(President)
  • Taught gardening classes at Melton Community Centre.
  • Wrote gardening column for Melton local paper.
1975 Overseas study tour of children's playgrounds.
1976-82 Lecturing in short course for Council of Adult Education.
1976-77 Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Essendon.
1977-80 Consultant Landscape Designer/Playground Adviser
Playgrounds and Recreation Association of Vic.
1977-81 0ccasional Writer for "Your Garden", national garden magazine.
1978 Member of National committee for International Year of the Child
1977-81
  • Sessional lecturer for:
    • Footscray Institute of Technology
    • Burnley Horticultural College
    • I.E.C.D. (Lincoln Institute)
    • Philip Institute of Technology
    • Department of Youth, Sport & Recreation (Victoria)
  • Designed and conducted elective subjects for F.I.T. in the Associate Diploma in Recreation Leadership.
  • Jointly lectured 3rd year Landscape Design in Diploma at Burnley.
  • Lectured on understanding childrens play, and playground design to Post Graduate Diploma in Recreation at Philip Institute and to kindergarten trainee teachers (Lincoln Institute).
1979 Established Australian Horticultural Correspondence School.
1979 to present Design and management of Advertising & marketing for Australian Correspondence Schools
1980-81 Superintendent of Parks and Gardens, City of Heidelberg
1980-95 Regular writer for "Grass Roots" magazine.
1982-83 Self employed nurseryman and landscape contractor.
1985 to present Developed and managed the AHCS on a full time basis.
1988-92 Organized of Garden Pavillion at Royal Melbourne Show (50-100 exhibitors). Won awards two out of the five years.
(ie. Best Commercial Display '88; Best Horticultural Display '92)
1989 to present Editor/Photographer/Writer: Greenleaf Series Magazines and Garden Guide Series Magazines
1991-99 Regular writer for the magazines: Queensland Homes and Victoria Homes.
1992-93 Program Organizer, International Plant Propagators Conference, Albury
1993 Study tour/photographing gardens and garden shows in Europe
1994 Wrote & produced five educational videos (using the video production unit of Griffith University, and private facilities in Melbourne).
1994 Wrote Quality Assurance documentation for Australian Correspondence Schools.
1995 Wrote accreditation documentation for Advanced Diplomas in Horticulture, Agriculture and Recreation-Fitness. Achieved accreditation and listing on the National Register for these courses.
1996-97 Established 9 internet sites for Australian Correspondence Schools, continued developing new courses including computer servicing & ecotourism. (Won awards in mid 97: Pick of the Net from Sofcom, and Majons Select Award)
1998 to present Wrote several books, and new courses

Formal Study:

1969-71      Diploma in Horticultural Science, Burnley Horticultural College, Vic. (now VCAH, Burnley - Melbourne University) Course completed.
1970-72 Certificate in Theology : Sydney Anglican Theological College, by Correspondence 90% completed.
1971 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (approx. 40hrs) Course completed.
1971 YMCA Detached Youth Workers Course (approx. 30 hrs) Course completed.
1972 Bachelor of Science R.M.I.T. -Sociology & Chemistry, incomplete.
1975-76 Supervision Certificate (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology).
Subjects passed include:
  • Supervision 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B
  • Parks Administration A, B.
  • Communications and report Writing
1976-78 Bachelor of Arts (Planning Studies) Footscray Institute of Technology course 50% completed.
Subjects passed include:
  • Urban Studies 1A, 1B
  • Planning Studies 1A, 1B
  • Sociology 1A, 1B
  • Overview of Recreation
  • Recreation Leadership Methods

1979-80 Bachelor of Science, Latrobe University, -Zoology, incomplete.
1994 PADI Open Water Divers Certificate, Aussie Dive, Gold Coast.
1995 Training Skills I, II & III
1995 RPL granted for stream studies in Instructional skills in Advanced Certificate in Applied Management (approx. 250 hrs)
1997 Advanced Certificate in Applied Management -Publishing & Journalism (approx. 700 hrs)

Short Courses:

Various, including:

  • Detatched Youth Work Course (6 months, YMCA, 1970)
  • Rotary Youth Leader Award (1971)

Major Conferences:

(Note: These are only a selection. There are many other seminars and minor meetings not listed which have been attended, organized, conducted by or lectured at by John Mason).


 
1974 Royal Australian Institute of Parks & Recreation National Conference, Adelaide, (5 days) -delegate
1975 International Association for the Childrens Right to Play Triannual Conference, Milan Italy, (7 days) -delegate
1976 Royal Australian Institute of Parks & Recreation, National Conference, Melbourne, (5 days) -delegate
1979 Royal Australian Institute of Parks & Recreation, National Conference, Brisbane, (5 days) -organizer of childrens play and playground segment
1978-79          Recreational Landscaping Course -Course Coordinator for Burnley Horticultural College (Designed, and managed 3 day course and was main lecturer for two consecutive years)
1979 Technological Advances in Parks Maintenance -designed, coordinated and lectured at 2 day course jointly with Elaine Murphy, Senior Lecturer (for Footscray Institute of Technology)
1980 Plant Materials 1980 -designed, coordinated and lectured at 2 day course jointly with Elaine Murphy, Senior Lecturer (for Footscray Institute of Technology in conjunction with Burnley Horticultural College)
1982 Play Safety Conference, Melbourne -Speaker
1988 International Plant Propagators Society, National Conference, Sydney, (3 days) -delegate
1989 International Plant Propagators Society, National Conference, Hobart, (3 days) -delegate
1990 International Plant Propagators Society, National Conference, Perth, (3 days) -delegate
1991 International Plant Propagators Society, National Conference, Canberra, (3 days) -delegate
1992 International Plant Propagators Society, National Conference, Ballina, (3 days) -delegate
1993 International Plant Propagators Society, National Conference, Albury, (3 days) -conference program organizer (designed lecture program,coordinated all speakers)
1993 Attended International Garden Festival, Stuttgart, Germany and Hampton Court Flower Show, London, U.K.
1994 International Plant Propagators Society, National Conference, Twin Waters, Sunshine Coast (delivered one of the introductory session papers).
1995 International Plant Propagators National Conference, Adelaide 1995 Study Tour of Hawaii (August) -Botanic Gardens
1995 Study Tour of New Zealand (November) -Ellerslie Garden Show & Open Gardens
1997 Study Tour of Britain and Germany(June/July -4 shows/exhibitions, over 40 gardens, numerous industry meetings.
1999 Study tour of USA & Canada West Coast
1999-2008 Chairman, International Accreditation & Recognition Council
2002 Tour of UK & Netherlands (4 weeks) visiting shows (Hampton Court & Floriade), gardens, meetings with colleagues, photography etc.)
2003

Keynote Speaker       IOH International Education Symposium, Perth, Western Australia

Published Work:


 

Books

  • Fun and Fitness Trails, Victorian Dept. of Sport and Recreation, 1978
  • Starting a Nursery or Herb Farm, Night Owl, 1983 (revised 1994)
  • The Environment of Play, Leisure Press, New York, 1982
  • Herb Review, self published, 1987
  • Landscaping with Herbs, self published, 1988
  • The Native Plant Expert, self published, 1989
  • Let's Grow Gardens, self published, 1990
  • Growing Ferns, Kangaroo Press, 1990
  • Commercial Hydroponics, Kangaroo Press, 1990
  • Growing Vegetables, Kangaroo Press, 1991
  • Growing Herbs, Kangaroo Press, 1993
  • Nursery Management, Kangaroo Press, April 1994
  • Tropical Gardening, Bay Books, October 1994
  • Yates Guide to Pests & Diseases, Angus & Robertson, February 1995
  • Growing Pelargoniums & Geraniums Hyland House 1996
  • Farm Management Kangaroo Press 1996
  • Growing Australian Natives Kangaroo Press 1997
  • Starting a Nursery or Herb Farm (Revised ed) Kangaroo Press 1997
  • Sustainable Farming Simon & Schuster (Kangaroo Press) Spring 1997
  • Growing Tropical Plants Simon & Schuster (Kangaroo Press) 1997
  • Starting a Landscape or Garden Business Kangaroo Press 1998
  • Aqua Aerobics Kangaroo Press 1999
  • Growing Conifers Kangaroo Press 1999
  • Profitable Farming Kangaroo Press 1999
  • A Beginners Guide to Orchids Hyland House
  • Aerobic Fitness Kangaroo Press
  • Trees & Shrubs for Small Places Kangaroo/Simon & Schuster 2000
  • Propagating from Cuttings Kangaroo/Simon & Schuster 2002

Magazines

1977-79 Your Garden (contributor)
1980 to present Grass Roots (contributor)
1987 to present Garden Guide Monthly Magazine (contributor),
2000 to present Garden Guide Monthly Magazine (Editor)
1992 to present Queensland Homes (contributor)
1992 to present Victoria Homes (contributor)
1993 to present South Australia Homes (contributor)
1999 to present Your Backyard National Gardening Magazine (principal author & editor)
Occasional contributor to more than twenty other publications.
Garden Guide Specials (author/photographer/editor of the following titles):

  • Gardening with Herbs
  • More Gardening with Herbs
  • Cottage Garden Landscapes
  • Backyard Landscaping Ideas
  • 101 Backyard Landscaping Ideas
  • Landscaping Your Backyard
  • Your Guide to Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs
  • Your Guide to Natural Gardening
  • Better Backyard Ideas
  • Landscaping with Australian Plants
  • Landscaping Ideas for Shaded Areas
  • Better Garden Ideas
  • Controlling Garden Pests & Diseases
  • Backyard Ideas and Garden Care 90-91
  • Backyard Ideas and Garden Care 91-92
  • Landscaping with Ferns, Palms and Orchids
  • 101 Natural Gardening Ideas
  • Maintenance Free Backyards
    Greenleaf Specials (author/photographer/editor of the following titles):

    • Herbs from Your Garden
    • The Better Backyard Guide
    • What to Plant Where
    • Colourful and Fragrant Gardens
    Other Special Magazines (author/editor of the following titles):

    • Creative Landscaping Ideas
    • Beautiful Landscaping Ideas
    • Landscaping Your Garden
    • Country & Cottage Landscapes
    1999-2002 Editor and principal writer of monthly Gardening-Lifestyle magazine (YOUR BACKYARD) for Express Publications in Sydney, Australia
    2000-01 Editor and principal writer of Garden Guide monthly magazine
    2001 to present Editor/owner of Gardening ezine ACSgarden.com
    2006  to present Writer for Garden Guru Newspaper,  Writer for Landscape Contractor Magazine
    2007 - present Major contributor Queensland Homes Outdoor Living Magazine

    Videos

    Wrote, presented and produced the following videos since 1994:


     
    • Plant Identification
    • Herb Identification
    • Designing a Garden
    • Plant Propagation
    • Australian Native Plants
    • Garden Style
    • Identifying Tropical Plants
    • Identifying Trees & Shrubs
    • Identifying Bulbs & Perennials
    • Careers in the 21st Century


    COURSES organized or conducted by J. Mason:
    Melbourne (averaging 4 classes a week for more than a decade from 1973)
    • Main author of over 300 correspondence courses (curriculum documentation, study guides and course notes), Australian Correspondence Schools) including hobby, certificate, advanced certificate & diploma.
    • Principal author of curriculum documentation for five VETEC (Qld) and/or nationally accredited courses:
      • Advanced Certificate in Applied Management (C12CN001)
      • Certificate in Horticulture (C12CN002)
      • Advanced Diploma in Recreation-Fitness (C12CN003
      • Advanced Diploma in Horticulture (C12CN004)
      • Advanced Diploma in Agriculture (C12CN005)
    • Designed and conducted hobby courses for Council of Adult Education, Victoria from 1974-81.
      These courses included:
      • Self Sufficiency
      • Hydroponics
      • Landscaping Bush Gardens and more.
    • Designed and conducted hobby classes for various community centres including Melton, Box Hill, Knox, Hawthorn, and Essendon (1974-81)
    • Designed and conducted one week workshops (twice annually), and shorter seminars (3 hour to 1 day, at least twice annually) for the Australian Horticultural Correspondence School and various professional Associations between 1986 and 1995.
    • Sunday school teacher 1970-75, 1978-79
    • Organized and conducted Youth Worker Training Programs for church 1971-73
    • Various play leader training programs for Department of Youth Sport & Recreation (Vic), and other authorities, 1976-82 (organizer/lecturer).

     

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