I have always enjoyed the company of trees and nature, heading out into the bush with my swag and fishing rod at any given opportunity. I have been a practicing, climbing and consulting Arborist for the past 7 years pruning, protecting, habitat creating heritage listed and amenity trees around Victoria and New South Wales.
In that time I have witnessed from above, the dark side of my trade as tree scapes have been turning into sky scrapers and a lot of suburban back yards turned deselect, from peoples preconceived fears and urban legends about the safety aspects of living among trees. Always looking to reassure my clients of the benefits of having large trees on there properties and putting forward maintenance schedules hasn't been the easiest task, when we still exist in the age of loggers and tree loppers who pray on peoples fear and reassure them with a children glove approach, 'Don't worry about the big scary tree, it's o.k. well just remove it for you, its going to be alright.' This is the main predicament I have faced. Decided pointless to continue fighting it head on. My plan become to teach Arboriculture with a high emphasis on Ethics, nipping the problem at the bud. On completing TAE40110, faced a new wall, the industry skills council, favouring Arboriculture as a mechanicalized profession. It seemed again I would stand alone.
In my scurrying around the net looking for ways to approach this situation, not giving up on the trainer idea, started researching the ethical responsibilities and spiritual acquaintance of past cultures to land when I stumbled across Permaculture.
Having helped with the preservation and health of the large trees on a few local permaculture properties and few smaller ones too, has reignited my passion for sharing and caring for the wonderful world of the upper canopy.
I wish only to continue on this permaculture journey learning the vast array of applications for this knowledge and assisting in any way I can with my already particular skill set.