"I completed a certificate 4 in Permaculture after returning from a year of travelling overseas.  This course really served to provide a great base for, and inspired me to, pursue a more satisfying/purposeful career path in the community/not for profit sector.  It gave me practical experience and skills in working effectively and enjoyably within a small community, as well as deepening my knowledge and understanding of the many patterns present in nature.

I have taken a lot of inspiration away from my time at the Trust from the friendships & skills I developed there.  All the people I met through studying there have continued to increase their positive impact on society and the environment.  Some are doing amazing things out there.

Permaculture concepts provide us with a much needed 'stepping stone' towards making a valuable contribution both physically and spiritually to this neglected world.

I am currently living in Canberra and managing The ANU Food Cooperative Shop.  This is a mainly volunteer run, not for profit, community food shop which focuses on supplying organic and bulk produce to the ANU and wider community.

Beyond the usual retail management role of ordering organic produce and overseeing the running of the store, I have been actively involved in campaigning to secure future accommodation for the shop in the new City West precinct (The ANU Exchange), being jointly developed by The ACT Government and The Australian National University. The real challenge (which is the common challenge among many community groups) is getting the developers to see the long term & 'true societal value' of supporting such community facilities, which extend far beyond a 'dollar value/return'.

I also have recently started a 40sqm plot at a new community garden in the inner north of Canberra.  There is a great community within this region of Canberra, which makes living here very satisfying on many levels. The Inner North is full of lovely tree lined streets and many greenies and artists reside in this area."

Mark Alwast