Mark graduated from Latrobe University in 1974 - Bachelor in Arts and Diploma in Education. As a secondary English and Social Science teacher he taught for twenty years, largely in rural communities (Wimmera, Sunraysia, Western District, Geelong and ultimately central Victoria). His teaching career tended to focus on the development of more constructive teaching strategies and ways of promoting effective learning outcomes for students.

Perhaps his primary personal interest, throughout his teaching career was gardening, which was initially imparted to him by his grandfather Bert Hooke who in the depression years was compelled to grow food to feed his family. Later his understanding grew through his relationship with his first father-in-law Lyal Smith who had won awards in Bendigo for his gardening and became a successful and innovative fruit grower Sunraysia, and a Western District grazier. Both men had an uncanny knack for innovation and integration of animal and plant systems.

Mark met Beck in Heathcote where he coordinated the Community House. Beck established the Heathcote Permaculture Group within the ‘House’ and ultimately a permaculture-designed garden was established as part of the programmed activities.

While his instinct for garden design tended towards the traditional the process of design at the ‘House’ reawakened some of the innovative design concepts he had been exposed to by his ‘gardening mentors’. His gardening style began to change. It became less regimented and more random; it developed more sustainable relationships between plants and animals through a more organic and less conservative approach to design.

In 2006 Beck and Mark married and at that time Beck admitted she hated vegetable gardening; if he wanted to he could take over the garden at Tukkadjungul. Since then Mark has remodelled the garden and engaged in developing animal structures that helped Tukkadjungul to become what it is today.

In July 2008 he travelled to Nimbin, in the Northern Rivers district of NSW to do his PDC. The lush sub-tropical environment being a far cry from the more arid and challenging ‘Mediterranean’ climate of Central Victoria. The experience served to formalize a framework for design and system development that goes beyond gardening and animal management. In many ways it enabled a clearer and more connected understanding of the achievement of both Bert and Lyal. It has also set the direction for his life view and personal priorities.

 Mark’s experience in teaching, welfare, community development and management provide a useful dimension to Cydonia’s operation. These skills provide a useful support, and context for social action, for students, community and community organisations.

BECK LOWE

Whilst travelling through Africa, I came across the Zimbabwean edition of Mollison’s Introduction to Permaculture – this was the first time I had even heard the word “permaculture” and on my return to Australia in 1994 I straight away enrolled in a PDC based at CERES in Melbourne.

I immediately recognised that permaculture was the way ahead for me. It was about providing solutions; much of my previous experience had been pointing out problems!

I have a background in science, and majored in zoology in my degree. This gave me a good grounding in ecology and biological systems; something that really helped me appreciate and understand permaculture when I discovered it.

As well as working on our farm and business I am also Project Coordinator at Gravel Hill Gardens, a community garden Bendigo. This is a demonstration site for permaculture principles, a meeting space for like-minded people, home of a Community Supported Agriculture scheme, and a welcome oasis in the middle of a rural city. 

The first PDC that I was involved in tutoring was in 2003, and I discovered how much I enjoyed sharing my experiences with others. In 2004 I found out about Accredited Permaculture Training (APT) and completed the introductory workshop and my Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.

In 2006 I received a Diploma of Permaculture through Recognition of Prior Learning for my work in permaculture. 

As well as running Cydonia Permaculture, we continue to manage and expand the farm and build the house, as well continue our other employment. For me this includes my work at Gravel Hill Gardens,  manuscript assessment and editing, and other adult training jobs.

Beck Lowe	Beck Building
Mark Hooke	Mark in the garden