Mark Thomas
Mark developed an interest in the living world early in his life, apparently enjoying eating dirt and snails. When he left school he went on to work at a Field Studies Centre repairing and maintaining nature trails and educational outdoor spaces and then on to work in production wholesale nurseries and retail nurseries, completing both his Horticulture Certificate, Landscape Construction Certificate and Landscape Design Diploma through the TAFE system. Mark also has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Horticulture his career includes, working as a merchandiser coordinator across 3 states, and as a business development manager for a large nursery/landscape design and construction business. He also runs his own landscape design business where he designs and instals a number of residential construction projects. He also consults with schools and community garden groups. Mark continues to operate this business part time, coupling it with his roles as a qualified trainer and assessor for TAFE and other private RTO's, as well as a tutor for the Australian Academy of Garden Design. Mark continues to develop his understanding of the living world (with less snail eating now) through reading and travelling.
Renata Ferreira
With a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture from Porto University, Renata has been developing projects for private and public institutions, as well as coordinating teams in the field of maintenance and management of green spaces. Her community garden design won the EDP 2013 solidarity program, and in 2018 she earned a scholarship for the Magellan MBA of Porto Business School. She was also part of the team to develop the “Forbidden Garden” in 2018, which was the winning design of the “Allariz Festival” in Spain.
Rhys Cousins
Rhys holds a Bachelor and Master degree in Landscape Architecture from RMIT University, and is a PhD candidate in the School of Design, RMIT. Building on his background, his research is concerned with the role of television screens in the public realm and urban centres. Rhys teaches Landscape Architectural programs at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne, with a focus on built form and the role of materials in design and theory considering and designing to support ecosystems. Rhys works with private designers on a range of projects from residential design, council and planning and commercial works throughout Victoria. He enjoys creating spaces for people with personal and environmental significance.
Ines Luis
Inês graduated with a Master of Science in Landscape Architecture in 2012. She is passionate about planting design, garden management, and biodiversity promotion. She has been involved with the design of public and private spaces and as a researcher at the University of Porto, contributed to the development of management plans responsible for the first Green Flag Award certified gardens in Porto.