Mr Mason has over 45 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.
He is former State President of the Australian Institute of Horticulture and a current board member of the Australian Garden Council.
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 one hundred books, and over a thousand published magazine and newspaper articles. He is a keen photographer, with many of his photographs having been published in books and magazines.
In 2024 John was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Australian Institute of Horticulture
Professional
Memberships:
Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) UK Member since 1999, Fellow since 2003
Australian Institute of Horticulture (past State President, State secretary, and national vice president. State committee member 1978-80, 84-88) Fellow since 2010.
Parks & Leisure Australia (formerly Royal Australian Institute of Parks and Recreation) (fellow since 1998, associate since 1984; member since 1974)
International Accreditation and Recognition Council President 2000-2016
International Plant Propagators Society (executive board member '90-95)
Queensland Nursery Industry Association
Australian Nursery Industry Association
Australian Council Health Physical Education and Recreation (since 1977)
International Herb Growers and Marketers Association (member since 1988)
Australian Society of Authors
Australasian Plant Pathology Society ('73-2003)
International Playgrounds Association (Aust. Rep. '77-80)
Royal Horticultural Society (U.K.)
Horticultural Media Association (Australia)
Garden Media Guild (UK)
Institute of Training and Occupational Learning (UK)
Area of Expertise:
Horticulture, Small Business, Education, Writing, Agriculture, Recreation and Management.
Plant identification, landscape design, parks management, nursery management
Hydroponics, herbs, Australian plants, Tropical Plants
Children’s play and playground design, garden design, fitness
Photography, journalism, community participation.
Publishing, Web optimisation, eBooks
Education
Career History:
1971
Graduated after 3yrs of full time study from Burnley Horticultural College
Rotary Youth Leadership Awardee
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 children's 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 Pavilion 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)
1999-2003
Editor Your Backyard National Magazine (Australian print media publication –published by Express Publications)
1998 to present
Wrote several books, new courses and developed new web sites
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) (2 years part time distance education).
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:
Detached 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 Children's 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 and 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
2002
Tour of UK & Netherlands (4 weeks) visiting shows (Hampton Court & Floriade), gardens, meetings with colleagues, photography etc.)
2004
International Society for Horticultural Science –Horticultural Education Symposium Perth, W.A. Key Speaker
Chairman, International Accreditation & Recognition Council
2003-2007
Established affiliation (licensing) agreements with a number of institutions including Pershore College(UK), Writtle College (UK), Learning Cloud, Warnborough University, Academy of Distance Learning, Lifestyle Learning Direct (Australia), NEEF (India), Pacifica (USA)
2013- present Established ACS eBook publishing business - overseeing writing and publishing of over 140 titles 2013-2017 Principal writer and editor of Home Grown Magazine 2016- present Director and board member of the Australian Garden Council 2018International Society of Horticultural Science - International Beverage Food Crops conference (China) - Key speaker
Published Work:
Printed 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
Sustainable Agriculture 2nd ed (Landlinks/CSIRO) 2003
Nursery Management 2nd ed (Landlinks Press) 2004
Growing & Using Vegetables & Herbs (Simon & Schuster) 2005
Commercial Hydroponics 2nd ed (Kangaroo/Simon & Schuster) 2005
Growing Australian Natives 2nd ed (Kangaroo/Simon& Schuster) 2005
Many others since
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 2003
Your Backyard National Gardening Magazine (principal author & editor)
2005- 2007
Garden Guru’s Newspaper –Victorian edition feature writer
Queensland Outdoor Living Magazine –principal feature writer
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
2010 to presentOwner/Manager of ACS Ebooks publishing business 2013- Garden Editor for Home Grown Magazine (National quarterly glossy magazine for green living and self sufficiency)
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 Council of Adult Education and Community Centres (averaging 4 classes a week for more than a decade from 1973)
Main author of over 600 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).
Occasional lecturer at courses, seminars and conferences -ongoing since 1973