Thomas Ebejer is the College Principal and main facilitator at the Diamond Valley campus. He has been a Shiatsu practitioner for twenty four years and has been teaching for 15 years. Thomas also teaches the acupuncture training which is offered in the ANTA acredited Advanced Diploma of Acupuncture. He is also involved with course development and recognises the importance of continuosly upgrading and improving study materials.
Thomas is passionate about Oriental Medicine and he believes that the safe and effective therapies are ideal for both people and animals.His other qualifications include a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Yukari Desjardins was our wonderful facilitator in Food as Medicine. We are very sad to announce that Yukari passed away on the 29th of August 2009. She will be greatly missed by us and all who knew her. Yukari's passion for life was truly inspirational.She has influenced many peoples lives in a very positive way.
Juliette Kalifa has a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy and is a professional doctorate candidate. She has run a counselling private practice for 15 years. She teaches and supervises Post Graduate and Master Students for The Melbourne Institute for Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy, and offers session work in diverse organizations.
“Understanding what we do gives us choices”
Juliette Kalifa - Counselling Facilitator
M. A. Creative Arts Therapy
Counselling member of M.I.E.C.A.T.
Clinical member of P.A.C.F.A Reg No 20220
Julie Phillips has been described as a “walking encyclopaedia of food!” Understanding the wisdom contained within food has always fascinated her. Julie began formal studies in nutrition/food as medicine 18 years ago. Her studies have been wide and varied and in summary include the following:
- A Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Management (sports and human movement)
- Macrobiotics through the ‘Australian School of Macrobiotics’ and ‘The Kushi Institute’ USA
- Chinese medicine ‘Barefoot Doctor’ with the Traditional Healing Arts Centre
- Cetificate IV in Training Australian Institue of Management
- Whole Foods & Nutrition, Heartwood Institute USA – principle lecturer Paul Pitchford – author of ‘Healing with Whole Food’
- Touch for Health Kinesiology levels I to IV.
- Food as Medicine at the Australian College of Natural Medicine - High Distinction
- Diploma in Shiatsu and Oriental Medicine - Qld College of Oriental Medicine Certificate in Dynamic Healing (2 ½ years)
And a string of other studies to long to bore to you, needless to say, all her friends joke that they all met her on a course of some kind.
Julie also volunteers as the Brisbane chapter leader for the International Weston A. Price non-profit nutritional organisation, is the Qld board member for the non-profit group Nourishing Australia and the Brisbane co-ordinator for the non-profit Traditional Foods Network. She writes for several health and parenting magazines and is a guest lecturer and cook at the detox 4 life residential retreats.
Karenza Ebejer - Yoga Teacher & Somatic Awareness Facilitator
B.A., Cert IV Oriental Massage, Yoga Asana, Pranayama & Meditation Level 1 teacher
Karenza Ebejer has been involved in Community Arts and Health for 12 years. She trained in Tui-Na massage and has worked as a massage therapist for 10 years. She has studied Contact Improvisation dance as well as performed in movement and theatre improvisation groups in Brisbane. She has practiced Yoga and Meditation most of her life and has recently completed an accredited Yoga Teacher Training on the Sunshine Coast. She now conducts her own weekly Vinyasa Yoga classes and leads some morning sessions with the students at the College.
Karl Farren is from Dublin, and became involved in Oriental Medicine in 1989 after some years training in Kung Fu. He studied initially at the British School of Shiatsu-Do, London, where for six years he was a Senior Teacher of Shiatsu and Chinese Medicine. Karl went on to complete a further four years of study in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine at the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (affiliated to the University of Westminster). After graduation, Karl was also invited to join the faculty there. More recently, Karl has taught Chinese Medicine theory and Shiatsu at The Way College of Oriental Therapies and Bodywork, Byron Bay, NSW. Karl operated a successful practice in London for several years and he is currently in private practice in Mullumbimby, NSW where he continues to build on his reputation for excellence and professionalism.
Karl has formerly been a member of the Register of the Shiatsu Society (registered Practitioner and Teacher), the British Acupuncture Council, and the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (all in the UK). He is currently a member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association.
