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2006 CONFERENCE SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

VERENA BACHMANN SWITZERLAND
Verena is a well-known international astrologer from Zurich, Switzerland. In the German-speaking world Verena is highly regarded for her innovative style of education. She is an administrator and main tutor in an astrological four-year program in Switzerland and Austria as well as an author and lecturer. She regularly teaches in the Astro*Synthesis program in Melbourne. Verena’s forte is synthesising the fields of astrology, Psychosynthesis and human development to aid in deepening our understanding of others and ourselves. Verena is also a psychotherapist trained in Gestalt Therapy and Psychosynthesis.

PETER BURNS VICTORIA
Peter's interest in astrology began in 1978 during his university studies. After graduating in Sociology he studied Palmistry (Chirology) at the Southern School of Naturopathy. He commenced astrological consulting in 1984 and in 1997 obtained the Practitioner's Certificate from the FAA. Peter has been a regular on ABC radio in WA, and more recently on 3RRR in Melbourne. Since 1999 Peter has been the editor of the FAA Journal and now takes an active interest in ancient and modern streams of astrology, in particular mundane astrology. Currently he specialises in writing and lecturing about astrology.

ANNE BUTTON VICTORIA
Anne is a full-time professional consultant astrologer and educator located in Melbourne. Trained in education and yoga (qualified by the International Yoga Teachers Association) Anne is also a member of the Association for Professional Astrologers and a Professional Member of the Tarot Guild of Australia. Currently she also practises and teaches tarot combining astrology, tarot and numerology in many of her consultations.

TESS CULLEN NSW
Tess’ love for the stars and mythology began, as a teenager in the Canadian Rockies when ancient myths behind the stars were revealed to her. Today she is a qualified astrological practitioner (QA) having worked professionally in Northern NSW for the last 14 years. Recently she completed a Diploma of Ancient and Medieval studies. Tess is particularly interested in the interweaving of spiritual wisdom with psychology and the integration of this awareness into our everyday lives. A background in the performing and creative arts encouraged Tess to explore interactive processes that help awaken inherent knowledge anchored within us and to facilitate the joy of learning.

DEMETRA GEORGE U.S.A.
Demetra George, BA Philosophy and MA Classics, received the 2002 Regulus Award for Theory and Understanding. A practitioner of astrology for over 30 years specialising in archetypal mythology, she has authored numerous books and articles, including Astrology For Yourself and Asteroid Goddesses. Currently she is translating a corpus of hermetic medical astrological texts from ancient Greek, is an associate of Project Hindsight, and teaches the history of ancient and medieval astrology and Hellenistic techniques at Kepler College and at the University of Oregon.

PETA HIGH ENGLAND
Peta gained the Faculty of Astrological Studies Diploma, winning the Margaret Hone Interpretation Award, in 1992 and in the same year achieved the Faculty's specialist Counselling Diploma. After many years of astrological study fitted into a busy acting career in British theatre and TV, astrology won the career battle. Peta works as an astrological consultant, is a Faculty tutor, lectures widely, and at present is the Chair of The Association of Professional Astrologers International, which promotes the positive image of astrology to the public and media through demanding the highest standard in astrological education and ethics.

MAGGIE KERR
Maggie Kerr (AAT. Dip. Couns.) is a well known Australian astrologer, a counsellor and teacher in communications and 'people skills', and has been a practitioner in her field for over 20 years. Maggie has trained in Metaphysics, Philosophy, Astrology, Psychology and Psychotherapy. Her unique blend of these subjects offers in-depth understanding of our life purpose, and its challenges to our empowerment. She is a regular presenter and trainer both in Australia and overseas, has written 5 books in the Universal Astrology Workbook series as well as a correspondence course.

RODERICK KIDSTON ACT
Roderick Kidston began learning astrology in 1974 at the age of thirteen from his self-taught mother. An early fan of adding asteroids to the astrologer's repertoire, he now considers it difficult to read a horoscope without the 'minor planets'. The study of harmonics has also been a passion, and for the last decade he has investigated how harmonics may explain both material evolutionary potential and the inner drives of mind and soul. He is interested in a more 'integral' approach to astrology that links with developments in depth psychology and metaphysics, including the new insights offered by the spiral dynamics theory of consciousness.

HAKAN KIRKOGLU TURKEY
Hakan is astrologically active in Turkey and lectures internationally having several articles published in astrological journals. He holds a B.Sc. in Management Engineering (ITU, 1988), M.A. in Economics (Bogazici University, 1991) and has worked in banking from 1993-2000 (Treasury, Research and International Banking). He has studied astrology since 1983 and is the author of the first psychological astrology book published in Turkey (1991). He also gained the Diploma of the Faculty of Astrological Studies with the Cordelia Mansall Veritas Award (History, Psychology paper, 1997). Hakan pioneered and established the Astrological Association in Turkey in 2000 and currently he is ISAR VP, FAS representative for Turkey and teaches astrology at Dogus University. His interests are traditional techniques and the philosophy of astrology.

NEVILLE LANG VICTORIA
Neville began teaching Vedic astrology in 1998 specialising in the Systems’ Approach. Besides being involved in the computer industry since 1970, Neville has been the Victorian agent for the Solar Fire software program and the Australian agent of the Parashara’s Light Vedic software package. Neville has lectured on Vedic astrology throughout Australia, in Auckland (NZ) and Edinburgh (Scotland). Past President of the Victorian Astrologers Association Inc., he is currently the President of the Australian chapter of the International Institute of Predictive Astrology (IIPA) and was awarded the title of “Jyotish Kovid” from India in 2001. In June 2004, Neville released Astracadabra, an astrology software program for Pocket PCs that can be used for all systems of astrology.

LEE LEHMAN USA
Lee Lehman has a Ph.D. in Botany (Rutgers University), is author of The Ultimate Asteroid Book, Essential Dignities, The Book of Rulerships, Classical Astrology for Modern Living, The Martial Art of Horary Astrology, and a translation from the French of Papus' Astrology for Initiates. She originated the Classical Studies Course curriculum and the Learning with Lee CD series, which give the astrologer the opportunity to see classical astrology in action, through an innovative combination of audio and visual presentation. Professor and Academic Dean at Kepler College she also teaches regular classes in Amsterdam. In 1995 Lee was the recipient of the Marc Edmund Jones Award, the first horary astrologer so honoured. To learn more about Lee visit her website http://www.leelehman.com

JEANNETTE LEWIS-HILL WA
Jeannette was born in New York and for the last 30 years has resided in Western Australia. She holds a diploma from the AGE and is principal of the Orion Academy of Astrology in Perth and current president of the Astrological Society of WA. As she lives on her Pluto line she has naturally been drawn into psychological astrology, but with the firm Capricornian opinion that it must rest on traditional foundations and symbology. There is also an abiding interest in mundane astrology and sacred geometry. Jeannette has regularly been on air in community radio and the ABC during the past year, and speaks at various venues.

CHARYN McLEAN QUEENSLAND
Charyn McLean is a practising astrological consultant and teacher from Queensland. She holds the FAA Practitioners Certificate, teaches workshops and classes for beginners to advanced students, and is a tutor for Universal Astrology's external studies course. Her astrological focus is psychological/karmic astrology, combining astrology with alternative healing techniques. She also works as a consultant for several naturopaths and alternative practitioners in Queensland who specialise in fertility issues.

JEANNIE MONKS
Jeannie, the Director and main tutor for the Gemini Rising Academy in Brisbane, is a compassionate, innovative Sun conjunct Uranus in Cancer professional astrologer. She holds the FAA's Practitioner's Certificate, was awarded the 2000 Allan Johnson Award for excellence in the Dynamic Module and is an Accredited Astrology Teacher. She is also a committee member of the QFA (Queensland Federations of Astrologers), National Council, APA and the FAA Exam Board. Born in Africa, Jeannie brings her depth of lifetime experiences, education, skills and talents to her present-day teaching and counselling. Having a BA in Psychology and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education, she merges her psychological and astrological background with her work as a teacher, psychotherapist and spiritual healer.

LINDA REID TASMANIA
Linda is Director of Studies of the Canopus Academy of Astrology. She authored the book "Crossing the Threshold - the Astrology of Dreaming”, “Astrology Step by Step - from Beginner to Practitioner" and several educational CD-ROM texts under the "Classes with Canopus" label. These include The Astrology of Vocation; Relationships; Chart Synthesis; Mars; Horary and with Martin Lewicki co-published a unique animated course in Astronomy for Astrologers. Many articles have been translated and/or published in international journals and websites. She lectures internationally and is renowned for her easy style. Her talks are innovative and focus always on finding ways to improve skills.

MICHELLE PROCTOR VIC
Michelle Proctor’s astrological writing has appeared in Living Now, AstroLog and www.thelounge.com.au, and in her monthly column at www.portmans.com.au. A Melbourne practitioner, Michelle has completed nine years formal studies in astrology, tarot and energy healing. She is the author of a thesis on the science-astrology polarity presented as part of her Astro*Synthesis Diploma in Applied Astrology. Previously she was an editor at Penguin Books and HarperCollins, and a lecturer at RMIT University.

CHRISTINE ROTHWELL VICTORIA
Christine is an astrologer in private practice, who facilitates her own seminar series on woman's myth and ritual. She is a graduate of Astro*Synthesis and has attained her Practitioner Certificate from the FAA. Christine has a BA with a Diploma in Education and is registered with the FAA as an Accredited Astrology Teacher [A.A.T.]

ALIA RYDER NSW
Alia began teaching Astrology in 1974 registering The College of Humanistic Astrology in January 1979, while still teaching Senior Science/Biology at a Sydney High School. In 1982, he quit the latter to pursue astrological teaching and consulting full time. He also extended his regular teaching to Melbourne in monthly weekend classes. He first presented to the FAA Biannual Conference in 1980 and became a member of the FAA Exam Board in 1982. He is still teaching classes in Sydney on Sundays and is the Senior Examiner on the Exam Board. He currently lives outside Sydney on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.

PATRICIA SHEPHERD NSW
Patricia began her serious study of astrology over 25 years ago founding the Wollongong College of Astrology in 1999. She is an accredited teacher, an Exam Board member of the FAA and a member of the APA. She holds a diploma in Psychotherapy and Relationship Counselling (Jansen and Newman Institute) and is currently in her 4th year with The Illawarra Gestalt Centre, a Graduate Diploma program. Patricia uses astrology to promote self-awareness and growth with students gaining an awareness of self and others.

ED TAMPLIN NSW
Ed Tamplin is the co-principal of the Sirius School of Astrology and a practising professional since 1990. Since 1999 he has co-hosted Sydney's top rating Saturday night radio program, featuring live astrological counsel, analysis of current affairs and predictions. Ed maintains the website www.edtamplin.com and is an internationally published writer and presenter. He is a constant student of the Alexander Technique, as well as an NLP consultant. Ed currently serves as the Vice President of both the Astrology Association of NSW and Sydney Astrological Research Society.

SUSIE LIMA VERDE BRAZIL
Susie's approach to life and astrology is integrative, weaving together the threads of her own evolutionary experience for the benefit of her students and clients. In her practice (both personal and professional), she combines astrology with techniques such as hypnosis, Aura Soma, and NLP to promote conscious change and growth. She holds a Brazilian law degree, is a master practitioner of NLP, a certified hypnotherapist, and a trained teacher of Aura Soma. Susie is Brazil's ISAR vice-president and its representative for the Faculty of Astrological Studies of Great Britain. She belongs to the Brazilian Board of Astrologers and the International Academy of Colour Therapists. She can be found at isarastrology.com.br

DARCY WOODALL USA
Based in New York City, Darcy is a full time consulting astrologer. Her approach to astrology is eclectic. Inspired by archetypal depth psychology, metaphors generated by the 'new sciences' and astrology's roots in myth, philosophy and sacred science, she encourages clients and students to live their charts-and their lives-with courage and imagination. Darcy is a Faculty of Astrological Studies Tutor in its Distance Learning Program, and its annual Summer School in Oxford, England. Her publications have appeared in the Mountain Astrologer, NCGR, Spring Journal, and NRG Magazine. Visit Darcy's website.

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