In this Issue:

WIREDW I N T E R 2 0 0 9

The Quarterly Magazine of the Association of Australian Bonsai Clubs Ltd

• FullReport2009Convention• NationalBonsaiCollectionUpdate• VisitingTutorProfile

• SuisekiAustralia• 2010Convention–NSW• ClubSpotlight

Bonsai Clubs International

HaveyoueverthoughtaboutjoiningBCI?Clubs or individuals are able to join Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) which is the longest running Bonsai organisation in the World.

Benefits of being part of the group are:

• Quarterly copy of the Bonsai and Stone Appreciation magazine. • BCI Annual Convention discount in varied and diverse locations. • Discounts on a range of books and magazines. • Access to the BCI web site. • BCI sponsored competitions, many with prizes. • Ambassador program including a quarterly newsletter.

Becoming a member of a larger Bonsai Family of enthusiasts is fun and rewarding and expands your knowledge of Bonsai and Stone Appreciation.

Membership is only US$40.00 per year. For further information check out the website or email bcibizness@cox.net.

www.bonsai-bci.com

cultures, utilising the lessons of nature to improve the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of mankind and our relationship to the environment.

Glenis Bebb and Ian Glew are the Australian directors of BCI and would be happy to provide further information.

Email addresses respectively:glen@bonsainursery.com.auiglew@b022.aone.net.au

Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) is a non-profit educational organisation, advancing the ancient and living art of bonsai and related arts through the global sharing of knowledge. We educate while promoting international friendship and building world relationships through cooperation with individuals and organisations whose purpose is consistent with ours.

Bonsai is a unique, living art-form enjoyed and practised by diverse

1

FromtheEditor’sDesk

WelcomeThe Brisbane Convention is now behind us and if you weren’t able to make it, take a look at our pictorial report of the weekend’s events on pages five to seven. It was a great way to renew our bonsai batteries, see some new techniques to try as well as catching up with old and new bonsai friends. All the water did not dampen our spirits, even if some of the Victorians wanted to take a suitcase full home. A big thank you must go to Tony Bebb and his team for organising a very successful convention.

AABCLtd–AssociationofAustralianBonsaiClubsLtdACN 115 230 861

President – Lee Wilson president@aabcltd.org

Vice President – Lindsay Bebb vicepresident@aabcltd.org

Secretary & EditorGlenys Barnes secretary@aabcltd.org

Contents• President’s report 2

• NBPCA Update 3

• Visiting Tutor profile 4

• 2009 Convention 5

• Exhibitions and Events 8

• Suiseki Australia Update 9

• Club Profile 10

• 2010 Convention 12

AdvertisingRatesCOLOUR ADVERTS full page REAR COVER Casual Rate $165 per issue

COLOUR ADVERTS full page REAR COVER Min 2 issues $150 per issue

COLOUR ADVERTS full page Min 2 issues $135 per issue

MONO ADVERTS full page Min 2 issues $100 per issue

MONO ADVERTS HALF page Casual $80 per issue

Artwork elements and photographs to be supplied in a Hi Res format. Please contact the editor to confirm specifications or to discuss requirements.

Treasurer – Ian Glew iglew@b022.aone.net.au

Publicity Officer – Kym James publicity@aabcltd.org

AABCLtd–POBox513 AscotValeVic3032www.aabcltd.org

Our sights are now on Sydney for the 2010 Convention. (See page 12 for more details)

I will be doing another reprint of the Club Contact hand out shortly, so please check you club’s information and advise me if it needs updating.

GlenysBarnes,Editorsecretary@aabcltd.org

Remember this magazine is only as good as the information I can obtain and pass onto member clubs. Email any information to me at the above address regarding upcoming events, exhibitions or items of interest so it can be included in the coming issues.

Front cover image: Pyracantha, Firethorn.

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President’sReport

There is something about our Annual Convention, this year in Brisbane, that I find appealing. Like most I am addicted to them, i.e. an Addict, ‘noun’, someone who can not get enough of a good thing. That is my interpretation.

How was Brisbane? We went through hell and high water to get there, almost literally, but what a great weekend. The hotel was good, food good, but Bill Valavanis, Tony Bebb, Lindsay Bebb and the rest of the demonstrators, plus all those that worked behind the scenes are to be congratulated. All 247 attendees really enjoyed the weekend and for those of you that couldn’t make

ComingEvents:

• Hawaii Bonsai Association Bonsai Ohana II 25 - 27 September 2009 Pacific Beach Hotel, Honolulu, USA.

• New Zealand Bonsai Association 2009 Convention 23 - 24 October 2009 St Albans Shirley Club, Christchurch, NZ. www.bonsaisnz.com

• AABC Ltd - 2010 Convention Celebration of Bonsai 14 - 17 May 2010 Bankstown Sports Club, Sydney, NSW.

it, you missed a great weekend.

We had a reshuffle on the Executive, with Lindsay Bebb coming on board as Vice President, Kym has moved to Publicity, Glenys to Secretary and Ian and myself remain the same. This year will be a very busy one, for all of us.

Two more New Zealand clubs have joined us, Otago and Auckland, and we welcome them.

Don’t forget next year, we are in Sydney at Bankstown. See you all there.

LeeWilson,President

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NationalBonsai&PenjingCollectionUpdateReportbyGrantBowie

ThetreesandguidesoftheNationalBonsaiandPenjingCollectionofAustraliahaveallsurvivedthesummerheatandarenowfeelingthestartoftheautumnandwintercold.The leaves on the trees that were defoliated in summer are in beautiful condition and I am looking forward to some spectacular colour on the Maples, Elms, Ash and Zelkova. We will then have the fine tracery of bare branches to admire plus the evergreen, coniferous and native trees having their first winter on display in Canberra.

The bonsai on loan from Queensland were returned in late April after being on display for five months. Each tree was much appreciated for its own unique qualities and we again thank those Queenslenders for loaning their trees to us.

We organized a Radiata pine dig for the guides at the site of the arboretum where the NBPCA will be permanently housed in a few years time. Hopefully

many good future bonsai will come from the day’s efforts.

The collection will be closed from 24 August - 11 September and from 12 October - 26 October, as our section of Commonwealth Park is closed for Floriade preparations.

Drop in and visit us when you are next in Canberra.

Grant Bowie, CuratorPhone 02 6262 9219

or 0418 611 488

NationalBonsai&PenjingCollectionofAustralia

CommonwealthPark,CanberraStage 88

Free parking, at Regatta Point

Openinghours10am till 3pm Daily

Entry is Free

Website:www.cbs.org.au/NBPCA/Index.htm

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VisitingTutorProgram

Each year a member club can select a tutor from the Register of National Demonstrators to come and be a guest demonstrator and/or hold workshops at their club. The club will receive some reimbursement of the tutor’s travelling expenses or fees.

Comprehensive information about the VTP, along with all the necessary forms, can be gained from the web-site:www.aabcltd.org

VisitingTutorProfile– BrendaParkerGardening has always been a passion for Brenda for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Adelaide she can remember potting up little ‘saikais’ in old dishes that her mother gave to her. She collected cuttings of succulents and rocks from the garden and made these miniature gardens.

Her mother also tinkered a little in bonsai even though the pots were scarce; she always seemed to find them in her travels somewhere. She still has some of these ‘bonsai’ that are very old and Brenda often tends them for her.

Brenda has been with the Illawarra Bonsai Society since 1987 and has been President since 1998. Every Sunday morning the club offers free lessons and workshops to members who are in the

Level1registereddemonstrators:Mick Balzary, Megumi Bennett, Glenis Bebb, Lindsay Bebb, Tony Bebb, Grant Bowie, Chris Di Nola, Kym James, Dorothy Koreshoff, Ian Lawson, John Marsh, Ted Poynton, Janet Sabey, Brian Sampson, Carole Waller and Lee Wilson.

Level2registereddemonstrators:Sue Brennan, Don Deluca, Ian Glew, Takeshi Hamano, Roger Hnatiuk, Roger Lunt, Daniel Mueller, Dereck Oakley, Brenda Parker, Richard Roberts, Arthur Robinson.

early stages of learning the art.

Another passion that Brenda has carried since childhood is collecting rocks and she is also President of Suiseki Australia.

Brenda’s favourite trees include azaleas, figs, fruiting and flowering trees, deciduous and exotics. Soes (accent plants) are also another area that she is very keen on.

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Bill began the afternoon with a presentation on the History and Influence of Classical Japanese Bonsai.

Local demonstrators Chris Di Nola (Illawarra Bonsai club) and Ian Lawson (Bonsai Society of Queensland) concluded the first day’s demonstrations.

The Convention dinner concluded the day’s events, where Bill’s restyled tree was auctioned and Angelo Mifsud was presented with a book to say thank you for his work over the past two and a half years as Secretary of AABC Ltd.

The22ndNationalBonsaiConvention‘ShineonBonsai’washeldinBrisbaneon22-25May.

Friday 22 May:The day started with a City and Garden Tour followed by the Welcome BBQ Reception in the evening.

Saturday 23 May:The first of the main demonstration days commenced with the President’s welcome to delegates and an update about the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection by Grant Bowie and Jim Miller.

Tony Bebb was the first demonstrator of the Convention, showing his prowess with his carving tools on a Chinese Juniper.

The headline demonstrator, Bill Valavanis from the USA, kept everyone enthralled restyling a 35 year old Japanese Black Pine.

2009BonsaiConvention-Brisbane

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2009BonsaiConvention-Brisbane

Sunday 24 May:A group demonstration by local demonstrators Ian Glew, Peter McCloskey, Bruce Sullivan and Mark Harris (Bonsai Society of Queensland) commenced proceedings on the second demonstration day.

Bill Valananis did a group planting of Seiju elms, with the assistance of Bruce Sullivan, Damien Bateson (the recipient of the Betty Crawford Encouragement Award) and junior assistant Roman.

Local demonstrator and President of Suiseki Australia, Brenda Parker, gave a Power Point presentation on the art of Suiseki and daiza making.

Lindsay Bebb concluded the demonstration proceedings.

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2009BonsaiConvention-Brisbane

Illawarra Bonsai Society gave their presentation for the 2010 Convention in Sydney.

This was followed by the closing ceremony, where the President thanked Tony Bebb and his team of workers for a very successful Convention.

Monday 25 May:

Workshops conducted by Bill Valavanis, Lindsay Bebb and Tony Bebb.

TheExhibitionWinners:Clerodendrum

Ficus

Juniper squamata

Ulmus parvifolia

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ExhibitionsandEvents

Lee Wilson is the resident Bonsai Artist in this outstanding Bonsai experience that is awaiting any enthusiast to embrace with a variety of quality trees that is hard to find anywhere in the world.

Pines are a speciality at Lee’s Nursery and he has an extensive range to choose from and prices to suit all budgets.

Come and experience this outstanding establishment at:

Forestway Garden Centre

Corner Forestway and Crozier Road, Belrose, NSW 2085

Phone 02 9486 3099

Email - president@aabcltd.org

Bonsai artist-tree

ACT:Canberra Bonsai Society11 - 12 October 2009Ainslie Arts Centre.

NSW:Bonsai Society of Sydney15 - 16 August 2009Checkers Resort & Conference Centre.

Illawarra Bonsai Society29 - 30 August 2009Sylvania Heights Community & Youth Club.

Bonsai Society of Australia18 - 20 September 2009Baulkham Hills Council Chambers.

School of Bonsai24 - 25 October 2009Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursery, Kenthurst.

SA:South Australian Bonsai Society10 – 11 October 2009Goodwood Community Centre.

QLD:Toowoomba Bonsai Club18 – 21 September 2009Newtown Rose Garden, (New venue).

Sunshine Coast Club26 – 27 September 2009Woombye School of Arts.Bonsai Society of Queensland10 – 11 October 2009Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens.

VIC:Waverley Bonsai Group15 – 16 August 2009Mt Waverley Community Centre.

Bonsai Society of Victoria3 – 4 October 2009Box Hill Town Hall.

WA:Bonsai Society of Western Australian10 – 11 October 2009Fremantle Town Hall.

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IhavebeenwithSuisekiAustraliasince1997andIcantrulysaywehaveadvancedsofarinthattimeandIwouldsaywewouldbeonparwithwhatishappeningoverseas.In the beginning there was more emphasis on what type of stones were suitable for this art form and of course where we could find them. We learnt about the Japanese rules that the stones had to be dark, dense and very natural, meaning that they could not be cut or altered in any way. Well, over time we found out that these types of stones, if they were to be found here, were just as elusive as the Bunyip.

Some of our earlier and original members were fortunate enough to travel to Japan and brought back some amazing stones so we could see first hand what we were aiming towards. Back then a lot of us thought that it was hopeless; where could we get stones that could compete with these stones from Japan and other Asian countries. Again we persevered.

We started doing our homework by talking to geologists and people who worked in that sort of field. We found out that our country has the oldest

stones, rocks and mountains in the world with some of the oldest dead volcanoes that existed, whereas places like the Himalayas, Japan and Asia have the youngest mountains. We just have to get out there and find them. That spurred us on even more.

We started to go out on rock hunts and trips to discover what we could find. Surprisingly, we found what we were looking for – they were dense, dark and had the impressions of things found in nature; e.g. mountains, escarpments, shore stones, animals, picture stones, etc. We found examples of all of them. We found dark stones and some that were beautifully coloured with some very Australian hues about them. They were fascinating.

Visit the website:www.schoolofbonsai.com

Brenda ParkerPresident Suiseki Australia (Sydney)

Suiseki Australia had a display of stones at the Convention in Queensland, which was wonderful. Brenda’s presentation on how to make a daiza for the stones was well received and enlightened us all on the process. Ed.

SuisekiAustraliaUpdateReportbyBrendaParker

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AABCLtdClubSpotlight NSWClub–IllawarraBonsaiSocietyInc

Illawarra Bonsai Society Inc was inaugurated on 21 July 1970. The club has a long and illustrious history with bonsai in Sydney and provides a place of learning in

the art of Bonsai in southern Sydney and beyond. In 2010 Illawarra Bonsai Society will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its inauguration.

Club meetings are a combination of workshops and demonstrations. During workshop nights, club members bring along their material to work on, and experienced members lend their hand to newer members to help broaden and refine their knowledge of the bonsai art. During winter months, a number of demonstrations are held and conducted by both club members and special guests. The demonstrations are always informative and aim to inspire and educate both novices and experienced members alike.

The club has a strong devotion to passing on knowledge to novices and newer members. The club committee members dedicate their time to running weekend workshops which are filled with a mix of hands-on learning, fun, frivolity, and at times some deep philosophical discussion of bonsai art.

Each year Illawarra Bonsai Society also hosts weekend workshops at The Tops Conference Centre, at Stanwell Tops. Located an hour south of Sydney it is set on 200 acres of pristine bush land. The Banksia Complex,

the setting of the weekend workshops, is a modern facility having been refurbished for the 2000 Olympics. It has two meeting rooms with full conference facilities, dormitory accommodation and a view of the Illawarra escarpment that is spectacular.

At the workshop weekend attendees from across all clubs

are able to work on their material with a visiting tutor or a tutor from the Illawarra Bonsai Society, or work on their material

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AABCLtdClubSpotlight NSWClub–IllawarraBonsaiSocietyInc

at leisure. Outside the main conference room and enjoying the sun shining in the central courtyard you will normally find groups using woodworking tools to create stands for bonsai and daizas for suiseki.

Demonstrations are held on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend, and lots of laughs are always on offer at the Friday night warm up event. In the recent past, the visiting tutors have included Don Deluca, Tony Bebb, Brian Sampson, Barrington and Elaine Chee, and Lindsay Bebb to name just a few. In 2009 the workshop weekend

will be held between 18 and 20 September and includes Carole Waller from the Gold Coast and Illawarra Bonsai Society member Georgina Kretschmar.

The Club meets on the 3rd Monday of each month from February to November and in December, the club holds an Annual General Meeting and Christmas Party on the 2nd Monday. There are no meetings in January. In addition to all these events, Illawarra Bonsai Society also holds an annual Spring Show of Bonsai. The next show, in August, will be held at the Sylvania Heights Community and Youth Centre, Box Road, Sylvania.

In 2010, Illawarra Bonsai Society will be hosting the AABC Ltd 23rd national bonsai convention, ‘A Bonsai Celebration’, featuring Salvatore Liporace and Grant Bowie.

Come along and help us celebrate the convention and the 40th birthday of the Illawarra Bonsai Society.

(See page 12 for further details.)

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AABCLtd23rdNationalConvention2010-ABonsaiCelebration

ImportantAABCLtdDatesforyourDiary:• Membership renewal – fees due on 1 July 2009

Information posted out to clubs in June 2009.

• Insurance renewal – 30 November 2009 Information posted out to clubs September 2009.

• Magazine contribution deadline for the Spring issue - 1 August 2009

The Illawarra Bonsai Society is the host club for the AABC Ltd 23rd National Convention, A Bonsai Celebration, in 2010, which will be held at the Bankstown Sports Club in Sydney.

The International guest demonstrator will be Salvatore Liporace from Italy. He is the founder of the Studio

Botanica in Milan, and many of his former pupils are now international bonsai artists in their own right.

Grant Bowie, curator of the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia, heads the local bonsai talent, along with some of Illawarra Bonsai Society’s finest demonstrators Jamie Milner, Janet Selby, and Brian Wasson.

The Convention commences with a Welcome Cocktail Party on Friday 14 May while Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May are the main demonstration days.

There will also be a convention dinner on the Saturday evening which will celebrate the 40th birthday of Illawarra Bonsai Society. The Convention will conclude with workshops on Monday 17 May, with Salvatore Liporace and Grant Bowie.

• Early Bird Registration $195 (closes 1 November 2009)

• Full Registration $230• Day Registration $135

ForConventioninformationandformsvisit:

www.illawarrabonsaisociety.org

EasterBonsaiExhibitionsBendigoBonsaiSocietyandMorningtonPeninsulaBonsaiSociety

BendigoBonsaiSociety

MorningtonPeninsulaBonsaiSociety

Photos taken by Ian Barnes,

April 2009.

If you have photos of your clubs recent exhibition please send them in.We welcome contributions. Editor

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