Bonsai Northwest Inc, Bonsai Melbourne Victoria Australia

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Welcome to Bonsai Northwest Inc, home of great Australian Bonsai and one of the leading bonsai clubs in Australia.

2012 AABC Convention Information

Meeting Schedule 2011

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

- No meeting

- Workshop

- Olive Demonstration

- Workshop

- Don Deluca Demo

- Workshop

- Triple Demo

- Workshop

- Special Guest Demonstrator Bill Valavanis (USA)

- Workshop

- Annual General Meeting

December AGM, BBQ and Auction night

Disclaimer: We do not associate ourselves with anyone selling bonsai on ebay using our club name without permission.

About

BONSAI NORTHWEST INC is a non profit interest group situated in Melbourne Australia, devoted to helping beginners and the more advanced enthusiast in the art of Bonsai. It was established in 1973.

The group meets at 8:00pm at the Clifton Park Bowling Club, Batman Street, Essendon/Aberfeldie VIC Australia on the first Monday of the Month (except January). Refer Melways Map 28-B4

You are very welcome to come along to any of our meetings and have a look for yourself before deciding to join.

We also exchange newsletters with clubs around the world, so if your club is interested in corresponding, please send us an email.

We offer:

instructive bonsai demonstrations by experienced club members and invited guest demonstrators,

hands-on bonsai workshops with guidance and advice from more experienced members and guest teachers,

an informative monthly newsletter packed with tips and bonsai news,

an extensive library of bonsai books, magazines and DVDs,

bonsai supplies (pots, tools, wire) for sale at special club member prices, and

the chance to join a friendly, relaxed group of over 150 people who all have an interest in the art of Bonsai.

Why join?

By joining a bonsai club, you can learn to create a bonsai, to maintain its shape and to keep it alive! Club membership can provide a platform from which to learn a whole new art form.

Click on the downloads section for the Membership Form.

MAIL:

Location

The group meets at 8:00pm at the Clifton Park Bowling Club, Batman Street, Essendon/Aberfeldie VIC on the first Monday of the month (except January).

Ref Melway Map 28-B4

The Secretary

Bonsai Northwest Inc

PO Box 222

Yarraville VIC 3013

Australia

EMAIL: bonsainorthwest_hotmail.com

PHONE: 0407 523 741 (Glenys)

Current Month

December AGM, BBQ and Auction night

What a great way to end the year with our AGM, BBQ and Auction night all rolled into one. The AGM was completed quickly with the election of office bearers being David (President), Ted (Treasurer) with General Committee members being Makario, Marie, Maria, Michael, Bronwyn, Damian (also Librarian), Glenys and new committee member Anthony. Certificate of Thanks were handed out to Ken, Ian, Kevin and Ted for exceptional work with the club this year. Damian received the Ron Anderson encouragement award.

The AGM was followed by a BBQ which everyone enjoyed. The bar was open for a nice cold beverage too. Thank you to all the helpers and cooks.

We then held a mini auction which saw some great battles over some beautiful bonsai.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone and see you all in the new year.

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Gallery
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2011 Autumn Exhibition

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2012 AABC Convention

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Venue
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"Be Inspired"

The 25th AABC National Bonsai Convention hosted by Bonsai Northwest Inc Melbourne to be held at Rydges Hotel, Bell City.

Boon Manakitivipart (USA) will be the International Demonstrator with Australia demonstrators Don DeLuca, Glen Bebb and Bonsai Northwest members sharing the stage.

Click the image to download the full convention booklet and all the information that you will need.

Click the image of Boon to view a special video message he made for the Convention.

Come and see the best Bonsai in Victoria on Exhibition.

Demonstrators

Don DeLuca (Australia)

Don began his bonsai journey in 1987. He has been fortunate

enough to travel both in Australia

and overseas to study bonsai and

learn techniques from some of the most competent people. For twenty years Don has successfully run a

Bonsai Nursery and for the last ten years he as specialised in field grown stock. Don is a tutor on the

Boon Manakitivipart (USA)

Boon's passion is bonsai education, both learning and teaching. His goal is to share his bonsai expertise and knowledge with other bonsai enthusiasts through his teachings.

Boon has won numerous national and international awards for his work on bonsai. He is known for his innovative techniques, unique bonsai styling and creative teaching methods.

Boon's start in bonsai was the result of a birthday gift, a small juniper bonsai. That tree would soon have a huge impact on his life and his future. He became fascinated with bonsai.

AABC Register of National Demonstrators.

Glen Bebb (Australia)

Glen Bebb, along with husband

Lindsay, owned and operated Bonsai Nursery (Brisbane), a Nationally Accredited

Garden Centre, where she worked full time for over twenty years. Glen has conducted regular bonsai courses and

He joined the Bonsai Society of San Francisco, where he took his first beginner class in the spring of 1989. Anxious to learn as much as possible about bonsai, Boon studied with as many teachers as he could find in California. Boon's bonsai skills advanced when he hosted Akio Kondo, who was Kihachiro Kamiyas first apprentice. Mr. Kondo arrived as what the Japanese call a first-year professional, and stayed at Boon's home for one year. In 1993, the Golden State Bonsai Federation awarded Boon a Teacher Development Scholarship; two years later, he received the Ben Oki International Design Award for styling a Sierra juniper. In 1995, Boon travelled to Japan where he studied bonsai as an apprentice with Yasuo

Mitsuya. Later, Boon worked and studied at Kihachi-En and was apprentice to Kihachiro Kamiya, a great bonsai master with multiple national awards.

workshops both at the nursery and as a registered National Demonstrator throughout the country.

Plus Bonsai Northwest member demonstration.

Venue

Rydges Hotel Bell City

Rydges Hotel Bell City is set amongst beautifully resort style landscaped

gardens, conveniently located in Melbournes inner north just 20 minutes

from the CBD and 15 minutes from Melbournes Tullamarine airport.

The Convention will be hosted in the Bell City Ballroom with all meals served in the Marquee. The East wing will house an exhibition of Victoria's premiere Bonsai and a retail area will be in the New York Room.

There is a choice of accommodation: Spacious 1 & 2 bed Manhattan studio apartments with the latest in technologies and creature comforts are truly a home away from home. Sleep & Go offers the best value hotel room in Melbourne, with all the facilities you would associate with an

international hotel.

There is a choice of restaurants on site: Chill Restaurant and Bar, JDs Diner and Bar, Pantry Cafe and Pantry Convenience store. Other facilities include disabled access, 24 hour reception, room service, pool, gymnasium, guest laundry service, laundromat and internet cafe.

Bookings

To book your Rydges Bell City accommodation and receive the special convention rates, use the link below to go to the customised

Convention page: www.rydges.com/cwp/bonsaiconvention

Events

Saturday Demonstrations

A full day of inspiration with demonstrations by Boon Manakitivipart and Don DeLuca in the Bell City Ballroom. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided. Access to the Bonsai Exhibition and Specialty Bonsai Sales Area available all day.

Friday Nursery and Garden Tour

A full day guided coach tour, taking in Bonsai Art bonsai nursery, the Paradisia bonsai collection, and the Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. The tour will leave from Bell City and return in plenty of time for you to join the Welcome Reception. Bookings are essential as numbers are limited.

Sunday Demonstrations

A presentation by Glen Bebb, followed by further inspiration from Boon and concluding with a presentation by members of Bonsai Northwest Talent Team. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided. Access to the Bonsai Exhibition and Sales Area available all day.

Friday Welcome Reception

An opportunity to meet the demonstrators, catch up with old friends and make new ones. The Welcome Reception will be held in the Marquee from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, with drinks and light refreshments and a sneak preview of the Bonsai Exhibition.

Monday Workshops

Boon Manakitivipart will offer two workshops (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) for experienced bonsai enthusiasts. Don DeLuca also will conduct two workshops, for those with some bonsai experience. There is room for 8 participants plus observers at each workshop. Attending these workshop sessions will extend your knowledge of bonsai style and technique. Be inspired.

Saturday Convention Dinner

A fully catered three-course dinner in the Marquee. Enjoy the company of bonsai friends and be entertained by a special guest speaker.

Downloads

BellCity BWPlan.pdf

BONSAI_CONV_2012_A5.pdf

Bell City Layout and Location

Full Convention Booklet

2012 ConRegisForm Aug11.pdf

Registration Form and Schedule of Events

2012Convention Program.pdf

Convention program

2012 Convention Information sheet.pdf

Convention Information Summary

2012 Convention Workshop Information sheet.pdf

Workshop information and details

2011 Bill Valavanis

Bill Valavanis

Monday 3 October - Tuesday 4 October, 2011

2011 Autumn Exhibition
2012 AABC Convention
2011 Bill Valavanis

History

The Early Years written by former President and founding member June Fraser on occasion of the 21st Birthday of Bonsai Northwest Inc. Oct. 10, 1994The first meeting of our group (The Sunshine Bonsai Group) was held on the 15th August 1973 at the home of Mrs Eunice Gill. Eunice placed an ad in the local newspaper for anyone who was interested in bonsai to get in touch with her. As nine people responded to the add we decided to start a bonsai group. This was to be a non profit group and our surplus money was given to charity. Our first venue was Castley Hall in Glengala Road Sunshine, with rent of $ 1 per night. It was decided at this meeting to run a raffle at each of our monthly meetings with each member to supply a prize valued at around $1. In July 1974 our funds allowed us to send out newsletters each month and to purchase some pots from the Victorian Bonsai Society. Shortly after this June and Con Clark offered to bring supplies of pots to our meetings, which gave us a bigger selection of pots and tools which at that time we were not financially able (or that adventurous, not sure which) to get for ourselves. In February 1974 Mrs Elsie Gras gave the first of her many talks and demonstrations to our group. That same year we also started putting up a display of bonsai at the Sunshine Horticultural Society annual show. This gave us a lot more exposure to the general public, as at this stage we were not having a show of our own.In 1975 the Sunshine Horticultural Society started a Bonsai section at their show with judging being for a novice section and an intermediate section, Mr Frank Hocking judged most of the shows. Our Library started in 1974 with 2 books purchased from the Victorian Society and we slowly added to this as Frank told us of the availability of new books. We were also bringing to our meetings unwanted trees, pots or whatever as long as it was bonsai related to sell or swap. By around 1980 we felt we were ready to hold our own show completely separate from Sunshine Horticultural Society and printed up 60 leaflets. By this time we had moved to the Scout Hall in Phoenix Street Sunshine. A lot of our meetings were spent dodging buckets on the floor that were catching rain leaking through the roof, and falling over stacks of newspapers the scouts had collected. Our first couple of shows were a bit disappointing considering the work we had to do to make it happen. We had to go to Williamstown to borrow trestles. I don't know that we even had covering except for white paper on top of the tables. We probably just covered costs. I feel the hall was a bit out of the way of passing traffic. We had an elaborate security system of boy scouts sleeping in the hall overnight for security and hoped the trees were still on the tables next morning. In 1981 we started to buy our own pots from June Clark, we spent a whole $150. As we had no where to store our equipment at the hall we would load the car after each meeting with the pots and cups and saucers and take them home. We did a lot of demonstrations and workshops in the area during the early 80's, which helped to promote bonsai. l think we visited every Garden Club between Melton and Broadmeadows for either a talk or demonstration. I feel we probably would have really struggled to be where we are today if it had not been for Frank Hocking and the Victorian Bonsai Society. In our early days we were all new to bonsai, but Frank always let us know when something was happening, and people like Frank, Elsie Gras, Nell Saffin, Ron Andersen, Max Leversha and June and Con Clark were always willing to offer their time and services for talks or demonstrations and there were others also who ran workshops for us. Some of our members were able to attend workshops with Japanese Masters when other clubs brought them out and we really started to grow in our art. When I look back at our early meetings it shows just how much we have grown as a club and how the standard of trees has improved. A lot of this is thanks to the committees and other people behind the scenes who have put in so much time and effort for this club.History Update by Ian Barnes, President 2009As June has indicated (above), by the late 1980s the Sunshine Bonsai Group was meeting at the Scout Hall in Phoenix Street, North Sunshine and regularly holding bonsai shows at the local Primary School. In 1990, the first of several bonsai exhibitions was staged at the Maribyrnong Community Centre, a much larger venue.By the 21st birthday celebrations, meetings were being held at the West Sunshine Community Centre with shows continuing to be held at Maribyrnong during the mid-90s. During 1994, the group put on bonsai displays at the Melbourne Zoo, as part of their Garden Weekend, and at Highpoint Shopping Centre.As membership increased, the Group moved to larger premises at the Yarraville Community Centre, Francis Street, in March 1997. This venue was large enough to accommodate the regular bonsai exhibitions and also had on-site storage facilities for the growing library and sales items (pots, wire, tools, soil, etc.)On 1st January 2000, the Group changed its name to Bonsai Northwest Incorporated, to better reflect its constituency the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne.By 2005, the club had outgrown the community centre and in June of that year, moved to the Yarraville Club, a much larger and more comfortable venue.In May 2007, Bonsai Northwest was the host club for the 20th AABC National Bonsai Convention, held at the Clocktower Centre in Moonee Ponds. It featured International demonstrators Michael Persiano (USA) and Marco Invernizzi (Italy) along with Australian demonstrators Arthur Robinson (WA) and Brian Sampson (Vic). It was a great success and we think, the best convention yet!In 2009, the club brought international bonsai artist, Robert Steven, from Indonesia to conduct a series of demonstrations and workshops.By 2011, the cost of remaining at the Yarraville Club had become prohibitive for a not-for-profit club such as ours. So in May of that year, Bonsai Northwest moved to new premises at the Clifton Park Bowling Club in Essendon, a smaller and more intimate venue.To celebrate the inaugural World Bonsai Day the club put on a bonsai exhibition at the Footscray Community Arts Centre, on 14-15 May, 2011.Part of the club charter is ...to create interest in Bonsai and inspire participation...to increase enjoyment of Bonsai...to advance appreciation of Bonsai... Through instructive demonstrations at our club meetings, by experienced members and invited guest demonstrators, and hands-on workshops with guidance from experienced members and guest tutors, the club continues to grow and the quality of our bonsai continues to improve. We are also active within the community, regularly giving talks to special interest groups and putting on displays.Bonsai Northwest Inc. continues to be a friendly, relaxed group of around 150 people who all have an interest in the art of bonsai.
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