Position Vacant - Assistant Curator NBPCA

[kcpoole]

Hi Leigh
has there been any news on the new Assistant role?
has it been awarded and if so who to ?

Ken

[LLK]

Just received from Shannon Young, in a message emailed to all NBPCA volunteers:

All

Thank you for those last 3+ years of my dream job..... A decision has been made that is beyond belief and it leaves my family and I devastated.....
(.......)
I wish you all the best for the future.
(.......)
Shannon Young | Assistant Curator - NBPCA |

Shannon will be missed by many at the NBPCA, as well as by the members of the Canberra Bonsai Society.

No news yet regarding the person who has been chosen for the full time, permanent position of Assistant Curator NBPCA

[bodhidharma]

A bit sad to hear that news.

[LLK]

The outcome:

From: Highfield, Kara
Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2017 4:29 PM
Subject: NBPCA - Assistant Curator [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

I am forwarding this email as requested by Director of Venues Canberra, Liz Clarke.

Dear NBPCA Stakeholder

It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Samuel Thompson to the position of Assistant Curator of the National Bonsai & Penjing Collection of Australia. Samuel brings a wealth of international level bonsai experience to the position. Having completed a 6 month co-curator internship with Master Kunio Koboyashi at the distinguished Shunka-en Bonsai Museum in Japan. Bonsai Master Kunio Koboyashi , three times winner of the Prime Minister’s Award, the most prestigious prize for bonsai in Japan, is highly respected around the world.

Samuel’s experience in large volume, high quality bonsai maintenance of international standard aligns itself with the NBPCA’s aspirations of recognition within the international bonsai community. Samuel has extensive experience backed by a certificate 3 in horticulture and in February 2018 will be accredited with a certificate 4, he has also expressed that he would like to gain a diploma in this same field.

Samuel’s experience with a diverse range of species used for bonsai will be an asset for the NBPCA’s maintenance of its large collection of not only common Japanese specimen, but also our Australian natives.

Samuel will bring tertiary education with his Bachelor Degree in Biomedical Science and in February 2018 will have completed a Post Graduate Degree in Education.

This will assist the NBPCA with its stakeholder engagement and community education programs.

Samuel has been doing bonsai for 12 years, over that time receiving awards including international recognition from Indonesian Bonsai Master, and Co-Founder of The Black Scissors Movement, Robert Steven.

The panel is extremely pleased to appoint Samuel to this position.

I trust that you will welcome Samuel to the NBPCA and National Arboretum.

I would like to thank Shannon Young for his 3 years service to the NBPCA and National Arboretum.



Shannon’s experience in bonsai and workplace health & safety has been invaluable in assisting in the establishment of procedures and policy for a new business within the ACT Government, as is the National Arboretum. I am aware that he has also made many friendships whilst here and acknowledge the contribution he has made during his time with the team.



Shannon has also been a valuable contributor to our weekend Duty Manager team, providing guidance with procedures.

On behalf of the NBPCA and National Arboretum I wish Shannon every success in his future endeavours.

Regards

Liz Clarke FAICD | Director - Venues Canberra

[PeterH]

Paper quals doesn't make a Bonsai artist and from my experience 6 months in Japan doesn't either. Typical Public service.

[kcpoole]

Hmm Not much from a google search on him that i can see. Not much on a linked in profile either
I assume that Leigh would have been on the interview panel and as such, have a large input on the selection process. I assume thus he will be happy with the selection and process?

Like most things, time will tell.

Ken

[LLK]

Paper quals doesn't make a Bonsai artist and from my experience 6 months in Japan doesn't either.

Hear, hear!

.Hmm Not much from a google search on him that i can see. Not much on a linked in profile either
I assume that Leigh would have been on the interview panel and as such, have a large input on the selection process. I assume thus he will be happy with the selection and process?

Like most things, time will tell.

I found a relevant Facebook page, but it is not recent: https://www.facebook.com/sam.thompson.7927408
Part of it concerns bonsai. Farrand Bloch interviewed Samuel for Bonsai Focus.
See https://www.facebook.com/photo.php? ... urn false;

From what I heard, I don't think Leigh was on the interview panel.

Lisa

[Gerard]

Difficult to make a judgement, certainly not prominent on the Australian bonsai scene. 12 years in bonsai can be a lot and can be nothing. 6 months under Mr. Koboyashi might be exaggerated. What concerns me is that I know nothing about this person and trust will take time.
Shannon is a terrific bloke who was doing a good job. I understand that it is not a popularity contest but I am not at all happy with the process.
It will take some effort to meet and understand the new assistant curator, hopefully he will be a great addition.
(After all ..... someone selected him)

P.S. who is responsible for selection?

[pjames]

I got the photos through facebook. We chatted couple of times through fb.

[pjames]

More photos from his Japan trips. These photos were shared in bonsai brisbane group.

[LLK]

P.S. who is responsible for selection?

We were not told, but I guess that the person who signed the letter concerning the appointment of Samuel Thompson, i.e.
Liz Clarke FAICD | Director - Venues Canberra, might be the one to ask. (Don't get your hopes up about a definite answer, though!)

pjames: thanks for those very nice photos! It always helps to put a face to the name.

[kcpoole]

P.S. who is responsible for selection?

We were not told, but I guess that the person who signed the letter concerning the appointment of Samuel Thompson, i.e.
Liz Clarke FAICD | Director - Venues Canberra, might be the one to ask. (Don't get your hopes up about a definite answer, though!)

IMHO that is probly not ever going to be release and not the sort of thing usually made public knowledge

pjames: thanks for those very nice photos! It always helps to put a face to the name.

Yep totally argree.
kEN

[pjames]

No worries. He is nice and friendly

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

Let's not have the "tall poppy syndrome" begin...

[squizzy]

Well in case Samuel is on the forum,

Well done on your appointment as assistant curator. I hope you enjoy your new role and you can earn the trust of some of the doubtful.

Lets all hope this is a step in the right direction for bonsai in Australia.

Squizzy