Some thing I was not aware of was when it was first suggested. I thought about 15 years ago. Well I was wrong it was first suggested in 1987. After as small Bonsai group in Canberra put on a show in. The National Botanic Gardens in Canberra.
It was the suggested by the then Director of the Botanical Gardens who had seen the one in The USA. He asked some members of the Bonsai Federation INC . There was some discussion but that was it.
In 1990 The new Director of the ANBG, Dr Roger Hnatiuk was appointed it was his interest in Bonsai that led to the forming of a Committee to to develop ideas and this led to the founding. Of a re structured and independent body.
It was hoped at that time to have it up and running for the Convention to be held in Canberra in 1995. As we know this did not happen.
However these people did not give up. Then one of the Chief Minister staff who is interested in Bonsai made overtures to the Minister when the Greening of Canberra project was started.
As they say the rest is History. Thanks must be given To Dr Hnatiuk the Chief Minster Grant Bowie for whose tireless efforts this might never have happened.
As we should all know by now that the NBPCA was opened on the 28th of September 2008. By the Chief Minister For Canberra the Hon JON STANHOPE.
I am one of the many donors along with my wife, we are proud to say the two trees we offered were both excepted. So here is another chapter in our Australian History of Bonsai.
Pup
