The Tops Weekend Workshops 2014

[Steven]

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You are invited to join members of Illawarra Bonsai Society at our 15th Weekend Workshops, at the Tops Conference Centre at Stanwell Tops.
This year we have a special program featuring a unique Penjing demonstration to be given by 3 of the greats - John Marsh, Lee Wilson and Allan Harding and workshops with John Marsh and Chris Di Nola

REGISTRATION
Full registration is from 6pm Friday to 4pm Sunday and includes all meals (except dinner on Friday), morning and afternoon tea, supper and accommodation.
Day registration includes lunch, and morning and afternoon tea, and Saturday day registrants may attend dinner for an additional $20.

PAYMENT
All forms and payment should be sent to: The Secretary, Illawarra Bonsai Society Inc. PO Box 4736, Sylvania Waters NSW 2224
Payment to be made by one of the following options:
* By Cheque/money order: payable to Illawarra Bonsai Society Inc.
* By Direct Deposit: Illawarra Bonsai Society, St George Bank, BSB 112-879, Acc No 065568406.
NOTE:Please use your full name as a reference when direct depositing.

FURTHER INFORMATION
- Car access for unloading is from the main road. Please unload as quickly as possible and return your car to the carpark.
- On Sunday morning all bedrooms must be vacated by 10.00am. A storage room can be made available to store your luggage if required.
For more information contact - Julie Smith
Email: julie.smith13@hotmail.com.au Phone: 0403 863 121

http://www.illawarrabonsaisociety.org

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[Brenda Parker]

Hi to all bonsai and suiseki enthusiasts,

Our weekend at The Tops this year plans to be a fun and educational weekend with something for everyone.
Our club has opted not to bring in an international bonsai artist this year so as to not collide with the happenings at the AABC/BCI Convention on the Gold Coast two weeks before.
Our resident woodworking guru, George Reissis may not be able to bring along all of his woodworking machinery as he has developed an eye problem and on doctor's orders is unable to drive and operate machinery. He will still be there to advise those of you who have your own Dremel's etc. and I can perhaps bring along a scroll saw and you will still be able to get advice from George to complete a daiza or two for your suiseki (stones).
I, for one, am looking forward to learning more about Penjing from our very own "Three Immortals" as I think we need to broaden our appreciation of all things bonsai in styles and origins.
For you to register, you need to download the registration form from our website illawarrabonsaisociety.org and send it to us no later than two weeks before the event.
Again, this weekend is geared up to anyone, whether you belong to a club or not, to come along to share, learn and to make new bonsai friendships. This weekend also is geared up to be structured to your requirements - e.g. come for a day only or to just come along to observe. Everyone is welcome. Hope to see you all there.

Kindest regards,
Brenda Parker
(President of Illawarra Bonsai Society and President of Suiseki Australia)

[Brenda Parker]

Dear bonsai friends,

As you no doubt already know that Illawarra Bonsai Society is hosting The Tops weekend at the Stanwell Tops Convention Centre on the 5th-7th September.

The good news is that we have been upgraded to the ultra-modern Acacia complex (next door to the Banksia complex - the one that we were in last year) so that means we have more room to spread out in more comfort.

For those of you who have already booked just note that the venue has changed, but the invitation is out for those of you who are thinking of coming but haven't done so already.

Just remember that you don't have to stay for the whole weekend you can stay for just a day and recommended would be the Saturday with the 'Happy Hour' at about 5.00 - 6.00pm (which is supplied free of charge which includes, wine, beer and nibblies) followed by a dinner and then the main demo by The Three Immortals who will talk and demonstrate on the finer points of Penjing which is rapidly raising a lot of interest in the bonsai world (this is a must see).

On the Sunday afternoon Chris Di Nola will be doing a demonstration and workshops on the Sunday morning.

Illawarra will have a little 'shop' there for those little extras you may need for the weekend, plus raffles.

We will have Janet Selby and Penny Davis selling their unique bonsai pots for you to purchase.

Another attraction will be Kym James teaching the art of Mahjong and this is free of charge as well.

I will be conducting soe or Kusamono workshops which are the accent plants we use to display with our trees in a formal display. All items and plants are in included for only $10 - a bargain.

You can come just to observe to see what is happening, join in a workshop, make some unique bonsai pots with our resident potter Janet Selby, bring your tools along to do a bit of woodworking (mainly daizas for suiseki) or a bonsai stand. One point to mention is that George Reissis is having eye problems at the moment and he will not be bringing his 'big boys toys' this year BUT he will still be there to give advice etc. There will be a scroll saw to use but you need to bring along your own Dremel's etc.

If you didn't want to do any of these activities, you can bring along your own trees to work on and to get advice on, catch up with old friends or just make new bonsai friends.

I can guarantee that you will be well fed as the centre provides more than adequate meals and copious amounts of tea and coffee.

Attached are the information and registration forms.

Looking forward to meeting and greeting all of you,
See you soon,
Brenda

[Guy]

(tongue in cheek) How come you didn't follow the potting placement rules for the logo tree