The Tops Bonsai Weekend Workshops

[Brenda Parker]

Hi to all bonsai lovers,

Illawarra Bonsai Society is again hosting the 16th Tops Weekend Workshops for 2015 at the Tops Conference Centre in the Grevillea section. This conference centre is at Stanwell Tops about 5 minutes drive out of Helensburgh. The date is the 28th-30th August, 2015.
This year we have invited Steve Tolley who is a U.K. based bonsai artist and teacher and is well known not only in England, but in America and Europe. In 2005 he was awarded the BCI Artist, Writer Photographer Award at the 5th Word Bonsai Convention in Washington DC. He has gained recognition both in the U.K. at national exhibitions and in Europe at the prestigious Gingko Award in Belgium and the Noelanders Trophy. Check out his profile at http://www.stevetolleybonsai.com for yourself.
Also on the program will be Lyndsay and Glenis Bebb from Brisbane who are both very experienced bonsai artists, demonstrators, authors, judge and teachers. Lyndsay loves working with black pines, junipers, satsuki azaleas, figs, swamp cypress, bougainvillea. Development and refinement of bonsai will be emphasised at this weekend.
Aso on this weekend we will have free mah-jong lessons, woodworking to make suiseki daizas, pottery classes where you can make your own pot and have it fired by Janet Selby.
Your registration of $170 is for the whole weekend from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, which includes all meals, morning and afternoon teas, all demonstrations. If you wish you can come just for the one day. This price also includes accommodation as well on a shared basis. The rooms are centrally heated, carpeted floors, ensuite in every room. A quilt and pillow is supplied on all beds and all you have to bring is a pillow slip, sheets and your personal belongings.
There are structured workshops with Steve Tolley and Lindsay Bebb or you can just bring along your own trees and work on them in the peaceful surroundings. Extra workshops will also be conducted on the Monday at Leong's Bonsai South Nursery at an extra cost.
For more information you can go to our website illawarrabonsaisociety.org for more information, or alternatively you can call me on 0412 384 834 for more information.
Hope to see a few of you there........and remember to register early.
Brenda (President of Illawarra Bonsai Society)

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Tops Brochure 2015 - Final-1.pdf

Tops Registration form - 2015 - Final-1.pdf

[Elmar]

Brenda,
This sounds like a fantastic event! Is it annual/ first time?
Being in WA I won't be able to make this years event, but wouldn't interested in planing for future events!!


Cheers
Elmar

[kcpoole]

The tops care held every year about the same time.
Check for prev years posts for some pics

Ken

[Elmar]

Thx ken.


Cheers
Elmar

[Pup]

Thx ken.


Cheers
Elmar

Elmar it is one weekend you should plan for it is a fabulous weekend with lots to do and also lots of fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
Cheers Pup

[Elmar]

Thx ken.


Cheers
Elmar

Elmar it is one weekend you should plan for it is a fabulous weekend with lots to do and also lots of fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
Cheers Pup

Thx Pup,
I truly want to go! Last time we went away (from Hedland) I really enjoyed the interaction and seeing the trees, I was hyped for weeks... So I'm looking and paying attention because I want to go!

Just not my time just yet.


Cheers
EZ
By Tapatalk

[Chris Di Nola]

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to make sure that you all know how good this weekend is both in contnt and in value, if you have been before then you can back me and if not then come and find out. If you dont have a good time or learn something new I will grow a Goatee.

Cheers
Chris

[tex048]

Getting close now - I don't know which part of the Tops weekend I enjoy more than meeting people and enjoying great company..... Maybe the

The Main Demos

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or The tree critiques and victuals

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or the Pottery and woodworking

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Or the Workshops (participating or observing)

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Its hard to decide.......

Come along and decide for yourself!

Sean

[Brenda Parker]

Hi all you bonsai lovers,

Only 2 weeks to go before The Tops workshop weekend to go and if you are quick you can still put in your registration. You can just come for a day, as an observer, partake in some pottery making and also in some woodworking or carving, you can bring your own trees to work on or just have fun meeting and greeting other bonsai people. You can observe both of the workshops conducted by Steve Tolley (from the U.K.) and Lindsay Bebb, and you will be surprised how much you can learn by just looking and taking in the information that is being given by the workshop hosts.

Oh, I didn't mention the FOOD that is given to us over the weekend and copious amounts of it as well and I can guarantee that you will not go home hungry!! Also as a special treat donated by the Illawarra Bonsai Club we will supply 'happy hour' at the close of workshops on the Saturday afternoon with a glass or two of wine, soft drink and nibblies as an appetizer to our Saturday night dinner, after which Steve Tolley will be doing his main demonstration.

Remember that all the rooms are shared accommodation, carpeted, centrally heated, and en-suite in every room, inner spring mattresses (not a tent under the trees!!), the centre supplies a pillow and quilt for each bed and all you have to bring are your personal belongings, a sheet and pillow slip, towel etc. the rest is provided. A great bushland setting with a very well appointed dining room adjoining our main hall.

Come and join like-minded people and enjoy a weekend of all bonsai stuff and meeting some great talented people.

If this weekend is not your thing, there will be extra workshops held at Bonsai South Nursery, 114-116 The Boulevarde, Caringbah on Monday the 31st August starting at 9.00am where Steve Tolley will conduct them. The cost will be $85 which includes lunch, morning and afternoon teas. Bring a tree to style or refine and come and meet other bonsai lovers.

Hope to see some of you either at the Tops weekend or at Leong's Bonsai South Nursery on the Monday.

Yours in bonsai
Brenda Parker (President of Illawarra Bonsai Society Inc)
Mob: 0412 384 834

[Chris Di Nola]

See you this weekend for those of you coming to the TOPS
if not you have this week to get registered