8th National Exhibition of Aust Native Plants as Bonsai

[Watto]

Congratulations - great show and well worth the trip. The Melaleucas were the pick in my opinion - it would have done Pup proud.

[MikeB]

Hi everyone

Thanks to those who made it to Canberra for the Exhibition or Symposium and glad to hear that it was worth the trip.

Agree - lighting is a bit tricky and a tripod is required for standard camera types - like mine. I've got a heap of tripod shots that I am working through (choosing between them and cropping - sometimes adjusting midtones).

I'll work with Steve to get them available.

The CBS site http://www.cbs.org.au will have the most popular 3 trees voted by the visitors to the 2011 exhibition up soon ... but not as I post this ... webmaster has a day time job ...

Cheers

Mike.

[LLK]

The results are out and can be seen on the URL provided by Mike.
They are
13 - Melaleuca styphelioides.jpg (n9 and n10 of Brett's photos)
10 - Acacia howittii.jpg (not among the photos shown here, but can be seen on the CBS website)
36 - Eucalyptus nicholii.jpg (n3 of Brett's photos)

I was delighted with the winning of the 1st prize by nr 13, as I had been admiring the beautiful branching and the natural aspect of the tree's stature. A work of art, as well as a wonderful concept of a native tree in the wild.
The Acacia is a model of grace, and the Eucalyptus a great evocation of this tree as it grows full size out in the open.
Congratulations to three great artists!

Lisa

Thanks to Brett for the first set of photos!

[shibui]

My congratulations also to these 3 artists for creating such wonderful examples of Aussie native bonsai
Thanks to all the others who were able to show trees and those who helped make the weekend successful by helping out, or just coming along to enjoy the inspiration provided by the trees on display.

My only disappointment was that only 3 photos turned up for the photo entry section.
We know there are many other great native bonsai out there that can't make it to Canberra because of the vast distances so it would be great to see more photo entries next year.

[Bretts]

That's an interesting result for popular vote from the public. From comments on the day from the public going through I thought the result may be a little different. Congrats to all for a great exibit
I was struggling between the triple trunk banksia(not sure if the owner would appreciate being named ?) and Ray's Black Wattle entry.
I ended up going for he tripple trunk. Maybe I should have kept this to myself when talking with Ray on the phone as I think he was a little disappointed in me
I think I would have gone for Ray's tree if I had never seen it before but the Banksia was also brilliant I thought.

Couple of questions. Was there a packers award from the volunteers. I thought it was said there would be.

Two of us out this way hoped to put a tree or two in this year but where unsure if we could make it until close to the date. Hope to be a little more organised next year which I gather would entail getting there Friday so the trees are available early Saturday morning for exhibit. Otherwise If I had been allowed a late entry I would have taken a tree with me this year.
I remember from the Canberra meeting I attended that we should enter a number of trees quite early as it is better to pull a tree that has not come upto expectations rather than entering a tree late as some work must be done with the cataloge.
I figure all this info would have been made clear when I emailed but I was wondering if it was possible to have all this sought of info available on the website.
Not sure about others but I need all the help in the world to be organised
Also we where wondering if there was any prize for being the most popular tree. Maybe a plague or something? Not a big deal just curious!

Thanks in advance for any answers

[shibui]

[quote]Also we where wondering if there was any prize for being the most popular tree. Maybe a plague or something?[quote]

Thats a great idea Bretts. Give them the plague That'll slow them down for next year and give others a much better chance.

The show committee do a great job so try not to make their job harder but if you have any concerns about putting entries in for a national native show, talk to someone about consideration for long distance entries. It is obviously preferrable to have all the trees on hand early so consideration can be given to balance and composition but it should be possible to get a little leeway for those who have to travel if it is necessary. For some shows in the past, when I could not get there on Friday night, I have arranged to have a space kept and bring my entry in on Saturday morning when I arrive (as soon as possible after starting time though). Just don't expect to get a prime spot.

[MikeB]

Thanks Lisa, Brett and Shibui ...

You chose the right person Brett - just the wrong tree ...

I'll get back to you on the 'packers' award - although I know who got this prestigious gong as there was only one entrant who provided the 3 photo entries. As Shibui says, it would be great to have a greater number of photo entries next time - to show the public who visit the exhibition the extent, diversity and quality of Aussie native bonsai.

We'll take your comments on board Brett when we do our post show analysis. It should e pretty easy to put together a more complete info pack for potential exhibitors.

Mike.

[Bretts]

Oh I thought there was a packers pick for the exhibit as well. I must have read that wrong

Cheers Mike I will try to be more organised next year

[Ash]

It sounds like it was a very enjoyable exhibition - the trees seen so far look great. It is a bummer all of these great bonsai events happen so far from home!

Regarding the limited number (just 3) of photographic entries submitted - several years ago I submitted photographs to this exhibition and received a letter of thanks that made me very happy and proud of my little trees. But even more than a thankyou I would have loved to be able to see the other photographs submitted.

cheers
Ash

[MikeB]

Hi Ash

Thanks for the feedback. We will put the photo exhibits up with the others this year - and I'll see if our records allow us to retrofit the photo exhibits with the galleries for any previous years.

Mike.