66th Annual Myrtleford Horticultural show

[alpineart]

Well it on again and it will be a mighty fine display this year and a great challenge to have the categories filled from my end . After years of nagging the head honcho's we now have 5 categories again .
Last year it was a very good turnout , this year will definitely be better . I'm hoping to have a couple of entries in as i have worked hard to get the committee to change from "Pot plants aggregate" to "Bonsai" and include 5 different categories .

I spoke to the retiring President today and if the turnout is a good as i predict it will be ,slightly better than including a display , they will consider seeking sponsorship for the category to include prize money or bonsai pots/plant for all categories .

I'm off to the Albury/Wodonga club tomorrow night and i'm quite certain i will get their support even if its a work in progress as the Show President would like to see a wider variety of works in progress on display . I have offered to sit it out for the day and basically hack and chop a few tree's into shape and answer any questions in regards to clubs , supplies and materials . I think we have enough specialists around to help out any new comers especially in our Bonsai club .

This year they committee have also asked if i could supply a few items for sale be it trainers or Bonsai also flyers and information for the public . They have suggested i make a small contribution to the society from any sales . I hope to be able to Promote Ausbonsai , Albury/Wodonga Bonsai Club and Shibui Nursery - Yackadanda , and Peards if all are in agreement of course .

I know Steven will do his best to get some Ausbonsai flyers out , although i didn't give him much warning , i hope to receive something in time .

I have just had a thought ,after the display we put on at Peards maybe we could hit them up for some sort of sponsership , might put it forward at tomorrow night's club meeting or get the society to speak to Peards directly .

They say i have more front than Myers , but you nowhere , unless you ask , that's for sure .

I hope to have some much improved Pictures this year of both the "Display and Contest entries" with a better backdrop and setup than the shed wall we had last year . I know if i put the foot work in in will get a good result .

Looking forward to Saturday , hope i hold together .

Cheers Alpineart

[shibui]

I know I appreciate all your hard work, Ian and you have achieved a lot for bonsai in this area It will be good to see what we can put together this year.
I have entered a couple of trees in each of the 5 categories
To anyone in the area on Saturday, Drop in to the pavillion at Myrtleford Show to see a display of quality bonsai and maybe even get a few tips or instructions from Ian.

[alpineart]

While its 4 in the morning i should be snoring but i just can't seem to get comfortable with too much going on . With 4 ute loads of materials taken down the display of "Works in Progress" has been set up

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and this morning let the show begin . I still have another wagon load to take down then we will set up the contest entries . Easy does it but do it .

Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Well we're done and dusted with a day to remember in my bonsai career, hacking and chopping anyway , but that's me .

Between Shibui , Bill and myself we put on a show of a life time , never seen here in the N.E Victoria Region . The day started with people being asked to remain outside while the judging took place , way too eager to get inside for a look .I was hoping for a relaxing day taking wire off a couple of pines that need attention however i manage to cut and remove only 3 sections on one tree.

The rest of the day was encouraging the public to take up the challenge and find that hidden artist within . There is an amazing number of people in the area whom actually own bonsai of some sort and don't know of a club or forum . All made references to books they have read or things they had tried and most failed or gave up . With some helpful hints and encouragement i think some may just visit their old hobby and we will all be the better for it .

I have heard of a 55 year old Cedrus Atlantica contorted beyond my comprehension by a 70 yo lady who explained in great detail the bark scale and flakes to the twists and bends that remind me of some of the Australian old timers long before i started, to pines from that era that I'm very keen and hopefully be privileged enough to get some pics of , 1 of numerous elderly citizens whom practiced our art form and still have some of their works be it very neglected it's alive .

I have encouraged them along with so many new people who didn't realize anybody else done bonsai up here .to make the effort to join a club or forum and refine their old work thoroughly enjoyed and were enthused by our efforts over the last 2 days .

I hope these individuals follow up the flyers brochures and information we had available on display and ran out of by the way , eventually turn up here to show us some hidden treasures .

Anyway enough said here's a few pics of the display and show entries

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.More pics will be posted tomorrow . I sure Shibui has some better quality pictures , as I'm still an amateur camera operator .

Many thanks to the Myrtleford District Horticultural Society and the members of the Albury/Wodonga Bonsai club for all their support and assistance whom without this the display and comp would have subsided into a past event this year .

Cheers . Ian Bransden - Alpineart

[Bougy Fan]

So how many prizes did you win ? Glad you could possibly rekindle interest in out hobby - top effort

[Pup]

Well done mate, keep up the good work, and remain faithful to your art.

Cheers Pup

[alpineart]

Hi Bougy Fan , Pup , guys it was the best event in the history of the Myrtleford Show and there's more to come .Next year their will be "Best in Show" and "Peoples Choice" awards hopefully added into the Bonsai section creating 8 categories .Bonsai takes many years to grow , changing peoples minds in regards to our art has taken one and a half decades or more to change , from the humble "Pot Plants" aggregate , to where we are now at a local Show.

Now with the support of the Albury/Wodonga Bonsai Club and Shibui Nursery who has already offered up Sponsership for prize money we will continue to be one of the most successful Horticulural Shows in Australia to host Bonsai as a section /class and category .I'll be hitting up some more businesses in the area to contribute to this bloody great art /hobby of ours over the next 12 months to make sure the sky is the limit even at the humble country show . All up we had a combined 22 entry display of 'Works in Progress" and 25 entries in the 6 Bonsai Sections

I meet with 25 yo Veteran committee members from the Adelaide show checking out the displayed Bonsai whom explained they have never seen a Bonsai displayed in any Hort' show in their State much to my surprise . Amazingly we had visitors from 3 states and Territories with feedback being taken onboard and will be past on to the respective persons . No doubt Neil and myself will have a few visitors heading for a closer look at material and other Bonsai lurking around waiting for new inspired owners to "give it a crack" so to speak

I managed 4 First , 3 Second including equal second with Shibui and the "John Finger memorial Sash" for the "Best Indoor Exhibit"

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.The rest of the pics are up to my usual standard and are not good quality . I will update and take a few pics of the entries here over the coming week . A very rewarding and humbling day with the greatest thanks going to Neil for all his help , support inspiration and motivation to continue to plod along refining my hacking and chopping process .. Back again to do it all again Next Year .

Cheers Alpineart

[Meagi]

Congrats alpine like your display.
I was planning on coming up but got called to work at last minute joys of living 2.5mins from work I'm always stuck there lately.
Im Going on another high country adventure this summer !

[alpineart]

Hi Meagi , mate the display belongs to our club and the show was basically Shibui and myself so congrats goes to all who contributed and to all here who continue ti inspire and motivate me . Welcome up this way anytime , plenty of wiggle sticks in summer but they usually only bite if you stand on them . Cheers Alpine .

[alpineart]

Some better pics -

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Cheers Alpine

[Boics]

Cool.
That display is indeed a monumental piece of work.
Top stuff.

[alpineart]

Cool.
That display is indeed a monumental piece of work.
Top stuff.

Hi Biocs , mate the feedback was very interesting . Most humans have the misconception that bonsai is only for the elite or we all belong to a secret society who never show our works outside in the public .

A quick calculation shows if every member here put 1-2 tree's into a horticultural show in their town or city this would change peoples mis-interpretation of clubs and forums in a matters of years not decades as the case has been here .

Work it out 5000 + members displaying 2 tree's to the public , in the public arena in Australia , helping so many "interested people" understand we are just normal as far as normal goes artist or individuals who love the art of bonsai .

Many have heard of Shibui by his real name , again from the feedback i recieved , but no-one knew there was a "Bonsai Nursery" up the road in Yackandanda or that there was even a club in the district . There is actually 30 odd people within 30 klms who actually came up to me and said they had or have bonsai some as old as 50 Years other's who have little trainers and these so called normal people are from all walks of life , 75% of them were female in the age group from 10-80+ .

I had a 1 1/2 hour visit from a show goer , he has seen me around town with tree's hanging out the back of the ute /trailers even tandem trailer loads , he just thought i was a nutter collecting stumps for garden ornaments .

He hit the nail on the head but i add "Bonsai" in front of his statement . People don't usually go to Bonsai Shows because they are mis-informed as too the qualifications or requirements to participate , some didn't even know you can Google Bonsai and look at millions of pics . As with all things in life , if you put the foot work in the will always be a good result . It doesn't matter if we get a new member joining our club , but the public is now informed and the seed is planted .

Hopefully someone here takes the time to approach their local show and see if they can enter a couple of Bonsai for public display , even if it is in the Pot plant section where i started . It has taken 15 years to get where the Myrtleford show is with the Bonsai category now but if i gave up 10 years ago i would have never progressed , joined a club or belonged to a forum .

Change takes time , but its time for change , so if its meant to be , it's up to me , adopt that attitude and show off your tree's at a public display and the correct info' will get out there . .

Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Today the local N.E Newspaper came out and yes Bonsai did get a mention in the show section .

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Another "First" for us country boys , Well done to Neil and many thanks for all his support in all the categories of Bonsai , setting up and displaying and the many other categories he entered . Talk about a full on commitment which has seen the local show benefit and improve again with his support .

I hope to see him back again next year and maybe just a few more members of our club could chip in . I know we have been granted 30% more display area for the competition section so we are not so cramped , hopefully we can fill it out and continue to improve the Show and peoples awareness .

Cheers Alpineart

[cre8ivbonsai]

Congratulations Alpine and Shibui, on the expansion of your display this year (and next) and gaining more community attention and interest for bonsai, you sure worked hard and deserve the acknoweledgements!

[alpineart]

Hi Cre8ivbonsai , all good things come to those who "wait" , i don't completely agree with that statement , it should read those who "put the foot work in". It was a great experience and Shibui's knowledge of shows and displays certainly has had major benefit's and a change of mind clearing old ideas for new from my end as well .

Securing more space and a couple of more categories will be even better spreading the congestion out a little , involving the public will reap the benefit's also . I might take up wiring tree's correctly after the Bougy experience but it will be "hack and chop" and "hook and hold" wiring for a while yet

Looking forward to the next year of progress in the right direction .

Cheers Alpine.