February, March and April are usually workshop nights with a tree display and a small demonstration or talk at the beginning of each meeting on a particular style of tree or specific tree species for that month. May, June and July we usually have invited demonstrators or special guest speakers, then from August through to November it is back to workshops. December meeting (on the second Monday) is our AGM, a tombola, a decorated Christmas tree competition, and a great Christmas party to follow with lots of great food and drink for our annual breakup for the year.
Three times a year we have member's sales night where members sell their excess stock of trees, pots and bonsai related material which is usually very popular.
If a person is a registered member they are entitled to free workshops and lessons every Sunday morning at one of our member's homes from 8am to about 11am where we have a very informal and interesting gathering and work on trees and help with the styling of trees.
Every May we have our annual autumn show and usually in September we organize a bonsai (demonstrations and workshops)
, pottery and woodworking workshop at the Stanwell Tops Convention Centre at Stanwell Tops with living-in accommodation from Friday until Sunday afternoon. Registrants can just come for a day or stay for the whole weekend. This tradition with the club has been going now for 15 years and every year it has been very successful. Past international demonstrators have been Marc Noelanders from Belgium and Robert Steven from Indonesia.Illawarra Bonsai prides itself in helping to promote bonsai within the community and all are welcome to come and join us on or at any of the particular activities and other clubs are most welcome to visit our club with a view of sharing knowledge, maybe learning something different or just being bonsai friends.
The president Brenda, can be contacted for any further information at information@illawarrabonsaisociety.org
