AusBonsai

I have just read or should say re read. An article on the National Bonsai collection of Australia.
Some thing I was not aware of was when it was first suggested. I thought about 15 years ago. Well I was wrong it was first suggested in 1987. After as small Bonsai group in Canberra put on a show in. The National Botanic Gardens in Canberra.
It was the suggested by the then Director of the Botanical Gardens who had seen the one in The USA. He asked some members of the Bonsai Federation INC . There was some discussion but that was it.
In 1990 The new Director of the ANBG, Dr Roger Hnatiuk was appointed it was his interest in Bonsai that led to the forming of a Committee to to develop ideas and this led to the founding. Of a re structured and independent body.
It was hoped at that time to have it up and running for the Convention to be held in Canberra in 1995. As we know this did not happen.
However these people did not give up. Then one of the Chief Minister staff who is interested in Bonsai made overtures to the Minister when the Greening of Canberra project was started.
As they say the rest is History. Thanks must be given To Dr Hnatiuk the Chief Minster Grant Bowie for whose tireless efforts this might never have happened.
As we should all know by now that the NBPCA was opened on the 28th of September 2008. By the Chief Minister For Canberra the Hon JON STANHOPE.
I am one of the many donors along with my wife, we are proud to say the two trees we offered were both excepted. So here is another chapter in our Australian History of Bonsai. Pup

thanks for the history lesson pup, i knew it had taken longer than expected, but not that long...
ahhh, it was a memorable 28th of September 2008
i was able to take a few photo's (ill put them up for the people that were unfortunate enough not to be there), but alas, i do not have the whole collection...
does anyone else have more photo's, ill post my photo's after work thisarvo...

I am not sure which ones you have but here are some of mine.

Some more The venue is very good for viewing but not for photographs

There is an excellent blog on the Canberra Bonsai Society website regarding collecting some of the donated trees from WA. Our very own Mr and Mrs Pup feature and the article can be read here - The Collection of the collection.

Steven

yep, that's the tree pup

here's a couple of photo's you haven't put up...

hardknocksbonsai behind our tree...
ric roberts olive...
grant bowie's taxodium group...
a raft/pheonix graft white pine...
black pine...

Love the "I'm with HardKnocksBonsai" T-Shirt!

S.

Were you there on the Saturday? because that woman behind Grants group in the pic looks a lot like Mrs pup
I have some more but I think maybe some one else might go when there are not so many people and take some.
I too like those tee shirts any chance of sending a couple over. Obviously not for free. As you can see by if it is the mrs we would need xxxlarge

yea i was there both days, loved it.
the security was good with the trees too, i was very happy with that.

and regarding the t-shirts, i can make them up for you steve or mr and mrs pup, send pm if your serious for addresses.
i have more designs... dot and her friend that was at the opening will be recieving a shirt too, they loved it also

(nothing but a few shirts at the moment, ill get them printed properly when there is enough interest.)

Thanks for the picks guys, Canberra is on my list of to do's and it looks like there are some fine bonsai to be seen there. Shame about the slats they need to be changed as photography is difficult at best.

Jon

Jon, this is a temporary set up well for the next 3 years at least .Then it will be moved to the permanent site, at the arboretum. With its own separate area.
I think that some of our concerns will be addressed The main concern at the moment is for the visiting public and security. I am sure when you visit yourself Jon you will understand. Also remember when Governments back you with pesos they want in put. As Jon Stanhope said if I get back in I will see if we can move quicker. Also have this as a permanent display also with some modifications!!. Pup

The plan forthe final display area for the collection looks great but maybe it is a godsend that we have the temp one for now to iron out any issues like jon mentioned.
It seems the plans may be set in stone though?
http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/arboretum/arboretum_TCL

Thanks for all the comments 'posters'.
Nothing is set in stone as yet.

That's a pretty good P. radiata in the photos! Great work on the fine branch ramification. Do we know who developed and styled the tree?

yea that's mel imbesi's pine, in photo 7494.

you should see the bark on it

it's about 80 cm tall...