The Showell’s trip to Mogo Zoo
Month April 2017 Meeting Sunday 23rd, 971 Basalt Rd Shepherds Flat Vic from 12pm
Founded 2001 Incorporated 2002
Presidents Notes
Paul Showell President. 54 705545 Helen Wheeler Secretary 54 762286 David Rojo Treasurer 0458 811 205 Newsletter– GoldfieldsBonsaiSociety GBS Facebook page
Hello Members, Its April already and the year is flying along. Sorry to all who were looking forward to a newsletter last month. Unfortunately we had very few photos taken at our AGM and I ran out of time to get something together before the meeting. So a summary of the previous two meetings below. February we held our Annual General Meeting and only changed the one position. Glenn is having a well earned break and Helen has stepped into the Secretary role. I cannot thank Glenn enough for the work he has put into keeping the club functioning over the last 5 years. I hope the break will invigorate his interest in Bonsai and we’ll enjoy his company again later in the year. Thankyou Helen for taking on the role. I know we were looking shaky with our efforts to increase numbers being a hard slog. I’m sure Helen and Trevor's renewed enthusiasm will help us come up with some new ideas in encouraging some former members to return and hopefully encourage some new ones as well. David and I have continued in our roles as we also want to see the club continue and prosper, we hope all members will contribute to the workload and do their best to keep the club functioning and hopefully growing. March was our carving workshop, Diederik, David, Trevor and Simon all got their die grinders and Dremells shaping some deadwood on their trees and getting some great initial results. This month with the Easter clash we have moved to the fourth Sunday, with a day at Bodhidharma with our host Diederik giving a talk on fast growing of figs, so bring along your figs as well as other projects you are ready to take in a new exciting direction with Diederiks assistance. That’s enough from me, I hope you can all make it on Sunday for another enjoyable day. Paul
On March 25th, Karli and I were down in the Geelong area meeting up with my brother for his 50th Birthday. On the way we called in and visited Tom and his dogs. Tom has settled in well and has managed to get all of his bonsai settled into the new climate. The unfortunate thing is his ongoing battle with the birds who are destroying his collection of thimble pot accents. Hopefully a future shade house will enable him to resume his passion for tiny plants. .Paul
March Meeting A few of the carving projects worked on at our March meeting some with before and after photos by Simon and David.
Diedrik’s large olive to the right had a lot of work put into it unfortunately the photo doesn’t show the results clearly
Goldfields Members out and about. A few of our members were able to visit the Bendigo Club Exhibition over the Easter Weekend. I have borrowed a few photos Shrua posted on the Bonsai Australia Facebook page. Simon, David, Helen and Trevor were a few there to give our support.
Meanwhile the Showell’s were enjoying a break at Merimbula. We visited a Small leaf fig, I had posted about last year, clinging to a rock on an island and it looks to have been a tough year. I hope it is still going next time I visit. The one on the right is what they look like in normal growing conditions
Goldfields Bonsai Society Program 2017
April 23rd—Meet at Bodhidharma—Bring a fig to learn power grow technique and a tree for advice on progressing to a quality bonsai. May 21st—Revisit previous years root over rock plantings. Bring trees and rocks for a new ROR planting. June 18th—Visit to Bendigo to Shrua and David’s backyard nursery's.
July 16th—Bring along a newly acquired tree for advice and a workshop. August 20th—Talk on Fertilizers and fertilising your bonsai by Shrua September 17th—Visit a members collection— The Wheelers October 15th—Preparing trees for the exhibition. Possible demonstration from visiting master. November 4 + 5th—Exhibition at Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Tea Rooms. November 19th—Christmas Breakup
Meeting this Sunday 23rd Bodhidharma 971 Basalt Rd, Shepherds Flat from 12pm.
Bring Lunch. Bring some Autumn Colour for the display table. Diederik will be giving a talk on power feeding figs to quicken development. Bring along a fig to work on and discuss the future development options. Diederik also wants you to bring along an advanced tree so he can give advice on the next steps to make it a great tree in the future.
Upcoming Bonsai Events Victorian Native Bonsai Club Visiting Demonstrator 9th May Guest Demonstrator Roger Hnatiuk The 30th Australian National Bonsai Convention “Art- By Nature” To be held in Brisbane, Queensland. 19th - 22nd May 2017. Registration form is available on the AABC website: aabcltd.org The convention will feature Marc Noelanders from Belgium, as the Headliner. The Queensland Demonstrators are Steve Cullum, Andrew Sellman, Glenn Smith, Albert Garcia, Mark Harris, Glenis Bebb, Lindsay Bebb and Tony Bebb. Bonsai Society of Victoria Inc. 24th -25th June 2017 Presents workshops and demonstrations. I will send out details as I get more information Rui Ferreira 2017 Australian Bonsai Tour Arranged by Bonsai Federation Southern Chapter from Wednesday 23rd August – Tuesday 12th September 2017. He will be in Bendigo Friday 25th August and Saturday 26th August. I’ll get some information from Bendigo.