February 2018

Hello again all.

I was very happy with the number of people who enrolled for the beginner’s classes which commenced last meeting. I hope you all enjoyed your introduction to Bonsai. I would like you to bring an evergreen tree along to the March meeting.

We gave you a lot of information at the February meeting. Just a reminder of the first two upcoming events which are reasonably accessible from Wagga Wagga. The first is the Australian Plants as Bonsai exhibition 17 th – 18 th March at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. This is a must if you are at all interested in natives as bonsais. There is time to take in a visit to the NBPCA Exhibition at the National Arboretum to make the visit to Canberra very worthwhile. This event is closely followed by the Bonsai Week hosted by NBPCA 19 th – 25 th March. Separate
information is available for those who are interested.

Peter told us of the away weekend he has planned for the first weekend in May. More detailed information follows. Godfrey and I have already made an overnight booking. We will be looking for names at the March meeting although April will not be too late (although overnight bookings might be getting tight. Peter has included something for everyone and remember, you can do as little or as much of the tour as you desire.

Peter and I had a discussion with Wagga Coop (Moorong St) who have agreed to get a trial pallet of Debco Bonsai potting mix. Price is just under $10 per bag. You will probably need to ask for it as when I purchased mine, we had to hunt around. I’m hopeful that if enough of us buy it, it may become a routine order for them. Even though we are officially in Autumn, the main job still seems to be watering. I find April is the better month for Autumn plantings as March is still a bit warm.
Looking forward to seeing you all this week.

Gail

Dates to Remember

March 2018 :

• 17 th – 18 th March, Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition, Australian National Botannic Gardens,Canberra.
• 19 th – 25 th March - Bonsai Week at NBPCA, National Arboretum, Canberra. April 2018:
• Bonsai by the Beach, Wauchope Bonsai Society featuring Shane Briggs and Clinton Nesci. Contact jan.briggs2@bigpond.com or 65852995.

May 2018:

• 5 th – 6 th May; Illawarra Bonsai Society Show, Sutherland District Trade Union Club, Kingway, Gymea. 

July 2018 :

• “AABC National Bonsai Convention”: 20 th – 23 rd ‘Mantra Bell City’, Preston, Melbourne.

August 2018 :

•  24 th – 26 th August, 19 th Annual Weekend Workshop at Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops.

ANNUAL TRIP AWAY : 

Being the weekend of May 5th & 6 th 2018.

Batlow , Laurel Hill ,Tumut and Talbingo in “The Mountains”.Some Bonsai involved, however just a social , low cost get away weekend is the focus. Come for just the Saturday or come for the two day weekend is preferred.

Proposed Agenda:

• Saturday “AM” : 8.00 am Leave Wagga Wagga from ARCC Hall Tarcutta Street. Travel in Convoy.
• 9.15 am Visit Cascades Nursery in Batlow and Sugar Pine Walk Laurel Hill. (Time permitting).
• 11.15am Visit Garry Talbot’s Bonsai Collection : Tumut
• 12.30pm Lunch : BYO Food and Drink : Venue “Stockwell Gardens” Past Sun Herald awarded.
• 1.30pm Visit Tumut Landcare Nursery. Sales of tube and other stock available. Talk on Propagation – Cuttings and Seed Raising by Manager- Steve Hamil.
• 2.30pm Scenic drive around the Tumut River precinct and on to the Tumut African Violet Farm.(TAVF). Talk on African Violets and their TAVF processes by Leonie Jones.
• 3.30 pm Leave TAVF and travel to Talbingo via a brief stop at the Blowering Dam wall .

Overnight stay at Talbingo Caravan Park – Cabin or Unit accommodation. Cost own care. 6.30pm Dinner at the Talbingo Golf Club – Chinese and Australian Meals. Cost own care. (The Best Chinese in the “Mountains”).

Question: From what is the Talbingo “Maze” constructed ??

• Sunday “AM”: Breakfast approx. 7.30am : Bacon / Eggs/ Toast / Cereal / etc Provided.
• 9.00 am Visit Tumut T3 Power Station Exterior & Talbingo Shop-Scale Model of The Snowy.
• 10.15am Visit Yarrangobilly Caves . Guided or self guided tours available . Cost own care. Or Swim in the Thermal Pool/Spring. BYO Swimmers and Towel.
• (45 min from Talbingo). Will need Sturdy and enclosed footwear and a jacket.
• 12.30pm NSW Forestry Plantation Nursery. Talk by Phil Green about their 9 million plant cells.
• 1.30pm Lunch: Tumut. Tumut Riverside café Or Take Away’s to another Tumut Park . Cost own care.
• 2.30pm Depart for Wagga Wagga- home by around 3.30pm. Or Visit Tumut Broom Factory and /or Tumut
• River Brewing Co for return to Wagga Wagga around 4.30pm

Accommodation:

Talbingo Caravan Park :

21 Whitly Street , Talbingo NSW

Ph: 02.6949 5239

www.talbingocaravanpark.com.au

www.talbingocaravanpark.com.au/accommodation

Accommodation ranges from $74 to $105 per night based on two adults.

An Extra $8.00 per night per extra adult .

Please see the above links for full details.

Please book accommodation direct with the park “if you require” a private room / unit or have a special requirement. Ie: couples or prefer a room to yourself or have a group all ready organised to share together etc.

The club will book for those wishing to “share” accommodation and save some costs, note however there may be up to six(6) people per unit just depending on numbers.

Would look to have ensuite bathroom facilities in these club booked rooms and keep ladies and gents separate ie: The gents together in the one cabin and the ladies in another cabin.

General information:

Husband’s , wives , partner’s etc are all welcome to attend .

Please complete the Sign up sheets for the event , car pooling and accommodation requirements at the March 2018 meeting.

If from outside of Wagga Wagga and needing to leave a vehicle over the weekend please let Peter Fisk know on and we can arrange this and a lift to the ARCC Hall Departure site. Do not recommend

leaving your vehicle at the hall over the weekend.

The Golf Club for dinner on Saturday night is approx. 10 min walk (900 mtrs via a dedicated walking path or follow the town streets & signs ) from the Caravan Park…No Courtesy Bus available !

Alternatively will arrange some designated drivers on the day…

Yarrangobilly Caves : if not into viewing the caves or swimming in the thermal pool , there are other easily accessible activities and things to see and do around the area to fill in the hour or so…

More details as required at the March meeting… PLEASE keep a copy of this newsletter with the Agenda and Information for future reference. Thank you.

January 2018

Hello and happy new year to you all. I hope you have all had a relaxing break. At this time of year, the weather can be very harsh and I hope your trees have come through it well.

Our bonsai year is up and running. Yesterday we had another successful Bunnings Barbeque. Fortunately the weather gods shone on us in comparison to the previous weekend. A very big thank you to Terry and Joy, Peter and Jeff who did all the running around and especially Terry who did all the organising. Also my thanks to those of you who assisted on the day.

The Committee has had its planning meeting and this year we will be trying something different. We are not going to have set talks or demonstrations this year except for one at the August meeting at which I will give a talk on the AABC Seminar. The new format will start at 1pm. Beginner’s classes will commence then and other members will go into workshops and work on their trees. Beginners group will rejoin the meeting proper at conclusion of the class time permitting. As normal, we will break at 3pm for afternoon tea. The Committee will start their meeting at 4pmand those who wish to can go back to their trees. We would also hope the members will complete the clean up prior to going home. Under this system, anyone who wants a demonstration on a technique or tree style should see me and I will organise someone to do it. All of course are welcome to view this demonstration or continue working on their own trees.

We have booked Neil Padbury as our visiting tutor for the year at our September meeting (15th September). We have him for morning and afternoon workshops and for demonstration/dinner on the Saturday night. So lock in the date. We are also planning
a day trip to visit to Neil’s nursery at Yakandandah (26th August) which will give people the opportunity to buy stock for the workshop (or for other reasons). Neil also provides a workshop during these visits on a topic of interest. These are always very informative.

This Saturday (20th January) is our first meeting of the year and will primarily be a working bee for our cupboard. Helping hands will be very welcome. However any trees requiring advice and/or work are most welcome and someone will be available to look at it for you.

A reminder that the beginners classes will commence Saturday 17th February. Costs for classes is $10 per head (to cover cost of materials for the course). Nominations to Gail by close of business Friday 9th February. Participants must be financial members of the Club ($30 per annum plus $10 for Club badge). Joining fee also covers members for injury while on Club activities. Fees may be paid on day of classes. I won’t be seeing you this Saturday as I am going to Opera in the Alps. However, I look forward to seeing you all in February.

Gail
President