Calendar of Events

(should you wish to know any specific details about the generic items listed below then please give me ring or send me an email and I will happily get back to you with the most up to date details)

Annual Show:

Each year the members of the Bimer Bonsai Club Inc band together to put on a display for the local community.  The Show is run by a sub committee under the guidance of the Vice President.  Usually it is held around late summer early autumn at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.  The show has a display of approx 70 quality trees ranging in size from Mame to 3 person tress.  There is a large trade area from which can be purchased pots, wire, books, ornaments, and tools, pre-bonsai to advanced bonsai.  Each day there are 2 demonstrations by local bonsai specialists that provide the beginning enthusiast with a first hand look at how easily bonsai can be created.  Come along and enjoy a day in the gardens and visit our show.

Monthly Meetings:

On the first Saturday of the month the committee brings to the club a new topic for the enjoyment and benefit of its members and visitors.  Usually the afternoon is filled with a full 3 hour demonstration from a local demonstrator or a series or short talks by technical experts and specialists in a certain fields.  The afternoon starts at 1330 in which the first half of the talk is given.  A small afternoon tea break provides an intermission in which members can have a cup of tea or coffee along with a bite to eat.  This intermission also allows the members to catch up with friends, ask someone about a problem etc etc.  More importantly it allows the members to update their library books or purchase yet another bargain from the extensive trade table at unbeatable prices.  Directly after intermission we resume with our planned activities.

Workshop Weekends:

Approximately twice per year around mid autumn and early spring the club breaks with tradition as we disband with our normal Saturday meetings.  Instead the hall is set up for any member to come along with there trees or bonsai that they would like to work on. There is no charge for these events   the members are encouraged to ask the many helpers on hand about the future style or direction a tree should be developed into.  Members just beginning in Bonsai benefit from this event as they are able to work on these trees  as they seek guidance from members who over time have come to specialize in certain trees species.  All members benefits from these events as they get to see many trees being transformed in an afternoon. Often just walking the floor and talking to the workshop participants is just enough to provide the inspiration you need to take home and look at your Bonsai in a different light.  As normal, Tea, Coffee, Eats, the Library and Trade Table operate while the workshop is being conducted.

International and Interstate Demonstrators:

The Bimer Bonsai Club is affiliated with a number of larger Bonsai organizations both nationally and internationally. Consequently the club is able to access a number of demonstrators accredited nationally and internationally to undertake demonstrations and workshops. To maximize the exposure to these demonstrators the club usually runs a full extended weekend or workshops and demonstrators across Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Depending on the travel arrangements the weekends are usually held on the same weekend that our meeting would normally occur.  The format of these weekends is as follows Workshops Sat am, Sun/Mon all day. Saturday afternoon is usually reserved for a demonstration. A nominal fee is charged due to the costs with international travel however these are kept very low to encourage members that would not otherwise be able to travel overseas to access some of the world’s greatest artists.  Some of or recent and extremely enriching weekends have seen Craig Cousins and Kevin Wilson entertain us and extend our bonsai knowledge. For those that are wanting some more social interaction the club co-ordinates an optional social dinner in which members can interact with our demonstrators in a more relaxed environment.

Bus Trip:

The club each year organizes a bus trip for our members at a very small nominal fee.  The bus trip is usually to another bonsai event such as the Gold Coast Tweed, Sunshine Coast or Toowoomba Bonsai Club Shows.  Not content with just visiting another regions show, the bus trip usually pays a visit to other attractions in the area. These include Botanic Gardens, Japanese Gardens, Dedicated Bonsai Nurseries, Wineries, Open Gardens etc etc, the committee is always open to suggestions. 

Christmas Celebrations:

Each year to celebrate the end of yet another extremely bonsai packed year the clubs hosts a Christmas party. The Dutch auction leads off the afternoon to celebrate yet another successful year of bonsai activities.  The members bring along items of an eclectic nature (usually bonsai related but wine is Ok as well) and are placed on the table for the auction.  Many items can be found such as an out of production bonsai book, no longer produced pots, bonsai items of historical nature never to be seen again. After the auction the committee provides a free sausage sizzle and an assortment of Christmas fanfare for you to enjoy before you head off for your holidays.