2025 AABC 37th National Bonsai Convention Highlights

The 37th AABC National Bonsai Convention was a vibrant and memorable event held in Canberra from May 16 to 19, 2025. Hosted by the Canberra Bonsai Society, which also celebrated its 50th anniversary, the convention brought together bonsai enthusiasts from across Australia and beyond.

Over 210 delegates from 42 bonsai clubs attended, with participants coming from every state and territory, as well as three from New Zealand. The event featured a packed programme, including a tour of the National Arboretum and the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia. International bonsai masters Jennifer Price and Michael Hagedorn from the US led masterclasses and workshops, as well as other workshops with Jarryd Bailey (Tasmania) and Marcela Ferreira (Melbourne).

The festivities kicked off with a Welcome Reception, where guests enjoyed canapés and drinks while admiring over 130 stunning bonsai displays, suiseki (viewing stones), and a collection of bonsai pots. The Japanese Ambassador officially opened the convention, adding a special touch to the occasion.

Throughout the weekend, attendees enjoyed live demonstrations by top bonsai artists, including Jennifer, Michael, Jarryd, Marcella, and Sam Thompson from Canberra. The Saturday night Convention Dinner was a highlight, featuring a 50th birthday cake and the awarding of trophies for outstanding bonsai. Demonstration trees from the event were also auctioned.

The Canberra team are to be commended for their efforts over the past two years.  Comments received so far say that the exhibition of such a large and diverse number of species was spectacular.  The convention programme's theme of ‘Future Directions’ engendered much discussion between the demonstrators and the audience throughout the weekend.

The convention was made possible by a dedicated team of 70 volunteers and featured a bustling marketplace with 12 vendors offering a variety of bonsai, pots, stands, and accessories. Media coverage included:

• A video of the Exhibition by David Nasser, President of Bonsai Northwest
  https://youtu.be/Mm0pVRqZ64Q
• An ABC News story
  https://youtu.be/Mc3YjekbhHE?si=e1AuLDM0x9O8E11S.

The 2025 convention was a true celebration of bonsai artistry, community, and the enduring passion for this living art form.

The Exhibition

The AABC Convention exhibition showcased some outstanding bonsai for convention delegates and the general public. The Canberra Bonsai Society is a strong and vibrant club with nearly 300 members. In preparation for the convention, senior members worked with potential exhibitors from March 2024 to raise the quality of our displays and refine our trees.

THE EXHIBITION CATALOGUE [PDF]

Exhibition Awards (PDF)

The Canberra Bonsai Society demonstrates a strong commitment to safety by ensuring the health and well-being of all members, volunteers, and visitors at its activities. To support this, the Society has established a straightforward incident reporting system to which we will respond.