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Embrace the Art of Bonsai in Canberra
Get ready for an exhilarating journey into the world of bonsai as we gear up for the 2025 Association of Australian Bonsai Clubs' Convention, proudly presented by the Canberra Bonsai Society Inc. This year is extra special as we toast to half a century of bonsai brilliance in Canberra with our theme, 'Future Directions'. This event promises to be a vibrant celebration of miniature trees and the community that loves them.
Your video invitation to the 2025 AABC Convention |
AABC 2025 CONVENTION BROCHURE [PDF]
Convention updates
Convention updates, Press releases and media content are available at this link <<Media>>.
Discover, Learn, and Connect
From Friday, May 16 to Monday, May 19, 2025, immerse yourself in a rich program designed to inspire and educate, whether you're a seasoned bonsai enthusiast or new to the art. This convention is your gateway to:
- Engage with a world-class lineup of demonstrators, including two international stars.
- Dive into four days brimming with insightful demonstrations, hands-on masterclasses, and a tour (pending interest) of the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection and the breathtaking National Arboretum Canberra.
Our demonstrators are:
- Jennifer Price's (Chicago-based) experience as a professional ballet dancer drew her to the movement and lines of trees. She studied bonsai under several artists, including Walter Pall, and she believes in the endless creative possibilities of reflecting nature's beauty and harshness through bonsai. Watch her make a bonsai dance! Watch a video from Jennifer.
- Michael Hagedorn, a prominent US-based bonsai artist known for integrating traditional bonsai methods with innovative designs, was influenced by his apprenticeship with Shinji Suzuki and his fine arts and ceramics background. Michael Hagedorn is not just shaping trees; he's shaping the future of bonsai, one tiny leaf at a time! Watch a video from Michael.
- Jarryd Bailey, a Tasmanian bonsai artist, has mastered the cultivation of Tasmanian native bonsai at his Montane Bonsai Gardens nursery by adapting traditional techniques and horticultural aspects to develop mature trees. Join Jarryd at the Convention to learn about his processes. Watch a video from Jarryd.
- Marcela Ferreira, a distinguished Australian bonsai artist, is celebrated for her innovative work with native Australian plants. She challenges misconceptions and advocates for proper care techniques. Watch and learn how she balances classical approaches with native growth patterns. Watch a video from Marcela.
- Sam Thompson, Assistant Curator of the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia and CBS member, has created some of the most innovative bonsai displayed at recent exhibitions by thinking outside the pot! Watch a video from Sam.
Secure Your Spot
Don't miss out on this extraordinary event. Click the links below to explore the details, find your inspiration to attend, and register early to secure your place and the best accommodation deals.
Join us for a convention that's not just about bonsai—it's about community, growth, and the shared passion that brings us all together.
See you in Canberra! Let's shape the future of bonsai together.
VIEW CONVENTION PROGRAM WITH PRICING [PDF]
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT OUR DEMONSTRATORS [PDF]
Register for two days or a single day using the links below.
Registration includes lunch, morning & afternoon tea, demonstrations from the international and national demonstrators, early access to the Vendor area and free access to the Exhibition. Refer to the full Program for more details.
Note: As masterclasses or workshops are fully booked, the label will indicate that status on the registration form. However, you can still select the activity to be on the waiting list but not charged. Alternatively, email
How to cancel your registration
ACCOMMODATION AND SIGHTSEEING IN CANBERRA
More information for you ... below
Celebrate 50 Years of Bonsai Excellence
In 2025, the Canberra Bonsai Society commemorates half a century of dedication to the art of bonsai. Join us as we look forward to the future with our theme, 'Future Directions 2025'. Be part of the conversation shaping bonsai's evolution in Australia, from the influence of international styles to the integration of technology and environmental adaptation.
A Marketplace of Wonders
Prepare to be dazzled by an array of exhibition trees, an auction for the trees designed by the demonstrators, and a diverse selection of ceramics, especially during our Sunday session. With a bustling vendors' section, auctions, and raffles, there's something to captivate every bonsai enthusiast.
Experience Canberra's Autumnal Splendour
May is a magical time in Canberra, with the city and its bonsai arrayed in a kaleidoscope of autumn hues. This makes it the perfect backdrop for a convention celebrating the beauty of nature in miniature.
Travel Made Easy
Canberra is the most accessible Australian capital, just a half-day drive or a quick flight from Sydney and Melbourne and a few hours by air from other major cities. If you're driving, rest assured that all roads lead to Canberra.
The Exhibition
The AABC Convention exhibition will showcase 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, we have been working with potential exhibitors since March 2024 to raise the quality of our displays and refine our trees.
Payments
If you selected 'offline payment' during registration, please transfer your registration fees to:
Canberra Bonsai Society-2025 Convention
Westpac Bank
BSB: 032 778
Account Number: 694409
Email your payment receipt to
All other enquiries about the Convention should be addressed to
This website is our beta version of the CBS website. Our current website, which is soon to be replaced, is www.cbs.org.au.
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Did you know that the Canberra Bonsai Society is home to a vibrant community of bonsai lovers with a wealth of experience in traditional bonsai and Australian plant species? 🌺🌳
Join us for a fantastic opportunity to expand your bonsai knowledge and skills through:
🌟 Engaging monthly meetings featuring presentations, show and tell sessions, and hands-on tree work
🌟 Inspiring demonstrations and workshops led by top bonsai artists
🌟 Fun field trips and visits to nurseries across state borders
Mark your calendars for some key events throughout the year:
🌟 Our much-anticipated annual show in October
🌟 Hosting the Australian Native Plants as Bonsai exhibition in February at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
🌟 Supporting the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia at the National Arboretum Canberra
We are holding the 2025 AABC Bonsai Convention next year. Information about the Convention is available on the Convention Page. |
Explore our website for more details, and remember, visitors are always warmly welcomed at our monthly gatherings! 🌟
Our meetings and workshops are held at the Hughes Community Centre, Hughes, every first Saturday of the month at 9:30 am (except for January (which is too hot) and October, when we're busy prepping for our fabulous annual show. 🎉 Let's grow bonsai together! 🌿✨
This website is our beta version of the CBS website. Our current website, which is soon to be replaced, is www.cbs.org.au.
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On 27 July 2021, Australia Post released a series of stamps featuring Australian native bonsai from the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA). The stamp issue highlights the beauty and art of Australian native plants as bonsai.
The Australian native species featured on the stamps are a bottlebrush, fig, and paperbark, each crafted in a different style.
The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia is extremely proud to be involved in this.
Leigh Taafe, Curator of the NBPCA assisted Australia Post by providing access to the Collection and advice about bonsai, and he features on the medallion cover photograph. Stamp photographs: © Copyright Australian Postal Corporation. Reproduced with permission.
Featured in the Australian Native Bonsai stamp issue, which will be released on 27 July 2021, are three examples of Australian native plants as bonsai: a bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’), in an informal upright style; a fig (Ficus ribiginosa), in a formal upright style; and a paperbark (Melaleuca linariifolia ‘Claret Tops’), in a slanting style. The minisheet features a banksia (Banksia integrifolia) in a semi-cascading style.
$1.10 Callistemon viminalis
This stamp design features a bottlebrush as bonsai, in an informal upright style (some bend or lean in the trunk). The bottlebrush is the cultivar ‘Captain Cook’, a dwarf form of Callistemon viminalis, which has a weeping appearance. The bonsai artists are Derek and Sue Oakley. The stamp photograph is by Leigh Taafe.
$1.10 Ficus rubiginosa
This stamp design presents a fig as bonsai, in a formal upright style (no bend or lean in the trunk, and the trunk does not go all the way to the top of the tree). The fig is a Port Jackson Fig (Ficus ribiginosa), known for its thick trunk and long, twisted roots that tend to grow along the trunk’s surface. The bonsai artist was Max Candy. The stamp photograph is by Ben Kopilow, Fusion Photography.
$2.70 Melaleuca linariifolia
This stamp design showcases a paperbark (or honey myrtle) as bonsai, in a slanting style (where the apex of the trunk falls between 10 and 45 degrees to the left or right). The tree is a dwarf form of Melaleuca linariifolia, known as ‘Claret Tops’ – a cultivar named for the reddish new growth that appears on the leaf tips. The bonsai artist is David Willoughby. The stamp photograph is by Ben Kopilow, Fusion Photography.
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