The Rich History of the Geelong Bonsai Club
The Geelong Bonsai Club has a proud heritage of fostering the art of miniature trees in our local community. What began as a small group of five passionate enthusiasts has grown into a thriving incorporated body that helps people master the delicate balance of search and discovery in the world of horticulture.
Trading Table & Nursery Visits
Workshops & Social Days
From Humble Beginnings in 1979
Our story started in late 1979 when Owen Griffin, the club’s first President, gathered four other enthusiasts to share their love for bonsai. These founding members—Joy Tucker, Dawn Lee, Peter Mueller, Bob Knight, and Owen Griffin—laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of the Geelong gardening scene.
In the early days, the club met in a small room near St Mary’s, thanks to the generosity of the Geelong Orchid Club. By 1980, the momentum was building, and the club eventually found a more permanent home for meetings at the TPI Ex-Servicemen’s Hall in Myers Street.
Milestones & Key Figures
Evolution of Our Bonsai Techniques
Over the years, our members have shared both triumphs and humorous “learning curves.” In the mid-1960s, one member even started their first tree in an oval fish tin because traditional-style pots were hard to find!
We have always been a club dedicated to education. We’ve seen everything from members trying to grow trees with minimal soil to the creative (if unconventional) use of “tan nugget” shoe polish to tone rock pots for competition. While some experiments, like using a 3-inch nail to assist a graft on a Moreton Bay Fig, were successful, others taught us valuable lessons about the resilience of nature.
Why join our club?
- Nursery Visits and Digs: Getting out into the field to find new material.
- Workshop Meetings: Hands-on sessions to refine your content and styling skill
- Display Benches: Monthly competitions featuring "Style of the Month" and "Tree of the Month."
Today, the Geelong Bonsai Club continues to be a place where beginners and experts alike can share a laugh, a story, and a love for these living works of art. Whether you are looking for guidance or specific tools for your next project, our community is here to help your passion grow.