50 Years in The Making

In 1959, Mrs Schuchard arranged for Yuji Yoshimura to visit Melbourne as he was then an outstanding teacher of bonsai in Tokyo. The demonstrations which he gave created a lot of interest among the public as well as those already growing bonsai.

Peggy Kent, Greta Brezny and Max Leversha, all members of the Royal Horticultural Society, became well known for the trees they grew and displayed at shows and functions and for the talks and demonstrations they gave. Some private classes were also available for those who were keen to grow bonsai.

A notice was placed in a daily newspaper and a meeting was held on 18 August 1971 at the Christ Church Hall, South Yarra. 12 people attended and a committee was formed. Annual subscriptions were set at $5 per person.

Monthly meetings were organised and members were asked to bring two trees, one for display and one on which to work. President Max Leversha talked about the trees on display and suggested how they might be improved. By the end of 1971, there were 39 members. The society met monthly, except in the growing season, when two meetings per month were held. In this way several workshops were held annually to help members to get work done on their own bonsai. The more experienced members were always generous with their help to each other and to new members.

Overseas Instructor Visits

In October 1975, bonsai master John Naka came to Sydney and some society members were able to attend his demonstrations, critiques, workshops and lectures. Toshio Kawamoto, Director of Nippon Bonsai-Saikei Institute and Tom Yamamoto, Assistant Instructor of the Institute, came to Melbourne in July 1976.

John Naka made his first visit to Melbourne in 1977.

In October 1978 the Japan Foundation of Tokyo arranged through the Consulate General of Japan in Melbourne for a visit by Saburo Kato and Hideo Chugun.

John Naka made a return visit to Sydney in 1979 and the society was able to arrange his second visit to Melbourne to conduct workshops. In August 1980 Tom Yamamoto was invited to visit Melbourne by the society to give workshops and lectures.