Page 3 - BSAM 2015 Q4

President’s Message
My BCI journey started in the mid ’80s, when I joined the Bonsai Society of Queensland, my local club that had a well-stocked library of bonsai books and magazines. One
of the rst bonsai magazines I borrowed was BCI. I decided to join BCI as an individual member so I could have my own personal copy. I attended my rst BCI Convention in 1990 when my husband Lindsay and I took a group to Hawaii. is was when we rst met
some long-time BCI friends.
In 1995 Australia hosted our rst BCI Convention in Sydney. Jack
Douthitt was President at the time and we still catch up at BCI events and exchange Christmas cards. Not long a er, the BCI board had a vacancy and they invited Lindsay to join the board. at was the start of over 20 years of involvement with the BCI Board. I was appointed to the board in 2006 as Executive Director. I also served as First Vice President prior to my recent election as President.
Being involved with BCI has not only gained me vast information on Bonsai and Stones from the Magazine, website and BCI Conven- tions, but also the people I have met and friendships I have made along the way. Visiting people’s collection and homes, picking up lots of new information, is part of this never-ending journey. I have learned loads of tips and tricks whilst chatting over dinner or a few drinks.
I think I could write a novel on the fun and interesting times I have shared with bonsai and stone friends from around the world. e late Harry Tomlinson taught me how to order a glass of wine in several languages. He didn’t teach me his follow-up line “my friend will pay.” Recently, I rode on a Camel in the Gobi Desert with a group of bonsai friends on the BCI tour following the BCI Convention in Guangzhou. Several years ago in a di erent remote area of the Gobi, whilst on another BCI post Convention tour hosted by BCI past President, I C Su, we were travelling in a convoy in four-wheel drive vehicles and our vehicle, which was the last in the chain, got a at tire. Unfortunately, the others did not notice us missing. Accompanied by Gudrun and Willi Benz, we were stranded for quite some time. Whilst Gudrun and I were a bit concerned, this became the highlight of the trip for Willi and Lindsay, who both spent the next two hours collecting Gobi desert stones.
I won’t go into the details of how Kath Hughes, our long time bonsai friend from England, and past BCI Secretary, got locked in a lavatory in Nuremberg. Nor how Kath had to lay at on the oor whilst Lindsay and Malcolm pulled her out from under a turnstile! Another memorable occasion was when Tom Elias toured Austra- lia with us in 2006. We ew in a light aircra to the northern tip of Australia’s west coast to a place called Far Away Bay. Whilst Lindsay and Tom where searching for stones on the Timor Sea beach, un- known to Tom, Lindsay kept to the ocean side of Tom and was on the lookout for salt water crocodiles which frequent this area. On the return ight back to Kununurra, Tom mentioned he had taken ight lessons so the pilot handed over the controls to him. He didn’t mention that he had only had two lessons!
I remember whilst on a pre-BCI Convention day trip, which was held in Portland Oregon back in the late ’90s, the bus stopped at a good viewing spot for everyone to take photos of Mt. Hood. e driver was stunned that no one was interested in taking photos; they were too busy checking out the potential Yamadori that had been uprooted by a recent snowplow!
BCI is one big International Family made up of di erent nation- alities, cultures, religions and philosophies, brought together by the common interest in the love of Bonsai and Stones.
I have met several Presidents following Jack: the late Mary Bloomer with whom I also travelled through Inner Mongolia; next Solita Rosade, with whom I travelled through Japan and China on several occasions, as well as showing her and her husband Chase, the Australian Outback and sharing their hospitality whilst travelling to BCI conventions in US and Puerto Rico. Solita was followed by Alan Walker, who I rst met at the Australian Convention back in 1995 and we have remained friends ever since. Next was Linda Brant, who was actually the one who invited me on to the BCI board at the end of her term as President. is was an appointed position as Executive Director under the Presidency of I C Su, whom I had known for many years. I worked closely with both I C and Linda for the next four years, during which time I attended a committee meeting of Linda’s Bonsai Club held at her home in Philadelphia. I still receive the club newsletter edited by Linda’s husband Jim who was BCI Webmaster for many years. During this term of I C, with the help of his wife Helen, who is now First Vice President of BCI, formed BCI’s close relationship with China by producing a magazine in Chinese. Helen and I C travelled extensively through China promoting BCI and gaining over 600 members. Following I C was Rob Kempinski who helped steer BCI through some rough nancial times. en came Dr. Tom, my predecessor. Tom Elias was instrumental in producing two BCI books, the second of which will be released soon, featuring BCI members Bonsai and Stones. So let me say I feel have some very big shoes to ll!
We, at BCI, are constantly updating our website to help keep members informed and making access easier. If you haven’t visited recently please go on and check it out. You can view the Magazine on line and access lists of resource information once you log on to your members only area. We have recently relaunched the Instruc- tors Register and you can apply via the members’ area.
We are always looking for new authors to contribute to the BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation magazine. You can also submit articles on line via the website or contact our Magazine Editor Joe Grande.
Larry Stephan has just joined the BCI management team as Busi- ness Manager, his contact information can be found on page two of this Magazine or on the BCI website.
BCI will get together in March 17-21 in Manila. Hope to see you there. If not, see you at another BCI event somewhere in the future or stay in touch by sending me a message.
Cheers,
From Down Under Glen Bebb
January/February/March 2016 | BCI | 1