Page 9 - Demo

David to load all the display equipment, trees and stones onto an eight-ton lorry, to be transported to the QT Resort that afternoon and then, with the help of many other enthusiasts, set up on the two floors of exhibits.”
The location for the event, the QT Resort Hotel, newly refurbished in the retro style, Mid Century Modern, provided all the facilities necessary for an international bonsai and stones convention and ex- hibition, “...and what an event it proved to be! Noth- ing was left to chance—it all ran like clockwork” adds Kath, “Exhibitions were excellent, well-staged and with great variety; demonstrations of very high stan- dard and of astonishing variety from amazing trans- formations to highly entertaining competitive styling. The food was good and plentiful, the accommodation trendy and different as well as very comfortable; what more could we ask for? This proved to be an excep- tional occasion for all those who arrived at the Gold Coast for the BCI 2014 Convention.”
For BCI Vice President Glenis Bebb, the conven- tion truly started with the Thursday night Welcome Reception—a reward for all her hard work—she could finally relax, even if was for the evening, to catch up with old friends and meet and welcome many new like-minded fanatics!
Friday morning, at the opening ceremony, par- ticipants were welcomed by AABC President Lindsay Bebb who stated, “... this is the largest convention ever conducted in Australia and the largest BCI Conven- tion in recent times with 402 people registering for convention activities from 16 different countries.” The Official Opening was performed by BCI President Dr. Tom Elias.
Friday’s program started with the International Round Robin team representing BCI Directors, Budi Sulistyo and Nikunj Parekh and BCI Life Member Jyoti Parekh. Nikunj created a Saikei of Ficus retusa with central Australian red Jasper stones planted in a shallow blue oval tray. Jyoti created a Saikei of Buxus harlandii, South Australian black lava rocks planted in a cream oval tray. They both gave detailed explana- tions of the process and planting positions. Budi took on the challenge of a large Ficus microcarpa ‘Green Island’, which he planted in a large shallow cream tray.
Glenis recalls, “We had lots of action on stage and this kept everyone’s attention. After morning tea, they
Bottom six photos; the Australian Demonstration Team of Tony Bebb, Chris
De Nola and Joe Morgan- Payler. Tony took on the task of creating a semi cascade Black Pine, Pinus thumbergii, which required the help of
a large bending bar; Chris styled a Japanese juniper, Juniperus procumbens, in a pseudo-Literati Style; Joe transformed what looked like a very difficult Juniper into a stunning bonsai.
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