Page 3 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2016Q1

President’s Message

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

January/February/March 2016 | BCI | 1