History

Above: The Auckland Bonsai Society display kindly hosted by the 1998 National Orchid Show

As is the case with most small clubs, the Auckland Bonsai Society (ABS) emerged from humble beginnings.

Back In 1966 a small gathering of 6 - 8 like-minded enthusiasts initially met on Sunday at Mr. Jack Clark’s home and nursery in Titirangi, (now Westlynn gardens) currently owned by the Eden Garden Society (EGS). Jack Clark was a horticulturalist and one of the founders of Eden Gardens and the EGS.

It should be pointed out that Jack spent time in Japan serving with J-Force (post WWII peace keeping troops) and it must have been here that he acquired his interest for ‘real’ Bonsai - as up until now bonsai were basically small trees in concrete pots (or whatever else people could get their hands on at the time)

It was around 1966 / ‘67 that one of our current life members Mr Bob Langholm was invited to work for Jack, and introduced to the bonsai group. Soon after, Jack was required to travel up to Tonga to give advice on their new botanical gardens and Bob was asked to take the group while he was away. Upon his return, Jack stepped down and the group elected Bob as their new teacher but it was not until his return from a 6 month bonsai apprenticeship in Los Angeles in 1967, that the small gathering was officially formed as the ‘Eden Garden Bonsai Group’ (EGBG) - with meetings being held in the newly formed Eden Gardens (1964). Bob would later go on to be president for 18 years! Mrs McKeown was secretary for many years also.

(Original members of the EGBG include: Dr. Jack Clarke, Robert Langholm, Mr./Mrs Sam & Ruth Benjamin, Mr. Phil Prescott, Mr./Mrs. L Denyer, Mr./Mrs. C. Beach, Miss Mary Harrison, Mrs. Beatrice McKeown, Mrs. Marie Lever, Mr./Mrs. Jean and Collin Allen, Mrs. Marge McFarlene, Mr./Mrs. Jack Sparrow, and Mr. J. Heasp)

For around two years the club held its meetings and workshops at the gardens before transferring to the Horticultural headquarters on the 6^th floor at the Eden House. (I wonder if they had lifts back then? Would have been quite a climb with an armful of plants…..) After a while they moved to a church on Dominion Rd. briefly, before shifting more permanently to the Greyfriers church hall in Mt. Eden. Soon afterwards the name was changed to the Auckland Bonsai Society.

From humble beginnings and a few keen members, at its strongest, the group grew to have over 180 members. At some stage the name was changed to the N.Z. Bonsai Society Inc. for a short time and with that a new president elected.

Around 1992 the name of the club was changed back to its present title of the Auckland Bonsai Society, and the NZ Bonsai Soc was transferred to the NZ committee.

Above: Another display, this time at 'Wings' Restaurant in 2001

Over the next few years ABS exhibited at several venues throughout Auckland such as the Farmers Rooftop Garden, Auckland War Memorial Museum, (in the early ‘80’s) Ellerslie Flower Shows, Auckland Rose and Orchid Society Shows, Shopping Malls, Eden Garden weekends, and Model X.

In recent years, Auckland has had displays at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, Auckland Rose Society Show, Indoor Plants Show, several at the Home and Garden Show, and two Gold winning competition entries at the NZ Flower and Garden Show 2017/2018. Many thanks to our sponsors for the support!

Above: Gold Medal at the NZ Flower and Garden Show 2017 (from left Alessandro, Glenys, Moira, Roy, and Peter)

Below: Gold Medal at the NZ Flower and Garden Show 2018

(Past presidents include: Bob Langholm, (18 years approx.) Mrs. B. Aldred, (2) Mr. Kempster, (2) Mrs. T. Wemyss, Mr. E. McLintock, Mr. Michael Adams, Louis Buckingham, David Radue, Lindsay Muirhead (2), Les Honeyfield (2), Kelly O'Meara (2), Mike O'Meara (1) Martin Walters (1) Moira Craill and Kelly O'Meara - Joint (2), Brendon Covich (1) and Matt Hutson (present)

Many thanks to Robert (Bob) Langholm / Simon Misdale, and Sam & Ruth Benjamin for the initial historical information supplied about the history of ABS.

Just for interest’s sake: In 1983, memberships were the grand total of $3 for individuals, and $5 for families with the first booklet-style newsletter being produced in this year too. Incidentally the last one was the spring issue in 2000 before the newsletter went digital.