CSSNZ 2009 61st Conference and AGM

We had as a theme planted boots for which we had a competition which was won by Anne Murray from Nelson. The venue was decorated with painted and planted boots done by Judy Leadbetter, we also had Cactus and Succulent pictures around the walls and we had 4 large boards with pictures of members from previous Conventions, and some were hilarious !

Russell Smith, Jago Print in New Plymouth, printed the name tags for us which were as professional as the CSSNZ journals which Russell prints quarterly.

The Convention went off very well and, most of the attendees thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Friday night was kicked off with a welcome message by Joan Wells followed by a wine auction which went off very well after which, a presentation was made to the first person who registered and, that was Reg Chilcott from New Plymouth.

Saturday dawned bright but was very cold with a frost so, everyone was well wrapped up and waiting at 8am for the plants sales.

The first presentation was Tim Saunderson on Illustrated Talk on Plant Names and their meanings. This was a very interesting and educational presentation. Tim is a very professional and accomplished speaker who never let us down. We all learnt a thing or two about this subject which, if my memory is correct, is the first time we have had a subject of this kind.!

After morning tea, the official opening was presented by our Patron Bruce Purdie who gave us a very whimsical and humerous chat about Hawke’s Bay and it’s beginning and happenings by it’s members at previous AGM’s before Officially opening the Annual General meeting.

The second speaker was Trevor Cheeseman on Gymnocalyciums. Trevor’s presentation was as good as the one he presented last year in Tauranga on Mammillarias. His photos were of the highest standard and very well presented.

After lunch, we were entertained by the Local Bonsai enthusiast Ian Sayer who gave us an illustrated talk and demonstration on Living Art of Bonsai. This presentation proved to be so popular that, it was extended for another 30 minutes!

The last of the day was Merv Keighley who spoke on Ceropegia and Other Asclepiads. This presentation was also very interesting with a lot of lovely pictures and comments on the whole range of these subjects.

6.00 pm came around with pre dinner drinks. After the dinner we made several presentations to numerous members. Keith Crow for his help in organising the power point displays and presentations, Anne Murray, who put together the Convention Booklet and brought up the power point equipment from Nelson for us to use, Graeme Fieldes, who was very supportive and, wanted to help in any way he could when, in the early days, we were struggling for registrations which, at that time, were very few, Bruce Purdie who is our Patron and President Frances Verrity who had to don the President’s Collar and was presented with miniature boots on her collar from the host branch.

We were then entertained with the drawing of the raffles (for which there were 90 items to be won) and then onto the auction of the plants which were all donated. Derek Gordon was the auctioneer and, as usual, did a fine job with many dollars being raised for the branch and the Society.

Sunday dawned bright and clear and, as usual members lined up for the last of the plant sales.
The first presentation was Jim Broadhead whose subject was “Cactus Culture based on Biology – the Buxbaum Principles” Jim is a very accomplished speaker who has spoken at various Conventions and this was no exception. His subject was very interesting dealing mainly with the PH evidence in the soils we use to grow our plants.

Last but not least was Tim Saunderson on is second subject Succulent Euphorbias As with Tim’s previous presentation, this was excellent and I’m sure we have learnt a lot from all the speakers over the week end.

Before lunch was served, we were given a presentation from the Auckland branch by Trevor Cheeseman, giving us an insight for the 2010 Convention and AGM to be held in Auckland on the 26th- 28th February next year.
This was followed by a presentation from Australia by Eddy and Kerry Walker to promote the Convention to be held in Penrith NSW in October 2010.

After lunch, members started their visits around the collections in Hastings and Napier.