As many of you would be aware the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia will be officially opened on the 28^th of September in its temporary home in Commonwealth Park, Canberra. 

We had a soft opening to the public of Floriade and had over 2,200 visitors through the red portal of the collection. The following day we had another 2,000 visitors and on the Monday, which was quite wet and windy, we had another 700 visitors. 

We were literally overwhelmed with the response to the collection in both the number of visitors and all the positive and delighted comments from the public. The local Canberrans were even more delighted when they discovered that this was to be a permanent exhibition and not just a temporary Floriade event. 

All of our volunteer guides performed magnificently and patiently answered questions from the public. 

It was a big job to get the display set up and all the bonsai moved in and I thank all the volunteers who helped make this possible. 

Grant Bowie