Ballarat Cactus and Succulent Society

Welcome to the Homepage of the Ballarat Cactus & Succulent Society. This is a Society with a warm and friendly atmosphere which meets on the second Friday of each month (at 7.30pm) at the Robert Clark Centre in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Cacti and other succulent plants have long fascinated many with their striking appearance and clever adaptation to harsh conditions. In the increasingly dry Australian environment, cacti and succulents are an excellent option for including in a waterwise garden. Be careful though, they are fascinating and captivating plants to grow and it is easy to become a dedicated 'Cactophile' in our enthusiastic Society.

For more information,
please contact :

Ballarat Cactus & Succulent
Society, Inc.
PO Box 248
Wendouree VIC 3355
Australia

email :
info@cactusoz.org

Secretary: Bill Morrison
Telephone : (03) 5345 2995

email :
cactusbill@westnet.com.au

Web Editor: John McGregor

email:
jmcgregor7@bigpond.com

Office Bearers

President :
Phil Parry
Vice President :
Judith Lewis
Secretary :
Bill Morrison
Treasurer:
John McGregor
Newsletter Editor :
Noel Main

In March the Ballarat Cactus and Succulent Society celebrated its 40th anniversary. Initially the Society was an informal group which eventually inaugurated in 1973 and has since held over 100 public displays. Members enjoy lectures, slide shows, demonstrations, a monthly newsletter, and visits to other cacti, succulent and bromeliad growers. Other advantages of being a member include access to the sales tables for plants, books and pots and the use of a comprehensive library.

Our Website includes information on future meetings and events; sales merchandise (such as cactus and succulent books and club badges); sample newsletters; feature plant; cultivation tips; and photo galleries. Also articles on 'cactus culture' (from cactus folklore to human uses of succulents); cactus recipes; and links to other websites of interest (including other Cactus and Succulent Societies in Australia and internationally).

WHAT’S NEW ?

Catch up on the latest news about the 2012 SUCCULENTICON to be held in Victoria from March 30 to April 2.

Go to Events for the details

ILLEGAL PLANTS - There are plans afoot for legislative changes which will seriously affect cactus collecting all over Australia by making illegal many of the plants we already have in our gardens and succulent collections.

Go to www.gardenfreedom.com to examine the issue

Events - Meetings, Displays and Excursions for this year

Library - Best Cactus & Succulent Books

Links - Best Cactus & Succulent Websites

MEMBERSHIP : $25 p.a. (plus $5 p.a. for spouse/partner)
Please go to the MEMBERSHIP page to complete an application for membership.

MEETINGS : On the second Friday of each month, commencing 7.30pm, at : The Robert Clark Centre in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree (access and parking in Gillies St).

AIMS OF SOCIETY :

To bring together all who wish to foster a wider appreciation and knowledge of cacti and succulents.
To advance and encourage the cultivation of members’ collections of cacti and succulents and to serve their interest in this connection by securing and circulating all reliable, relevant information.
To further the aforesaid purposes the Association shall :
• hold not less than ten (10) general meetings per year;
• hold conferences, garden visits and exhibitions ;
• cooperate and liase with any association having similar purposes;
• publish and circulate regular newsletters;
• establish and maintain a reference library.
[From the Association’s incorporation document, 1981.]

CACTUS and SUCCULENT PLANTS

• Waterwise
• Easy to Grow
• Sculptural
• Hardy
• Intriguing

The Ballarat Cactus & Succulent Society would like to thank our website design consultant, Liz Lumsdon of www.upthere.com, for her assistance. Thanks to Tom McGregor for his patience and guidance in a major revamp during 2011.