MEETING INFORMATION | BECOMING A MEMBER
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ABOUT CSSQ The Cactus and Succulent Society of Queensland Inc (CSSQ) was established in Brisbane, Australia in February 1963. The Society encourages and educates hobbyists in the cultivation and propagation of cactus and other succulent plants. The Society holds monthly general meetings, and regular field days where members and visitors can view other growers' collections in an informal setting. The annual Mt Coot-tha Cactus & Succulent Show is very popular and usually held over the Queen's Birthday long weekend (Sat/Sun). It is an excellent place to learn about our hobby and our members offer a huge range of plants for sale. You can view some photos from the 2009 Show. There are other Australian Cactus & Succulent societies online now. See the NSW Cactus & Succulent Society pages for example. The NSW Society also has a great contacts page linking to other societies around Australia. Our email address is cssq
@ powerup.com.au Read on if you'd like a brief history of the Society. |
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Brief History of CSSQ The Society was founded by Dr Vic Murray in February 1963, when, as a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, he approached several people who he knew grew some succulents. The first meeting, attended by fourteen people, was held at Dr Murray's home in Ascot. The Society's first public display was in August 1963 in the Horticultural Pavilion at the Brisbane Exhibition (an annual event drawing tens of thousands through its gates) was in August, 1963. This display has been presented annually ever since, with various moves around the Pavilion in that time. These displays were the Society's only means of reaching the public until it commenced the Combined Show with the Bromeliad Society of Queensland (1978-2005). For many years, extra displays have been held in various shopping centres, City Hall, and the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens by members of the Society. CSSQ has staged several "Succulenticons" (biennial Australian C&S Conferences held in different cities each time). The most recent of these was held in 1998. The Society journal, Dinteranthus, was commenced in May 1965, and has been issued on a more or less quarterly basis ever since. Membership has at times reached over 300, but seems to steady at around 150 in most years. During the years, the Society has had some well-known overseas growers and book writers visit -- John Pilbeam, Bill Maddams, Des Cole, Myron Kimnach, Len Newton and John Lavranos. All have contributed to our knowledge and whenever possible CSSQ welcomes overseas visitors. In the past, due to the law in Queensland forbidding the sale of cacti (after the infamous Opuntia plague), these plants were only available at field days. The sale of cacti is now permitted with the exception of Opuntia species. Cacti have been available at the June Combined Show since 1991. |
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Information:
What's on Next Month?
CSSQ's General Meetings commence at 7.45pm on the last Monday of each month (except December) at the: Woolloongabba
Senior Citizens Centre Parking is available in Qualtrough Street. Bus services to and from Brisbane pass along Ipswich and Logan Roads. Park Road and Buranda railway stations are near by. Visitors are most welcome to attend. The program for the evening consists of cultural notes, plant competition, raffles and door prizes, supper provided by the Society, Committee reports, and occasionally slides, lectures by guest- speakers, or special round-robin information nights. Facilities available to members at General Meeting nights include:
Membership in CSSQ grants you:
Becoming a Member of CSSQ: Subscription Information Membership of CSSQ is open to all. Single membership is AUD$20, while family membership is AUD$25. Overseas applicants, please add AUD$12 for postage and packaging. Download the CSSQ membership form here: MEMBERSHIP FORM Please send completed form with payment to:
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