With over 35 years of bonsai experience, Stephen Callum has become a respected figure in the Australian bonsai community, particularly known for his dedication to exploring the natural aesthetics of broadleaf bonsai.

Stephen’s passion for native species has led him to work with more than 180 Australian native trees, a journey captured in his newly published book, Australian Native Bonsai: The essential knowledge to build better bonsai. His innovative approach and deep understanding of native flora have made a significant impact on the evolving art of bonsai in Australia.

Stephen has recently enjoyed “Artist in Residence” status at the The National Bonsai & Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA)

A well-known & much appreciated bonsai artist & demonstrator from Sydney, Evan has spent significant time studying bonsai with well known artists such as Koji Hiramatsu & Masahiro Sasaki in Japan. Having spent time behind the scenes and visiting high profile bonsai shows such as Gafu-ten & Taikan-ten in Japan. Evan also holds a Degree in Agricultural Science & currently works as a horticultural product developer. His knowledge base and skill set is admirable and is a great addition to our judging panel. See some of Evan’s work here

Ric Roberts is one of Australia’s longest-practising and most influential bonsai artists, with a bonsai career beginning in 1958. Working at a time when bonsai was still largely unknown in Australia, Ric belongs to the early generation of practitioners who helped establish the art as a serious horticultural and artistic pursuit in Sydney and its surrounding regions, with influence extending along the east coast.
In the early years, Australian bonsai developed through small, dedicated clubs with limited access to reference material or formal training. Within this environment, Ric’s skill and commitment were recognised when he was awarded Best Up and Comer by the Bonsai Society of Australia, a Sydney-based club and one of the earliest organised bonsai societies in the country.
Ric’s contribution extends well beyond his personal practice. He is a life member of several bonsai clubs and a founding member of multiple societies, playing an active role in shaping club culture, education, and organisational standards over many decades. His involvement has included demonstrations, mentoring, judging, and advisory roles, supporting the growth of bonsai communities across New South Wales.
At a broader level, Ric served as a committee member and selector for the original Australian National Bonsai Collection, contributing to the early development of a nationally significant bonsai archive. He was also the founder of Bonsai by the Harbour, a major public exhibition that brought high-quality bonsai to wider audiences and helped raise public awareness of the art in Sydney.
In later years, Ric has focused on the development of Unryu-en, his bonsai garden and collection at Somersby, NSW. Housing a substantial number of mature trees developed over decades, Unryu-en represents both a personal legacy and a cultural resource, linking early Australian bonsai practice with contemporary bonsai culture.
With more than six decades of continuous practice, Ric Roberts’ legacy lies not only in individual trees, but in the institutions, events, and people he has helped shape.

Based in South Australia, Greg Horner has established a strong reputation for sourcing exceptional Chinese pots, tools, stands, figurines, and specialised materials for bonsai and Penjing enthusiasts. His many trips to China - both to attend Penjing conferences and to personally select high-quality stock for his business Bonsai Ceramics - have deepened his expertise and strengthened long-standing relationships with makers, artists, and suppliers across several regions.

Greg is a valued member of the Australian Penjing Study Group, a collective of dedicated practitioners who meet regularly and travel to China to study classical Chinese aesthetics and Penjing traditions. Through this ongoing engagement, Greg returns to Australia with fresh insights and a richer understanding to share with the local bonsai and Penjing community.

This year, Greg brings his refined eye for Penjing aesthetics and his deep cultural knowledge to the judging panel at the Australian Bonsai Open.

Clinton was exposed to Bonsai at a very young age when his parents Ray and Rosanna in 1979 opened a Bonsai Nursery (Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursery) in the semi-rural suburb of Dural. Upon finishing school, Clinton completed his Nursery Trade Certificate at Ryde TAFE and joined the nursery in a full-time basis in 1989 and is now one of three directors at the nursery.

He was the head teacher and President at The School of Bonsai Inc. between 2000 - 2017 and then retired from the school to pursue more responsibilities at the family nursery and also to start a mobile Bonsai Service Business on the weekends called Sydney Mobile Bonsai Services.

Ray has lectured, demonstrated and conducted workshops in Australia & N.Z . He has a great knowledge of a wide variety of plants used for Bonsai through his exposure of working in a Bonsai Nursery for an extended period of time. 

Ray & his family have proudly been ardent major supporters & sponsors of the Central Coast Bonsai Open for many years

Kim, principal artist & founder of Lilliannah Bonsai, has been learning about bonsai since a child, when her Mum had fruit, oak and deciduous trees in Melbourne in the 1970's. Upon becoming a Japanese Teacher in 1992, Kim formally studied the language and culture including bonsai and ikebana in Tokyo, Japan, as part of her language degrees; Bachelor of Education (Japanese). Back in Queensland, Kim joined local bonsai clubs, attended international seminars, presented and assisted in demonstrations with respected bonsai masters.

From there, Kim started teaching and helping friends learn this relaxing and beautiful hobby which has said to be "Living Art" by many. Kim has combined her love of Japan, the Japanese language, teaching and bonsai to develop a service that educates, creates and empowers others to enjoy this ancient hobby.

The name ‘Lilliannah’ comes from my 2 daughters Lilli and Hannah, Now aged 21 and 24, they began playing with my bonsai at a young age and would often help me in the garden.