Being such a big country, Australians growing camellias cannot easily pick up the telephone or drive down the road to other camellia growing regions. Still, travelling is a way of life in Australia, and it is not unusual to travel 2 hours or more to a camellia show or event.

There are three main ways that camellia people share their knowledge and learn more about camellias, other than being a member of the ICS: local Australian Camellia Research Society branch meetings/newsletters, ACRS National congresses, and the ACRS National camellia journal, Camellia News.

Local regional branches hold meetings throughout the year and conduct bloom competitions as well as a camellia show or display. They also produce a newsletter which is circulated to other branches.

National congresses (ACRS) are held in a different region annually. It is a chance for members from any of the branches to attend dinners, get-togethers, garden visits, and talks about camellias. There is also a National camellia show, usually held at the same time and place as the National Congress. In 2000 the National Congress was in Adelaide, South Australia. In 2001 it was held in Canberra, ACT. In 2002 it will be held in Perth, Western Australia.

Camellia News is the ACRS National camellia journal published in three issues per year (as of 2001). It includes colour and black and white photographs of camellias, articles on culture and research, and gives members from each Branch an opportunity to publish their articles or opinions on camellias. Each member of the ACRS (Australian Camellia Research Society) receives a copy of each Camellia News journal.

created by K G Waldon (c) 2001, ICS logo created from a .jpg image of the ICS website, the background and 'Tea' symbols
are also from the ICS website. Photographs by K Waldon unless otherwise specified.