The Cactus and Succulent Society of NSW Inc.

Awards presented at our Autumn and Spring Shows

 

The Kevin Hamilton Trophy for Supreme Champion. 

The trophy commemorates Kevin Hamilton who joined the Society in 1995-96.  He served on several committees in subsequent years and was an active mentor and teacher of many new members, especially junior members. He was a regular judge at both the Society's shows and judged at the Sydney Royal Easter Shows.  Kevin was a nursery owner who grew excellent plants. He passed away in June 2020.

This award is given to either the Champion Cactus or the Champion Succulent in the Autumn and at the Spring Show each year. The award earns ten show points.

 

 

The Bill Dunstan Trophy for the Open Cactus, Open Succulent and All Comers.

Bill joined the Society in 1957-58 as a founding member.  He became a Vice President in 1960, a title he bore for over 50 years.  Bill made many presentations on cacti and succulents at monthly meetings and contributed articles to the Society's journals for many decades.  Bill was a judge at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and was so meticulous that he always carried reference books while judging. Bill passed away in December 2017.

The winner is the contestant who gains the highest combined number of points in the Autumn and Spring Shows. Competitors are awarded ten points for a champion cactus or succulent, three points for a first-place win in each category, two points for second place and one for third place. The winner of the Bill Dunstan Trophy has their name inscribed on the eponymous shield. 

The Open sections of the Autumn and Spring Shows are open to all members of the Society. 

 

 

The Johanna Stark Trophy for the Novice Cactus and Novice Succulent.

Johanna, affectionately known as "The Two Dollar Lady", is commemorated with this trophy.  Like Bill Dunstan, she joined the Society in 1957-58.  She served on the committee for many years and managed the membership list for decades.  She was renowned for her recruitment of new members at our annual shows. Johanna is also remembered for her tiny balcony in Woollahra where she grew cacti and succulents from imported seed. She sold her tiny seedlings by mail, specialising in the genus Conophytum which suited her tiny growing space.  Johanna travelled to South Africa and the USA, where she enjoyed seeing cacti and succulents growing in the wild and rarely missed attending the biennial Australian Cactus and Succulent Conventions. Johanna passed away in November 2009.

The winner of the Johanna Stark trophy is the contestant who gains the highest combined number of points in the Novice sections of the Autumn and Spring Shows. Competitors are awarded ten points for a champion, three points for a first-place win in a category, two points for second place and one for third place. The winner has their name inscribed on the Johanna Stark trophy.  

The Novice sections are restricted to contestants with up to and including 7 years' membership.

 

 

The Joan Cairis Trophy for Best Match between Plant & Pot 

Joan, who joined the Society in 2001-02, went to great lengths to choose pots that complemented her competition plants. She took great pride in the condition and the appearance of her entries on the show bench. Joan was always early for meetings and shows and assisted in the setting up of the meeting venues.  Her husband, Peter, was very supportive of all her efforts and assisted the installation of the electrical lighting for the society shows. Joan passed away in 2016.

This popular award at Society Shows does not score any show points, but it does come with a take-home trophy.  The award acknowledges the dedication which Joan Cairis demonstrated as a competitor in Society shows.