THE NATIONAL BOTTLE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA [NBAA]contributed by Diane CummingsBrief information regarding the author, Diane Cummings. I first heard about this hobby when I went digging down at St Kilda, Melbourne [in 1980 or 1981]. Within a couple of months I joined the Antique Bottle Club Melbourne [ABCM] at the Malvern Bottle Show, and then visited the Maryborough Bottle Show where I met John Glen, and we've been friends ever since. A year later I attend my first Victorian State Bottle Assocation meeting at Benalla. This body was/is made up of duly appointed representatives of each club in Victoria. The Aim was/is for representatives of each club to present their club's views, and to vote as their club would want them to. During the next few years I represented the ABCM at these meetings, and was appointed State Secretary for two years in a row. In 1985 I was elected President of the Victorian State Bottle Assocation, and chaired the meeting that accepted their new Constitution. At that time THE NATIONAL BOTTLE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA was made up of duly appointed representatives of each State in Australia. The Aim was for representatives of each State to present their State's point of view, and to vote as their State would want them to. In 1986 my family and I attended our first National Show, [in Adelaide] where we met a number of members of The National Association, including Geoff Ford, Scotty Clark, and Jim and Sandy Bell. It seems that they were impressed that Victoria had a proper Constitution, covering things like Incorporation and Insurance [providing protection for each Club and their members]. These members approached me asking if I might be interested in leading the National Association, with the aim of using my experience to do the same at a National level. Later that day this offer was formally accepted at the National Meeting, and I became National President [acting]. And so this daunting task began. By the time we attended the National Show at Hobart in 1987, much correspondence had passed back and forth between all State Representatives. With me chairing this meeting, and Ross Kennett taking the Minutes, the new Constitution was formally accepted, and the Election of Office Bearers took place. Brian Gamble [NSW] was elected National President, and I became National Secretary. |
THE FUTURE of THE NATIONAL BOTTLE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIAMany of the National Representatives were finding it difficult to continue as members of the National Bottle Association.The following indicates how they felt: Most of those that could afford to travel across Australia to attend National Shows were not interested in administration of these events. Unfortunately, most of those who were prepared to help administer these events could not always afford to travel across Australia to attend National Shows. THE FUTURE of THE NATIONAL BOTTLE SHOWSPROBLEM: Hardly anyone wanted to pitch in, to help keep this body going.MUCH DISCUSSION: All Members of the NATIONAL BOTTLE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA [NBAA], and over 30 collectors from all States of Australia, met at the SYDNEY NATIONAL SHOW held in 1988. They recognised that National Shows were and are very important to our hobby, and that every effort should be made to ensure that these events should continue. They also recognised that our hobby would continue to need some structure. BUT - it seemed pointless to keep the NBAA going. And so, after even more discussion, because everyone at this meeting in Sydney was concerned about the future of our hobby, we agreed on a method of ensuring that the National Shows would still continue, and so the suggestions listed below were put into place. Then we formally and reluctantly closed down the NATIONAL BOTTLE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA, as at the end of that meeting in 1988. I was part of that group who agonized over making this decision. Of course we copped flack, and several were accused of having hidden agendas. Time has proven that those accusations were completely false. We still enjoy attending shows, meeting our friends and seeing fantastic displays. Some of us are still interested enough to keep a watchful eye on the future of our hobby. Perhaps others do as well. That is great because we have so many nice collectors, who all want this hobby to stay alive and be successful. ROTATION of THE NATIONAL BOTTLE SHOWSEveryone attending this meeting were adamant that "the usual Show Rotation" should continue to be used at future National Shows."THE USUAL NATIONAL SHOW ROTATION" has been as follows: Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia. PROMOTING THE NEXT NATIONAL SHOW Interested parties should advise "the world" of their interest in hosting such events, via our National Magazine. Of course the question arose - what about Tasmania, or Northern Territory ? This question was pondered on and at last a light shone. If either or both really want to host a National Show, then of course they could. How - by giving the National Magazine at least two years notice [because everyone would need to know ahead of time]. The other States would then need to re-adjust to cater for this. Whilst this has not happened yet - it could, and the above is our potential solution. The situation might not happen, and so we would/could/should continue with "The Usual National Show Rotation". In the past ten years I have been asked - when is the next National Show, and when/where is the next one. At the National Show held in Adelaide in 2002, I prepared a list of the probable rotation of the Nationals for the next ten years. As the immediate past National Secretary, I asked representatives of each State attending this show to consider the list, then indicate if they thought their State would be willing to host the National Show as indicated on the list. Most of those approached indicated "we understand that year will probably be 'our turn' and we will see what we can do". They then initialled the list and this list was then given to Russell Dunn to be used as a guide for the Calendar in the National Magazine. The list would enable him to give a reasonable answer when asked the question = when and where is the next National etc. "THE USUAL NATIONAL SHOW ROTATION" would be as follows: Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia. Currently the Rotation is as follows:
A STANDARD SCHEDULE for NATIONAL BOTTLE SHOWSThe aim of the NATIONAL BOTTLE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA [NBAA] was to provide a standard schedule which catered for"the most important event in our Bottle Collecting calendar". The Sydney National Show in 1988 probably had the best Schedule we could ever have [about 200 categories]. Everyone attending this meeting were adamant that "the usual National Schedule [with variations]" should continue to be used as the basis of a Standard Schedule. As often happens, 'important' paper work sometimes goes astray, including my copy of this Schedule. Trevor Brooks has a copy of this Schedule and is posting same to me. As soon as it arrives, it shall be scanned and posted here. It is anticipated that each State select, out of that Standard Schedule, what they thought/think would be appropriate to their own State. Of course they can add categories which appeal to the majority. There is no hard and fast rule. In 2008 The Victorian Bottle & Collectables Association prepared a Standard Schedule.pdf for State Shows. If you have not looked at it, and if you have not made any suggestions/variations - maybe it's time you did. Their website is http://www.vbaca.org.au/ We all have to remember that the Committees who choose to host the NATIONAL, have taken on a daunting task to help keep our hobby alive. They deserve respect and encouragement. THey are not looking for accolades, and I believe that we should do anything/everything we can to make them feel appreciated. If you can offer help [wording of schedules, promoting, putting up signs, manning the security ropes] then please do so. Many of those attending that meeting in Sydney 1988 are still attend shows on a fairly regular basis, and are pleased that these suggesions seem to be accepted by most collectors. |
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I hope the above has helped you. It has been written to help collectors understand how our hobby has progressed over the past thirty years. Occasionally there are some issues which should receive a "proper" reply - eg. Standard Schedules. I've waited and waited for an "official reply", but nothing has happened. Reply by whom ?? Well, I believe The Victorian Bottle & Collectables Association [VBCA] could respond. BUT - quite a few of the VBCA members have only been involved in our hobby for a few years, and probably dont know the answers to some of these issues. The above is not interferring. If someone feels like giving me flack - please dont. I have been involved in this hobby for more than 30 years, and I've seen a lot, and met many wonderful people, and I've been involved with a mightly lot of decisions which have helped make this hobby as great as it is. Having been there and done that, I am just not interested enough in going down that road again. I just want to be accepted at face value, in just the same way that many other collectors are accepted. I know that there are heaps of friends in this hobby who will jump up to support me, and howl down or yell at the sodds who cannot see or understand that my wish is to help our hobby. I am sure that you would want the same support too. PLEASE REMEMBER - we do need everyone, especially our experienced collectors, to help guide and encourage the "newies", whether it's just about collecting or perhaps about joining a club, etc.. Clubs do help. With so few shows happening now, many of us find that Club meetings give us a place to gather, to meet friends, to learn and to share what we know. Sincerely, Diane Cummings Click here for link to 1976 NATIONAL SHOW - SOUTH AUSTRALIA A.B.C.M. Disclaimer: To obtain free webpages we must accept Advertisements on this website. However this does not mean we endorse the products advertised. |