Bonsai

Bonsai The imagination Tree - www.sashieda.com.au

An amazing collection of established bonsai for sale representing the work of many Bonsai enthusiasts over more than 50 years.

In 2009 Bonsai The Imagination Tree moved from Monbulk to a site it now shares with The Home of Garden Lovers. From the beginner to the enthusiast we have all your needs plants, tools, potting mix, materials for nurturing your tree. Our staff can provide assistance in choosing the right tree or advice on what to do next in developing your work of art.



Bonsai maintenance services

We provide a tree sitting and maintenance service if you are going away for any period of time it is much cheaper to drop your tree off at the nursery and have the experts look after it than have someone come in to your home. At the same time we cam perform an annual check up of the tree and repot or fertilizer depending on your requirements.

Press release on move of bonsai to Home of Garden Lovers:

Merger the way forward for social businesses in tough economic times

Two of Victoria’s social businesses, Bonsai - The Imagination Tree and Knoxcare’s Yarra View Nursery, are announcing their merger today in order to keep 124 jobs safe, 95 of which are people with disabilities.
In the current economic climate, where Victorian plant nurseries are struggling to deal with drought and the impact of the bushfires, the merger will allow both social employers to consolidate resources and take advantage of new business opportunities.
Social firms are non-profit businesses that provide a supportive and accommodating work environment for people with a disability, mental illness or who face other barriers to employment.
Established as a social firm in 2006 by Social Ventures Australia (SVA), Social Firms Australia (SoFA) and Eastern Access Community Health (EACH), Bonsai – The Imagination Tree is one of Australia’s first examples of a model of acquisition for social firms; buying existing businesses with a proven track record and transforming them into non-profit social firms. SVA, SoFA and EACH have all committed to providing ongoing support to the business.
The business is a preferred supplier of Bunnings Warehouse and provides employment opportunities and a supportive work environment to people with a mental illness.
The Yarra View Wholesale Nursery, operated by Knoxcare, employs 117 staff, 92 of whom have a disability. Knoxcare operates a number of other businesses including a retail nursery, a landscaping and garden maintenance business, an assembly and packing business and a training organisation.
Michael Traill, SVA chief executive and Bonsai –The Imagination Tree board member, commented:
‘The merger makes fantastic business sense for Bonsai – The Imagination Tree. In these tough economic times, it is really important to see social businesses developing new ways of working together in order to maximise their profitability and take advantage of new business opportunities. With unacceptably high numbers of people with a mental illness currently unemployed, securing long-term, meaningful employment opportunities for them, especially in the current climate, is vital.’
Rad Kilian, CEO of Knoxcare, commented:
‘The merger allows Knoxcare to expand its product range, enter into new markets and use its extensive distribution network to grow the Bonsai business. Importantly, it will also provide new employment opportunities to people who are disadvantaged in the labour market.’

Bonsai – The Imagination Tree
Bonsai – The Imagination Tree is a wholesale and retail nursery in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges. It was acquired by SVA, SoFA and EACH as a joint business venture in 2006 with funding from SVA private investors, a tailored commercial loan from Bendigo Bank, a grant from the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Service’s ‘Regional Partnerships Program’, the Department for Victorian Communities (NOW KNOWN AS DPCD), Eastern Access Community Health and a soft loan from Crown Financial.
Knoxbrookes Inc.
Knoxcare is part of Knoxbrookes Inc. Knoxbrookes is a non-profit organisation that provides training and supported accommodation to 230 adults with intellectual disabilities in the outer eastern suburbs. Operating for over 40 years, Knoxbrookes also employs 20 adults with disabilities in a packaging and assembly business in Fern Tree Gully.
Social Ventures Australia
SVA is an Australian-based, non-profit organisation that was established in 2002. It was created by, and has the ongoing support of, some of Australia’s most well-known non-profit and philanthropic organisations.
SVA works with innovative non-profit organisations to increase their growth and impact to drive transformational social change. SVA’s activities are focused on three areas:
1. It provides multi-year funding and tailored support to a limited and carefully selected portfolio of non-profit organisations led by outstanding social entrepreneurs. This tailored support includes assistance with strategic planning, financial sustainability, governance and performance measurement and evaluation. SVA also leverages its significant networks to help these organisations meet their growth, infrastructure or communication demands.
2. SVA Consulting works with a range of non-profit organisations on customised, results-driven solutions which improve organisational performance and social impact. The consulting team also supports funders, including foundations, philanthropists and governments, to make informed decisions about their social investments. Its services are offered on a cost-recovery basis.
3. It works in partnerships to assist the non-profit sector to find new ways of addressing deep-rooted community challenges. This includes working with Indigenous communities towards increased social inclusion, developing social enterprises to create employment for those disadvantaged in the labour market and fostering best practice.
Social Firms Australia
Social Firms Australia (SoFA) is a non profit organisation committed to improving the quality of life as well as the social and economic integration of Australians living with a disability, particularly people with a mental illness. This is achieved by creating accessible employment opportunities for people with a mental illness or disability through the establishment of social firms. A social firm is a not-for-profit distribution business enterprise whose purpose is to create accessible employment for people with a mental illness or disability. Any modifications required for the employee in need of support are built into the design of the workplace. A social firm has a supportive work environment that: • employs between 25% and 50% of employees with a disability. • pays all workers at award/ productivity-based rates. • provides the same work opportunities, rights and obligations to all employees. • generates the majority of its income through the commercial activity of the business.
EACH
EACH is a non government organisation providing a range of community services in the Eastern region of Melbourne and parts of NSW. EACH provides services that promote health, social support, independence and community inclusion for people with disabilities, people with mental health problems and a wide range of other challenges in life.
EACH’s services are based on a social model of health which emphasise the importance of people having access to secure housing, stable employment, education and training, supportive and healthy relationships and meaningful participation in community life as the foundations of health and wellbeing. Some of EACH’s services include housing, employment, counselling, aged care and child, youth and family services.