Some of my talks

I first started speaking to orchid societies in the days when there were just Kodachrome slides and rather unreliable projectors. I often used two projectors to contrast and compare different orchids. The advent of digital projectors, Powerpoint and digital cameras has made the job easier for me, although not necessarily for my partner, Roger, who does all the technical computer work!

Over the years I have spoken at a number of meetings, both in Australia and elsewhere, on a wide variety of subjects. I use a Powerpoint presentation to which I give an individual commentary depending on the interests of the society or group concerned. I often include some 'tourist' information when there has been travel associated with a conference or trip to give a context for the talk.

There are a number of different subjects on which I have given talks and I am constantly adding to them, both about different places I have been and as a result of specific requests from orchid societies. Most talks last about 45 minutes, depending on the questions and discussions which they generate.

Listed below are some of the talks which I have already given and can repeat or vary if requested. Bear in mind that I live in Brisbane, Australia, so may like some help with travelling costs if you are not in this area.

If your favourite subject isn't here, let me know!

World Orchid Conferences

	The 18th World Orchid conference and show in Dijon in central France in March 2005. The conference was held in conjunction with the Florrissimo which takes place in Dijon every four years. I have talked separately about the show itself, the species orchids and the Slipper orchids.
	The 19th World Orchid conference and show held in Miami in the USA in January 2008. I have talked separately about the show itself and the species orchids.

Orchids around the world

	Dendrobiums of Australasia There are a number of different genera and species in the Dendrobium alliance, and this talk analyses the ones that can be found in my region.
	Spectacular West Australia Springtime in WA is the best time to see its amazing collection of unique wildflowers, and is also the time at which they organise their orchid shows and conferences. On one trip I photographed 60 different orchid species in the wild, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. WA is also host to one of the amazing underground orchids.
	Dendrobiums of Niugini The Niugini Highlands are host to many exotic orchid species as well as fascinating cultural displays and gatherings.
	What happened to the Brazilian Laelias? DNA work and other analysis has thrown doubt on the classification of the Brazilian Laelias and this talk discusses some of the latest developments and name changes.
	Exploring Ecuador, Exploring Ecuador and Peru and Slippers in Ecuador and Peru Yes! there are orchids at Machu Picchu as well as several other parts of the Andes and the Amazon basin.
	Orchid conservation in Costa Rica The country with the highest proportion of National Parks in the World is host to a wide variety of native orchids. I also attended the International Orchid Conservation Congress and Show there.
	Orchids in Guatemala Guatemala has a number of unique orchid species as well as having others which can be found further North and South in Central America.
	Orchid collections See behind the scenes at the Kew and Wisley Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Collection in the UK, the Eric Young Orchid Foundation in Jersey, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Kabukiran Orchids in the Philippines, Orchid Zone in the USA, Ecuagenera in Ecuador and Willy Kentner's nursery buried in snow in Germany!
	Weird and wonderful species The World is full of the most amazing orchids and this talk illustrates some of the more bizarre and unique species around the world.

Other subjects

	Why does my orchid have more than one name? One of the most common questions of hobby growers. I talk of the history of naming orchids, the difficulties of deciding which name to use and the recent changes as a result of DNA work.
	A selection of Aëridinae,  Cattleya species, Bulbophyllum and its allies and Oncidium and its relatives are all talks looking at these various groups, the classifications of the genera that make them up and the recent DNA work which is suggesting all sorts of confusing name changes.
	Miniature species - a selection Some orchid species have almost the smallest flowers of any plants, but there are also a number of other orchids which are fascinating miniatures.
	17th Australian Orchid Conference and Show 'Orchids in Paradise' was the subject of this conference and show held in Port Macquarie in Northern New South Wales in 2006 with speakers from around the world.
	Judging species orchids A talk on the procedures, problems and pitfalls of judging species orchids.
	Name that species is a quiz program asking participants (usually split into groups) to name a species based on its photo. Fun for Christmas and other celebrations.