The Australian Cymbidium Society Inc. (ACS) was established in 1995 when the South Australian, New South Wales and Victorian state cymbidium clubs decided to create a national cymbidium magazine and to form a central body to organize a national cymbidium show and develop a judging and awards system. Shortly after the inception of the Australian Cymbidium Society the Western Australian cymbidium club joined, meaning the ACS would from that point, represent all major cymbidium growing areas in Australia.
The ACS was formed, following several months of correspondence between the state clubs and a meeting which took place in Sydney. This also saw the foundation of a nation cymbidium magazine, “Cymbidiums Australia”, as a joint venture with the long standing orchid publication, “Australian Orchid Review”. Unlike many other national bodies, the ACS was not intended to be a peak body, controlling the various state clubs which became its member clubs; rather it was designed to undertake certain limited duties, while the member clubs retained their autonomy in all areas except those designated as ACS responsibilities.
* The ACS was to manage the national magazine and provide editors for that publication.
* Develop, oversee and seek sponsorship for a National Cymbidium Show.
* Develop a judging and award system of international standing, with input from the member clubs.
* To promote the development, hybridising, culture and appreciation of cymbidium orchids, especially those hybridized and grown in Australia.
In all other areas of club activities, the state clubs remain entirely autonomous.
The ACS management committee meets annually and is made up of delegates from each state club committee who discusses and debate agenda items submitted by the member clubs. Their decisions and proposals are then taken back to the member clubs for ratification by majority.
The foresight of the original steering committee and the state cymbidium clubs should be recognized, particularly the original delegates who were charged with turning the idea into a workable reality, in particular, Dean Roesler, Graham Guest, David Allen, Kevin Brown, Kevin Black and Peter Rotchfort. Over the years the ACS has seen great service given by a number of those original committee members and others who have served the ACS and their state clubs. David Allen, Helen Stretch, Graham Guest, Peter Moore and Kevin Butler, all who have served the ACS in the role of president. With Dean Roesler and recently Rob Smith who served as a delegate and/or editor of Cymbidiums Australia for many years.
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