About the CSSA
'More than just a garden club'!
The Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia Inc (CSSA) is the oldest Cactus and Succulent Society in Australia, established in Melbourne in 1927.
Our Society is a fun and friendly organisation that prides itself on having members from all walks of life and of all ages, whether a botanist or home gardener.
The Society holds monthly gatherings where members have the opportunity to view expert growers’ collections and seek their professional advice. Or perhaps just join to receive our fantastic full colour magazine as many people do.
The CSSA's Cacti and Succulents Show is an annual Spring event, consisting of a large display area with decorative and rare plants. This is complemented by unrivaled plant competitions as well as sales of a huge variety of cacti and succulent plants.
The Society also aims to advance the understanding and appreciation of cacti and succulents worldwide. Through education and scientific study we encourage conservation through cultivation. Similar societies are located Australia wide, in most capital cities and some country areas (see the Helpful Links page for more information).
CSSA Committee and Office-bearers
Patron
Professor Randall W. Robinson
Office-bearers
President: Vacant
Vice President: Paul Schreurs
Secretary: Melissa Jackson
Treasurer: Karen Hartfree
General Committee
Dani Basso
Peter Breyley
Fiona Figg
Daniel Pickens
Non-Committee Positions
Librarian: Melissa Jackson
Membership Coordinator: Peter Breyley
'The Spine & Spinette' Editor: See Publications Team
Videos/YouTube Channel: Paul Schreurs
'Plant of the Month' Competition Coordinator: Paul Schreurs
Webmasters: Peter Breyley and Melissa Jackson
2026 Convention Team
Team Leader: Peter Breyley
Team Members:
- Dani Basso
- Fiona Figg
- Karen Hartfree
- Menno Holwerda
- Bob Hunter
- Melissa Jackson
- Kirsteen Macleod
- Natalia Molini
- Randall Robinson
- Paul Schreurs
- John Vajna
Publications Team
Team Leader: Vacant
Team Members:
- Karen Hartfree
- Melissa Jackson
- Kirsteen Macleod
- Ledam Nguyen
- Randall Robinson
- John Roewer
- Paul Schreurs
- John Vajna
Social Media Team
Team Leader: TBD
Karen Hartfree
(Call for Team Members SOON!)
Meet Our Patron
Professor Randall W. Robinson
Randall W. Robinson, Honorary Professor at Victoria University, Melbourne, is recognised for his significant contributions to horticultural science through education, research, and outreach. With a background in biological, horticultural, and environmental sciences, he focuses on plant ecology, conservation, and sustainable horticulture, informing both academic discourse and practical management of plant communities.
Randall collaborates with plant groups, botanical gardens, and conservation organisations to promote plant diversity and sustainable practices. He effectively connects scientific research with real-world application, making ecological concepts accessible to practitioners.
Beyond research and teaching, he fosters collaboration within the horticultural community and mentors emerging professionals. His presentations and publications are noted for balancing scientific rigour with practical insight. Randall’s diverse plant collection includes genera such as Agave, Aloe, Clivia, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Dyckia, Gasteria, Haworthia, Pelargonium, and Sinningia.
Through his dedication, Randall has become an influential figure in horticulture, integrating academic excellence with a passion for plants.
Meet The CSSA Committee
President
President
Vacant
Paul Schreurs
Vice President
Paul has a passion for growing cacti which started at the age of 15. A vegetable grower by trade, Paul has always found room on his farm to grow cacti with his main focus on Echinopsis. Joining the CSSA in 2011, Paul has managed the society’s YouTube channel and has joined the committee in 2020.
He looks forward to ensuring the CSSA meets the needs of its members and continues to attract more members to this fascinating and addictive hobby.
Paul stepped into the Vice President Role in late 2024, and can be seen at almost all club events sharing his knowledge and deep passion!
Melissa Jackson
Secretary
Melissa has been a member of the CSSA since 2008. Apart from recently joining the Committee to serve as Secretary, she has been actively involved with our Annual Show, organising the sales section since 2012. Her interest in succulents is mainly those from Southern Africa such as Haworthia, Gasteria and a variety of Mesembs.
Apart from spending time with her plant collection, Melissa loves her job teaching statistics, and coordinating animal and human research ethics, plus spending time with her dachshunds, and travelling to exotic plant habitats (as often as she can afford it)!
Karen Hartfree
Treasurer
Bio on the way!
Dani Basso
General Committee
Bio on the way!
Peter Breyley
General Committee
Peter grew up in Melbourne's Southeast after moving from Sydney at age two. He's worked with succulent plants from age fifteen and thanks one of his first holiday jobs for introducing him to this fascinating area of the plant kingdom!
Now in his 30's, with a couple of kids and a business in the industry, that passion has endured – and he's rarely seen without a prickly plant (or his beloved Telecaster) in hand. He works in the Gippsland region in SIL Disability Support.
After serving on the CSSA Committee for a few years and taking on the role of membership coordinator in 2019, Peter as President from 2020-2025. Like many other members, he first came for the plants but stayed for the warm and eclectic community that is the CSSA, the tales, experiences, and the enduring passion and connections formed around this ever-fascinating hobby!
Daniel Pickens
General Committee
Daniel grew up in regional Victoria, where his love for plants first took root. After moving to Melbourne in 2008 for university, his gardening hobby took a brief pause—until he discovered the fascinating world of cacti and succulents. Since then, his collection has grown steadily, limited only by the size of his balcony.
By day, Daniel works as an office-based engineering consultant, making his time with cacti and succulents a welcome way to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. A CSSA member since 2016, he joined the committee in late 2024.
Fiona Figg
General Committee
Bio on the way!