Gary, I must confess I've never heard of the plant before so I did some research and found it is an Australin plant used for hedges. However, most photos I've seen are closeups of the plant so I am not able to determine it's growth characteristics. That being said -- tell me what type of shape you prefer your plants to be and perhaps I can give you some tips on how to approach it. Also discuss how tall your plants are, how large a container and how tall do you envision your topiaries to be.

Ianna

I found this information about Lilly Pilly at Burkes Garden Site:

Lilly Pilly Fruit:

Lilly pillies are handsome rainforest trees native to Australia and south-east Asia. They've become tremendously popular in Australian gardens, particularly for hedging and topiary.

As well as having evergreen, glossy leaves and masses of fluffy white flowers in late spring to summer, they also produce colourful, edible berries.

The purple fruit of Syzygium australe. This lilly pilly is about the size of a small marble, but fruit size does vary from one species to another. Although lilly pilly fruit is edible, it is not very tasty. However, it is delicious made into a chutney, or try the recipe below for lilly pilly jelly.

I am not familiar with Topiary but I do know that there are forms you may wish to purchase to shape you topiary.
Though simple shapes can be started with a metal clothes hanger bent into a shape.
Floral wires, mosses for fill ins and round needle nose wire snippers are some of the tools used. Here is a link you may find helpful in finding some nore helpful information on the tools needed to begin a hobby in topiary.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chris's Topiary Nursery