1967 to 1978

Dear Neale,

Could not believe my luck finding these original notes on the history of the ANBC. These are my originals that I made & passed on to the ANBC Management Committee. They were approved unanimously by the delegates from all member bodies. My sister who typed my first submissions was a self-taught typist & the penned corrections were what I made before the final documents were presented to the ANBC. It was agreed to by all that these notes should be put on the web site. Please forgive the fact I was forced to use 2nd hand paper (still waiting on our car) so still house bound. I still have notes that were typed by our Lorraine (my sister), but I will check them before I send them (maybe on new paper). These bring us up to 1978. I then have up to 1985 in my own handwriting & I hope to have these typed out ASAP. 1985 onward was presented on a yearly basis & was done by myself for another 4 to 6? years & is missing, should be found & included on the web site. We used to send copies to the National Archives?

When I was working my secretary would type for me, however I am now left with only my niece who lives so far away, she will type for me, but I like to take her out when she visits (every 5 weeks) & we sit up late when typing.

Kindest Regards,
Ron Hunt

HISTORY OF ANBC

1967

Griffith cage bird club staged a meeting between Sydney and Melbourne budgerigar fanciers at the Griffith Annual Show. The Griffith show had exhibitors from New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia competing for budgerigar awards and this prompted the Griffith members to suggest a meeting be held to discuss the running of a National Show.

People present at the meeting were:

  • Pat Rogers – President of the BSA (NSW)
  • Kevin Kelly – Secretary of the BSA
  • Harold Lemming – BSA
  • Bruce McLeod – BSA
  • Lester Harris – BSA
  • Frank Gardiner – President of the BCA (VIC)
  • Evan Stafford – Vice President of the BCA
  • Harold Heath – Secretary of the BCA
  • Len Vines – BCA
  • Ted Wilson – BCA

The conference was chaired by Harry Nesbet, president of the Griffith Club, with John Lane also from Griffith taking the minutes.

Many points were discussed ranging from the written standards of the various states (five different ones were in existence), difference in show cages, and the difference in the scale of points allocated to the bird from state to state.

All agreed that a national show was possible but felt that these differences would need to be resolved first. The resolving of these differences would pave the way for a national show.

1972

Dr Harold Cooper became the show manager for the BSA (NSW) and his enthusiasm for the national teams competition rubbed off onto the members of the BSA show committee. During the next two years Ron Hunt travelled to Melbourne on a number of occasions and was entrusted with the P.R. job of convincing the Victorians that NSW was genuine in wanting to be part of a national show.

He became acquainted with Frank Gardiner and his wife Molly, and also visited Evan Stafford, Fred Tucker and Harry Eady. These visits helped overcome interstate tensions.

1974

Harry Eady, then secretary of the BCA (VIC), strongly supported the national show idea. A meeting of fanciers agreed to get the show underway. This meeting was held at Kensington Town Hall during the Frank Gardiner Shield Competition.

A draw was made:

  • 1975 – Victoria
  • 1976 – NSW
  • 1977 – South Australia

Tasmania opted to remain out at this stage.

Dr Harold Cooper believed that differences between states would dissolve once a truly national show was established.

1975

The first interstate teams competition was held at Kensington Town Hall in Melbourne. A points system of six points for first and one point for sixth was used. Three teams took part.

Held Saturday 24 May in conjunction with the BCA (VIC) annual show.

Classes:

  1. Normal Green
  2. Normal Blue
  3. Yellow (Black Eyed)
  4. Albino or Lutino
  5. Greywing
  6. Cinnamonwing
  7. Clearwing
  8. Opaline including AOSV
  9. Yellow Faced Blue
  10. Pieds
  11. Any variety hen

Hens could be shown in classes one to ten.

Show Manager: Harry Eady

Final Scores:

  • Victoria – 110 points
  • South Australia – 73 points
  • New South Wales – 48 points

1976

NSW hosted the second interstate teams competition at Gladesville R.S.L., South Australia was unable to attend due to quarantine concerns.

Final Scores:

  • Victoria – 57 points (won four classes)
  • New South Wales – 53 points (won seven classes)

1977

South Australia hosted the third interstate teams competition in conjunction with the South Australian Young Bird Show.

Final Scores:

  • South Australia – 94
  • New South Wales – 69
  • Victoria – 68

1978

The national competition returned to Melbourne alongside the BCA Annual Show. Western Australia competed for the first time.

Final Results:

  • Victoria – 151
  • New South Wales – 98
  • South Australia – 88
  • Western Australia – 49

A dinner was held at a local Golf Club and reported in the Sydney Fancies magazine. The dinner helped cement the ideals of a national championship alongside social occasions.