1999, Mercure Resort, Gold Coast QLD

The last Championship show for the 1900’s was hosted by South Queensland at the Mercure Resort on the Gold Coast in 1999. Once again, the Queensland / Gold coast proved to be a perfect venue with the right atmosphere for a convention of this kind.

The ANBC for the first time trialed a two day show and although a small number felt this was a good idea, the large number of criticisms would have to be addressed to bring the event back to the kind of show we are used to in the one day format. Many fanciers felt it was same as going home at half time at a football match. Other comments were from visitors who were disappointed that the Saturday winners were not on display for people who could only afford the time to be at the show on Sunday.

The council meeting was addressed by Gary Brescianini representing Ridley Grri products, our Sponsors for fourteen years. He was able to put a new proposal to the delegates who were to take the new proposal to their zones. A reply was required by the 7th September, 1999 to determine the outcome of this new proposal.

Mr. Bruce Bradford was elected Secretary for the next year. Council delegates then voted in favour of the winners of classes of future championship shows be presented with a Logie as presented by the B.C.T. ie,  A Mother Of Pearl Statuette. The ANBC Judges committee reported that despite resignations from the panel there are still 36 national judges. This report also included a complaint re the staging provided for the judge’s exams and the fact that other people were able to walk into area where the exams were taking place. Delegates resolved to correct this situation at future venues.

The colour and standards expressed disappointment in having the council ignore their decision on agenda items and not having the item returned to the C & S committee for further deliberation. The committee put forward a proposal to the council meeting that the provisional standard for clear bodies be issued. This was notified by the delegates. Mr. Bob Bourke was elected as national Coordinator for C & S, His major tasks being a rewrite of the Standard. He expressed disappointment at the slow response from most zones in putting forward any ideas on the rewrite.

The council delegates voted in favour of a two cent ring levy be collected by our ring manufacturer and that this levy be given to the host zone towards the cost of staging the ANBC Championship Show.

A decision to allow member bodies to decide on a one- or two-day show was met with an almost unanimous vote it being 6 to 1 in favour. Rules for running of a two day show were to be formulated and to be sent to the ANBC Secretary by the 31st August, 1999. Delegates were urged to consider the problems occurred in running the 1999 show when putting forward ideas.

The opaline yellow saga was resolved for the fourth time when delegates voted to rescind the 1998 motion and return to the previous rule of no Opaline characteristics in the BE Self Coloured class. The vote was 6 to 1 in favour.

The Crested Budgerigar Club has been given permission to stage a class for crested budgerigars for the next three years along the lines of the championship show, competing for a trophy donated by Maurice Roberts from the UK. This permission was granted following a well put together presentation by Rob Hugo from Western Australia.

The championship show once again proved to be a Victorian success, however results this year have fanciers from smaller states finishing in the five, making top honours hard to come by. This of course highlights the depth of quality through out the budgerigar fancy and makes for a very interesting competition.

The officiating judges this year were

  • Shiralee Reardon – SA,
  • Ken Blackbell – VIC,
  • and the host judges from S.E. QLD were Neale Love and Neville Spencer.

Final Result Were

  1.                         Victoria                             353
  2.                         NSW                                 327
  3.                         Tasmania                         304
  4.                         SQBBA                            283
  5.                         N & C QLD                      237
  6.                         Western Australia          203
  7.                         South Australia               182

 

Ron Hunt, 1999
ANBC Historian