2008, Geographe Resort Busselton, WA

Western Australian Budgerigar Council (WABC) was the host for the 2008 National Competition. After a tumultuous year in the west throwing the organising committee completely offside with the original venue being sold out from under them, they were forced to look elsewhere promptly for an alternative venue. As all who have been involved with organising a National weekend know full well that it takes in excess of twelve months of planning. WABC chose the Geographe Resort situated on Geographic Bay, Busselton. A beautiful part of Australia. In the short space of time the Resort worked with Gina and the executive of the WABC to enable them to provide for all of the Australian Budgerigar fanciers a memorable weekend, successful in all aspects of the National Competition and the associated social activities. These were well up to the high standard we have come to expect.

There were also many volunteers from other zones who put their hands up to work at the show helping out WABC and ensuring a very well organised and smooth show. A great communal atmosphere for the enjoyment of everyone. Although the restrictions by Quarantine controls created a mild hurdle, and the distance from the airport in Perth to the venue was considerable, all seemed to be overcome and the birds from all reports travelled well to and from the show. The fanciers also came to enjoy a great weekend of budgies and a week of lovely tours as well. Congratulations to the WABC for a very successful National.

The A.N.B.C. Elections were held at the delegates meeting on the Monday with the following results.

ANBC Executive

PRESIDENT. Jim Fletcher. Tasmania.
SECRETARY. Bob Bourke. N.S.W.
PUBLIC OFFICIER. Dave Butters. A.C.T.
HISTORIAN. Leigh Downey VIC.
WEB MASTER. Steve Campbell. VIC.

The Executive this year is the President, Secretary, and the immediate past President, Gina House.

Colour and Standards Co-Coordinator Rob Hugo. W.A.
A.B.A. Delegate. Bruce Bradford. N.S.W.
National Judges Co-Coordinator. Peter Glassenbury. S.A.

There was not a large amount of business to be discussed, with the main item being the ring issue date. This is now to be the 1^st. September commencing 2010.

There were no New Zealand candidates for the National Judges test. Maybe next year.

The weekend started with rain, but it did not dampen the spirit once everyone had arrived and renewed acquaintances. Friday night meet and greet was again very well patronised causing the organising team a few problems with catering and accommodating everyone. They sorted through it with just a few delays.

Saturday and on with the show, the birds, Lectures, forums, and the now traditional Auction, all well-spaced defined and a pleasure for all who attended. A few trade stands and a cozy bar rounded everything out. Saturday night’s dinner dance and Sunday night’s presentation dinner were well supported and very nice. Congratulations to the staff as both of these events were logistically labour intensive.

For the third year in a row, we were treated to an International Judge. Janice Al Nasser, who has a very impressive CV, was one of the officiating Judges. The current President of the B.S. England, a WBO Judge, English Judge and a budgie breeder of note in partnership with her husband Ghalib. Janice also gave a very informative lecture, and a slide show including some magnificent European birds.

The teams of Officiating Judges were:

Janice Al Nasser U.K. with
Henry George Sth. Qld.
Peter Glassenbury S.A. with
Derek Poole Tas.

The show was judged, as is the norm now, over two days in Great Spirit to a full auditorium of interested spectators, right to the very last class. A truly close and seesawing competition. The room provided for the public viewing of the judged classes was spacious and pleasant for all for ease of viewing.

The logies were well distributed with twenty of the classes won by different individual Exhibitors. Bob Smith from South Qld won two classes. An impressive performance, elevating him into the Hall of Fame, a great effort. There was also one more inductee into the Hall of Fame. Wayne Cusack NSW. Achieved this by winning the same class four times. Not only is it a great achievement winning the Black Eyed Self Class four times, to his credit he achieved it over the last four consecutive years.

Victoria was judged the winners leading from midway through the first day and them watching as the lead was whittled away throughout the final classes, but managing to hold on by four points from NSW.

Final Results:

Victoria. 456.
N.S.W. 452.
South Queensland. 430.
Western Australia. 341.
Tasmania. 244.
Nth. & Central Queensland. 197.
South Australia. 190.

The weekends Judging was a huge success, following on to decisions made as to judging to the Standard in the previous year, and Zones taking note of these requirements to make sure there were no re-occurrences of birds benched that do not conform, and with all contentious birds either left home or in the holding area.

The tours organised in that beautiful part of Western Australia were well patronised and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

In this current climate of ever increasing costs, and bureaucratic hurdles, it is lovely to see a continuing growth in support of this event every year. With budgerigars from all zones made available and people from across Australia in all aspects of organising, combining together to make sure these weekends are memorable and enjoyable for all hobbyists.

As a follow on to the Council Meeting on the Monday: an amendment to the Standard (No 1/2008) was endorsed and issued in December 2008, the Standard (less graphics) was loaded to the web site and remaining hard copies of the Standard were distributed to ANBC Member Bodies.

Results Booklet

Leigh A Downey, 2008
Historian A.N.B.C.