2014 Grand Chancellor, Adelaide, SA

The Budgerigar Council of South Australia (BCSA) hosted this year’s 2014 National Competition, the 40th. What a great job they did for such a small Council with limited membership. The Hotel Grand Chancellor on Hindley Street was the Venue for every major function associated with the competition in 2014, as well as the two days of Competition. All staged on the Hotels Function floor, which had ample room in the main Ballroom for the Judging and comfortable viewing of the birds during judging and off to the side the previously Judged classes. A very close secure holding area enabled easy efficient movement of the caged birds to and from the Ballroom. There was also plenty of space in the foyer for all Sponsors present to display their wares, and all in all a very pleasant Show.

The minimum downside being the second year of the two-bird trial and the increase in classes. While the class increase was well received except the exhibition class, it was noted that the decrease back from twenty-one birds to fourteen detracted a little again and the classes which were not fully represented were quite obvious. It also does not help as exhibitors who had the reserve bird selected in their home zone and did not travel were conspicuous by their absence. Hopefully with the return of the three birds per class and on the bench next year we will attract more exhibitors to attend and enjoy a great weekend in Budgerigars.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday

The 2014 Friday night Meet and Greet, renewing of friendships, seemed a little flat and fragmented as everyone chose to sit at a table in their own groups and not mingle as much as was hoped. The weekend was opened, and it was reported all teams in the holding area and looking well, confirmed by a positive vet report. Most teams were in Thursday allowing the birds a full day of rest, which seems to be a great initiative and positive for the birds.

Saturday started well with minimum grizzels from the carers and a good spread of keen enthusiastic exhibitors from all zones all seated and waiting for the Judging to begin. The two Judging teams were introduced. Nigel Tonkin (S.A.) partnering Stephen Mow (Vic.) and Linda Patten (New Zealand.) partnering Kevin O’Callaghan (North Queensland.). This I believe was the first time we have we have hosted a Judge from New Zealand at the A.N.B.C. Competition. Congratulations to Linda Patten. The Show was again backed up by a great multi state team of volunteers. Fabulous effort so congratulations again go to Maureen & Andrew Bourne (A.C.T.) on the computer, Rod Turnbull & James Bader (Vic.) photographers, Carol Gough (Sth. Qld.) deciphering and collating the Judge’s comments for the live streaming, and Luke Fletcher (Tassie) for his web live streaming to the world. Also the B.C.S.A. Organising Committee headed up by Peter Glassenbury and all his fellow contributors.

Odd numbered Classes on Saturday, Judged in good time. The in-house video streaming was hampered by multi lighting and shadows, which also caused a few Judging problems as it unsettled the birds when moved from one end of the staging to the other. We all know it’s not easy.

Saturday evening dinner was in the Hotels main restaurant and unfortunately only 49 people attended on what was reported a lovely meal. Again I believe this function will have to be reviewed as to continuing to be a viable entertaining associated event included in the weekend.

Sunday morning everyone again in their seats for the resumption of competition with the even numbered classes to be Judged. N.S.W. was holding a slender lead from Vic. Judges were held in their same teams for the judging, no rotation. After the first hour Victoria had only picked up a few points and in the main were scoring on par with N.S.W. but then shot ahead and were never headed winning by 37 points, 10 less than 2013 but a good win. Congratulations to Victoria and especially their team carers Bruce Wilson, Phil Hoadley, and James Bader. Also to all the team carers from every zone, as they cannot afford anything to go wrong without a backup.

2014 Final Results

Victoria. 539.
N.S.W. 502.
South Australia 438.
South Qld. 368.
Western Australia 362.
Tassie. 269.
Nth. Qld. 247.

Again 26 Classes.

Point scoring for 25 classes and the Demo class. ( Dark eyed clears.)

Multiple winners were again in the mix with two wins each for the perennials Sheppard & Flanagan partnership (Vic.), Leigh Downey (Vic.), Mark Hawke (N.S.W.), and the Rowe Bros. (Vic.), one point scoring Class and the Exhibition Class. Congratulations to the multi winners and all the other individual winners . First place by Zones were; Vic. 10. N.S.W. 9. S.A. 3. Sth. Qld. 2. W.A. 2. Nth. Qld. 1. & Tassie just failed to record a first place.

The live streaming of results, photo’s, and comments was greatly received as far away as the U.K. and thousands of hits on the sight were recorded. As the Show evolves now after the trials it can only become greater, with the extra classes and their improvement as exhibition budgerigars, so we should all work nationally harmoniously to make it an ongoing success and leave future tinkering alone. I commented on last year’s report as to date changes, associated with winter holidays, school holidays, more expensive accommodation, air travel etc. Plenty of exhibitors have also commented to me as to not being sufficiently informed as to these changes and also hope that the council listens to them and does not proceed with anymore changes except moving back to the last full weekend in May that worked so well for the majority for so many years.

I again attended the Colour and Standards meeting. Talking in circles again, year after year, not seeming to achieve much. The Judges meeting and presentation of a variety was the same from all reports. There are a few individualistic views that insist on being heard going on and on and achieve nothing of consequence to the enhancement of the hobby.

The 2014 Auction on the Sunday after the completion of the Judging is now a socially integral part of the weekend, and eagerly awaited, after viewing the pairs over the two days. Some very nice pairs of budgerigars too. Peter Thurn gave of his time to auction the birds and add a bit of humour to a conclusion of a great day.

Sunday night’s Presentation Dinner was a great affair and very well supported. Not a huge amount of formalities but all handled with ease and in a short simple timeframe. The A.N.B.C. Secretary had the pleasure of Inducting Peter Thurn (Vic) into the Hall of Fame for showing excellence. By winning the Clearbody class this year he achieved seven wins and was duly inducted. A great feat congratulations Peter.
We conducted the auction of the A.N.B.C. Standard Budgerigar Framed Prints again to raise funds for Future National Shows, but I believe this Auction is now dead and should not be pursued anymore.

The A.N.B.C. Delegates met on the Monday and all the business and motions were dealt with I hope in an orderly manner. We have a new ring registrar and supplier so there are no further coded rings for a year or two.

The Australian Capital Territory Budgerigar Association put forward a submission to the Delegates and was discussed at length and the Secretary is to reply in writing as to their decision. There were also a lot of redundant motions. There were limited tours and one cancelled due to weather, not everything can be controlled by committees. While Monday evenings entertainment was a Lecture by Daniel Lutolf from Switzerland a very successful breeder and exhibitor in recent years in Europe. This was well supported by around 200 people and I believe it was quite informative in the breeding of budgerigars as to enhancement of particular styles and shapes required for the current exhibition budgerigar.

Western Australia is the host zone for 2015 and their location is Mandurah, south of Perth in a lovely area of W.A. Mandurah Convention Centre is the location for the National Competition with plenty of accommodation within walking distance, so it should be great. Something to look forward to and don’t forget three birds on the bench in all classes so bigger and better all round.

Leigh A. Downey, 2014
ANBC Historian