2022, Victor Harbor, South Australia

The McCracken Country Club in Victor Harbor, about an hour out of Adelaide, was the venue for the 46th Annual National Championship Show on the fourth weekend in May 2022. After a two-year break owing to restrictions caused by the pandemic, the event was another very successful weekend of Exhibition Budgerigars with the seven Zones from around Australia competing. It was a very different looking event, with the public unable to attend due to COVID 19 restrictions. With a very different format for the weekend and no major functions or public allowed for the viewing, live streaming to Youtube, including commentary was introduced. The event was organised and strictly managed by the BCSA owing to ongoing concerns as to the Covid pandemic with a minimum of fuss and very small management committee – just enough helpers the two days of judging proceeded efficiently. Congratulations to them for effort.

The twenty-eight classes with the inclusion of the Australian White Caps as an Exhibition class was a great two-day show, again featuring some very powerful budgerigars. Some great results were achieved with again a couple of regular Hall of Famers featuring in the placings, including Sheppard & Flanagan partnership, J. Leong each with two wins, then the new kid on the block from the BCV, Ray Slade managing four classes. Furthermore, Jim Meale also took out two classes also from the BCV, with Barry Wise from BSNSW also a double winner. The rest of the classes were won by sixteen individual exhibitors including the exhibition class.

The B.C.V. amassed a record score with fifteen different class wins – congratulations to B.C.V. Also to the dedicated team carers from all Zones who adapted to the different conditions admirably. With a very different format for the weekend and no major functions or public allowed for the viewing, live streaming to Youtube, including commentary was introduced. A fabulous uptake for people around Australia, with over 3,500 hits which enabled them to enjoy the show. Sunday afternoon immediately after the final class was judged a small presentation of awards took place of the Logies mainly accepted by the team carers and to the Judges also including the induction into the Hall of Fame for services to the ANBC over many years. Two recipients ; Mr. Nigel Tonkin and Mr. Neale Love. Congratulations to these gentlemen. The only down side was the A.N.B.C. Shield was not available to be presented.

The transportation of the container was very well managed, and everything worked well in that department. The judges rotated as per sessions, so each had the chance to work together at least once. There was a very good commentary with precise explanations, as to bird placings which would have been a bit better if the judges held the microphone up. Just a small learning curve. Most viewers were satisfied with the comments, but you cannot please everyone.

Judging in 2022

Saturday morning eight classes and in the afternoon six classes. Sunday morning eight classes and in the afternoon the final six classes. Starting from one to twenty eight no more odds and evens. The early start and positive Judging made for good timing completion on both days. Thank you to all the team carers who accepted the challenge and worked extremely hard to make the Show the success it was.
As always big thank you to Simon from Golden Cob for their ongoing support and supplying the 16 bags of seed for the teams usage as with nearly all zones filling all classes there a lot of birds to be fed and the with the show cages changed three times – we do use a lot of seed. All teams chose to arrive early on Thursday, again.

B.C.S.A. had just enough volunteers plus me, as stewards, along with Dave Ganzer show manager and Troy Holmes live streaming controller. A special mention of the two amigo’s Gary Gazzard and Mark Fellows for their two day’s work in foyer away from the birds totally relying on Troy and his camera man to commentate on the complete show. Terrific job well done.

On the computers, led by Wayne Bandt, again assisted by Luke, and Glen, photographers Rod Turnbull & James Bader. All contributed to transferring the Judge’s comments along with the photo’s to Luke and Glen for their streaming to the world.
Saturday morning early start and not long before the BCV leapt ahead and were never challenged.
Sunday morning with an early start again with the B.C.V. holding a large lead which was never really challenged. Congratulations to all the VIC. exhibitors, with fifteen Logies won.

To the seven zones, team carers for presenting their teams in very trying conditions even getting there congratulations.

Final Results.

VIC. 629.
STH.QLD. 504.
N.S.W. 502.
S.A. 397.
W.A. 306.
NCQ. 281.
TASSIE. 191.

27 Classes. All point scoring. 1. Exhibition Class no points.

Multiple winners were again successful in five classes with sixteen Individual winners giving exhibitors a wide spread of Logie distribution including the Exhibition class.

Judges for 2022

Congratulations to the Judges:

John Mulley (B.C.S.A.);
Peter Thurn (B.C.V.);
Scott Eriksen (Nth & Cent. Qld), and;
Stephen Mow (B.C.V.)

The live streaming of the show and results, photos, and comments was greatly received as far away as the U.K.
Sunday night’s casual dinner was well supported. Everything finished exceptionally well for the hosts B.C.S.A. Congratulations to all associated with the planning and execution of the show.
The Colour & Standards business along with any Judges business will be decided within the next week as will the annual meeting be a zoom meeting on Friday 3rd of June.
There are ongoing discussions as to the live streaming format.
This was a lovely area of South Australia and it is a shame it could not be enjoyed by more people.
A very successful four days in Victor Harbor. Ballarat Victoria is the city for 2023 National competition and everyone is looking forward to challenging the B.C.V. for bragging rights to try to wrest the Shield away. Hopefully back to a full on show.

2022 – Victor Harbour, South Australia (46th Annual)

Link to:

Link to Website Including Photographs: ANBC National 2022

Link to YouTube Coverage:
Day 1 – 46th Annual ANBC Show Day 1
Day 2 –46th Annual ANBC Show Day 2

Leigh A. Downey, 2022
ANBC Historian