BCV April Report 2026

BCV April 2026 Report

The month of March was abuzz with activity across Victoria, with a show of some description conducted on most weekends. The BCV Adult State Championship Show – Shield Competition kicked proceedings off early in the month, with just under 900 exhibits benched in what proved to be another massive day for the Fancy.

Riverina was successful in securing its maiden Adult Shield win, fielding a strong team with excellent depth and coverage across all varieties. Riverina members collectively achieved nine class wins across the day—an impressive accomplishment. They finished on 751 points, 65 clear of second-placed United on 686, who were themselves 123 points ahead of third-placed South West Victoria on 563.

Congratulations must go to all clubs and members who participated, and to those who achieved strong results throughout the event. One of the hobby’s greats, Mr Ian Hunter, deserves special recognition for an outstanding double success. He secured Best Bird in Show with a powerful Normal Sky cock and was also awarded Reserve Bird in Show with a lovely Cinnamonwing Light Green cock.

Four highly successful Diploma Shows were conducted by the Riverina, United, Border District and Ballarat clubs. These events were well supported and provided exhibitors with valuable early-season opportunities to benchmark their birds against fellow hobbyists. They also offered breeders the chance to expose their hopefuls to the hustle and bustle of show day—an important step in improving steadiness in the show cage.

These shows form a valuable part of the lead-up as we progress through the 2026 show calendar and edge closer to the major State and National Young Bird competitions in May. Results and a selection of winning bird photographs from these events can be found below.

From a Council standpoint, the BCV now enters a new era of governance. Elections for Executive positions were conducted at the first general Council meeting following the AGM, held in conjunction with the Adult Bird Shield. Malcolm Randall was elected as BCV President after receiving the majority vote and will now lead Council into the current term.

The remaining Executive positions, aside from the Secretary role, largely remain unchanged, and we thank those Councillors for their continued commitment. David Spink and Damien Toohey were welcomed as new members of Council, and we look forward to their contributions in the years ahead.

Outgoing President Peter Thurn is sincerely thanked for his dedication, leadership, and many years of service as both a Councillor and President. Peter has stepped down from the BCV Council to focus on his role as Chair of the ANBC Working Group, where he continues to contribute to ensuring the future strength and stability of the ANBC and the National Show.

Ray Slade has also made the decision to relinquish his role as Secretary and conclude his time as a Councillor. Ray has been a valuable contributor during his tenure and is thanked for his commitment to what is often one of the most time-demanding roles in any organisation.

April will provide a slightly more relaxed program compared to March, with two events scheduled before activity ramps up again in May.

Proceedings begin on Saturday, 11 April, when the Bendigo club conducts its Club Championship (Diploma) Show at Lockwood South Community Hall, Lockwood South. For further details, contact Brett Ricardo on 0409 572 442.

This will be followed by the Geelong Auction on Sunday, 26 April. This well-supported annual event offers birds from leading breeders for appraisal and purchase, providing an excellent opportunity to introduce quality stock into new aviaries. Enquiries can be directed to Karen Deller on 0439 558 168 or Auction Manager Terry Anderson on 0418 199 925.

BCV Adult Bird State Championship – Shield Competition Results 2026

The BCV Adult Bird State Championship – Shield Competition was held on Sunday, 1 March 2026, with just under 900 exhibits benched in a massive day for the Victorian Fancy. Riverina secured its maiden Adult Shield title with a strong all-round team performance, while Ian Hunter achieved a remarkable double by winning both Best Bird in Show and Reserve Bird in Show.

Adult Shield Placings

1st – Riverina – 751
2nd – United – 686
3rd – South West Victoria – 563
4th – Geelong – 521
5th – Melton – 514
6th – Clyde – 513
7th – Eastern Districts – 460
8th – Western Suburbs – 411
9th – Bendigo – 277
10th – Border Districts – 242
11th – Dandenong – 205
12th – Baw Baw – 171
13th – Southern Cross – 134
14th – Glenroy – 101
15th – Ballarat – 83
16th – Nepean – 51

Major Awards

Best Bird in Show – Cage 892 – Ian Hunter – Class 3 Blue
Reserve Bird in Show – Cage 331 – Ian Hunter – Class 15 Cinnamonwing

Best Intermediate Bird in Show – Cage 1341 – J Freeman – Class 23 Spangle AOSV
Reserve Intermediate Bird in Show – Cage 4 – R Morris – Class 16 Spangle Double Factor

Best Beginner Bird in Show – Cage 357 – A Zupan – Class 1 Green
Reserve Beginner Bird in Show – Cage 1310 – D Schilling – Class 22 Spangle Normal

Top Three Clubs at a Glance

Riverina led the way with 751 points, finishing 65 clear of United on 686. South West Victoria placed third on 563, rounding out the major placings in a highly competitive Shield event.

Total Class Points

Green – 210
Grey Green – 210
Blue – 209
Violet – 204
Grey – 210
Yellow Faced Blue – 165
Golden Faced Blue – 195
Black Eyed Self – 204
Dilute – 189
Lutino – 210
Albino – 209
Dark Eyed Clear – 207
Clearwing – 189
Greywing – 182
Cinnamonwing – 210
Spangle Double Factor – 210
Opaline – 210
Opaline AOV – 210
Clearbody – 210
Lacewing – 210
Fallow – 209
Spangle Normal – 210
Spangle AOSV – 209
Dominant Pied – 210
Recessive Pied – 210
White Cap – 207
Crested – 165
Hen – 210

Total Points Awarded Across All Classes: 5683

Club Championship Results (Diploma) 2026
Society: Riverina
Date Held: 15th-March-2026
Number of Young birds benched: 295
Number of Adult birds benched: 123
Judges: Mr. Alan Baxter, Mr. Martin Paoli & Mr. James Smith
Major Results: Exhibitor Variety Sex
Grand Champion Budgerigar B & M Wise Blue C
Opposite Sex To Grand Champion Budgerigar G & P Dickson Opaline H
Champion Young Budgerigar (Diploma) M & R Randall Grey C
Opposite Sex To Champion Young Budgerigar Terry Anderson Grey Green H
Champion Adult Budgerigar B & M Wise Blue C
Opposite Sex To Champion Adult Budgerigar G & P Dickson Opaline H
Best Pair In Show M & R Randall Recessive Pied C & H
Sectional Results: Exhibitor Variety Sex
Champion Status
Best Young Budgerigar M & R Randall Grey C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar G & P Dickson Albino H
Best Adult Budgerigar B & M Wise Blue C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar G & P Dickson Opaline H
Open Status
Best Young Budgerigar Meney & Muller Blue C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Terry Anderson Grey Green H
Best Adult Budgerigar Brett Martin Cinnamonwing C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Mark Chandler Opaline AOSV H
Intermediate Status
Best Young Budgerigar Bernie Thomson Cinnamonwing H
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Greg Culell Green C
Best Adult Budgerigar Bernie Thomson Spangle DF C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Bernie Thomson Cinnamonwing H
Beginner Status
Best Young Budgerigar Cathy Godden Dominant Pied C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar David Carter Lutino H
Best Adult Budgerigar David Carter Grey Green C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Dallas Sibraa Opaline AOSV H
Series Awards – Young Birds Only
Variety Exhibitor Status Variety Exhibitor Status
Green Greg Culell INTER Opaline B & M Wise CHAMP
Grey Green Terry Anderson OPEN Opaline AOSV M & R Randall CHAMP
Blue Meney & Muller OPEN Clearbody Jeff Orlandi CHAMP
Violet M & R Randall CHAMP Lacewing Bernie Thomson INTER
Grey M & R Randall CHAMP Fallow Ken Brown INTER
English Yellow Faced M & R Randall CHAMP Spangle Ken Pullen OPEN
Australian Golden Faced Jeff Orlandi CHAMP Spangle AOSV Ewing Cooke OPEN
Black Eyed Self M & R Randall CHAMP Dominant Pied Cathy Godden BEG
Dilute M & R Randall CHAMP Recessive Pied M & R Randall CHAMP
Lutino M & R Randall CHAMP AOSV N/A N/A
Albino G & P Dickson CHAMP Australian White Cap M & R Randall CHAMP
Dark Eyed Clear Tony Butt OPEN Rainbow N/A N/A
Clearwing Fred Royston BEG Coloured / Bush Jamie Macafee INTER
Greywing B & M Wise CHAMP Crest Cathy Godden BEG
Cinnamonwing G & P Dickson CHAMP AOV M & R Randall CHAMP
Spangle DF Bernie Thomson INTER Pair Class Bernie Thomson INTER

 

Club Championship Results (Diploma) 2026
Society: Border District
Date Held: 22nd-March-2026
Number of Young birds benched: 214
Number of Adult birds benched: 126
Judges: Mr. Ray Slade & Mr. Peter Thurn
Major Results: Exhibitor Variety Sex
Grand Champion Budgerigar Rob Rigoni Cinnamonwing C
Opposite Sex To Grand Champion Budgerigar L & Z Payne Cinnamonwing H
Champion Young Budgerigar (Diploma) M & R Randall Australian White Cap C
Opposite Sex To Champion Young Budgerigar L & Z Payne Cinnamonwing H
Champion Adult Budgerigar Rob Rigoni Cinnamonwing C
Opposite Sex To Champion Adult Budgerigar Bernie Thomson Cinnamonwing H
Best Pair In Show M & R Randall Recessive Pied C & H
Sectional Results: Exhibitor Variety Sex
Champion Status
Best Young Budgerigar M & R Randall Australian White Cap C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar M & R Randall Recessive Pied H
Best Adult Budgerigar M & R Randall Recessive Pied C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar M & R Randall Cinnamonwing H
Open Status
Best Young Budgerigar Brett Martin Cinnamonwing C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Bruce Hiskins Cinnamonwing H
Best Adult Budgerigar Rob Rigoni Cinnamonwing C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Mark Chandler Opaline AOSV H
Intermediate Status
Best Young Budgerigar L & Z Payne Cinnamonwing H
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Bernie Thomson Lacewing C
Best Adult Budgerigar L & Z Payne Spangle C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Bernie Thomson Cinnamonwing H
Beginner Status
Best Young Budgerigar Cathy Godden Dominant Pied C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Fred Royston Australian White Cap H
Best Adult Budgerigar David Carter Grey Green C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar David Carter Cinnamonwing H
Series Awards – Young Birds Only
Variety Exhibitor Status Variety Exhibitor Status
Green Bernie Thomson INTER Opaline Graeme Hall OPEN
Grey Green M & R Randall CHAMP Opaline AOSV M & R Randall CHAMP
Blue Meney & Muller OPEN Clearbody Mark Chandler OPEN
Violet Brett Martin OPEN Lacewing Bernie Thomson INTER
Grey M & R Randall CHAMP Fallow Ken Brown INTER
English Yellow Faced Bernie Thomson INTER Spangle L & Z Payne INTER
Australian Golden Faced Mark Chandler OPEN Spangle AOSV Ewing Cooke OPEN
Black Eyed Self M & R Randall CHAMP Dominant Pied Cathy Godden BEG
Dilute M & R Randall CHAMP Recessive Pied M & R Randall CHAMP
Lutino M & R Randall CHAMP AOSV
Albino M & R Randall CHAMP Australian White Cap M & R Randall CHAMP
Dark Eyed Clear Brett Martin OPEN Rainbow
Clearwing Chris Slaughter OPEN Coloured / Bush
Greywing M & R Randall CHAMP Crest Cathy Godden BEG
Cinnamonwing L & Z Payne INTER AOV M & R Randall CHAMP
Spangle DF Bernie Thomson INTER Pair Class Bernie Thomson INTER
Club Championship Results (Diploma) 2026
Society: United
Date Held: 21st-March-2026
Number of Young birds benched: 172
Number of Adult birds benched: 63
Judges: Mr. Peter Smith, Mr. Rex Stephens & Mr. Ivan Mamic
Major Results: Exhibitor Variety Sex
Grand Champion Budgerigar Alan Baxter Blue C
Opposite Sex To Grand Champion Budgerigar Michael O’Connell Cinnamonwing H
Champion Young Budgerigar (Diploma) Alan Baxter Blue C
Opposite Sex To Champion Young Budgerigar Alan Rowe Australian White Cap H
Champion Adult Budgerigar Michael O’Connell Cinnamonwing H
Opposite Sex To Champion Adult Budgerigar Alan Rowe Grey Green C
Best Pair In Show N/A N/A N/A
Sectional Results: Exhibitor Variety Sex
Champion Status
Best Young Budgerigar Bradley Family Spangle C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Alan Rowe Australian White Cap H
Best Adult Budgerigar Alan Rowe Grey Green C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Bradley Family Clearbody H
Open Status
Best Young Budgerigar Alan Baxter Blue C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Alan Baxter Grey H
Best Adult Budgerigar Alan Baxter Spangle C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar N/A N/A N/A
Intermediate Status
Best Young Budgerigar Greg Culell Blue C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Tony McMahon Grey H
Best Adult Budgerigar Michael O’Connell Cinnamonwing H
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Michael O’Connell Cinnamonwing C
Beginner Status
Best Young Budgerigar Tim Boult Dominant Pied C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Matt Jones Grey Green H
Best Adult Budgerigar Tim Purches English Yellow Faced C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Matt Jones Cinnamonwing H
Series Awards – Young Birds Only
Variety Exhibitor Status Variety Exhibitor Status
Green Greg Culell INTER Opaline Alan Rowe CHAMP
Grey Green Philip Anderson PA2 INTER Opaline AOSV Jen Jewel Brown BEG
Blue Alan Baxter OPEN Clearbody David Spink CHAMP
Violet Jim Meale OPEN Lacewing Birthisel Family INTER
Grey Alan Baxter OPEN Fallow Alan Rowe CHAMP
English Yellow Faced Alan Baxter OPEN Spangle Bradley Family CHAMP
Australian Golden Faced Alan Baxter OPEN Spangle AOSV Smith & Meagher OPEN
Black Eyed Self Matt Jones BEG Dominant Pied Alan Rowe CHAMP
Dilute Nash Beniamin OPEN Recessive Pied Mick Mann INTER
Lutino David Spink CHAMP AOSV N/A N/A
Albino Smith & Meagher OPEN Australian White Cap Alan Rowe CHAMP
Dark Eyed Clear Alan Rowe CHAMP Rainbow N/A N/A
Clearwing David Spink CHAMP Coloured / Bush N/A N/A
Greywing Alan Baxter OPEN Crest Bradley Family CHAMP
Cinnamonwing Greg Culell INTER AOV N/A N/A
Spangle DF Alan Rowe CHAMP Pair Class N/A N/A
Club Championship Results (Diploma) 2026
Society: Ballarat & District
Date Held: 28th-March-2026
Number of Young birds benched: 194
Number of Adult birds benched: 48
Judges: Mr. Malcolm Randall & Mr. Rob Randall
Major Results: Exhibitor Variety Sex
Grand Champion Budgerigar Hedra Kamel Cinnamonwing C
Opposite Sex To Grand Champion Budgerigar G & P Dickson Opaline H
Champion Young Budgerigar (Diploma) Hedra Kamel Cinnamonwing C
Opposite Sex To Champion Young Budgerigar Terry Anderson Grey Green H
Champion Adult Budgerigar Stephen Thompson Clearbody C
Opposite Sex To Champion Adult Budgerigar G & P Dickson Opaline H
Best Pair In Show Vella & Thomas Dominant Pied C & H
Sectional Results: Exhibitor Variety Sex
Champion Status
Best Young Budgerigar Hedra Kamel Cinnamonwing C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar G & P Dickson Cinnamonwing H
Best Adult Budgerigar G & P Dickson Opaline H
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar N/A N/A N/A
Open Status
Best Young Budgerigar Alan Baxter Greywing C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Terry Anderson Grey Green H
Best Adult Budgerigar Stephen Thompson Clearbody C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Bridgeman Family Spangle H
Intermediate Status
Best Young Budgerigar Greg Culell Blue C
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Kevin Davies Grey H
Best Adult Budgerigar Birthisel Family Spangle C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar Kevin Davies Green H
Beginner Status
Best Young Budgerigar Dustin Schilling Cinnamonwing H
Opposite Sex To Best Young Budgerigar Adrian Pedrotti Greywing C
Best Adult Budgerigar Adrian Pedrotti Opaline C
Opposite Sex To Best Adult Budgerigar N/A N/A N/A
Series Awards – Young Birds Only
Variety Exhibitor Status Variety Exhibitor Status
Green Stephen Thompson OPEN Opaline Terry Anderson OPEN
Grey Green Robin Kirby CHAMP Opaline AOSV Vella & Thomas OPEN
Blue Greg Culell INTER Clearbody Stephen Thompson OPEN
Violet Greg Culell INTER Lacewing Bridgeman Family OPEN
Grey Hedra Kamel CHAMP Fallow Bryan Storey BEG
English Yellow Faced Alan Baxter OPEN Spangle G & P Dickson CHAMP
Australian Golden Faced Robin Kirby CHAMP Spangle AOSV Hedra Kamel CHAMP
Black Eyed Self P & D Smith CHAMP Dominant Pied Ivan Mamic OPEN
Dilute Robin Kirby CHAMP Recessive Pied Smith & Meagher OPEN
Lutino Ivan Mamic OPEN AOSV N/A N/A
Albino G & P Dickson CHAMP Australian White Cap Stephen Thompson OPEN
Dark Eyed Clear Vella & Thomas OPEN Rainbow N/A N/A
Clearwing Bates & Haddick OPEN Coloured / Bush N/A N/A
Greywing Alan Baxter OPEN Crest Vella & Thomas OPEN
Cinnamonwing Hedra Kamel CHAMP AOV N/A N/A
Spangle DF Bates & Haddick OPEN Pair Class Vella & Thomas OPEN