BSNZ Report May 2026

I was very honoured to be asked to judge at the Midstate Budgerigar Club show in Orange NSW on November 1 2025.

After the initial shock of the price of flights, I booked and set off from Auckland to Sydney on November 31. The Midstate Club had rented a car for me to drive from Sydney airport to Orange, roughly a 3 hour trip. While still in Sydney the GPS took me through a very long tunnel (abyss) and promptly told me that I’d lost my signal, this resulted in me missing my exit (yes, exits in a tunnel, I know right) and having to detour through lots of residential streets before being plunged into another tunnel. Fortunately this time, I made it through unscathed and headed on my merry way.

I arrived at my motel in Orange where I was met by Garry Pymont, secretary of the Midstate Club. Garry gave me directions to the nearby club where our dinner would be later that night. At dinner I met my fellow judges Craig Buckingham and Daniel Scheerer.

A good sleep was definitely in order and the next morning I arrived at the show venue and Craig, Daniel and I had a look over the birds before getting started. I noticed a number of varieties we don’t have in NZ, including Saddlebacks, White Caps and Crested.

I was given the AA section and the Juvenile Hens, both large sections. During judging we had 4 seasons outside, very bizarre weather, not all like Hamilton, cold and wet.

There were some very nice birds on display and I was very fortunate to have Kathy Manton as my steward on the day. I did my best to explain what I was looking for while judging and I hope it helped.

AA was won by a very nice Spangle Grey Cock (Normal) bred by Eric Whitton. This bird was powerful with a great long face and good shoulder and deportment.  He also went on to win Grand Champion as all 3 judges agreed. AA Opposite Sex was a strong Dominant Pied Cinnamonwing Grey Green Hen with great lateral feather, good shoulder and deportment also. But as is often the case with Hens, lacked that punch that a Cock Bird has while displaying.

There were a good number of Juvenile Hens and a particularly big class of Normal Grey Greens (large by NZ standards anyway) it wasn’t surprising that the best Juvenile Hen came from this class. There were many strong birds in the class. One in particular I gave quite a bit of time to, to try and settle her down, but sadly she wouldn’t play ball. Ultimately (as it turned out) her full sister won the class. This Hen went on to win Best Hen in Show, once she fills out she will certainly be a nice Hen.

It was great to be able to bring over some rosettes and a medal from the BSNZ as awards for the show and I’m sure the recipients were pleased to win them.

I had the very great pleasure of staying the Saturday night at the home of Ian and Kathy Manton. They were wonderful hosts and I had a superb time chatting all things budgie with them and seeing their aviary and some very promising youngsters coming through. On Sunday it was back to Sydney (much less eventful trip) for a flight home to my meagre set up.

What an amazing weekend with great people and getting to judge some great budgies.

Thank you so much Midstate Budgerigar Club for the invitation and the huge honour of judging your birds.

 

Phil Hill
BSNZ