G&M Tuthill State Shield Selections

Team Tasmania Selected for the 50th ANBC National Show

The Budgerigar Council of Tasmania held its G&M Tuthill State Shield Selections on Sunday, May 17th, at the Perth Community Hall.

The three clubs of Tasmania, the Coastal Budgerigar Society, Northern Tasmanian Budgerigar Society and the Tasmanian Budgerigar Society, held their club selections on the Friday and Saturday before heading to Perth Community Centre for the State Shield on Sunday.

Judges and Benching

Judges for the day were senior panel judges Derek Poole, ANBC, Jim Fletcher, ANBC, and Dale Ward, along with probationary judges Andrew Johnson and Peter Kross.

There were approximately 240 birds benched by 11:00am, ready for judging to commence.

Members gathered for a little housekeeping and a bite to eat before judging got underway at 12 noon. The judges teamed up in pairs of two, with Derek and Jim swapping every couple of classes.

Team Tasmania Selected

As the classes were slowly ticked off and the birds were checked for variety and completeness, including tails, flights and other requirements, it was looking like Tasmania would have a full team for the 50th ANBC National Show on the Gold Coast.

With judging completed and a full team selected for Team Tasmania, it was over to the Show Secretary for the tallying of points and the award presentations.

2026 Shield Winner

The shield winner for 2026 was the Northern Tasmanian Budgerigar Society.

Congratulations to all NTBS club members on a fantastic achievement.

Preparing for the Nationals

Once all presentations were completed, the Tasmanian team was transported to the Head Carer’s premises for the week. The birds were then meticulously worked on and looked after so they could be presented at their best on Saturday, 23 May 2026, for the commencement of the 50th ANBC National Show.

Good luck to all exhibitors representing Tasmania at the 50th ANBC National Show on the Gold Coast.