NQBZ Report July 2026

Strengths & Weaknesses, post ANBC

Like any breeder aspiring to improve their birds, you can do no worse that attend the ANBC show to see who is producing successful birds and what is lacking in your own birds or what the best Judges in the country are looking for. Of course, if you can’t attend there is the wonderful live streaming of each class or the commentary and photos of the top birds from each class available on the ANBC website. There has been plenty of discussion in the weeks after the ANBC show, both self-reflection and conversation with fellow breeders on what the next move is to improve your stock. We all need to work on strengths and weaknesses, and it is always a good idea to get a second opinion from a like-minded breeder to help consolidate your thoughts. I guess this is why we have a multitude of auctions available to us which serve this purpose so well after our major show. Live auctions are obviously the best to attend so you can make an accurate choice on new stock but when you are challenged by living long distances away from the major auctions, like our zone, phone bidding and 32 Auctions can be an option. A decision needs to be made on the cost of flights, accommodation and a hire car before you even raise your bidder’s card at a live auction south from here. Sometimes the smartest decision is to invest that expense into a bird or birds rather than on flights etc. but either way there are positives and negatives that only the individual can decide upon as the best way forward. One of the challenges is to maintain your strengths while working on your weaknesses, so good luck to everyone as you take up this challenge for 2026. Safe travels if you are hitting the road for an auction.

Capricornia Auction 2026

The annual Capricornia auction was held on Sunday the 7th of June at the North Rockhampton High School Hall. It is always a great weekend with a social gathering at The Vidler’s residence on the Friday night and the new addition of a round of golf on the Saturday before the auction on Sunday. Apparently, Peter Drew and Treva Turner had been practicing for months in readiness for bragging rights. There were obviously a few aviary visits going on as well.

Attendance was great with breeders from all over the state of Queensland and some from interstate as well. North Queensland breeders are very grateful for the quality of birds made available from breeders, particularly those from interstate for obvious reasons. There were plenty of decent budgies available at good prices. Our Host for the day was Kevie O’Callaghan which is always a highlight as his banter is appreciated by everyone during the auction. The host club looked after those who travelled long distances, allowing them to be processed first after the auction so they could hit the road as soon as possible. The catering was once again spot on by Michelle Vidler and her team and the stalls of the Australian Budgerigar Society and Noah’s Avian Products were well attended and appreciated by all breeders. We are all looking forward to next year already.

Kevie doing his thing
Chad at the ABS stall

 

North Queensland Budgerigar Breeders Club

One of our 5 clubs are embracing the idea of running some 32Auctions in the coming months with the first one underway. It is great to see them actively fundraising for their club which can only strengthen their future and that of our zone. Good luck with this initiative. Please support them if you are in the market for new stock.

 

Mackay City Budgerigar Society Inc.

Mackay have secured their Judge for their annual Budgie Bash on the 1st of November. We are delighted to announce that Ray Slade will be joining us for the weekend. Breeders will no doubt learn a lot from Ray’s judging on top of what he offers as a Hall of Fame breeder. Ray will be doing a presentation on breeding and preparing birds as part of his visit. All breeders are welcome to enter birds and attend our Budgie Bash show. More details to follow.

Finally, I wish everyone a successful breeding season and may your decisions be the right ones, your pairings be productive and the green ringers be the best you yet from your cabinets.

Yours in Budgies,

Michael Pace
President NQBZ Inc.