Welcome to your Monthly Edition of the ANBC Gazette

Dear Fanciers,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break, filled with joy, laughter, and the company of loved ones. The festive season is always a great time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect, both personally and within our shared passion for budgerigars. Hopefully, your 2025 rings arrived on time, marking the start of another exciting year ahead in breeding and exhibiting.

As we transition into the new year, January presents an opportunity to prepare for the busy months ahead. One of the most anticipated events on our calendar is the ANBC National Championship Show in Cairns this May. With this in mind, the ANBC is delighted to introduce this year’s panel of judges.

Currently, there are 24 ANBC-accredited judges in Australia, each highly skilled and dedicated to maintaining the highest standards within our hobby. Each year, up to four of these esteemed judges are selected to preside over the Nationals, carrying the responsibility and honour of adjudicating the country’s finest birds. In this edition of the Gazette, we’ve included short biographies of each judge, giving you insight into their backgrounds, expertise, and contributions to the budgerigar fancy.

We hope you enjoy reading about these outstanding individuals and feel as inspired as we do by their dedication to the budgerigar community.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to an exciting year of growth, camaraderie, and shared success in 2025.

Warm regards,
Neale R Love
ANBC Secretary

Announcement from the ANBC Secretary and North Queensland Budgerigar Zone Inc.

We are delighted to announce and congratulate the judges for the 49^th Annual ANBC National Championship Show, to be held in Cairns in May 2025:

• Lynne Miller (South Queensland)
• John Mulley (South Australia)
• Cedric D’Costa (South Queensland)
• Ian Schneider (North Queensland)

Each of these esteemed individuals has been entrusted with the honour and responsibility of adjudicating the very best budgerigars Australia has to offer. Their expertise, dedication, and commitment to the highest standards of our hobby ensure that this year’s competition will be both fair and memorable.

The Northern Queensland Budgerigar Zone (NQBZ) warmly thanks each judge for graciously accepting this prestigious invitation. Your participation underscores the significance of the Nationals and contributes to the spirit of excellence that defines this premier event.

We are eagerly counting down to the 49th National Championship Show. This event promises to showcase the culmination of hard work, dedication, and passion from fanciers across the nation.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to this much-anticipated celebration of Australia’s budgerigar community. Mark your calendars and join us for what is set to be an unforgettable event!

Meet the Judges

Dear Budgie Enthusiasts,

As we head into a new year, we can reflect back on the past year and look at our considerable achievements. The whole fancy can be very proud of how we have progressed the hobby with the release of the ANBC Gazette, an updated Website, the Mars Birdcare partnership along with the introduction of On the Perch and a more visible presence in the community.

Will 2025 be as good as 2024? We, the ANBC delegates and committee certainly hope so and I’m sure you the fancy hope so as well. Further sponsorship partnerships are on the horizon and a more effective way of conducting our day-to-day business dealings are in the pipeline. The National Show will continue to be tweaked for further improvements. New ways to attract and growing memberships are being explored.
Hopefully all clubs will continue to prosper, and their members have a successful breeding season, producing many wonderful Champions. I’m sure we are all looking forward to catching up with one another at the National Show in exotic tropical Cairns in May.

Warm regards,
Russell Ogden
President – ANBC

ANBC Judges Coordinator

Are you ready to take your passion for budgerigars to the next level?
Becoming an Australian National Budgerigar Council (A.N.B.C.) Judge is a prestigious opportunity to contribute to the highest standards of budgerigar judging in Australia.

If you’re an experienced breeder and exhibitor looking to expand your influence in the budgerigar community, this could be your next big step.

Why Become an A.N.B.C. Judge?
As an A.N.B.C. Judge, you’ll join a panel of expert Judges dedicated to upholding the integrity and excellence of the Australian National Budgerigar Championship Shows. You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Shape the future of budgerigar exhibitions by setting high judging standards.
• Share your expertise with other breeders and exhibitors.
• Gain national recognition as a leader in the field of budgerigar breeding and exhibiting.

What It Takes to Be an A.N.B.C. Judge
The path to becoming an A.N.B.C. Judge is rigorous but rewarding. Here’s what you need to know about the process:

Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the A.N.B.C. Judges accreditation examination, candidates must:

1. Be Nominated: You need to be nominated by your State or Zone body.
2. Have Experience: Be a Judge of higher standing in your State or Zone, with at least two years as a member of the senior Budgerigar Judges Panel.
3. Be Active: Actively breed, exhibit and Judge budgerigars.
4. Be a Member: Belong to a member body of the A.N.B.C.

Nominations close annually on March 1, but late entries may be considered if spots remain open.

Examination Process
The accreditation process is designed to test your knowledge, expertise, and practical skills through a three-step examination:

1. Theory Examination: You’ll complete a written test based on the A.N.B.C. publication, “The Standard.” You will complete this component of the exam in your home state with 2 Senior Judges present and must achieve a pass mark of 85% to proceed.
2. Identification Test: You’ll identify 12 varieties of budgerigars and classify them for exhibition at an A.N.B.C. Show. This stage requires a perfect score (100%).
3. Practical Examination: You’ll judge two classes of 12 birds: one from the Normal Green and Blue Series and another consisting of variable birds. You’ll be assessed on your ability to evaluate the birds within a 20-minute period for each class, with a pass mark of 85%.

Steps 2 and 3 of the examinations are held prior to the Australian Championship Show, providing an opportunity to showcase your skills on a national stage.

Ongoing Accreditation
Once accredited, you must maintain your status by:

• Remaining an active breeder and exhibitor of budgerigars.
• Continuing to officiate as a judge within your State or Zone.

State or Zone bodies confirm these details annually to ensure all judges meet A.N.B.C. standards.

Join a Prestigious Panel
Becoming an A.N.B.C. Judge means joining a distinguished panel of experts who convene annually at the Australian National Budgerigar Championship Show. The panel collaborates to discuss judging practices, ensuring fairness and consistency across all national competitions.
As part of this panel, you’ll also have the chance to:

• Influence the next generation of judges by serving on the Examining Panel.
• Represent your State or Zone at the highest levels of competition.
• Build lasting relationships with fellow judges and exhibitors from across the country.

Invest in Your Passion
While judges cover their own expenses for meetings and examinations, the rewards of being an A.N.B.C. Judge far outweigh the costs. You’ll gain unparalleled respect and recognition in the budgerigar community and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the hobby.

How to Get Started
If you’re ready to embark on this exciting journey, reach out to your State or Zone Judges body to express your interest and secure a nomination. The road to becoming an A.N.B.C. Judge is challenging but deeply fulfilling. Join the ranks of Australia’s finest budgerigar judges and make your mark on the national stage.
Your journey to excellence begins now. Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Regards
James Bader
ANBC Judges Co-Ordinator

Colours & Standards

Understanding the new AOSV class is important. The timeline begins with the NQBZ 2025 National in Cairns. This AOSV Class includes – Saddlebacks, Darkwings and Rainbows. The motion was successful and now moves into the process of acceptance under ANBC By Law guidelines. So let me explain what that means.

Following the 2028 Class in WA the ANBC should be able to understand how well the distribution of these varieties has progressed throughout Australia. If sufficient birds are available and it assessed that a Full class for points is viable the States and Zones will be advised that the class will transition at the 2030 National competition. If not deemed viable a further two-year extension maybe recommended.

Regards,
Peter Glassenbury
ANBC Colours & Standards Coordinator

WBO Noticeboard

As we enter the festive month I start, on behalf of the WBO Executive Committee, by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Fanciers in the northern Hemisphere are busy pairing up their birds, so again wishing you a successful breeding season.

Most of the national shows around the world have taken place with a few more still to come during this month. I have received many results which are on the WBO website but still some to come I hope soon.

WBO Meeting and Show:  we had a successful meeting and show and we extend our congratulations to the committee and show organisers of the Austrian society ÖWV for staging the event. It was very good to see 27 fanciers representing 17 societies from 15 countries who participated at the meeting.

At the meeting many decisions were approved and all can be found in the Minutes circulated with this letter. One of the important outcomes is the acceptance, by a large majority, of the new proposed WBO Pictorial Ideal passed by 56 votes to 36 votes against.

It is very much appreciated that a few countries in mainland Europe have strong Green Party and Anti-Bird Keeping Lobbyists imposing many restrictions on the fancy in those countries. This group is insisting that the bird must be able to see and fly.

It was agreed that societies can write to the secretary by 15^th February 2025 with any further proposals about the Ideal with the view to creating a computer generated Ideal.

A proposal from Belgium to reduce the qualification from 5 to 3 years for a newly qualified judge to be added to the WBO International Judges Panel passed.

A proposal from Denmark to increase the size of the Show Cage Door to allow easy access to be between 100 to 125 mm high and 90 to 105 mm wide passed.

Constitution – to create a new position on the Executive Committee for a second Vice Chairman to look after the affairs of the Colour Budgerigar passed and to include the immediate Past Secretary on the Executive Committee also passed.

The show received a good entry of 482 exhibition type and 337 colour budgerigars from 45 exhibitors representing 9 countries including Egypt.

The judges for the exhibition birds were Armin Giger (Switzerland), Stephen Mow (Australia) and Richard Miller (U.K.) and for the colour budgerigar the judges were Dino Pocecco (Italy) and Rolf Schindelmeiser (Germany). Photo of the judges

The major winners were:
Best in Show & Best Any Age – Light Green cock – Daniel Lütolf (Switzerland)
Best Any Age Opp Sex – Dominant Pied Skyblue hen – Daniel Lütolf (Switzerland)
Best Young Bird in Show – Yellowface Cinnamon Grey cock – Wilhelm Kohout (Austria)
Best Young Bird Opp Sex – Cinnamon Grey hen – Wilhelm Kohout (Austria)
Best Colour Budgerigar Any Age – Suffused Yellow cock – Günter Donnerbauer (Austria)
Best Colour Budgerigar Young Bird – Opaline Cinnamon Light Green hen – Günter Donnerbauer (Austria) photos of the 3 winners and the 6 birds on the website.

While judging was in progress, two fanciers (Hesham Al-Sayegh & Mohamed Al-Sahlawi) came all the way from Bahrain to sit the WBO Judges Test and passed. The test consists of a written test, practical test (under the supervision of the judges) and colour identification test. Another fancier from Romania (Florian Orzea) did a practice run with the judges to make him ready for his test next year.

Gould Award:  As per WBO Rules I received one nomination by the end of December last year for the Gould Award and it was for our chairman Carlos Ramôa. Our congratulations are extended to Carlos for a well-deserved award for his contribution to the WBO and the fancy in general.

Nominations for the 2025 Gould Award will need to be sent to me by 31^st December at the very latest and must be on the society’s official headed paper signed by a senior official of that society with a 200-word biographical notes about the candidate.

Please check the WBO website and the Contact Information for Member Countries file to see if I have accurate details of your contact and also the correct website address.

Also, please visit the WBO International Judges Panel file and check that I have the correct details of your judges and their current telephone numbers as the responsibility lies with you for the accuracy of the information relating to your society/country. Please remember that to be on the WBO International Judges Panel you need to be a current breeder and exhibitor. Those past judges who are no longer keepers, breeders or exhibitors of budgerigars should not be on the active WBO International Judges Panel but may be on their own society’s panel.

Chairman:  The three-year term of office of the current Chairman ends on 31.3.2025. Under the Constitution, nominations for this position should be submitted, in writing, to the Secretary by 31.12.2024 so that if there is more than one candidate and no meeting is scheduled before 31.3.2025, a postal ballot will have to be held.

Show Results & Website:  Show results from many societies are already displayed on the website and I am still waiting for others. Please let me have your show results or inform me if your show has been cancelled. Please visit the website for such information.

Future Meetings:  Our next WBO meeting will be held on 6^th – 8^th June 2025 in Blackpool, U.K. to celebrate the Budgerigar Society’s 100^th Anniversary.

The 2026 meeting will be held in the UAE in Dubai in early November. Portugal extended an invitation for the 2027 meeting to be held on week 27 (10^th / 11^th July), which was accepted.

As it was agreed last year, the WBO World Championship Show will be held in mainland Europe on a fixed week number 27 when the WBO meeting is held outside mainland Europe; so the next WBO World Championship Show will be held on week 27 near Colmar, France on 4^th – 6^th July 2025 and in Italy on 4^th / 5^th July 2026.

If you have any comments on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience. On behalf of our Chairman Carlos Ramôa, Vice Chairman Grant Findlay, Immediate Past Chairman Gerd Bleicher, Past Chairman Roger Carr and myself we wish you all good health, happiness and a successful breeding/show season and look forward to seeing you at the next WBO meeting on 6^th June in Blackpool, United Kingdom; in the meantime, keep well and stay safe.

Regards,
Ghalib Al Nasser
World Budgerigar Organisation (WBO)

Overseas – Fancier in Focus – Daniel Lütolf 
By Graham Barlow & Ineke Janes 

Würenlos, where the Lütolf family live, is a small country town half an hour by train from Zurich. The landscape is of green hilly pastures, cows with bells and chalet style houses. Typically, akin to the scenery of the movies Heidi and The Sound of Music.

In 2010 Daniel designed his three-storey home, where he lives with his partner Danielle and their daughters, Rubina and Neve. With foresight, in the unlikely event he ever wants to get out of budgies, the 2-storey aviary, designed as a house, could easily be reverted to such.

When Daniel first moved his birds into the brand-new aviary, he had a massive problem with French moult but found that by pairing affected birds together it eliminated the problem.

We expected an hour or two of his time, but Daniel had generously set the day aside for us. The morning was spent in the upstairs section of the aviary, a mind-boggling site with eighty breeding cabinets lining either side of a large open space, housing the most impressive birds we have ever seen. There is a well-appointed kitchen with a large island bench, a full bathroom and a storage room.

Daniel was a generous host with both his time and knowledge of the fancy. Highly informative.

Daniels daughter, Neve, joined us for lunch, which Daniel prepared, lasagne with fresh produce from his garden. Followed up by fruit from his variety of fruit trees. While Daniel was cooking it allowed us time to run free in his aviary to look and photograph the birds.

After lunch, I left the boys to play downstairs in the flights while I took Charlie the dog for a walk. Daniel suggested a twenty-minute walk, let him off the leash at the end of the lane and he’ll happily walk alongside. Yeah – NO – Charlie knew the way home, I didn’t. We walked for two hours. Beautiful.

The name, Daniel Lütolf is well respected for breeding excellence. Daniel won the AZ European Championship in August 2024 with a Cobalt Cock and followed that up with the World championship in September in Austria with a Light Green Cock and Opp sex, a Sky-blue pied Hen. We were fortunate to have seen these birds in the aviary during our visit.

We thank Daniel whole heartedly for making us welcome. We were extremely impressed with the aviary set-up and the commitment with feeding his birds (and family) organically grown food.

Our trip overall was fantastic with no hiccups and beautiful weather. The Daniel Lütolf aviary visit was the ‘cherry on top’.  Graham Barlow & Ineke Janes (Barlow & Janes Budgerigars – Hervey Bay)

Keeping It In The Family
By Terry A Tuxford

Our number one objective as breeders of exhibition livestock is to improve the show qualities in our birds. This continues year in and year out. These qualities should also include the ability to live long and healthy lives and to reproduce freely. Certainly, in the budgerigar section and I suspect most of the others, there are at least three types of fancier:

Type number one are those sometimes referred to as the ‘feather merchants’. These are budgerigar people who buy and sell budgerigars as a source of income. They pair their purchases from leading studs for a couple of seasons and then sell second and third generation offspring at high prices and then start again. These are far less prevalent today as they were back in the 90’s and earlier which could reflect a contracting hobby.

Type number two is the random breeders who see aspects of a budgerigar differently to the rest of us. They can put two average looking, unrelated birds together and breed quality on the first attempt. They appear to have a knack that cannot be rationalised.

Type number three is those who take a systematic approach to breeding and employ methods which involve breeding within family groups. Some choose to work with a few budgerigars from better families to produce one or two exceptional show birds, while others look to improve the quality of their whole stud.

It is this third group that this article addresses as they represent most breeders in the hobby today. The systematic approach to breeding that they have adopted is in-breeding. However, there is a health warning for newcomers to the hobby. To succeed with in-breeding you must have a thorough knowledge of breeding principles plus suitable birds with which to work. Both can take several if not many years to accrue.

Properly Matched Pairs

Generally, top quality exhibition budgerigars come from properly matched pairs that have both the visual and the inherited capability. This is not to say they are bred from top quality exhibition budgerigars; it means that the cock and the hen from the pair carry the necessary components both visually and in their genetic makeup, which when combined gives the desired results.

Before we go any further perhaps, we should look at what we mean by in-breeding and line-breeding. Both terms fit under the heading of close-breeding, which is to say that the breeding pairs are selected from a closed group with no other external influences, a family. In-breeding is the term used for very close-breeding and involved parings that are no further distant than great-grand-father to great-grand-daughter or vice-versa. It obviously includes mother to son, father to daughter, brother to sister etc. On the other hand, line-breeding still consists of family related pairs but they are more distant, for example, cousins. A close-breeding programme usually starts from one or more foundation birds – usually cocks. Finally, outcrossing is a planned event in a close-breeding programme that introduces new blood into the family.

Fanciers should only attempt to close-breed where the quality of the stock warrants it. By pairing related birds, it gives the fancier the opportunity to discover what hidden traits the family has. These recessive characteristics can be both good and bad and by careful selection through the generations and by using only the best youngsters, the challenge can be met to eradicate the weaknesses and double up on the strengths.

One of the disadvantages of using Budgerigars for in-breeding is the lifespan of the foundation bird or birds can be short. To maximise the influence of a foundation cock into a family he must be back crossed or bred back into the family for at least three generations:

Year 1. Foundation cock to selected hen; offspring carry 50% of foundation cock blood.
Year 2. Foundation cock to daughter; offspring carry 75% of foundation cock blood.
Year 3. Foundation cock to grand-daughter; offspring carry 87.5% of foundation cock blood
Year 4. Foundation cock to great-grand-daughter; offspring carry 93.75% of foundation cock blood

The Loss Is Not Nearly As Serious

If you line-breed and one bird or more should die the loss is not nearly as serious as you may think. A tried and practiced pairing strategy for line-breeding is to pair cousin to cousin and half-brother to half-sister; subsequently the half-brothers are paired to their cousins. This keeps the stock in the same blood-line and you can eventually get the birds in a stud to look very much alike.

There is no guarantee of success with close-breeding but you can maximise upon the opportunities if you have the knowledge and experience, and the foundation cock bird has all the qualities required for this system of breeding. As a breeder you must know what you are looking for when selecting the hens to pair to the cock birds. If the right pairs are selected it is a good method for producing outstanding show specimens. If however, the right partners are not selected, the results can be catastrophic. The bad faults will soon begin to show up in double doses and ruin the stock. However, while there may be pitfalls these are by far outweighed by the possibilities.

After some generations of close-breeding the birds may show signs of developing a serious fault. This may be an exhibition fault or one that affects the reproduction capability of the birds in terms of both or either quantity and capacity. Now is the time to introduce an outcross into the breeding programme. Rather than bringing in an outcross from a completely different line of budgerigars it may be beneficial to seek out a breeder who has related foundation stock to yours. The outcross must excel in the weakness that your stud has developed if it is a show fault and will bring with it the hybrid vigour if it is a fertility problem and being distantly related will hopefully minimise the negative effect on your stud but at the same time correct the fault.

You must use the outcross with your best birds and then immediately return to your main lines in the following year. You may consider this to be a risky move and want to gently introduce the outcross by pairing to your lesser birds but to be quite honest, this would completely defeat the object of introducing the outcross in the first place.

A successful stud of budgerigars cannot be other than the result of a careful merging together of related birds, otherwise what claim to a line can there be if chance matings is the general practice.

Causes of Addled Eggs
By Dr Hamish Baron BVSc (Hons), MVS (Avian Medicine),  PhD, FANZCVS (Avian Medicine and Surgery)

Breeding exhibition budgerigars is both a rewarding and challenging endeavour. One of the most frustrating issues that breeders face is the occurrence of addled eggs or chicks dying in the shell. Addled eggs are those that fail to develop properly, while “dead in shell” (DIS) refers to chicks that die late in the incubation process, usually just before or during hatching. These reproductive failures can result from various factors, including poor genetics, nutritional imbalances, environmental stress, infections, or improper incubation. This article will explore the most common causes of addled eggs and dead in shell cases in exhibition budgerigars and provide practical solutions for breeders to minimise losses.

1. Genetic Factors
Inbreeding or poor genetic diversity can lead to embryo death due to inherited genetic defects. Breeding closely related birds over several generations increases the risk of homozygous recessive gene expression, which may result in developmental abnormalities that lead to embryonic death.

• Prevention: Breeders should maintain genetic diversity by introducing fresh bloodlines into their breeding program. Regularly outcrossing can help reduce the risk of genetic defects and improve overall reproductive success.

2. Nutritional Imbalances
Adequate nutrition is essential for both the breeding pair and the developing embryo. Nutritional imbalances can lead to poor egg quality, weakened embryos, and increased mortality rates within the egg. The most important nutrients for reproduction and embryo development include:

• Calcium and Vitamin D3: Deficiencies or over-supplementation in calcium and vitamin D3 can lead to poor eggshell formation, resulting in fragile eggs or eggs with abnormal shell structure. This can lead to egg binding, embryo dehydration, or death due to the inability to break through the shell during hatching.
• Vitamin A: Vitamin A is essential for normal tissue development and cellular differentiation. Deficiency may result in weakened embryos or malformations.
• Vitamin E and Selenium: These are important for maintaining embryo vitality and preventing oxidative damage to cells. Deficiency can result in early embryo death.

Prevention: Provide breeding birds with a well-balanced diet that includes high-quality seed mixes, fresh vegetables, and commercial soft foods enriched with essential vitamins and minerals. Calcium supplements (e.g., cuttlebone or calcium blocks) and vitamin D3 supplementation are crucial for healthy egg production. It is incredibly important to follow the instructions on the product, over supplementation can be just as detrimental as not supplementing at all. The old saying “if a little is good, a lot must be better” is definitely not true when it comes to supplementing vitamins and minerals.

3. Infections and Disease
Infectious agents, particularly bacterial and viral pathogens, are significant contributors to embryo mortality. Contaminated eggs or infected parent birds can pass pathogens to the embryo, resulting in developmental failure or death. Common infections associated with addled eggs and dead-in-shell include:

• Bacterial infections: Bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus can penetrate the eggshell and cause infection, leading to embryonic death. These infections often result from poor hygiene in the nesting area or contaminated water and food sources.
• Viral infections: Certain viral diseases, such as polyomavirus and circovirus, can cause embryo mortality. While viral infections are less common, they can devastate a breeding aviary if not managed effectively.

Prevention: Maintaining a high standard of hygiene is essential to prevent infections. Ensure that nesting boxes, perches, and food dishes are regularly cleaned and disinfected. Provide fresh water daily and avoid overcrowding. It is also advisable to test breeding stock for viral diseases and isolate any infected birds.

4. Incubation Problems
Even with healthy genetics and proper nutrition, inappropriate incubation conditions can result in addled eggs or dead-in-shell chicks. Budgerigar eggs require specific temperature and humidity conditions for successful development. Any deviation from the ideal environment can lead to developmental problems or death.

• Temperature: Eggs should be incubated at an optimal temperature range of 37.2–37.5°C. Temperatures that are too high or too low can disrupt the normal developmental process. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below the ideal range can lead to addled eggs, while excessive heat may cause chicks to die late in the incubation period.
• Humidity: Proper humidity is crucial for preventing dehydration of the embryo and ensuring the chick can break through the eggshell. If the humidity is too low, the eggs may lose moisture, causing the inner membranes to dry out and preventing the chick from hatching. High humidity levels can lead to swollen embryos that are unable to hatch.

Prevention: Monitor and maintain proper incubation conditions, ensuring that temperatures and humidity levels are stable and within the appropriate range. Ensure that the nesting boxes are not exposed to drafts or direct sunlight that could cause temperature fluctuations and monitor your nesting material to ensure it is not too dry or too moist.

5. Environmental Stress and Disturbances
Environmental stressors can lead to embryo mortality, especially in the later stages of development. Stress factors may include sudden loud noises, temperature fluctuations, predator activity near the aviary, or excessive handling of eggs and nest boxes. These disturbances can cause stress to the parent birds, leading to inadequate incubation or direct trauma to the developing chick.

Prevention: Minimise environmental disturbances around the nesting area and avoid unnecessary handling of eggs. Provide a quiet and secure environment for breeding pairs and place nest boxes in locations with minimal external disturbances. If handling is required, it should be done quickly and gently to avoid excessive disruption.

Conclusion
The causes of addled eggs or dead-in-shell chicks in exhibition budgerigars are multifactorial, often involving genetic issues, nutritional deficiencies, infections, or environmental conditions. By addressing these factors through careful breeding management, proper nutrition, and maintaining optimal hygiene and environmental conditions, breeders can significantly reduce the incidence of reproductive failure and improve their overall breeding success. Veterinary input is also vital in cases of persistent problems, as diagnostic testing and health monitoring of breeding stock can help identify underlying issues and prevent future losses.

Acknowledgement
This article by Dr. Hamish Baron is supplied by the World Budgerigar Organisation (www.world-budgerigar.org), as part of their encouraged exchange of research information, and supplied to the WBO with kind permission by the Budgerigar Society of New Zealand.

Doug & Liz Wales (NQBZ)

Doug focuses his breeding on normals, cinnamonwings, and lutinos, which are currently his favourites. His dedication to these varieties has been rewarded, with birds placing 4th and 6th at the 2024 Nationals. Recently, Doug has also ventured into breeding cresteds, adding another dimension to his aviary.

One of Doug’s most cherished experiences was when the Mackay Club hosted the 2017 ANBC National Championship Show. While it required significant effort, he thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the event and looks back on it with great pride.

Doug has a long-standing admiration for the exceptional quality of budgerigars bred by Garry Gazzard and has expressed a desire to visit Garry’s aviary. Although traveling overseas to visit aviaries remains a dream, Doug feels that time and age are now limiting factors for such ventures.

Over the years, Doug has acquired birds from renowned breeders such as Henry George and Michael Pace, and he also incorporates Fellows lines into his breeding program. He holds a deep respect for individuals associated with the organisation of the North Queensland Zone Shows and National Championship Shows, particularly those hosted in Rockhampton and Mackay. Doug is especially grateful to Scott Eriksen for his tireless work in setting up these successful events and for the invaluable support he provided to the Mackay Club during their ANBC hosting duties. He also appreciates Russell and Cheryl Ogden for their outstanding care in preparing and transporting birds selected to represent the North Queensland Zone.

Among Doug’s many achievements, he recalls his best bird, which he showed at the ANBC in 2009 in Tasmania. Judges immediately moved the bird to first place, remarking that it was the bird to beat. While it ultimately finished in second place, the experience remains a highlight of Doug’s long and passionate journey in the budgerigar fancy.

Doug’s aviary has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, his flights had cement floors and were completely enclosed. Today, he uses open flights with raised wire floors, a design that has improved the health of his birds. The raised floors help keep the flights cleaner and reduce issues such as wet seed, resulting in fewer sick birds.

In caring for his birds, Doug follows a consistent health management routine. He uses Coccivet monthly from November through March to prevent coccidiosis and administers S76 as a wormer every two months. Every second year, he treats his flock with Doxycycline. Additionally, he supplements their water with KD Powder and Orego-stim, ensuring optimal health and condition.

Doug believes the timing of the ANBC National Show could better suit breeders in Queensland by being held in late June or early July. High humidity during the summer months creates significant challenges for breeding, and March is the ideal time to begin the season to avoid these issues. A later show date would give birds more time to mature and present at their best.

For beginners entering the hobby, Doug’s advice is simple but valuable: connect with a local breeder for guidance, start with just one or two pairs to gain experience, and join a local club to learn and grow within a supportive community.

Despite his many accomplishments, Doug still has one goal he hopes to achieve—a first place at the ANBC National Championship. While he’s had birds place 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and even last, the coveted top spot remains a dream. With his dedication and passion, Doug continues to work toward this ultimate milestone in his journey as a budgerigar fancier.

History of Some of the Oldest Clubs

Port Pirie Budgerigar Society, South Australia

In the November issue of the ANBC Gazette, we looked back at the Budgerigar Society of South Australia, with a nod to the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society, the state’s second oldest specialist society for budgerigars. This club, founded in 1957, grew rapidly to become a staple for aviculture in Port Pirie and beyond, offering a warm community for budgie lovers. As we delve into its handwritten minutes, we uncover not only the club’s rich history but also a charming slice of life from another era. Here are some memorable highlights.

Humble Beginnings: The First Meeting in 1957
The club’s journey began on August 27, 1957, at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Davies on The Terrace, Port Pirie were 22 founding members gathered. The meeting set membership fees at 15 shillings for seniors and 5 shillings for juniors (equivalent to $1.50 and 50c today), signalling the club’s intent to be inclusive and accessible. Early meetings were held at St. Andrews Hall on Florence Street, where a respectable bank balance of £11.3s.6d ($22.35) was noted, marking a promising start.

Early Club Activities and Community Spirit
As the club settled into its rhythm, activities expanded. 30 show cages were purchased at a cost of 16/9 ($1.70), and entry fees for shows were set at a modest 1 shilling (10c). A fundraising raffle added a bit of excitement and raised £2.4s ($4.40), supporting the club’s ambitions.

By 1958, members gathered in Rechabite Hall on Mary Ellen Street, with Adelaide visitors occasionally dropping in, sharing advice, and issuing a paper on breeding Blues. These gatherings weren’t just about budgies—they were social occasions too, with 10 dozen Cokes and dandies fuelling lively conversations.

Growing Recognition and Tradition
The club’s minutes from 1959 reveal the emerging traditions that would define Port Pirie’s club culture. Members began paying a small fee for hall hire, and aggregate trophies were introduced for regular night meetings. As competitions grew, the F. Williams Perpetual Trophy was inaugurated, becoming a coveted prize for the year’s best exhibit. Show cages were even shared, with members contributing all available cages to local events.

A memorable moment came when Master Peter Glassenbury was proudly presented the Williams Trophy for a Black-Eyed Self, sparking conversation and enthusiasm. Peter’s success continued as he triumphed with his Cinnamon Wing siblings at the Melrose and Clare shows.

A Strong and Supportive Community
The early 1960s saw continued growth. As the club expanded its reach, it sought alignment with many of the Northern SA Agricultural shows and secured Adelaide judges for their annual show. In 1960, the Chrystal Brook A & H Society and several other Shows included a Budgerigar section, marking budgie shows as a true highlight of these South Australia’s agricultural events.

Christmas gatherings were planned with careful detail—Father Christmas arrived right after a Puppet Show, tins of lollies were available for children, and the lady’s prepared supper. Mr. Gaston, the Adelaide Club’s President, and other members joined for these gatherings, strengthening the bond between metropolitan and country clubs.

Preserving Tradition Amid Change
In 1963, the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society entered a new phase. The club secured bespoke trophies from local businesses, and meeting notes include a heartfelt acknowledgment of the support received from the town. Though Mr. Fred Brown stepped down as Patron, his legacy remained, reflecting the club’s gratitude for his years of dedication.

One delightful anecdote notes a trophy from Wendt’s Jewellers, a Beswick Budgie figurine still sporting a 12/6 price tag, valued today as a collectible. The club’s eye for quality has carried through generations, with members cherishing their awards as tokens of camaraderie and achievement.

Looking Back, Moving Forward
The Port Pirie Budgerigar Society’s history paints a picture of a close-knit community bound by their passion for birds and mutual support. These minutes reflect not only the club’s early days but a piece of Port Pirie’s heritage. For those of us who appreciate budgies, community, and tradition, this retrospective reminds us that our history is rich with stories worth celebrating—and carrying forward for future generations.

As we continue to embrace modern advancements, it’s equally essential to honour the foundations built by clubs like Port Pirie. Whether it’s a trophy from a local jeweller, a shared hall on show night, or a memorable Christmas gathering, the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society stands as a testament to the power of community and shared enthusiasm. Here’s to many more years of feathered friendships and treasured traditions!

January tends to be a relatively quiet month for budgerigar events in Victoria, offering a brief pause before the busy season kicks off. However, February and March are packed with activity, with events scheduled nearly every weekend. It’s the perfect time to reconnect with fellow fanciers, showcase your birds, and immerse yourself in the vibrant community.

Make sure to keep an eye out for your latest issue of the BCV magazine, which should have arrived in your mailbox over the past few days. Inside, you’ll find important updates, event schedules, and insightful articles to keep you informed and inspired as we head into the bustling months ahead. Don’t miss the opportunity to mark your calendar and get involved in the upcoming events!

Peter Thurn
BCV President

Steve Wackwitz
BSNSW President

The South Queensland Budgerigar Breeders Association (SQBBA) is inviting expressions of interest for several key roles in the organisation of the 2026 ANBC National Show, which will be held in Brisbane over two days at Eight Mile Plains. The positions to be filled include Show Manager, Chief Steward, Registration, Stewards (as many as possible), Security (for the bird room, rosette handling area, and function payments), and Rosette Handlers. Interested individuals are encouraged to send their expressions of interest via email to the SQBBA Secretary no later than 7:00 PM on Friday, 14th February.

For further information or any queries regarding the roles, members can contact Garry Hibberd, SQBBA President, at [email protected] or Garry Menzies, SQBBA Secretary, at [email protected]. Additionally, Kaitlyn is requested to ensure this call for expressions of interest is posted on the SQBBA website and Facebook page. This is an excellent opportunity for members to contribute to the success of this prestigious national event.

Garry Hibberd
SQBBA President

December and January are typically quiet months for our clubs in this part of the country. Most clubs wrapped up the year with their Christmas parties in November and early December, which, by all accounts, were enjoyable and festive gatherings that brought members together to celebrate the season.

The exception to this quiet period is the tireless efforts of the 2025 National Show Organising Committee, which has been hard at work preparing for the much-anticipated event in May. Their dedication ensures that the upcoming Nationals will be a memorable and successful occasion for everyone involved.

In the lead-up to Christmas, NQBZ Inc. ran a 100 Lucky Squares board, which was drawn just a couple of days before the holiday. Congratulations to Dave Brooks of Townsville, the lucky winner! We hope Dave and Sue thoroughly enjoyed their unexpected Christmas surprise.

As we step into the New Year, I extend my best wishes to everyone for a truly remarkable 2025. May it be a year filled with success, good fortune, and memorable moments in both your personal and budgerigar-related pursuits.

Warm Regards,
Russell Ogden
NQBZ President

Seasons Greetings to ALL!

TRILL™ Expert 49th Annual ANBC National Titles

The North Queensland Budgerigar Zone extends a warm invitation to all budgerigar enthusiasts, their families, and friends to join us in Cairns, North Queensland, for the 2025 Australian National Budgerigar Council (ANBC) Championship Show.

This exciting event takes place at the Brothers Leagues Club, a premier venue perfect for our championship. For your convenience, accommodation is available at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort, just 600 meters from the venue, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all attendees.

Join us for the 2025 ANBC Nationals in Cairns for a spectacular showcase of the finest budgerigars, engaging activities, and the chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts in the beautiful setting of Cairns. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be part of a memorable event!

Schedule of Events
The weekend events will commence with Registration collection Friday afternoon. The Friday Night Meet and Greet incorporating “On the Perch” will commence at 6 pm at the Brothers League Club. This night is a great interactive event to catch up with old and new friends and exhibitors incorporating the ANBC “On the Perch”. Next, Saturday will see judging at the Brothers League Club commencing around 9 am and continue on again on Sunday from 9 am. The Auction on Sunday will commence around 1.30 pm, concluding the Sunday show events around 3.30pm. Finally, the Presentation Dinner at the Brothers Leagues Club will open at 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start.

More To Do in Cairns
For those that would like to see a little more than budgies in boxes Saturday and Sunday, Cairns offers a variety of attractions including Cairns Aquarium, Botanical Gardens and Centenary Lakes, Cairns Shopping Centre, Tanks Art Centre or a stroll along the Esplanade and Lagoon.

Saturday 24th May Evening
Saturday Night you can relax for Dinner on the Spirit of Cairns Inlet Cruise boarding at 6.30 pm for 2.5 hours – min numbers are required.

Monday 26th May Day Tour
Full day tour leaving the Cairns Colonial Club @9.00 am – Kuranda Sky rail and Cableway. Firstly, travel on the Kuranda Scenic rail from Freshwater to Kuranda. To that end, explore Kuranda and the markets, transferring to the Skyrail rainforest cableway to Smithfield. Finally, leave the Skyrail terminal and return back to Cairns Colonial Club at approximately 5 pm.

USE DISCOUNT CODE CAMP-SHOW25 TO ACCESS YOUR EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT

The North Queensland Budgerigar Zone Inc. is thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity for all bird enthusiasts!  On offer are a pair of quality budgerigars from Craig Barnett’s Aviary.

Cinnamonwing Grey Green Cock, 23-BAR-099
Good top end, spot and cap release only 11 months old, one of 12 siblings.

Cinnamonwing Grey Green Hen, 22-BAR-073
Very nice top end, proven producer.  Father was 6th placed Green class at 2022 National.

Tickets $20.00 each
Expected close off date 15th January, 2025.

For ticket purchases or more information, please contact:
Bruce Schuster: 0426 731 339
Michelle Vidler: 0457 088 108

Help support the Nationals 2025 and grab your chance to win this amazing pair! Good luck! Importantly, if the winner of Raffle 2 resides interstate that the birds transport costs will be paid by Mick and Ann of Animal Freight Australia from Craig Barnett.

No Club shows or meetings in January.

Cheers
Les Trumper
WABC President

December was a month of celebration and recognition for our budgerigar community. Clubs across the state came together to embrace the festive season, with the North East Club marking a special occasion by surprising Ian Marshall with Life Membership in recognition of his contributions.

The month also saw the conclusion of the exhibitor points tally for the show year. Congratulations to the Holmes Family for earning the title of Open Exhibitor of the Year, Ian and Gina Wise for Intermediate Exhibitor of the Year, and Andrew Swift for Novice Exhibitor of the Year. Additionally, the Holmes Family have been awarded Champion Status for 2025, surpassing the 85-point requirement with 255 points.

In January, the Port Pirie Club will come together for its Annual General Meeting at the Port Broughton Hotel.

Regards,
Troy Holmes
BCSA President

The Budgerigar Council of Tasmania (BCT) acknowledges that January tends to be a quieter month for budgerigar enthusiasts in Tasmania, with no shows scheduled during this time. The only confirmed event is the Northern Tasmanian Budgerigar Society’s monthly meeting, which will take place on 27 January 2025 at the George Gray Meeting Room, Longford Showgrounds. For any enquiries, please contact Peter Kross on 0429 052 633.

Over the Christmas and New Year period, we will circulate a page from our show schedule with all the upcoming Tasmanian events for the year. This will also include the dates for club meetings, ensuring everyone has the information they need for future planning.

Catherine Charlesworth
BCT Secretary

I hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of the Gazette as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together. The journey to May is well underway, and I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing our talented National Judges in action at the Championship Show.

As we gear up for this exciting event, remember to stay connected and up to date by visiting the new ANBC website at https://anbc.org.au. Regular updates and information will be posted there to keep you informed.

Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to an exciting year ahead for all budgerigar enthusiasts!

Neale R Love
Editor, ANBC Gazette
[email protected]
Mob 0421 471 781