Welcome to your Monthly Edition of the ANBC Gazette

Dear Fanciers,

The ANBC continues to make strong progress thanks to dedicated efforts and a shared vision for the future. In April, the ANBC Working Group successfully secured two major sponsorships, further strengthening our community and initiatives.

Organisational Updates
The 2025 AGM will be held on 16th June 2025. Nominations are now open for Executive positions for the upcoming 12 months. These include Public Officer (who must be a resident of the ACT), Historian (currently held by the ANBC Secretary), Web Master, and ANBC Auditor (the current position holder has also nominated for the next twelve months). All nominations must be submitted to the ANBC Secretary by 15th May 2025 via email at 📧 [email protected]. The 24/25 Financials have been completed by the Auditor and will soon be distributed to each Zone. Great news is that the books balanced!

ANBC National Examination
Congratulations to Ray Slade, Craig Buckingham, and James Matthews for successfully passing the written portion of the 2025 National Exam. The practical component will take place on the Friday of the 49^th Annual Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles in Cairns. Best of luck to these three gentlemen.

Supporter Gear
Polo shirts for Supporters, Carers, and Stewards are now in production. Shirts will be available for collection in Cairns or will be posted in advance for those preferring post-delivery. Official Judges shirts will be available in Cairns for the Judges. Special thanks to Dicraft South Australia, Splitpants Productions, and Mars Birdcare for making this possible.

Motions for Consideration for AGM
One motion remains on the table for the AGM, submitted by South Australia. The motion suggests a visual update to The Standard – specifically, this would introduce a new angle of view that more clearly displays correct wing and secondary feather placement, while also ensuring the eye of the bird remains fully visible. This motion responds in part to growing murmurs from Europe around visibility and facial features on the modern exhibition budgerigar, while having the dual effect of providing better clarity to judges on the expectation of wing placement.

Colours & Standards
The Colours and Standards Committee is currently reviewing proposed changes to the classification of cheek patches and feet colour in dilute varieties, amongst other items. Responses from delegates and judges are due back shortly. If you haven’t yet submitted your thoughts, now is the time to provide your feedback and help shape the future of colour classification standards.

A Reminder for Social Media Blackout
Don’t be that person! As we get closer to the all-important National titles, the ANBC Executive find it time to encourage all fanciers to be aware of the Social Media Policy By Law 8(a). Any breach of this policy may result in disciplinary or other appropriate action, which could relate to or include fines, disciplinary actions or expulsion from the ANBC. To that end, the ANBC will be monitoring websites and social media going forward for compliance with these requirements.

Warm regards,
Neale R Love
ANBC Secretary

Dear Budgie Enthusiasts,

With just three weeks to go until our hobby’s biggest event—the 49th Annual Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles—excitement and anticipation are in the air. Across the country, exhibitors are putting the finishing touches on their young hopefuls, all in preparation for the selection shows that determine which birds will proudly represent their State or Zone on the national stage.

To all exhibitors: I wish you the very best of luck. Your dedication, patience, and passion do not go unnoticed, and we look forward to seeing your birds shine.

The North Queensland Budgerigar Zone organising committee is thrilled to welcome you to Cairns and the tropical north. With perfect weather at this time of year and plenty to see and do, we’re confident this year’s Nationals will be a truly memorable experience—both in the show hall and beyond.

On a procedural note, I encourage all ANBC delegates to engage in thorough discussions with their respective States and Zones regarding the upcoming AGM agenda items. With considered input, we can ensure efficient and constructive outcomes during the meeting.

Lastly, I continue to receive positive feedback on the ANBC Gazette, and I want to thank those who’ve reached out. One particularly pleasing comment we hear often is: “It’s great to finally know what’s going on without waiting months!” Another said: “There’s so much helpful information now.” These comments reaffirm that the Gazette is making a real difference, keeping us all better connected and informed.

Wishing you all a successful lead-up to the Nationals, and I look forward to seeing you in Cairns.

Warm regards,
Russell Ogden
President – ANBC

ANBC Judges Coordinator

is heading to South Australia to reveal the secrets behind my judging approach!

📍 Unley Community Centre
📅 Saturday 3rd May
🕕 6:00 pm sharp

Join the Budgerigar Society of South Australia for a night of judging talk, questionable jokes, and free pizza.

Make sure you come along and enjoy a slice of delicious free pizza, because nothing says “budgie banter” like cheese and crust in a well-worn moustache.

Regards
James Bader
ANBC Judges Co-Ordinator

Colours & Standards

 One combined motion has been presented by SQBBA for the ANBC AGM, and I thank them for presenting the motion in the required format.

The content of the agenda is really quite simple.

•  Motion 7.1 Amend the wording in the Dilute for Feet and Legs from Pinkish, Blue/Grey mottled to simply Blue/Grey mottled
•  Motion 7.2 Amend the wording in the Dilute under Cheek Patch Tail Quill Tail Feathers from Violet to Pale violet/lilac
•  Motion 7.3 Amend wording for the Dilute under Mask and Spots as follows – DILUTE: MASK AND SPOTS: Mask to be clear, wide and deep, (not cleft) extending beyond large, diluted cheek patches ornamented by six evenly spaced, large, round faintly discernible throat spots, the outer two being partially covered by the base of the cheek patches.

Responses for these will be driven through each of the Colours and Standards Coordinators for each state.

On a seperate note, I will be stepping down from my role as C & S Co-Ordinator and I would like to thank you everyone for their input over recent years.

Regards,
Peter Glassenbury
ANBC Colours & Standards Coordinator

WBO Noticeboard

Join us for a spectacular weekend celebrating 100 years of The Budgerigar Society! This milestone event promises top-tier competition, insightful lectures from international experts, and a grand gala dinner to mark the occasion.

Dilutes

By Ghalib Al Nasser

The first budgerigar variety to appear in the wild among the grass green budgerigars was the yellow. It was reported that yellows were seen in a large flock of green budgerigars as early as 1872. Further mutations of yellows appeared in Belgium at around the same time and a few years later in Germany. Since that time, the first colour budgerigar to mutate from the grass green, the yellow, was established and for many years was a very popular variety.

The whites did not come on the scene till the early 1920’s and that was not by mutation but by a combination of colours. And as early as the appearance of the yellow, breeders were able to establish that the mutation is controlled by a recessive gene in its mode of production.

The term “dilute” was given to those yellows and whites for easy reference and because of the colour dilution of the feather. The yellow is a green coloured budgerigar with reduction in the amount of melanin granules (colour pigment) present in the feather. This reduction in colour intensity is more than that found in the greywing mutation which is about half of that of the depth of colour found in the normal varieties. The white is a blue coloured budgerigar with a reduction in the colour pigment and works in a similar way to the yellows.

The dilute variety is appealing to many fanciers throughout the World and good quality birds, whether yellow or white, have been sought by many. Good specimens have been bred over the years and won major awards on the show bench throughout the World. Of course, in the U.K. the memorable win with this variety was achieved at the 1985 Budgerigar Society club show when a baby grey white cock won the supreme award for R & W Nattrass.

The variety is also used extensively by breeders of other specialist varieties. Both ino and clearwing breeders use the dilute to advantage to improve their respective varieties by adding size, colour and feather texture. For the benefit of the reader there are three types of yellows and two types of whites. The mere fact of mentioning the different types of dilutes could confuse the fancier who would like to breed with this variety. However, it is of importance that one understands the differences.

• There is the light yellow, which was very popular but for one reason or another seems to have vanished from the U.K. The light yellow has a buttercup yellow body colour and was sometimes referred to as buttercup yellows rather than light yellows. The deviation from the light yellows are the dark yellow and olive yellow which are darker in the colour intensity. Apart from their body colour, the cheek patches are silvery white and the throat spots are absent.
• Another variety that developed over the years when greens were introduced to yellows are the suffused yellows. From their name it is understood that the yellow is suffused with the green (either light, dark or olive green) and the intensity of this suffusion can vary from minimum through to almost 50% of the normal body colour. They differ from the light yellow mainly by the colour of the cheek patches, which are pale blue to pale violet.
• The third type of yellow is the grey yellow which has a grey colour modifier present that changes the body colour to a dull mustard yellow. The cheek patches are of pale grey. Both the suffused and grey yellows have pale grey throat spots. Each of the above types of yellow are easily identifiable from the body and cheek patches colour.

The whites come in two different types only;

• the suffused and
• the grey white.

Both descriptions above can be applied to the white. The body colour of the suffused white may be masking skyblue, cobalt, mauve or violet in its make-up. Fanciers over the years have added, either intentionally or otherwise, both the opaline and cinnamon varieties to the dilutes and some wonderful specimens have evolved.

It is not always easy to explain why a variety vanishes and in the case of the light (buttercup) yellow the only possible explanation is that they were small when compared to the suffused or grey yellows. I saw many examples of the light yellows on my trip to Australia in 1994. The Australians refer to them as black-eyed yellows.

Earlier I mentioned that the dilutes are a recessive variety and the laws of producing recessive varieties is well documented. There are three pairs that can produce visual dilutes. These are:

• Dilute paired to dilute will produce all dilutes.
• Dilute paired to a non dilute that is split for dilute will produce 50% dilutes
• while the last type of pairing is the mating of two split dilutes together which results in only 25% of the chicks being dilutes.

It is easy to understand why, on occasions, a dilute appears in the nest from a pairing where neither of the parents is visually a dilute. This recessive inheritance can stay dormant for many generations and will only show itself when mated to another bird that is carrying this factor in a hidden form. Often the dilute produced from two splits is of good quality, assuming the parents are themselves of that desirable quality. I have always been told that breeders who bought many birds from the late Harry Bryan or Alf Ormerod have always produced the odd dilute in the nest. This statement was put in to practise in my own experience in 1986. I paired a grey green cock from Harry Bryan to a light green hen from Dennis Faulkner and to my surprise a good grey yellow popped out. There were no yellows in the Faulkner stud but he did have the late Les Joy blood in his stud, which was based on the Bryan bloodline.

This just shows how a recessive variety can appear without one’s knowledge. The dilute also has a close relationship with two other recessive varieties namely the greywing and clearwing (yellow-wing and whitewing). Even though they are all recessive, the greywings and clearwings are dominant to the dilutes. When pairing a greywing (or clearwing) to a dilute all the chicks will be greywings (or clearwings) split for dilutes. Because of the superior quality of the dilute to the clearwing many clearwing breeders find the dilute of valuable asset in their breeding programme.

Trichomonas in Budgies

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

• Early signs:
  • Wet, matted feathers around the beak
  • Slight swelling or discharge from the crop area
  • Difficulty swallowing or regurgitation
• Progressive disease:
  • Weight loss despite normal or increased appetite
  • Laboured breathing if lesions obstruct the oral cavity or airways
  • Offensive odour from the mouth (halitosis)
  • Visible yellowish plaques or lumps in the mouth or throat
• Severe disease:
  • Lethargy
  • Inability to perch
  • Sudden death, particularly in young or immunocompromised birds

Subclinical infections are also common, meaning a bird may carry and spread the parasite without showing obvious signs of illness.

Disease Progression
Once Trichomonas infects a budgerigar, it typically colonises the upper digestive tract, particularly the crop, oesophagus, and oral cavity. The parasite damages the delicate tissues, causing inflammation, ulceration, and the formation of characteristic yellow “caseous” (cheesy) plaques. If untreated, these lesions can grow large enough to obstruct feeding and breathing.
In young birds, infection can rapidly become fatal due to their immature immune systems and smaller airway size. Chronic cases in adults may contribute to persistent poor condition, secondary infections, and increased vulnerability to other diseases.

Transmission Routes
Understanding transmission is crucial for controlling outbreaks:

• Direct bird-to-bird contact — through courtship feeding, regurgitation, or fighting
• Contaminated food and water sources — the parasite can survive for short periods in moist environments
• Parent-to-chick transmission — particularly during hand-feeding or brooding
• Shared cage furnishings — such as perches or nest boxes contaminated with saliva

As Trichomonas thrives in moist conditions, aviaries with poor hygiene or water management are particularly vulnerable.

Aviary Management for Prevention
Implementing robust management practices greatly reduces the risk of trichomoniasis:

• Water hygiene:
  • Clean all water containers daily with hot, soapy water and dry thoroughly before refilling.
  • Use narrow-topped drinkers that minimise contamination.
• Feeding practices:
  • Avoid allowing food to become wet or soiled.
  • Discard uneaten soft foods within a few hours.
• Quarantine:
  • Isolate all new birds for at least 30 days.
  • During quarantine, test birds for Trichomonas via crop wash and microscopic examination.
• Environmental management:
  • Ensure good ventilation to prevent dampness.
  • Regularly disinfect perches, nesting boxes, and food dishes.
  • Avoid overcrowding to reduce stress and physical contact.
• Wild bird exclusion:
  • Minimise contact with feral pigeons and doves, which are major reservoirs of T. gallinae.

Treatment Regimes
Prompt veterinary treatment is critical, early detection and treatment saves lives:

• Medications:
  • Ronidazole or Metronidazole are commonly used antiprotozoal drugs.
  • Treatment usually lasts 5–10 days, depending on severity and veterinary recommendations.
• Administration methods:
  • Individual dosing (by mouth) provides the most reliable outcomes.
  • Flock treatments via medicated water can be used but may be less effective due to variable water intake.
• Supportive care:
  • Birds may require supplemental feeding or fluid therapy during recovery.
  • Secondary bacterial infections may also require targeted antibiotic therapy.
• Follow-up:
  • Retesting after treatment ensures clearance of the infection.
  • Reinfection is possible if environmental conditions are not corrected.

Important: Not all drugs registered for pigeons are safe for budgerigars. Always consult an avian veterinarian before initiating any treatment.

Conclusion
Trichomoniasis remains a serious threat to budgerigar health but can be effectively managed through good husbandry, early recognition of clinical signs, and veterinary intervention. By enhancing aviary hygiene and minimising opportunities for disease transmission, breeders and owners can help protect their flocks and ensure strong, thriving budgerigars.

John Carvolth

What sparked your interest in budgerigars and the hobby?  During my childhood, I frequently visited my grandmother’s home. She kept several budgerigars in cages, which led to my interest in birds.

How long have you been involved in the bird keeping hobby? I began breeding birds in 1997. The initial birds were acquired from a backyard breeder who did not ring his birds. Eventually, I joined a club where I was advised to seek out high-quality birds from a reputable breeder named Henry George. Due to financial constraints, I could afford only two pairs at that time. I bred these birds for approximately one and a half years until we decided to relocate to a new house. At the new location, there were insufficient funds to establish an aviary, leading me to sell all the birds and equipment. In late 2018 my son showed an interest in breeding budgies, so that led to where I am today.

How many breeding cages do you currently have and what is your typical breeding season each year?
At present, I have the capacity for 126 breeding cages. However, I will not be utilizing all 126 cages; I plan to use only 54 at this time, selecting the highest quality birds for optimal outcomes. With an air-conditioned, air-filtered, and humidity-controlled setup, I am able to breed throughout the entire year. Birds will be placed into the breeding cabinets when they are in peak condition. However, I intend to take a break from November to January for the holiday season.

What club do you represent on the show bench and what is one thing you most enjoy about this club? I am a member of Wynnum Redlands Budgerigar Society.  Even though I have only shown a small number of times, I will be hoping to represent the club a lot more in the coming years. Wynnum club members have been very supportive and a number of members have passed on a lot of valuable information to help with my breeding efforts.

What varieties do you keep, and which is your favourite?  With a large setup, I can keep many varieties in my aviary. My strengths include Spangles, Spangle Double Factors, Australian White Caps, Lutino, Clearbodies, Fallows, and Normals. I have recently started breeding Crests. My strongest variety, Spangle, represented Wynnum at the Ballarat Vic Nationals, where a Spangle Double Factor White placed 11th. This family is related to the Armstrong line of birds.

What is your favourite moment in the hobby and why?  My favourite moment was the selection of my bird for the 2023 Ballarat Nationals in Victoria. It was my first and up to now is the only time I have put birds up for selection.

If you could choose one bird aviary anywhere in the world to visit and spend a day in, which would it be and why? Daniel Lutoff’s aviary is my top choice due to his significant contributions to the development of modern budgerigars. However, I am also interested in visiting aviaries located in the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, or South Africa.

What bloodlines have you used to influence your stud? Since 2018, I have incorporated birds from the following breeders into my aviary:

• James Matthews
• John Boss
• Kev O’Callaghan
• Smith and Fox
• Gary Armstrong (Mr Spangle)

The exceptional quality of Mr Spangle’s line has notably improved my spangles. With more time, I aim to make a significant impact with them.

Who are the top couple of people in the hobby you highly respect and why?  I believe I could name 6 or more breeders who have gone out of their way to help me in the hobby. The three breeders I hold in the highest regard are;

• James Matthews – no request is too much for James, as he always answers questions honestly and provides pedigrees to mate your birds to achieve an outcome that will lead to you achieving a high degree of success.
• Kev O’Callaghan – he is a gentleman of the hobby and he is another who goes to the extreme to help you with respect to improving your aviary and knowledge.
• Finally, Bill Boal has been a sounding board for me and has shown friendship in the hobby.

What bird do you feel was your best bird and why? My Australian White Cap Cinnamonwing Cock is among the top three birds I’ve bred. Although he lost his tail feathers during selection to represent Qld for Ballarat Vic, many people have praised him as one of the best white caps they have seen.

What other hobbies or interests do you have? I played competitive tennis for 40 years, until my recent hip replacement. My other interests include spending time on our boat and travelling overseas for holidays.

What does your aviary setup involve and how have you evolved it over the years as you’ve created new bird rooms?
My current aviary setup consists of steel posts, c-section bearers, and cool room insulated wall panelling and roofing. This construction is designed to prevent pests, including snakes, from accessing the aviary. The breeding room section measures 15m x 5.8m and includes a storage area for seed in one corner. To minimize costs, approximately 70% of the materials used in the aviary were sourced second-hand from a local auction.

The aviary features essential equipment, such as a two-door fridge freezer for storing foods and medications, a three-bay stainless-steel sink with a commercial kitchen mixer for optimal hygiene, and two dishwashers that run daily for two cycles each. I believe that animal husbandry and cleanliness are the most important aspects of this hobby. Additionally, there is a 7KW split AC unit for the breeding area, a large 3.5m long bench, and an automatic misting system that maintains humidity levels at 50-55%. An air filtration system capable of transferring 1400 litres of air per minute has also been installed. This system incorporates various filters to reduce dust and dander, which is crucial for managing my allergies.

The flights downstairs measure 7.5m x 6m, including the stairway. This area contains four flights for the birds: the main flight measures 6m x 1.5m, while the other three flights measure 3m x 1.5m each. This space includes a 5KW AC unit and an extension of the air filtration unit.

My first bird room at our current house was built on a concrete slab originally poured for a greenhouse. Initially, I had two flights and eighteen breeding cages without any modern conveniences. Despite the basic setup, I bred 300 birds that year. This success led to two renovations of the aviary, culminating in the final setup that I am completing now. The air filtration unit requires an additional two days of work to be fully operational.

What is one staple medication/ preventative medicine you use and what do you use it for?   I focus on improving animal husbandry practices instead of relying on medication. However, for preventive measures, I use Salgard in the water to prevent salmonella.

What is one issue in the hobby you think can be improved and how do you feel this could be improved? One issue in the hobby is the ring issue date. It is a concern that people often discuss when preparing birds for Nationals selection.

What is some advice for beginners starting out in this hobby? It may be beneficial to select a limited number of breeders for your stud. This can help ensure that you are working with a bloodline that experienced breeders have been developing over many years. Additionally, purchasing lesser birds from a breeder and continuing to breed within that genetic pool may result in breeding a significant number of quality birds.

What do you want to achieve with your budgerigars?  Undoubtedly, the highest achievement in this hobby is representing your club and state at the National Budgerigar Championships. While winning a Logie would be an honour, not achieving it does not diminish your contribution to the hobby. My primary goal is to bring home a Logie one day, but it is equally about the journey, the friendships formed, and the knowledge gained along the way.

Mike Ball, UK

History of Some of the Oldest Clubs

Their efforts culminated in the founding of the North East Budgerigar Society (NEBS), with 28 inaugural members. From humble beginnings at the Para Hills Community Hall, NEBS has blossomed into a vibrant and enduring community, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024.

The early years were defined by ambition and adaptability. Within a few months, membership surged to 52, prompting a move to the Para Hills Kindergarten and then, over the next few years, a string of new venues including the Tea Tree Gully Institute, Druids Hall in Collinswood, and the Northern Masonic Hall in Broadview. By 1981, NEBS moved to the Kilburn Community Hall, where it was based for 43 years, before its recent move to the Hectorville Community Centre.

Fundraising played a key role in the club’s stability. From the early 1980s, NEBS members enthusiastically manned stalls at Trash and Treasure Markets, selling cakes and birds to bolster club finances. Later, sausage sizzles and the Brickworks Market added to their efforts. These activities not only funded club operations but also strengthened camaraderie among members.

Two individuals have been immortalised in the club’s show history. John Fisher, a founding member and 14-year President, is honoured through the Fisher Annual Show. His leadership and tireless promotion of the hobby set NEBS on firm foundations. Similarly, Lloyd Edwards, President for an incredible 23 years, is recognised through the Lloyd Edwards Breeder Show, a testament to his dedication to both NEBS and regional exhibitions.

Throughout its history, NEBS has proudly fostered some of South Australia’s finest budgerigar breeders and exhibitors. Members have achieved outstanding success at the prestigious Logan Shield — South Australia’s premier team competition — and represented the state at the Australian National Budgerigar Council (ANBC) National Show. From Helen Brooks’ Fallow win in 1996 to Dennis Lomman’s Normal Green triumph in 2024, NEBS members have consistently brought home national titles.

Key to NEBS’s success has been its steadfast leadership. Presidents like Bob Hancock, John Fisher, and Lloyd Edwards have steered the club through challenges and milestones. Behind the scenes, dedicated Secretaries, Treasurers, Ring Officers, Show Managers, and Trading Table Officers have ensured NEBS’s smooth operation, adapting over time to changing needs, new technologies, and modern show management systems.

Of course, none of NEBS’s rich show history would be possible without the judges — many of them club members — who have contributed their expertise. Names like Gordon Lowe, Nigel Tonkin, Malcolm Loveridge, Peter Glassenbury, and John Mulley have become synonymous with excellence in the judging ranks, nationally as well as within South Australia.

NEBS’s culture has always celebrated not just competition, but community spirit. The Society has traditionally encouraged juniors, novices, and seasoned breeders alike, fostering knowledge sharing through guest speakers, educational talks, and friendly debates. The annual Unbroken Cap (UBC) Interclub Competition with the Budgerigar Society of South Australia (BSSA), first held in 1978, epitomises the friendly rivalry that has helped drive standards higher year after year.

Despite fluctuating membership numbers — a common challenge in the budgerigar fancy — NEBS has approximately 50 active members and 3,000 rings issued each year. The club continues to nurture both newcomers and seasoned exhibitors. The spirit that Bob Hancock and his colleagues ignited in 1974 burns as brightly as ever.

The 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2024 offered a moment to reflect on the incredible tapestry woven over five decades. Many who have played pivotal roles — Life Members such as Kelwyn Kakoschke, Bette Marshall, Lloyd Edwards (dec), Dennis Lomman, John Mulley, and Vicki Sanford — exemplify the dedication and passion that has kept NEBS thriving.

As NEBS looks to the future, the Society remains committed to fostering a new generation of budgerigar fanciers. With planned upgrades to their shows, ongoing improvements in member education, and renewed emphasis on promoting the hobby within the wider community, the next 50 years look just as bright.

At its core, the North East Budgerigar Society’s story is one of resilience, fellowship, and a shared love of budgerigars. This year, the NEBS will hold its 50th anniversary show, and it will be fitting judged by one of its founding father’s, Kelwyn Kakoschke. The event will happen on Saturday June 21st, for anyone interested in coming along and joining in the festivities.

Here’s to the past 50 years — and the exciting decades yet to come.

We had just the one show this month, the Bendigo Diploma Show, followed by the Geelong Auction, as we ready ourselves for the big dance in Cairns in May.

Bendigo saw Gerry Duffin win Best in Show with a Normal Blue, while Best Opposite Sex went to Robin Kirby. The Champion Young Bird, and Diploma Winner, went to Gerry Duffin with a Cinnamonwing Grey Green Cock, and Best Opposite Sex went to Cathy Godden with a Normal Blue Hen.

Geelong auction was a success, with 194 birds auctioned across the course of the day. The bids were flying and so was the ute – lucky the auctioneer didn’t throw it into reverse or we’d still be chasing Lot 12!

See you all in Cairns shortly. Let’s see if the BCV can make it 6 in a row!

Regards,
Peter Thurn
President – BCV

Budgerigar Society of NSW Shines at Sydney Royal Easter Show

Members of the Budgerigar Society of New South Wales (BSNSW) recently competed at the prestigious Sydney Royal Easter Show held at Homebush.

A total of 80 birds were entered, showcasing an impressive range of quality exhibits. Major awards included:

• Grand Champion: Spangle Grey Cock (Any Age) exhibited by Luke Connor

• Reserve Grand Champion: Normal Sky Blue exhibited by Dave Dunn

• Champion Junior: Dominant Pied Sky Blue bred and exhibited by Diesel Connor

The event was expertly judged by Mr Craig Buckingham, Chairman of the BSNSW Judges Panel.

It was a fantastic couple of days at the Show, with thousands of visitors passing through the Pet Pavilion. Many took the opportunity to view the exhibits up close and engage with our members about what makes a champion show bird. The enthusiasm and interest shown by the public were encouraging, and we are confident this exposure will attract new members to our wonderful hobby.

Attached are some photos from the exhibition, including images of the Connor family’s birds returning home proudly from the Show.

The BSNSW Zone Selection is conducted in conjunction with the State Team Challenge Competition (STCC). Affiliated clubs are invited to enter a team in the STCC, along the same lines as the Nationals. Only Young ANBC rung birds that are eligible for National selection are to be included in the teams and each team is able to enter 3 birds of each variety the same as the Nationals. A full team for the STCC is 87 birds.

The judging is down to 20^th place with the first placed bird receiving 20 points decreasing down to 20^th place receiving 1 point. This year 16 clubs have accepted the invitation which means each class at the STCC could have up to 48 birds. Depending on their situation and location, clubs hold their team selections the weekend before the STCC or the night before. Nice and early on the Saturday morning the staging is set up with many hands helping get this done as quickly as possible so the birds can be put onto the staging. Each Class is allocated a u-shaped corral, with the birds starting on the outer walls of the corral so the judges can use the front staging as they select birds. One judge judges the class and places the birds in order from 1^st to 20^th, based on normal judging as at that point in time.

Once the judge has placed the birds, two selectors for the NSW team enter and look at the birds to see if there are any that should move into the top 3 places with a view to the National competition the following weekend. When that has been done the birds are marked from 1^st to 20^th and the judge moves on to the next class. The first 3 birds are then taken to a checking room where the rings are checked to make sure they are ANBC rings and the birds are checked by one of the NSW team carers to make sure they appear like they will hold condition for the Nationals the following week. Things like a broken tail feather, which looks like it will break or fall out before then are reviewed with the other carers and team selectors and a decision taken whether to replace the bird in the team.

The team which accumulates the most points once all classes have been judged wins the State Team Challenge shield. As the birds selected for the NSW team have been checked and photographed they are put on display while the judging continues. Once all the judging has been completed the birds are left on display while everyone has lunch (except for the hardworking administration team who are entering all the results into the computer!).

Early in the afternoon the presentation is done to the winners of the team challenge and those who had birds selected in the NSW team get their medallions. The team is packed into flight cages and taken to a secret location where they are housed until late in the week when they are flown to the venue for the Nationals.

In the last issue of the Gazette, I mentioned that the original venue selected by SQBBA for the 2026 Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles was no longer available. Finding a suitable replacement—especially one that allows for the safe exhibition of birds—is no easy task. However, I’m pleased to report that SQBBA has now secured the Southport Sharks Club on the Gold Coast as the new venue. This outstanding location features a purpose-built theatre for judging, on-site accommodation, and a vibrant club precinct with bars and restaurants—all within five minutes of Surfers Paradise. It’s the perfect place for both a top-class show and a holiday for those travelling from interstate!

Regards,
Garry Hibberd
SQBBA President

Around the Clubs: Toowoomba Budgerigar Club Show

The Toowoomba Budgerigar Club held its annual show at Highfields Secondary College, kicking off the weekend with a dinner at the Highfields Motel Restaurant. 24 exhibitors and judges enjoyed an evening of good food and plenty of friendly banter.

The following morning, 430 birds were benched, a fantastic turnout with 36 exhibitors making the trip—some from as far as Rockhampton, Roma, and Grafton. Judges Kev O’Callaghan, Brad Hargreaves, Henry George, and a late call-up Wayne Robertson had the task of selecting the top birds from a high-quality field.

In the end, it was a strong Opaline Grey cock owned by Joel Kuene that took out Best Young Bird of Show, the top honour of the day. A Spangle Sky Blue hen from Mick Greber won Opposite Sex Young Bird.

Other major awards included:

• Grant and Tammy Beutel – Best Greywing of Show and winner of the Kerry Rushton Memorial Trophy

• Rod Vidler (Rockhampton) – Best Old Bird with a Spangle Double Factor

• Peter Jeffreys – Best Nestfeather with a powerful Normal Grey Green

A 100 squares board was run on the day, with a thrilled Steve Wilson pocketing the $500 prize. The multi-prize raffle was won by Treva Turner, who selected the meat prize—a full cube roll kindly donated by Australian Country Choice.

The show also featured dedicated sections for Heritage Budgerigars and Rainbow Budgerigars, coordinated by Naomi Watts and judged by Tim Hartung, both of which were once again well supported.

Eyes on Pre-Selections and Zone Shield Glory

As we head toward the Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles, attention now turns to club pre-selections. Breeders across the region are beginning to assess their teams, identifying birds with potential and placing them on a tailored program to ensure they’re in peak condition.

In South Queensland, each club holds its own selection one week before the Zone Selection Show. Clubs earn points for birds placed 1st through 6th, with total scores determining the Zone Shield winner—and bragging rights for the next 12 months.

The top three birds in each class are automatically selected for the team. The fourth-placed bird is named as a standby, in case any bird is scratched from the final line-up. Once selected, the team is relocated to a central care facility, where they receive final preparation for the Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles the following week.

Wynnum Redlands Budgerigar Society – Market Day Success!

On April 26, the Wynnum Redlands Budgerigar Society (WRBS) proudly hosted its first-ever Bi-Annual Members Market Day at Thornlands on Brisbane’s south side – and what an outstanding day it was!

✨ Highlights included:

• Over 60 people through the doors

• 8 new memberships secured (2 Single, 1 Partnership, 4 Family, 1 Junior)

• 9 vendors on the day, including Dr Ron Woodhead BVSc, who presented a fantastic trade table for NOAH’S Avian Health

The WRBS extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our inaugural Market Day and helped make it such a rewarding success.

A huge congratulations to the entire WRBS team – it was a true team effort, and everyone should be incredibly proud of what was achieved!

First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt condolences to our Northern members who lost birds, eggs, or chicks during the recent prolonged weather events. Breeding in the tropical north is always a challenge—between the high heat and extreme humidity—but when severe weather hits, the impact can be truly devastating.

I sincerely hope many of you were able to protect your young birds, especially the promising ones. It’s incredibly disheartening to lose quality stock after months of hard work and care. I wish you all the best of luck in your upcoming club and zone selections, and I hope to see your top youngsters make it to the Nationals. With a strong showing, I’m confident we can field a full team and give the other states some healthy competition!

As this will be my final report as Zone President for the Gazette, I want to thank everyone for their support over the past twelve months. It has been a privilege to serve in this role, and I wish the incoming President every success in the year ahead.

Regards,
Russell Ogden
NQBZ President

How Our Zone Prepares for the Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles

Each of the five clubs in our zone holds their own selection show, where they nominate three birds per class, including the hens class, to represent the club. These club selections are usually held one to two weeks before the Zone Selection Show. Spacing them out helps ease the pressure on both the birds and the exhibitors.

In addition to their official entries, exhibitors are also allowed to nominate extra birds through their club—birds that have recently come into condition or that they wish to have considered for Nationals.

Because of the vast distance across our zone—over 1,178 kilometres from end to end—we gather the weekend before the Nationals in either Townsville or Mackay for the Zone Selection Show. The venue alternates each year, with different clubs taking turns organising and running the event.

How the Hens Class Is Judged

At the Zone Selection Show:

• All hens are initially benched in the hens variety class.

• The judges walk around and select the hens they believe should compete in the hens class.

• The hens class is judged separately and ranked.

• After the hens class is finalised, hens are returned to their original variety classes for judging alongside cocks.

• If a hen places in both the hens class and the variety class, the judges decide which placement benefits the overall strength of the team.

Judging and Team Selection

Judging at the Zone Selection Show is conducted by two ANBC-accredited judges and one additional experienced judge, operating on a rotation system.

Any bird that places first, second, or third in its class during the selection show automatically qualifies for the Zone Team. Once selected, all team birds are transported to a central location, where they are prepared together for the Nationals in the final week leading up to the big event.

Prize Details:
🔹 Cage Size: 1950mm (L) x 950mm (W)
🔹 316 Grade Stainless Steel Cage Fronts
🔹 2 Slide-Out Litter Trays
🔹 8 Hardwood Perches
🔹 1 Main Access Door
🔹 1 Smaller Feeder Door
🔹 2 Drinkers
🔹 1 Transparent Seed Hopper

🚚 Freight to the winner is fully covered by NQBZ Inc.
📅 Drawn at the Presentation Dinner – Sunday, 25th May 2025, Cairns
🎟️ Tickets are just $10 each

To purchase tickets, please contact:
📞 Michelle Fidler – 0457 088 108
📞 Bruce Schuster – 0426 731 339

Don’t miss your chance to win this top-quality, fully mobile flight cage — and we can’t wait to see you in Cairns!

🎟️ Trio of Super Budgerigars from the Joel Keune Stud 🎟️
Be in the draw to win this outstanding trio, selected for type, bloodline, and potential!
🐦 Cock Bird
A stunning Spangle Double Factor Yellow cock (JVK-037), sired by a BIS-winning Spangle Double Factor cock and out of a top-quality Glenn Schiller Spangle hen. This bird combines proven show genetics with eye-catching presence.
🐦 Hen #1
A Cinnamonwing Grey Green hen (JVK-023), bred from a Garry Gazzard Light Green cock and a Grey Green hen — full sister to a 6th placed Light Green at the Nationals. A rare opportunity to secure elite bloodlines.
🐦 Hen #2
A stylish Dominant Pied hen (JVK-036), bred from a Light Green cock and a Dominant Pied Grey Green  hen. Strong structure and markings.

📍 Drawn at the ANBC Presentation Dinner – Sunday, 25th May 2025, Cairns

🎟️ Tickets: $20.00 each

📞 To secure your tickets, contact:
Michelle Vidler – 0457 088 108
Bruce Schuster – 0426 731 339

A fantastic chance to enhance your stud with birds from one of Australia’s most promising lines. Don’t miss out!

Drawn during the ANBC Presentation Dinner – Sunday, 25th May 2025, in Cairns
You won’t want to miss your chance to win from this incredible prize pool!

🔹 First Prize: $1,000 CASH
🔹 Second Prize: $500 CASH

🎁 Plus, a fantastic selection of additional prizes generously donated by our sponsors:
🍷 Individual bottles of Hentley Farm Wine – from the renowned Barossa Valley
🧪 Anpario Pack – featuring Salgard and Orego-Stim
🐾 Carlingford Animal Hospital Pack – includes Zade Liquid and Quikgel, thanks to Dr. R. Marshall
🌿 5 TummyRite Packs – Prosperity & TummyRite Plus
☕ Cairns & District Budgerigar Club Inc. – handmade tray and cups crafted by Gloria Buffa
🔨 Capricornia Budgerigar Society Inc. – Bunnings vouchers
🛠️ Mackay City Budgerigar Society Inc. – Bunnings voucher
🏡 North Queensland Budgerigar Breeders Club Inc. – Bunnings voucher
🥃 Townsville & District Budgerigar Club Inc. – a stunning engraved Yeti set (coffee cup, water bottle, wine glass, scotch, rum, and stubby holder)
🖼️ Two hand-beaded, framed artworks – flowers and parrots, lovingly made by a 92-year-old budgie enthusiast
Australian Bird Keeper Packs

🎟️ Tickets are just $5 each

To secure your tickets, please contact:

📞 Gloria Buffa – 0428 772 147
📞 Bruce & Sylvia Schuster – 0426 731 339

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, there are plenty of amazing prizes up for grabs. Don’t miss out – support your Zone and be in the running to win!

🪶 DON’T FORGET OUR OTHER RAFFLES!

2025 Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles

A Warm Invitation from Tropical Cairns!

While temperatures are starting to plummet across the southern states, it remains a delightful mid-twenties here in beautiful tropical Cairns—the perfect setting for the upcoming Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles.

If you haven’t already registered, there’s still time! The organising committee would be more than happy to accept your registration—as long as it’s within the next two weeks. Why not extend your stay and enjoy a memorable holiday in one of Australia’s most iconic destinations?

Although all official tours have now closed due to overwhelming interest, there is still plenty to see and do around Cairns. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Rainforest, unforgettable adventures await!

The committee sincerely thanks those who have already registered. Here’s a quick snapshot of the exciting events ahead:

• Meet and Greet (Friday night): 180+ exhibitors and family members

• Presentation Dinner (Sunday night): 180+ guests, including exhibitors, family, and friends (not necessarily the same group)

• Saturday Night River Cruise: 39 participants

• Monday Kuranda and Skyrail Tour: 28 participants

• Tuesday Herberton Tour: 5 participants

• Wednesday Green Island Tour: 8 participants

With such wonderful support and enthusiasm, we’re confident it will be an unforgettable Nationals for everyone attending.

🌴 We look forward to welcoming you to tropical Cairns—where great birds, great company, and great memories await! 🌴

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
Dinner Cruise – Spirit of Cairns
$170 pp
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.

All tours are minimum numbers required. Full refunds will be made should a day trip not proceed. Contact Bruce Schuster (Show Coordinator) on 0426 731 339 for further details.

2025 Trill™ Expert National Auction – 30 Exclusive Lots Up for Grabs

Get ready for one of the most anticipated events on the budgerigar calendar – the Trill™ Expert National Auction, taking place on Sunday 25th May 2025 at the Brothers League Club in Cairns, Queensland, from 1:30pm. Proudly hosted by the North Queensland Budgerigar Zone, this national showcase offers an incredible opportunity for fanciers across the country to acquire top-tier birds.

This year’s catalogue features 29 carefully selected pairs of budgerigars, many of which come directly from breeders of the 2024 ANBC class winners and placegetters, as well as selected guests. These elite pairs represent the highest calibre of breeding in Australia, with a variety of colours on offer. From high-class normals to rare varieties including Saddlebacks, every lot has been chosen for quality, type, and potential. Lot 30 is a unique addition – a photo cage, perfect for capturing birds at their best.

All birds will be available for in-person viewing during class judging on Saturday and Sunday, giving buyers the chance to inspect quality firsthand.

Phone bidding is available – bidders are encouraged to make their own arrangements, however if needed, contact Bruce Schuster on 0426 731 339 by 12pm on auction day.

Freight is available through Aussie Pet Connections (0400 966 738) and Animal Freight Australia (0419 349 441). Payment options include cash and card.

The auction will be expertly conducted by Stacey Quaid, assisted by Peter Thurn.

For all enquiries, contact Auction Manager Michael Pace on 0408 241 266.

Whether you’re building a stud or adding winning genetics to your team, don’t miss the Trill™ Expert National Auction – where champion bloodlines are passed from one great breeder to the next.

It has been a relatively quiet month in Western Australia, with just one event held so far—the Rare Budgerigar Club of WA’s recent table show.

However, activity is about to pick up. This coming weekend, the Metropolitan Budgerigar Club of WA will host their Table Show on 26 April 2025. Looking ahead to May, the Rare Budgerigar Club of WA will hold another Table Show on 5 May 2025.

All eyes are now turning toward the National Selections, scheduled for 17 May 2025. This year, the Metropolitan Budgerigar Club of WA will host the event on behalf of the Western Australian Budgerigar Council (WABC).

Western Australia holds a single State Selection Show each year. All members from affiliated clubs are encouraged to exhibit their birds for a chance to represent the state at the Nationals. All accredited judges within WA are invited to participate in selecting the final team.

At the conclusion of the event, three birds per variety will be selected to form the WA team, along with one reserve in each class. Given the current membership numbers across our affiliated clubs, this single, unified selection event ensures a streamlined and inclusive process for choosing the best representatives for Western Australia.

Cheers
Les Woodcock
WABC Secretary

The Budgerigar Society of South Australia (BSSA) opened the month with a highly anticipated visit from Dr Rob Marshall of NSW, renowned author of The Budgerigar and Budgerigar Medicine. Travelling to Adelaide for the occasion, Dr Marshall focused on Vitamin A and D deficiencies, exploring both primary and secondary causes. Instead of delivering a standard lecture, he took on the challenge of answering over 50 pre-submitted questions—sight unseen—before opening the floor to live discussion.

With more than 50 attendees, the event was a clear testament to the respect Dr Marshall commands within the budgerigar community. His down-to-earth approach and personal connection with attendees created a vibrant atmosphere, with conversations spilling well beyond the scheduled finish at the Unley Community Centre.

A Judges Meeting was also held during April, focusing on updates to the Standard and changes to this year’s State Selection Show—key steps in preparing South Australia’s strongest possible team for the upcoming 49th Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles in Cairns.

The month continued with a valuable evening of education led by Nigel Tonkin, who presented on common faults as outlined in the Standard. Nigel’s interactive style drew attendees into the conversation, encouraging reflection and lively discussion. Fittingly, the evening coincided with the 51st birthday of the North Eastern Budgerigar Society (NEBS), adding an extra reason to celebrate.

In a further effort to support new enthusiasts, the BSSA hosted a Come & Try Day one Sunday afternoon, designed to maximise engagement from Junior and Novice members. This free event offered a warm, hands-on introduction to budgerigar breeding and exhibiting.

Wrapping up the month, the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society held its annual Harry Johnson Young Bird Show. Shiralee Reardon took top honours with a Dominant Pied crowned Grand Champion, while Geoff Edwards was awarded Best Opposite Sex to Champion with his Cinnamonwing Grey Green Hen. On the same day, the NEBS were out promoting the virtues of the hobby at the Lower Murray Bird Expo.

Meanwhile, the North East club will host an open preparation workshop ahead of the Logan Shield State Selection Show on 18 May.

The pinnacle show on the South Australian Budgerigar Calendar, the Logan Shield State Selection Show, will be held on May 18th at its new home of Klemzig Community Centre.

Regards,
Troy Holmes
BCSA President

The clubs hold their young bird shows in the weeks leading up to the South Australian team selection show. That enables potential team members to gain valuable travel experience and time in show cages in an environment with people all around. Birds are not spotted for these shows. Dropped tails and blood feathers in the cap can be a problem with birds not yet fully through their annual moult, exacerbated this year by drought and above average autumn temperatures.

The Logan Shield State Show is held to select the team for the nationals on Sunday of the weekend prior to the national show. Emphasis is on equal promotion of all colours and varieties, so the classes for the selection show are a mirror image of the classes benched at the national show. The winners of each class have equal status, as reflected in the status movement points awarded to the exhibitor. Birds are spotted to near completion for this show, with variable compliance.

After completion of judging and before the presentation breeders with birds selected in the team are approached for mobile contact numbers and given an information sheet with travel arrangements and drop off and collection details. They are given a choice of their birds leaving with a bird carer from the show to the holding area or dropping the birds off to the holding area on Wednesday prior to the Thursday departure to the national venue.

Flights to the nationals are sought that are as direct as possible. Where trans-shipment is required that is minimised. Ideally the birds arrive at the venue early afternoon allowing plenty of time to feed and settle in. Throughout the process it is emphasised that under no circumstances are photographs of selected birds to be uploaded to the internet or social media. Friday requires all carers on deck for preparation.

James Bader Presentation – BSSA May Meeting
🗓 Date: Saturday May 3rd, 2025
📍 Location: Unley Community Centre

This year’s BSSA May meeting will take on a fresh new format, held on the evening of Saturday, 3 May—the night before the Stan Watson Breeders Show. Join the BSSA for a relaxed pizza night and social catch-up, with the highlight being a special presentation by James Bader, ANBC Judges Coordinator, who will be travelling in from Victoria.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow members, enjoy some food, and gain valuable insights from one of the most respected figures in the budgerigar community. All members and their families are warmly invited to attend what promises to be both an enjoyable and informative evening.

The show includes a wide range of classes and over $1500 in prizes, with major awards for Open, Intermediate, Novice, and Junior exhibitors, plus 32 best of colour/variety winners. Perpetual trophies will also be awarded to top-placed BSSA members. Lunch is provided, and the event will be cancelled if the weather forecast is 32°C or above, as announced on Channel 7’s 6 PM news the night before. This is a great opportunity to showcase your birds ahead of the Nationals—get your entries in and join the fun!

Bring along your grooming tools and birds, and let the NEBS team share their expertise to help you present your birds at their very best. Whether you’re a seasoned exhibitor or just getting started, this is the perfect opportunity to fine-tune your prep ahead of the Logan Shield State Selection Show on Sunday, 18 May.

The Northern Tasmanian Budgerigar Society (NTBS) is pleased to announce a significant step forward in club operations, with all meetings, shows, and storage now consolidated at the Perth Community Hall. This is a welcome outcome following the unfortunate theft of the club’s trailer and staging last year—neither of which has been recovered.

Thanks to the support of members and the wider budgerigar community, new staging has been constructed. Storing it directly at the show venue eliminates the need for a replacement trailer and streamlines club logistics moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Tasmanian Budgerigar Society (TBS), based in Hobart, has had a busy and productive month. The club hosted a fundraising Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Mornington on 6 April 2025. Despite cool, windy, and wet conditions, the day was both enjoyable and successful—raising much-needed funds to support club activities.

On 13 April, the club held its Autumn Garden Show at the home of Peter and Sue Howard. While the weather brought wind and scattered showers, members and their partners made the most of the day, enjoying a BBQ lunch and a tour of the aviary and breeding room.

A selection of birds was brought along for group discussion, with valuable conversations centred around the challenges of breeding as overnight temperatures continue to drop. Members also shared tips for preparing birds for the upcoming Zone Selections and the club’s first-ever G&M Tuthill State Shield competition.

Naturally, excitement is building for the ANBC National Titles in Cairns, and while the breeders discussed bird preparation, the partners were more focused on planning some well-earned sightseeing—many of whom are extending their stay to explore the tropical north!

How Tasmania Prepares for the Nationals: The Budgerigar Council Shield Competition

In Tasmania, we’re proud to have three active clubs:

• Tasmanian Budgerigar Society (TBS)

• Northern Tasmanian Budgerigar Society (NTBS)

• Coastal Budgerigar Society

Together, we compete annually in the Budgerigar Council Shield Competition, a friendly but fiercely contested event that helps us select birds for the Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles.

Here’s how it works:

Each club enters four birds per class. For example, if the class is Normal Green, there will be 12 birds—four from each club. The same applies for other classes, such as Normal Blue.

The birds are ranked from 1st to 12th. Points are awarded based on placement:

• 1st place earns 12 points

• 2nd place gets 11 points, and so on

• 12th place receives 1 point

At the end of the show, the club with the highest total points wins the Shield, which they hold for 12 months.

This event is held roughly one week before the Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles. It also serves to select the birds that will represent Tasmania at the aforementioned event. The top three birds in each class are picked to form the state team.

From there, the selected birds go to a head carer, who ensures they are in top condition for the trip. Most of the preparation—such as spraying, spotting, and straightening tails—is done before the Shield competition, so they usually just receive a final polish-up before departure.

Budgerigar Council of Tasmania (BCT) comprises three clubs representing the various geographic locations of our beautiful state, Coastal Budgerigar Society based on the North West, Northern Tasmanian Budgerigar Society through the Northern area and Tasmanian Budgerigar Society covering the southern part of our state.  The three clubs compete for the BCT Shield Trophy, which this year has been renamed the G & M Tuthill State Shield Show, an acknowledgement and recognition to Tasmania’s only current ANBC Hall of Fame for Breeder’s Excellence, Graeme and Marlene Tuthill who retired from the hobby in 2006 with 10 National Titles. The Shield is awarded to the Club with the highest points awarded combined from each of the classes from 1^st to 12^th.  A tally of points along the way with a bit of club banter from the sidelines adds to the days selection, and last year’s result came down to the last class getting the winning club over the line.

Dependent on where the birds will be housed for the days prior to the heading of to the Nationals, a venue is decided in the best interests of the least amount of travel for the selected birds to the Carers property and airport on the Thursday.

Preparations start for some exhibitors 20 or more days from selection with preparing their birds, and those that don’t, are certainly encouraged at every opportunity to do so, to make our head carer’s job the for the four days prior to the Nationals a little easier. The word is, you can tell the birds that have been prepared to those that haven’t. A week or two prior the State Zone Selection show, each club is provided a set of cage stickers for each variety and a spreadsheet, to be completed and returned on the Saturday afternoon prior to selection day with exhibitor’s name and bird ring numbers.

Sunday sees an early start for the club that is closest to the venue with the hall being set up for the 11 am close off for benching birds.  This allows exhibitors a later start to what would be a normal show day, an early lunch is provided by BCT then judging commences, with probationary and trainee judges assisting to further enhance their aim of becoming a Panel Judge and hopefully transiting through to ANBC National Judge one day.  The final selection of the 3 birds that make up BCT Zone team is made by the Tasmanian ANBC National Judges.

During the selection process, birds are judged, points are awarded from 1^st to 12^th for each variety, tallied up and the club with the highest points is awarded the Shield Selection trophy.    A tally of points is provided during the judging added in with a bit of banter from the sidelines from club members makes for an enjoyable and for some exciting day, particularly if it is their first bird or they manage to have multiple birds selected to represent our Zone.

Once judging has finished, the 1^st place exhibitors are presented with a BCT Rosette, and information about the departure and arrival back into the state is conveyed to all exhibitors. The exhibitors are able to collect their own birds that have been selected and transport to the Head Carers property, where each bird is checked in against the completed score sheet to confirm correct exhibitor code and ring.  The hall is usually a flurry of activity to get packed up and the chosen birds to the carers place.    The birds are then left in the hands of our very capable head carer for that year, until Thursday which usually starts with a very early flight out of Tasmania.  This year our zone team will have to be boxed to be boxed and at the airport by 4.15 am to leave at 6.15 am, they will arrive with just one stop over in Cairns at 12.25 pm.

The Tasmania birds will start their return home on mid-morning Monday. The first of our travel boxes carrying the birds selected from the Southern club heads home to Hobart, followed a few hours later by the North and North West birds heading into Launceston. The BCT splits out birds to the closest airport for the clubs to ensure the birds are caged for the least amount of time possible.  Tasmania may be a small state, but it still does take 3 hours or more to get from one club to the other – a short drive for the mainlanders, but a day out for Tasmanians.  Once the birds arrive back to the Carer’s property, owners are then permitted to collect their birds.

In June, a few weeks later, the Tasmanian Budgerigar Society host their Winter Presentation Show, which this year will be the 92nd year of the club.  When Tasmania started competing at National Level in 1983, this show became where exhibitors were recognised by BCT for having birds selected as the Zone team in 2000. This show still recognises all exhibitors that were lucky enough to have a bird in the team, the rosettes from the Nationals are presented to each of the exhibitors, and if, this was your first selection in a National, a framed certificate recognising this achievement is also present.

It was once said to me at a National, for a Tasmanian exhibitor, it’s easy for you to get birds into the National team. This may be true, but as an exhibitor we have gone through the ups and downs, just like every other exhibitor that put birds up for selection. The difference is that the Tassie birds have not competed against so many to gain selection before the Nationals. As a Zone, we do struggle some years to fill all the varieties. Our birds may be at the lower end of scoring points, and we as a Zone more often than not, are at the wrong end of the leader board, but when a when a Tasmania bird is awarded on that top tier of the judging stand, I am reminded of those few words years ago – it might be easy, but gee that Tassie bird and exhibitor went great! For some, it is not all about always being on top, but the enjoyment of seeing your bird on the show bench, the friends that you catch up with once a year and talk as if you just seen them last week, and the friendships built up over many years.

We hope this gives everyone a better understanding of how Tasmania prepares for the big stage. It’s a team effort we’re proud of, and we’re always aiming to make our state proud at the Nationals.

Regards,
Catherine Charlesworth
BCT Secretary

The session began with detailed discussions on a proposed motion to amend the standard description for Dilutes. Derek brought along a diverse range of Dilutes, offering valuable visual references to guide the conversation.

One key topic is the classification of Black Eyed Selfs (BES), especially in light of recent changes to remove the grey factor from this variety. Derek, a long-time BES breeder, provided a side-by-side comparison to clarify the difference between Grey Greens and other variants.

From The Standard:
NOTE 2: Visual Dilute Grey Greens (formerly Grey Yellows) and heavily suffused Dilute Greys (formerly Grey Whites) are to be shown in the Dilute class.

For the trainee and probationary judges, a visual display included Lutinos, Albinos, Dark-Eyed Clears, and Spangle D/Fs in both yellow and white. Thanks go to Peter Kross for supplying these birds, helping judges recognise differences at both young bird and nest feather stages.

After a short lunch break kindly provided by the BCT, practical assessments began. Judges needed to identify the variety, colour, sex, and correct class placement of birds from Jim’s flights. This was followed by a second group of variety birds and a final judging task where they placed a class of birds and explained their decisions.

The probationary judges reported feeling confident in their assessments. The ANBC judges concluded the day with constructive feedback, highlighting areas for development.

The BCT extends sincere thanks to Derek, Jim, and Roy for their time, expertise, and continued mentorship—both on the day and throughout the season.

May marks a milestone month for the ANBC – the 49th Annual Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles have arrived. I’m looking forward to catching up with you all in person in Cairns, hearing about your year, and sharing in the excitement of our evolving hobby. I’m especially keen to hear your thoughts on the latest ANBC initiatives – including this very Gazette.

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