BCSA Report April 2026

South Australia Update – March 2026

March has been a busy and productive month across the South Australian budgerigar scene, with club meetings, aviary visits, media promotion, major schedule releases, and the successful running of the Murphy Classic all helping build momentum toward the 2026 show season.

The Budgerigar Society of South Australia (BSSA) held its monthly meeting during the month, with members enjoying two informative presentations. John Mulley opened the evening with a timely and practical session on show preparation, focusing on what fanciers can be doing now to have their birds peaking when May arrives. Topics included inducing the moult, supporting feather quality, tail development, and the timing of show cage training. His presentation offered valuable guidance for exhibitors at every level as the lead-up to the major shows intensifies.

The evening then shifted into a more conversational format, with George England interviewing Novice fancier Tom Sismey “on the couch”. Tom reflected on his journey in the hobby, the challenges he has faced, and the determination that continues to drive him on the show bench. It was an enjoyable segment that gave members a chance to get to know one of their fellow exhibitors a little better.

Over at the North East Budgerigar Society, the monthly meeting centred on breeding philosophies within the exhibition budgerigar hobby. John Mulley presented on Inbreeding and Line Breeding, explaining both the theory and practical use of related matings to consolidate desirable traits. This was followed by a presentation from Troy Holmes on Feature Breeding, which focused on pairing birds according to standout visual qualities such as feather, width, mask, and style. Together, the two talks gave members a balanced view of both pedigree-based planning and practical breeding room selection.

The month also included another enjoyable appearance on 91.1 Tribe FM’s The Generation Gap, where South Australian fanciers again joined Emcee Blaze and Trevor Garard to discuss upcoming events, current happenings in the hobby, and the passion that continues to drive the budgerigar community. These monthly radio segments remain a valuable way of promoting the hobby to a wider audience.

A major highlight during March was the official launch of the BCSA 30 Year Anniversary Lunch, to be held on Saturday 18 April 2026 at Max Amber Community Hall, Athelstone. The event will celebrate three decades of the Budgerigar Council of South Australia bringing clubs together, coordinating state teams, supporting shows, and representing the state nationally. To mark the occasion, the first 30 BCSA members to register will receive a free commemorative 30-year hat. With Graeme Goodings and Nic Hayes set to join the celebrations, the event promises to be a special gathering of South Australian fanciers, past and present.

Another standout during the month was the visit to the Longbottom family in Spalding, which drew an excellent turnout and reinforced the value of aviary visits within the hobby. John Mulley again delivered his show preparation presentation, meaning he has now shared the same important message across all three major South Australian clubs. That consistency of information in the lead-up to the State Titles should prove valuable as exhibitors fine-tune their teams for May. The day also featured warm hospitality from Clare and Asha, while Jason and Harry showcased the impressive progress they have made in a relatively short time in the fancy.

March also saw the release of two important schedules which now place the focus squarely on the business end of the season. The Harry Johnston Show Schedule was released ahead of the 3 May event in Port Pirie, while the Logan Shield Schedule was also released for 17 May. The Logan Shield remains the pinnacle of the South Australian show season and will again serve as the selection platform for the team heading to the 2026 Trill™ Expert ANBC Championship Show on the Gold Coast, which this year carries added significance as the 50th anniversary of the Nationals.

The month finished on a high note with the successful running of the Murphy Classic Future Champions Show. The event attracted 215 entries, with almost full benching, and also featured the strongest response yet to the club’s Come & Try initiative. The day was praised for its organisation, strong participation, and the introduction of the Junior section, which marked an encouraging step forward for the development of new exhibitors.

In the major awards, Jane Kelb dominated the Intermediate section, while Dave Miller did the same in Novice. Darcie Osobase-Kelb took both Junior awards, providing another positive sign for the future of exhibiting in South Australia. Across the variety awards, winners included exhibitors such as Dave Miller, Paul Wilton, Peter Brumby, Jane Kelb, Pauline and Mark Lampre, Ian Jenke, Adam Pannell, Patrick O’Rourke and others, reflecting the broad spread of quality on display. Dave Miller also secured the Show Manager’s Novice Award for most accumulated points.

Overall, March has reinforced the strength of the South Australian fancy. From education nights and aviary visits through to public promotion, event launches and competitive showing, there is clear momentum building as the state moves toward the Logan Shield and then on to the 50th Trill™ Expert ANBC Championship Show. South Australia enters April with plenty of energy, strong community spirit, and a sharp focus on putting its best possible team forward.

April 2026 – What’s Ahead

April shapes as an important and well-balanced month across the South Australian budgerigar scene, combining education, reflection, and preparation as we move closer to the State Titles and National Championships. With a strong focus on knowledge-sharing and alignment, these upcoming events provide valuable opportunities for fanciers at all levels to refine their understanding, connect with the wider community, and ensure they are well-positioned for the busy show season ahead.

Tuesday 7 April 2026 – Budgie Varieties Night – White Cap, Yellow Faced & Golden Faced (Wayne & Kelwyn) – Unley Community Centre
April kicks off with an educational evening focused on some of the more specialised and often misunderstood varieties within the hobby. Wayne and Kelwyn will lead an in-depth session on White Caps, Yellow Faced, and Golden Faced varieties, covering identification, breeding considerations, and common pitfalls. These nights continue to play an important role in building knowledge across all levels of the fancy, helping exhibitors better understand the finer points that can make a difference on the show bench.

Wednesday 8 April 2026 – Blast From The Past – Budgie Bill Davis (NEBS) – Hectorville Community Centre
The North East Budgerigar Society will host a nostalgic and insightful evening as part of its “Blast From The Past” series, with a feature on Budgie Bill Davis. This session will explore the history, influence, and legacy of one of the hobby’s notable contributors, offering members a valuable perspective on how the fancy has evolved over time. These historical reflections not only honour past achievements but also provide context for today’s breeding and showing practices.

Sunday 12 April 2026 – BCSA Judges Meeting – Enfield Community Centre
The BCSA Judges Meeting will bring together the state’s judging panel for an important pre-season alignment ahead of the State Titles and National Championships. These sessions ensure consistency in interpretation of The Standard, promote open discussion around current trends on the show bench, and allow judges to refine their approach leading into the busiest part of the exhibition calendar. With the Nationals fast approaching, this meeting plays a key role in maintaining the high standard of judging expected across South Australia.

Saturday 18 April 2026 – BCSA 30th Anniversary Celebrations – Max Amber Community Hall, Athelstone
A major highlight of the month will be the BCSA 30th Anniversary Celebrations, marking three decades of the Council’s contribution to the South Australian budgerigar fancy. This special event will bring together fanciers from across the state—past and present—to reflect on the journey, share stories, and celebrate the people who have shaped the hobby. With strong interest already building, the event promises to be a memorable occasion that highlights not only the history of the BCSA, but also the strength of the community moving forward.