BCSA Sept Report 2026

Budgerigar Council of South Australia – September Report

August proved to be another busy and memorable month for the South Australian budgerigar fancy, combining successful events, strong club activity, an important look back at our history and some difficult but necessary decisions around biosecurity.

The month began with the traditional pre-auction dinner at Gaucho’s Argentinian Steakhouse in Adelaide. The evening provided a relaxed opportunity for local and interstate fanciers to catch up before the main event, share a meal and enjoy the social side of the hobby. It was terrific to see so many people make the effort to attend, creating a positive atmosphere ahead of the following day’s auction.

On the first Sunday of the month, attention turned to Klemzig for the BCSA Live Auction. The event proved to be a tremendous success, setting a new South Australian record for auction revenue.

A broad selection of birds was offered across a wide range of price points, providing opportunities for established breeders looking to strengthen particular lines as well as newer fanciers seeking quality birds at an affordable level.

The success of the auction was made possible by an outstanding group of volunteers, vendors, buyers and interstate visitors. Whether through entering birds, bidding, assisting with setup, working throughout the day or simply attending and supporting the event, everyone played a part in making the auction such a success.

Around the Clubs

The following Tuesday evening, BSSA members came together for their monthly meeting, which featured another edition of Gather Around. The session once again provided members with an entertaining and informative opportunity to discuss birds, breeding and the wider hobby.

The North East Budgerigar Society (NEBS) also held its monthly meeting during August, incorporating the Club’s Annual General Meeting. It proved to be a smooth and relatively uneventful AGM, with all existing office bearers and committee members re-elected to their positions. There were also no changes to NEBS’ representatives to the BCSA, providing continuity for the Club heading into the next twelve months.

With the formalities completed, the evening moved to something a little more nostalgic with another Blast from the Past interview, this time featuring long-time NEBS member and Life Member Ian Marshall.

Ian took members back through his journey in the hobby, which, like that of so many fanciers, began during his teenage years with just a couple of pairs of budgerigars and a shared enthusiasm for the birds with a friend. From those humble beginnings came a lifelong involvement in the hobby.

One of those chance moments that can change the direction of a person’s involvement occurred when Ian spotted a “Budgies for Sale” sign while travelling along Hampstead Road. That simple sign ultimately introduced him to the North East Budgerigar Club, an organisation that would become an important part of his life and one of which he is now proudly a Life Member.

Ian spoke fondly of his early years in the hobby and of the people who helped shape him as a breeder. Among those he acknowledged were John Fisher and Alan Kett, both of whom played important roles in developing his knowledge and enthusiasm.

With the encouragement and support of his parents, Ian’s involvement eventually developed into the Marshall Family stud. Over the years, the family established a particular passion for Inos, Lacewings and Recessive Pieds. Ian also reflected on some of the qualities he has always valued in his birds, admitting the stud had a definite preference for hens displaying strong shoulder and the type of strength he wanted to carry through his breeding program.

Ian also spoke about his time as a bird carer for South Australia, a position carrying enormous responsibility in the lead-up to the ANBC National Championships. Preparing a State team involves considerably more than placing birds into carrying cages and heading to the airport. The birds must arrive at the Nationals in the best possible condition, and Ian reflected on the preparation, attention to detail and responsibility involved in caring for South Australia’s team.

Among the many memories shared during the evening, one achievement understandably stood above the rest — the remarkable occasion when the Marshall Family finished first and second at the Nationals with two Recessive Pied brothers.

Breeding one National winner is an extraordinary accomplishment. Taking the first two positions with brothers is something even more special and remains an achievement Ian understandably recalls with enormous pride.

The interview generated plenty of stories, memories and discussion and served as another reminder of the importance of recording the history of our clubs and recognising the people who have contributed so much to the hobby over many decades.

Port Pirie Heads to Auburn

The month rounded out with the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society aviary visit to Tony and Angela Van Den Brink’s home at Auburn, on the edge of the Clare Valley.

It was another thoroughly enjoyable day and, as anyone who has attended one of Tony and Angela’s gatherings would know, hospitality was certainly not in short supply.

BCSA Life Member Nigel Tonkin was the guest speaker and provided those in attendance with an informative presentation covering several practical aspects of breeding and management. Topics included maintaining a neat backline and secondaries through selective breeding, the effective and responsible use of antibiotics, and feeding and water management practices.

Our thanks go to Tony and Angela for opening their home and aviary and for their outstanding hospitality, and to Nigel for sharing his knowledge with those in attendance.




Biosecurity and the Remainder of 2026

August also brought some difficult decisions, with the precautionary cancellation of Budgie Fest, the Tri Club Cup and the BSSA v NEBS Interclub later in the year.

Animal welfare and biosecurity are responsibilities the BCSA takes extremely seriously. Council also acknowledged that many members had already begun making their own risk assessments, with some choosing not to bring birds to club meetings, shows or other gatherings while concerns surrounding the current H5 avian influenza situation remain.

While Council considers the direct risk to the South Australian budgerigar fancy to remain low, the decision was made out of an abundance of caution. Making the call early also provides exhibitors, clubs, organisers and the many volunteers involved in running these events with as much notice and certainty as possible.

The BCSA Biosecurity Policy was also updated during the month.

Under the revised approach, event-specific Risk Assessments will be undertaken so that the circumstances surrounding each event can be considered before it proceeds. Delegates also agreed that if a Risk Assessment determines measures such as compulsory sanitising of judging sticks between individual birds would be required for an event to safely proceed, then the event itself should not proceed.

The intention is to maintain sensible and meaningful biosecurity precautions while avoiding procedures that could become impractical during the normal judging and handling of birds.

Looking Ahead to September

September will begin with the BSSA meeting on Tuesday, September 1, where Novice members have been encouraged to come armed with three questions on any aspect of the hobby.

Moderator Sue Adams will direct those questions to the Club’s Open and Intermediate members, drawing on the collective experience of the BSSA “brains trust” and hopefully generating a broad range of views, ideas and discussion.

The BSSA will also hold another instalment of its popular Member on the Couch, with George interviewing Patrick O’Rourke.

On Wednesday, September 9, NEBS will continue its program of informative club nights, with a presentation from Nigel Tonkin.

Finally, on Wednesday, September 23, the Budgerigar Council of South Australia will hold its Annual General Meeting via Zoom. Members from across South Australia are encouraged to join the meeting and remain involved in the direction of the Council and the hobby within our State.

Despite some of the challenges currently confronting the fancy, August demonstrated once again the strength of the South Australian budgerigar community. From record-breaking auctions and well-supported club meetings to aviary visits, historical interviews and the willingness of clubs and members to work together on biosecurity, there remains plenty of enthusiasm and commitment across the State as we head into spring.