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Welcome to your Monthly Edition of the ANBC Gazette
Dear Fanciers,
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas break, filled with joy, laughter, and time spent with family and friends. The festive season provides a valuable opportunity to reflect, recharge, and reconnect—both personally and within our shared passion for budgerigars. Hopefully, your 2026 rings arrived on time, signaling the start of another exciting year of breeding and exhibiting.
As we move into the new year, January offers the chance to prepare for the busy months ahead. One of the most anticipated events on our calendar is the Trill™ Expert ANBC National Championship Show, to be held on the Gold Coast this May. With this in mind, the ANBC is pleased to introduce this year’s panel of judges.
Australia currently has 26 ANBC-accredited judges, all of whom are highly skilled and committed to upholding the highest standards within our hobby. Each year, up to four of these respected judges are selected to officiate at the National Championship Show—an honour that carries significant responsibility in adjudicating the finest budgerigars in the country.
In this edition of the Gazette, we have included short biographies of each judge, offering insight into their backgrounds, experience, and contributions to the budgerigar fancy. We trust you will enjoy learning more about these outstanding individuals and feel as inspired as we do by their dedication and service to our community.
Also recently there has been articles and other materials placed on Facebook, which has been detrimental to the hobby and its members. With that in thought, I urge all budgerigar breeders to read the contents of the By Law 8 (a), which sets out the requirements and responsibilities of each and every one of us.
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This By Law also touches on the requirements and time frames for any photos of any birds that could be made available for their particular Zone in the 2026 Trill™ Expert National Titles. The responsibility of the National Judges prior to the event is clearly set out in the By Laws also, and I would encourage the Judges to read up on their responsibilities prior to the event in May 2026.
As the ANBC contact for the Biosecurity department I receive their monthly – yearly articles, this month’s yearly report is attached for your reading…enjoy.
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Thank you for your continued support of the ANBC. I look forward to an exciting year ahead, marked by growth, camaraderie, and shared success throughout 2026.
Warm Regards,
Neale R Love
ANBC Secretary
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Richard Miller
Richard brings 34 years of exhibition budgerigar passion to the 2026 Trill™ Expert ANBC National Titles. A four-time Budgerigar Society World Championship, Richard has judged worldwide and is known for fairness, clarity, and celebrating birds with charm, charisma, and style.
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Malcolm Randall
Malcolm Randall’s budgerigar journey began at age four and has grown into decades of service and success in Victoria. From founding the Riverina Budgerigar Society to leading roles with the BCV. Now with a special milestone: judging the 2026 Nationals alongside his son.
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Rob Randall
Rob Randall’s budgerigar journey started young, travelling for Diploma Shows with his family. Rob now serves key roles at the Riverina Budgerigar Society and BCV. In 2026, Rob will judge alongside his father at the National Show.
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Neale Love
Neale Love’s budgerigar story began by accident – feeding abandoned birds as a teenager on a Queensland dairy farm – before the “budgie bug” took hold. A life-changing visit to the Brisbane RNA Show launched his exhibition path. Now an experienced ANBC judge, Neale has officiated at five Nationals and returns for the 50th Annual Show in his home State.
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Containerising the Nationals
Our ANBC President reflects on how the Nationals continue to evolve. Livestreaming, growing sponsorship, and a new National Show Committee are helping “containerise” key systems and knowledge, making hosting easier for every Zone. It’s all about delivering the best show to the world.
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Calling Melanistic Spangles Breeders
As another year wraps up, Colours & Standards reflects on those we’ve lost, sends best wishes to members doing it tough, and celebrates show bench success across the country. Looking ahead, the new ANBC pictorial ramps up in 2026 — and we’re calling for fresh updates and photos on Melanistic Spangles.
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Meet Scott Eriksen
Meet Scott Eriksen from North Queensland — a fancier whose love of budgerigars began in childhood and turned into a lifelong passion after an unexpected setback. From his practical aviary setup and favourite varieties to his annual “pilgrimage” to Newcastle and views on online auctions, Scott shares what drives him.
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Reflections 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, ANBC Judges Co-Ordinator James Bader shares a heartfelt message of thanks to the people who keep our hobby running — from delegates and clubs to stewards, volunteers, sponsors, and families. It’s a timely reminder of the teamwork behind every show.
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When, Why, How?
From wartime cage-bird magazines to packed Rose Bay shows, Ron Hunt traces the moments that shaped Australian budgerigars. Follow the rise of specialist clubs, evolving standards, national judging, and the birth of the ANBC—plus reflections on auctions, mentoring newcomers, and why ‘near enough’ should never replace the ideal for today.
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Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is a common protozoal disease in budgerigars that can spread rapidly, especially in warm, humid conditions and crowded aviaries. Some birds show no signs, while others decline quickly with diarrhoea, weight loss and dehydration. Learn the life cycle, diagnosis, treatment, and simple control steps.
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NQBZ Update
With the new season rings now in hand, NQZ President Bill Schultz reflects on a year of mixed breeding fortunes—some outstanding, others challenging. As he heads overseas for Christmas, he shares a hopeful message for a stronger season ahead and warm festive wishes to all budgie breeders
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What’s Happening
Tassie wraps up a standout 2025, from Diploma shows and presentation wins to a strong showing at the Cairns Nationals, including multiple Logies for the first time in years. Catch the year’s key highlights, community events that welcomed new members, and a handy calendar of February–March 2026 shows and judges.
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What’s On In SA?
South Australia’s budgie scene may have eased off the show calendar in December, but the club spirit has been in full flight — from big Christmas functions at the Goodwood and Windsor, to the laughs, stories, and “budgie language” that keep the community thriving. Add Tribe FM highlights, behind-the-scenes planning, there is lots happening.
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WA! It’s All Happening
From packed Christmas catch-ups and a 90+ bird Silent Auction, to breeders already pairing up for 2026, WA is heading into the new year with plenty of momentum. Add in major show dates, club prize winners, and the latest 2028 Nationals fundraising update, read more to catch the full WA wrap.
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Strong Year for SQ
South Queensland has wrapped up another big year — strong show support, 3rd place at Nationals again, and major progress on a brand-new Constitution. With excitement building for the upcoming ANBC Nationals, the committee is calling for help sourcing past Nationals photos to create a special “trip down memory lane.”
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All Happening in NSW
President Kathy Manton reflects on a big year for NSW fanciers—celebrating club spirit, show success, national wins and the people who make it happen. Read the highlights from 2025, exciting plans for the 2027 ANBC Nationals in Canberra, and what’s on in January, including Illawarra’s Annual Show.
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Vic Finishes Strong
BCV is closing out the year with big congratulations — announcing the 2026 Champion Exhibitors and recognising members promoted through points and status progression. With the 2026 show calendar now released and “Budgie in the Bool” locked in for late January, it’s the perfect time to plan your season.
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NZ’s G & J Callister
Step inside New Zealand’s Geoff & Jill Callister’s Hamilton aviary — a purpose-built home for birds since 1971. From champion canaries to elite exhibition budgerigars, their story spans family, friendship, imports, and hard-earned lessons. With 50+ years of dedication.
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Looking ahead, the ANBC and our partner Zones remain mindful of worldwide concerns around the welfare of our birds. This is an issue of great importance, and one we must approach with care and leadership. All the best for 2026.
Warm Regards,
Neale R Love
ANBC Secretary
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