2013, Toowoomba, Queensland

South Queensland’s turn to decentralise this year for the 2012 National competition, to Toowoomba the Garden City. Notably, a very pretty city. The 39th. A.N.B.C. Annual Championships staged in the magnificently restored Empire Theatre in the centre of Toowoomba. All social functions were held in the main function areas of the very lavish City Golf Club, also very centrally located and not far from the Theatre.

The Empire theatre had sufficient room areas behind the stage for all the teams holding cages and very secure. A restored church building attached allowed for a very light bright viewing area after judging. Judging on the theatre stage where very pleasant semicircular seating allowed everyone a great viewing experience as the birds were judged. Most teams took advantage of the Thursday delivery of the birds to let them settle. Some minor problems with the holding area and also vet availability, but if all the zones followed the guidelines that have been laid down and successful for years these problems would not occur.

This year was the first of the two birds present and on the bench per zone per variety, with an increase in variety classes. In just about everyone’s opinion it was a huge backward step in Show spectacle. Also there seemed to be a lack of Interstate exhibitors making their way to the Show. If there was a scratching (and there was 20) in a class the Zone was definitely penalised and the class looked incomplete. Even with the extra classes, the Show was flat.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Friday night with all the trade people in attendance were well received. The weekend was officially opened by the Mayor of Toowoomba with a welcoming speech and a very encouraging message to all to enjoy their lovely City. Saturday with the front of the Empire Theatre filled with a huge variety of trade stands, plenty of people in attendance for the judging to get underway. While at the front of the stage the brilliant computer teams did their jobs excellently again including Luke Fletcher and partners live streaming to the World. This is growing into a multi-State cooperation for the successful running of this excellent Show. It is a shame that certain elements for whatever reason continually have to mess with a proven formula, instead of enhancing the spectacle of a unique bird show.

There was plenty of seating close enough to adequately follow the Judging of the classes. The video streaming in house again proved if the camera is not operated by an experienced bird person it lacks. Saturday evening dinner at the City Golf Club was a buffet affair. Pleasant but also seemed to suffer from lack of support as stated last year of attendees. Sunday was a rush and a delay as the lights were not on early enough to allow the birds to eat prior to caging for the show and time had to be allowed. Again, not following the protocol. When even number classes Judging began the Judges were rotated as now seems to be the norm.

2013 Results

Victoria was holding a lead after day one. They were never headed and would up eventual winners by 47 points. Congratulation to Victoria a very convincing win.

Victoria. 537
N.S.W. 490
Sth. Queensland. 465
Western Australia. 339
South Australia. 323
Nth & Central Qld. 310
Tasmania. 250

Points scores are higher because of the extra classes to 26 in all with one demo class of Dark eyed clears, no points awarded for this by product class of birds. Multiple winners were again in the mix with Sheppard & Flanagan (Vic) along with Henry George (Sth. Qld) winning 3 classes each, Ian Hunter (Vic) winning 2 classes. With the rest a pretty even spread around the zones. Congratulations to these multi winners and all the other Individual winners. First place by zones were Victoria with 11. Sth. Queensland 8 (including the demo class), Western Australia 4, N.S.W. & Nth. & Central Queensland 2 each. South Australia & Tasmania failed to record a first place.

2013 Judges

The Judges for this years Championships were;
Saturday ; Odd Number Classes.

J. Bader (Vic) X L. Miller (Sth. Qld.)
A. Mc Cauley (N.S.W.) X G. Armstrong (W.A.)

Sunday ; Even Number Classes.

A.Mc Cauley (N.S.W.) X L. Miller (Sth. Qld.)
J. Bader (Vic) X G. Armstrong ( W.A.)

The computerised results were handled by Maureen Bourne ably backed up by Andrew, with Carol Gough doing the judges’ comments, Rod Turnbull Photo’s all managing to transfer this wealth of information to Luke Fletcher for the Live streaming. A great job thank you to all again, as it is eagerly awaited around the country and the world. We hope the continual ever-changing and tinkering by the certain important in their own mind elements leave this cohesive section of the organization alone. Because it works very well.

The Auction on the Sunday afternoon at the completion of the Show is now an exciting integral part of the weekend as well as a good fund raiser for the host zone. There was plenty of interest ably handled by Peter Schellbach the local Auctioneer.

Next year is the second trial year of two birds present and two on the bench only and I am sure we are all hoping for a positive result and participation improves in the weekend. I find it hard to fathom who thinks up these schemes which manages to limit a lot of exhibitors getting a bird in their zone national team. Hence they do not go to the National Show.

Also the changing of the well proven date has also alienated quite a lot of people as there is still no respectable reason why this has occurred either. Moving the Show to the depths of winter in the middle of the school holidays, (more expensive accommodation) and putting the Zones selection weekend on a public holiday weekend. This also is a reason why people do not bother to attend their zone selection as they are compelled to attend family functions on that weekend.

Sunday nights, Presentation Dinner at the City Golf Club another buffet event. All presentations were achieved. We had the pleasure of the company of Gerd Bleicher (Germany) the W.B.O. President for his presentation to Warren Wilson for winning the W.B.O. Gould Award for his lifetime contribution to the Hobby. Congratulations Warren.

The Delegates met on the Monday and not a lot of business needed to be discussed. Main issue is the ring issue being changed back to their original distribution date 1st. January.

All other business is in the secretary’s report.

On a sadder note Bob Bourke has been posthumously inducted into the A.N.B.C. Hall of fame for services to the Hobby. But a very nice gesture.

We are now in the process of looking for a new ring supplier for 2015 onwards.

South Australia is the Venue for the Show in 2014 in the heart of Adelaide on another date weekend change. Everything will be held in the one Hotel complex where we look forward to resuming healthy competition again.

Results Booklet
Website & Photos

Leigh A. Downey, 2013
A.N.B.C. Historian.