2015, Mandurah, WA

It was the Western Australian Budgerigar Council’s turn to host the 2015 National Competition with the emphasis on expansion. Twenty- seven classes, again including a demonstration class of the Dark-Eyed Clears with no points included. Back to three birds per class, meaning a total of 81 birds per zone by seven zones, to be accommodated – 567 birds if all classes filled. To that end, in 2015 we were five birds short – a great result, making it an outstanding weekend exhibition of budgerigars.

After having the Venue pulled out from under them well into their organising , it was a credit to Gina House, Jan McMahon, and all the W.A. members that contributed to the successful relocation of the Show to the Football Club Grandstand and turned a negative into a great positive weekend. Congratulations to them for not giving up and presenting a successful enjoyable weekend.

Judging was changed to accommodate slight area restrictions placed on viewing of judged classes. Starting half an hour earlier on Saturday morning and having a lunch break to allow a change-over of Classes by the team carers for an afternoon Judging session. Sunday morning Judging session also an earlier start. This change to the format was warmly accepted and worked quite well. Congratulations to all the team carers who accepted the changes and worked extremely hard to make the Show the success it was. Two stages of 21 birds each a great looking Show.

All teams chose to arrive on Thursday, with one being extremely late. Some things like airline timetables cannot be controlled. The birds do well with a full day of recovery after their long haul. The Vet’s report was all good.

Friday night meet and greet, renewing of friendships was completely different, being a night out at the local greyhound meeting. A beautiful meal was provided and transport to and from. There was no Official opening which would have been a bit hard in a public domain. The Officiating Judges were presented to the Exhibitors on the Saturday morning. As stated, demands on Judging meant the show started earlier but this didn’t worry the large attentive audience.

The Judges were introduced by another volunteer, the M.C. for the weekend Dave Ganzer from Sth. Qld. Everyone either offered or just pitched in which is a great budgie family attitude. Backing up again were Maureen & Andrew Bourne (ACT) on the computers with Rod Turnbull & James Bader (VIC) photographers, Carol & Keith Gough (STH. QLD) collating and transferring the Judge’s comments along with the photos to Luke Fletcher (TAS) for his terrific live streaming to the world. Also, all the W.A. members as Show manager and stewards moving the birds.

2015 Judging Teams

The Judging teams for the morning were introduced being Neale Love (STH.QLD) & Allan Michael (UK.) first time judging in Australia. Gary Gazzard (N.S.W) & Gary Armstrong (W.A) . Odd numbered classes with five classes each team, an hour and a half break for lunch then four classes for each team with the judges changing around, with Neale Love & Allan Michael, and Gary Gazzard & Gary Armstrong pairing.

After 18 classes Victoria held a slender lead. Viewing and bird change overs from morning to afternoon went smoothly. The in-house video was again hampered by lighting and shadows and a power black-out didn’t help, but everyone accepted these little bumps in the show and just moved on.

Saturday evening dinner at The Stage Door restaurant was a very pleasant affair but not extremely well supported.

Sunday early start again with all seated and ready for the final classes hoping Victoria can hang onto the lead despite Henry George (STH. QLD) trying to collar all the first place points. With nine classes to go judging pairs were Neale Love & Gary Armstrong, and Gary Gazzard & Allan Michael.

Victoria leapt away on the morning and eventually ran out convincing winners by 60 points followed by South Queensland, or should I say Henry George. He walked away with 7 first places a brilliant display. A record which will take some beating. If he wasn’t already in the Hall of Fame for exhibitor status, Henry achieved the requirement in two days, a great effort. Two other partnerships managed dual wins. Kakoschke & Rice (S.A) already in the hall of fame, and C. & B. Gearing which took them to eight wins and admission to the Hall of Fame. Seven is the entry minimum. Congratulations to these three and all the other individual Logie winners.

Congratulations to all the Victorian exhibitors, with seven Logie winners and five first time winners. Their team carers Bruce Wilson, Phil Hoadley, and James Bader. In fact all the team carers from every zone. They all managed to handle the different show structure and necessary changes admirably, in what was a very stressful weekend especially W.A. people. The now firmly entrenched Auction was held on the Sunday afternoon, and the quality of birds were good, but it did not relate to the punters who in the main kept their hands firmly in their pockets making the auctioneer work extremely hard.

2015 Final Results

Victoria. 538.
Sth.Qld. 472.
N.S.W. 457.
SA. 374.
Tassie. 315.
W.A. 314.
Nth. Qld. 257.

Again 27 Classes. Point scoring for 26 classes and the Demo class. ( Dark eyed clears.)

Multiple winners were again present but dominated by Henry George (STH.QLD) with 7 first places, followed up by Kakoschke & Rice (S.A) and C & B Gearing (W.A) both with 2 first places each. 16 Individual winners giving exhibitors a wide spread of Logie distribution.
Congratulations to the Judges Neale Love (STH.QLD), Gary Gazzard (NSW), Gary Armstrong (W.A), and Allan Michael from the U.K.
The live streaming of results, photos, and comments was greatly received as far away as the U.K. and thousands of hits on the sight were recorded again.

2015 Presentation Dinner

Sunday nights Presentation Dinner at the Football Stadium Venue was a very pleasant affair with the Official program, sponsors acknowledged and Logies presented in a timely manner. The A.N.B.C. Secretary (Jim Fletcher retiring) had the pleasure of introducing the latest two judges who passed the National Judges requirements, Mr. Peter Thurn, and Mr. Rod Turnbull, both Victorians. My apologies, to Mr. Scott Erickson (NTH.&Central QLD.) who achieved National Judges status last year.

Also present to be inducted into the hall of fame was the partnership of C.& B. Gearing.

Everything went exceptionally well from a major disruption to a very well organised weekend of events right down to the bus transportation to and from all activities.

I did not have to attend the Colour and Standards meeting this year. All items on the agenda were capably handled by the coordinator and the respective zone representatives, through the email prior to the competition weekend and positive results achieved making a meeting obsolete and a successful report tabled. No more talking in circles again just to hear the sound of your own voice.

The Judges meeting was convoluted and a bit long winded again. We have a new judges coordinator in James Bader, taking over from Alistair Home.

The A.N.B.C. Delegates met on the Monday as is the requirement and quite a few notices of business were dealt with. New President as is the norm, new Secretary jury still out on that one.

2015 Ring Supplier

We have a new ring supplier with good quality samples supplied and coded rings back in the mix, and a very keen purchase price.

ACT Budgerigar Association

The Australian Capital Territory Budgerigar Association put forward a short verbal submission before a vote was taken as to their admission into the A.N.B.C. The motion was defeated. There were also a few redundant motions mainly about the yellow-face standard. The constitution is to be reviewed to bring it up to modern current requirements. All business was handled in an efficient time frame to everyone’s satisfaction.

There were tours on offer but all were cancelled due to lack of support. There is an old adage here that goes you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. Shame. But in hindsight the Budgie widows from Victoria my wife included had a lovely boat tour around the canals of Mandurah while also including lunch on Saturday and Sunday so they say thank-you for that.

Monday evenings entertainment was a discussion by Allan Michael (U.K) and I believe it was not greatly supported but I am sure it would have been informative and entertaining. I am sure all who attended would have taken something out of it. All in all, a great big weekend organized by a little group of very dedicated Budgie people. Tasmania is the venue for 2016 right in the heart of Hobart. All in the one venue the Grand Chancellor Hotel. Also, with plenty of accommodation around the central area. Three birds on the bench also so another big show.

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Website & Photos

Leigh A. Downey, 2015
ANBC Historian