2018 Penrith, NSW

The Penrith Panthers Entertainment & Exhibition Centre was the venue for the 44th Annual National Championship Show on the fourth weekend in May 2018. Another very successful weekend of Exhibition Budgerigars from the seven Zones around Australia. Organised and executed with precision by the B.S.N.S.W. while dealing with unnecessary continual disruptions. Congratulations to them for effort.

The Twenty Seven Classes with the inclusion of the dark-eyed clears as a points scoring class was a great two day show, featuring some very powerful Budgerigars. Some great result were achieved with again a couple of regular Hall of Famers featuring in the placings, including Sheppard & Flanagan partnership winning two, A & C Druery, W.T. Cusack, P. Thurn, and A. Rowe. B.S.N.S.W. for all their hard work forfeited the Shield back to the B.C.V. recording a resounding win. Congratulations to B.C.V. and all the exhibitors and especially their team carers in fact all zones team carers for presenting seven great teams of Budgerigars.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday Festivities

Friday night meet and great was in the Penrith panthers club and was not what you could call a resounding success. The venue was fine, but the service and attitude of the Clubs management left a lot to be desired. Not what you would expect from a venue that is mainly in hospitality. Hotel accommodation, was good and very close to all aspects of the weekend. The Saturday night dinner was on a paddle boat on the Nepean river but was not overly well supported and this section of arranged entertainment need again to be looked at.

Sunday nights presentation dinner was very well supported and following on from comments as to Friday night was a great improvement by the Panthers management and was enjoyed by all who attended. The presentations went very smoothly. The large areas in the Penrith Panthers Entertainment & Exhibition Centre made for pleasant viewing of the Judging on Saturday and Sunday.

Judging Format 2018

The Judging format as to switching Judges to allow all a section time Judging together worked well. There were some standard over the top explanations as to decisions arrived which perplexed a few, but all in all an even result. Saturday morning we had nine classes judged. After a break for lunch the remaining odd number classes plus three of the even numbered classes, leaving nine classes for Sunday. There is a lot more work for the team carers between change-over but they are coping as we allow the fourth carer in to assist , which helps. Afternoon Judging session was completed a little late but in just an acceptable time frame. This need to be addressed. B.S.N.S.W up by two point.

Sunday morning Judging off to a flyer and completed in good time . This change to the format again 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.
The new innovation the container compliments of a hard working Dave Ganzer arrived nearly a week earlier and from all reports was a dream to unload and set up the equipment. Most teams chose to arrive early on Thursday, again.

Friday night Official opening. As is now the custom the Officiating Judges were presented to the Exhibitors and guests. The Judges were introduced by Steve Cummins their current President. A pa. system would have been a big advantage.

B.S.N.S.W. had plenty of volunteers to assist as is the norm in all zones these days. Most just show up and pitch in which is great. On the computers led by Ann Hand and with Rod Turnbull James Bader & Martin Paoli (VIC) photographers, Carol & Keith Gough (STH. QLD) collating and transferring the Judge’s comments along with the photo’s to Luke Fletcher (TAS) for his improved live streaming to the world.

Judging Teams 2018

Saturday, the Judging teams were introduced being K. O’Callaghan (Qld. Nth. & Cetr Z.) with Gary Gazzard (B.S.N.S.W.) while Henry George (S.Q.B.B.A.) partnered Gerd Bleicher (Germany). Odd numbered classes by nine. About a one hour break for lunch then the final six uneven classes and three even numbered classes rounding out the day. There the judges were changed around. After 17 classes N.S.W. held a slender lead. Viewing and bird change overs from morning to afternoon went smoothly. The in house video and scoring put up quickly needed some work. But improvements came.

Sunday morning and away we go again with N.S.W. holding onto a slight lead. With nine classes to go VIC. moved away on the morning and eventually ran out convincing winners by 42 points followed by N.S.W. Congratulations to all the class winners.

Congratulations to all the VIC. exhibitors, with nine Logie winners. Their team carers for presenting their team in immaculate condition. In fact all the team carers from every zone. B.S.N.S.W. managed twelve Logies but was not strong on their other varieties allowing the VIC’S. to forge ahead. The now firmly entrenched Auction was held on the Sunday afternoon and the quality of birds were good and so was the prices.

2018 Final Results

VIC. 622.
N.S.W. 580.
STH.QLD. 403.
S.A. 363.
NTH.QLD. 297.
W.A. 291.
TASSIE. 274.

27 Classes. All point scoring.

A multiple winner was again present but the show was dominated by New South Wales with 12 first places. One dual first place winner. Leaving 25 Individual winners giving exhibitors a wide spread of Logie distribution.
Congratulations to the Judges Gary Gazzard (B.S.N.S.W.), Kevin O’Callaghan (Nth. Qld.), Henry George (Sth. Qld), and Gerd Bleicher (Germany)

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.

Sunday night’s Presentation Dinner in the Penrith Panthers Function rooms was impressively set up for a great evening. A very nice table served meal. The Official program sponsors acknowledged Logies presented all in a timely manner. The A.N.B.C. Secretary Leigh Downey didn’t have a voice so B.S.N.S.W. President Steve Cummins along with the M.C. Peter Thurn had the pleasure of awarding the presiding judges on the weekend with their commemorative plaques for their work in Judging the weekends competition. Also granting the Induction into the Hall of Fame for services to the A.N.B.C. certificate, and plaque, to a very worthy recipient Mr David Ganzer.

Everything finished exceptionally well for the B.S.N.S.W.

The Colour & Standards business was decided earlier and approved by the Delegates on Monday. The Judges meeting was positive and two new National Judges were welcomed onto the panel and a good outcome for all business received. The A.N.B.C. Delegates met on the Monday as is the requirement and a few notices of business were dealt with. Steven Cummins chaired the meeting, and all business conducted in a timely manner.

There is to be another discussion as to electronic movement into the management of the A.N.B.C. There were some nice tours on offer around Penrith and the Sydney area along with plenty of attractions in the region. A very well planned, great weekend in Penrith. Again congratulations to the B.S.N.S.W. Steven Cummins, Ann Hand, Jean Painter, and all the people from that Zone that committed and produced under trying conditions for a hugely successful event. Brisbane Queensland is the location for 2019 and everyone is looking forward to challenging the B.C.V. for bragging rights to try to wrest the Shield away.

Leigh A. Downey, 2018
ANBC Historian