Ian Hanington

Words by Andre Ozoux

What a privilege to be asked to write about the life and times of Ian Hanington’s twenty-nine years as BSNSW Team Carer and, preparer of the team the week before each National. Hano would take the team home to Wauchope after the STCC and get the team into shape for the National the following weekend and ensuring the team got to whichever State was hosting the National that year. This was done at his own expense, as BSNSW paid only for getting the birds flights to and from each National.

The first event I recall, happened because it caused quiet a kafuffle after the birds came home. (Many more stories happened before this).

Following the week after the STCC, Hano noticed one of the birds, an Opaline, improving so much it out-shone the other two but it was only going as a Reserve. In those days, States only showed two birds and had pretty strict rules regarding how the Reserve could be used. On arrival In WA for the National in Fremantle 2001, Hano decided that the Reserve bird had to be one of the two birds to be benched in the Opaline Class. History showed he was right as this bird won the Logie which was owned by the Late great Peter Dodd.

Canberra National 2011, Hano asked me to join his team in the birdroom. I was therefore thrilled and privileged to do his last five Nationals with him and Bucko, ending in Hobart Tasmania 2016.

At the National in Canberra, on the first day of judging, the birds were being placed on the staging in preparation before judging commenced. Hano noticed a bird all covered in blood. He was taking the bird off the bench when he was accosted and told by a National judge/team carer from SA, that this was illegal and against the rules. Hano, unfazed, took the bird back into the birdroom and appeared twenty minutes later with the bird in pristine condition. Thanks to paper towels, Johnsons baby powder and Hano’s skill. This bird went on to win the Cinnamon Class for WA. Hano was always there if the other states needed help. During his 29 years he helped with the preparation other States birds on five occasions to win the Logie.

Mandurah WA 2015 National. On arrival in Mandurah and taking the birds out of the travelling cages we discovered a hen had attacked the other five birds travelling with it. Blood everywhere, feathers missing. Some of our best chances were in that lot, particularly a white Spangle Double Factor of Buckos. Hano spent the next day and a half working his magic getting into the birdroom at 5.00am and not leaving until 9.00pm. This bird ended up running third with the judges comment “had the bird not had a hole in the back of its head it would have won”, so his legend lives on.

Ian Hanington retired after the Tasmanian National in Hobart 2016. He is a dual-Inductee in the ANBC HALL of Fame. I believe there are only two recipients, the other being Alan Rowe.

Well done Hano you are sorely missed in the birdroom.