Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin!
This week saw the annual BCSA Auction take place at the Enfield Community Centre. The event was a tremendous success, with over 70 registered bidders and 200 budgerigars up for auction. Attendees included new South Australian enthusiasts as well as members who traveled from as far as Broken Hill in NSW and Gippsland in Victoria. It provided a great social opportunity for fanciers to come together and enjoy a budgie-day-out, with birds available for all budgets.
The BCSA Auction also provided a valuable opportunity for the state to convene for the Annual General Meeting. During the AGM, reports from the President, Treasurer, and Ring Officer highlighted a positive trend across the board, with increases in ring sales and memberships. The year 2023-2024 featured several significant events, including Budgie Fest, numerous well-attended club shows, and a successful State Selection Show. Additionally, the Council launched the Budgie Bulletin, complementing our flagship publication, Chatter Magazine.
Our online presence has grown substantially, with the BCSA website expanding from 196 to 401 pages and achieving an impressive Domain Authority (DA) of 54. Our Google keyword count increased from 119 to 197, with 65 keywords ranking in the top three positions. Organic search traffic has surpassed social media traffic, reflecting a 126% year-on-year increase in reach. Notably, the number of events listed on Google soared from 55,000 to 667,000 per month. Media interest in budgerigars has also surged nationwide, bolstered by the support of our partners at Media Stable. The net result – a groundswell in membership of budgerigar enthusiasts, and ring sales, here in South Australia.
The AGM also celebrated the achievements of breeders, announcing the Open, Intermediate, and Novice Breeders of the Year. Congratulations to the Holmes Family (Open) with 245 points, Graham McCallum (Intermediate) with 35 points, and joint winners Tony Vandenbrink and The Longbottom Family (Novice) with 15 points each. For all of the points scores, check out https://bcsa.com.au/bcsa-members/exhibitor-points/2023-exhibitor-points/
Despite a minor hiccup with the President forgetting the certificates, congratulations are in order for Graeme Alchin, Ian Wise, and Troy Holmes, who were formally recognized as newly promoted BCSA Judges. They successfully completed their training and passed all necessary theoretical and practical assignments.
Overall, it has been a fantastic year for budgerigars in South Australia.
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Looking interstate, the Sunshine coast show in Nambour Queensland went well, and from all reports was extremely well attended.
To the best of the BCSA’s knowledge, there are no local or interstate budgerigar shows happening this weekend, with the next being on the Fraser Coast in QLD the following weekend. |
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This weekend promises to be eventful with several key happenings. On July 27th, we have the Melton Live auction in Victoria, followed by the Moreton Bay Live Auction in Queensland on July 28th. Several SA fanciers are making the trek interstate for both events, in an attempt to pick up those pieces of the mosaic that they need to improve their studs.
Additionally, there will be a BSSA online Pet Auction, as well as a combined Barden-Starcevic online auction, and Wayne & Andrew Cusack Auction 3, all hosted on the 32 Auction platform.
Finally, the highly anticipated Newcastle Auction catalogue has been released, adding to the excitement of budgerigars available.
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Melton Budgerigar Society Live Auction, Saturday July 27th, Victoria
While this is a live auction, the next best thing is being able to watch it on your PC. Melton are making that possible, via the Zoom platform. For those interested, login on Saturday using the link below:
Meeting ID: 829 8235 5670
Passcode: 920599
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82982355670?pwd=zXIPRrYjjbgts8fV6ow7kPSo0w7b2H.1
The live feed will commence at 10 AM AEST (9:30 AM ACST for those of us in Adelaide). For those attending in person, the location is St Francis Catholic College, 109-141 Bulmans Rd, Melton West VIC 3337. Viewing Time: 9 to 10am, with the auction commencing at 10am. Auctioneer for the day will be Peter Thurn, Victorian counterpart to the iconic Peter Thorn last seen in Launceston. Enquiries to Hedra Kamel 0401751050 or Steve Grech 0412560628. Phone Bidding can be arranged via Carmel Cricelli (Aussie Pet Connections) on 0400966738. Note – No Online Bidding (just viewing).
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Moreton Budgerigar Association Live Auction, July 28th, QLD
Happening on Sunday, July 28th, the Moreton Budgerigar Association in QLD is hosting it’s 2024 Auction. The event will be held at Strathpine Community Centre, Mecklem St, Strathpine, QLD. Viewing commences at 8 AM, and the auction kicks off at 9 AM. For anyone not able to attend in person, Garry Menzies can take bids on your behalf. To that end, Phone bidder registration cuts off Saturday afternoon, July 27th. Then, Garry will arrange for someone to bid on your behalf. If you are a successful interstate bidder, your birds will be sent during the week after payment has been received. Finally, freight is to be arranged at the buyers’ expense.
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Newcastle Live Auction, August 10th 2024, New South Wales
Date: Saturday, 10th August 2024
Location: Wallsend Pioneer Memorial Hall, 54 Cowper St, Wallsend NSW (Cnr Cowper St & Newcastle Rd)
Viewing Time: From 9:00 AM
Auction Start Time: 10:00 AM
Auctioneer: Peter Thurn
For any inquiries, please contact:
Gary Gazzard: 0411 834 690
Chris Druery: 0438 644 856
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Wayne & Andrew Cusack – 32 Auction Online Event # 3
Welcome to the Cusack Budgerigar Auction 3 for 2024! Wayne and Andrew are offering cull birds from our premier breeding lines. These birds, though not retained for our own collection, boast exceptional qualities. Wayne Cusack, with over 30 years of experience, has achieved national recognition and multiple championships. Andrew Cusack continues this legacy with notable successes at the ANBC national competitions.
For more details and to start bidding, visit the link below.
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Starcevic-Barden Combined Auction
Welcome to the Anthony Starcevic & John Barden Auction for 2024! Join the lads for a unique online auction featuring top-tier budgerigars from Anthony Starcevic (AS1 Budgerigars) and John Barden. This event is ideal for budgie enthusiasts looking to acquire exceptional birds from renowned breeders.
For more details and to start bidding, visit the link below.
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BSSA Pet Auction – 32 Auction Online Event # 4
These birds are for sale by Simon Dale, a pet breeder in Springvale, Melbourne who contacted the BSSA and asked to be involved in the online auctions. The majority of the birds have bloodlines from Christine Sabateen in South Australia. Christine was a very popular breeder for many years and specialised in frillbacks, Texas clearbodies, dilutes and not to mention some of the best crests ever seen.
As you will notice, almost all birds are crest bred, with many being tuffed/crested and/or frillbacks. These majority of birds are unrung, however the vendor has a very good knowledge of hatched year and breeding performance.
For more details and to start bidding, visit the link below.
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| The August meeting of the Budgerigar Society of South Australia (BSSA) will feature a new start time of 7pm. Doors will open at this time to provide members and visitors with additional time to socialize and discuss all things related to budgies before the general meeting commences at 7:30pm. Supper and a chat over coffee will take place before the meeting, rather than after, though some refreshments will still be available following the meeting at 9pm. This pre-meeting social time is being introduced as “Budgie Banter.”
This meeting itself will feature a unique presentation on “Breeding Program Continuous Improvement – What Are the 1%ers That You Can Integrate into Your Breeding Season to Improve Your Results.” Six senior breeders will rotate among the tables, sharing their expertise on the breeding season and addressing any general questions. Each senior member will spend 10 minutes at each table, offering a valuable opportunity to learn from their experience.
The club will also provide pizzas as part of the Budgie Banter, so members are encouraged to arrive promptly at 7pm. Additionally, the “Bird of the Night” for this meeting will be the Spangle, Spangle AOSV, and Spangle Double Factor. |
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| Port Pirie Budgerigar Society – Tour of Carawah Aviaries |
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| The Port Pirie Budgerigar Society of South Australia Inc. has organized a unique opportunity for bird enthusiasts in South Australia. Members are invited to visit the extensive aviaries of Brian and Beverley Reichelt on the 15th of September from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at 74 Dartmouth Street, Port Augusta.
Following the aviary tour, there is an option to arrange a luncheon at the Arid Gardens, subject to the number of participants. Brian and Beverley’s operation features 78 covered aviaries housing approximately 240 birds, including Macaws, Amazon Parrots, Asiatic Parrots, Conures, African Parrots, and Budgerigars. This is a rare chance to see the latest colour mutations in parrots that are seldom viewed by the public. Recognizing that the travel distance may be a concern, we highly recommend carpooling to enhance the travel experience with conversation and camaraderie.
This special event is not limited to Port Pirie Club members but is also open to members of Adelaide clubs. Please notify Peter Glassenbury by the 30th of August if you wish to attend the aviary visit and the luncheon. Contact him at 0409 288 710 or [email protected] to confirm your participation and secure bookings for both the tour and the luncheon. This is an opportunity not to be missed! |
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| North East Meeting, August 14th 2024
This event will feature the North East AGM plus interview with a Veteran breeder – this year will be Graeme Alchin nominated as the veteran. |
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West Australian Budgerigar Council (WABC) Fundraising Raffle for 2028 Nationals
The team in WA got their first raffle away over the weekend, with all 1000 tickets sold. Congratulations to Con Herouvim, winner of the $1,000 prize, to Hayley Glasson in second place, and Scarlett Scott in third place. The WABC extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle. Your support significantly contributes to our efforts to host the National Titles in 2028.
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Thank you again to all who attended and supported the AGM and Annual Auction. The event was a fantastic fundraiser for the State, but also served as a great social opportunity for the Clubs to come together.
As always, until next week.
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October
- Saturday, 26 October 2024 – Budgie Fest
November
- Sunday, 10 November 2024 – BSSA/NEBS Interclub 2024, Westbourne Park Community Centre –388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park
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