Welcome to This Week’s Budgie Bulletin!In the latest happenings across this great State, the North East Budgerigar Society (NEBS) successfully conducted their monthly gathering, despite the romantic allure of Valentine’s Day competing for attention. The February meeting featured an insightful presentation by Dennis Lomman on the evolution of the exhibition budgerigar. It was an engaging session that saw three lucky members walking away with chocolate door prizes, a sweet consolation for those who chose budgies over bouquets on Valentine’s Day!
Dennis took us on a historical journey, contrasting the humble origins of native budgerigars with the sophisticated exhibition birds we admire today. Through a century of meticulous breeding and selection, we’ve witnessed a rapid transformation in the bird’s size and appearance, especially notable over the last two decades. Dennis’s comparison of national winners from 20 years ago to those of recent times highlighted these dramatic changes. Interestingly, the fossil record suggests that prior to human intervention, budgerigars maintained a consistent size and shape for over 4 million years, a testament to their perfect adaptation to a stable environmental niche.
Looking ahead, next week promises to be another busy one for our South Australian Budgerigar community. The BCSA committee is gearing up for its meeting, hot on the heels of the ANBC’s inaugural 2024 meeting. Several pivotal motions are on the agenda at the ANBC level, including votes on the recognition and placement of the Melanistic Spangle, and the Rainbow as a standard combination variety. Meanwhile, at a state level, the BCSA will be delving into crucial growth discussions, including finalising plans for Budgie Fest 2024.
Stay tuned for more updates, as we should have plenty to report next week.
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Online and In-Person Auctions are back in full swing, with four listings coming online this week – the BSSA Online Auction #3, South Western NSW Fundraising Auction, South Queensland Futures Mini Auction, and the Leigh Downey Dispersal Sale hosted by United. Details are provided below:
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- BSSA Online Auctions: Birds on offer from the Holmes Family, Graham McCallum, Ken & Janet Harris, Marie & Kerry Murphy, and Trevor Goodenough. Varieties such as Crest-bred, Spangles, Normal Blues, Opalines, Lutino’s, Normal Grey Greens, Cinnamons, and Dominant Pieds are available. The auction is live now and will conclude on February 18th, offering a unique opportunity to enhance your floc with some great local South Australian birds.
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- South Western NSW Online Auction: The South Western NSW Budgerigar Society Inc. is thrilled to invite you to their exclusive online auction event, a major fundraiser designed to support the club’s operational needs. What sets this auction apart is the generosity of its members and supporters: every bird offered has been graciously donated, ensuring that 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit the club.
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- South Queensland Futures Mini Auction (LIVE): The SQ Futures Mini Auction for 2024 is to be held on Sunday 17th March at the Strathpine Community Hall, Mecklem St Strathpine. This mini auction features 23 lots from breeders such as Joel Keune, Gary Murray, Alan Kent, Bevan Mouritz, Geoff Russell, NHG Budgerigars, Garry & Helen Hibberd, Lucas Hendry, Boal Family, Trevor Broadbent, Garry Edwards, Steve Kilduff, Keevers & Hoskinson, Brian Crosbie, Graham Barlow and Brian Walters.
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- Leigh Downey Online Auction: The United Budgerigar Society is hosting a significant auction event, dedicated to supporting Leigh Downey as he steps away from the budgerigar breeding hobby for health reasons. Leigh is a venerable figure within the Australian budgerigar community, having devoted countless years to his passion of exhibiting budgies. Leigh’s expertise and dedication have led him to secure four national titles, a testament to his skill and commitment to budgerigar excellence.
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As we take a look around the Clubs, the monthly meetings for each of the BSCA Affiliates are complete. This weekend, the United Bird Societies of South Australia (UBSSA) are meeting on Sunday February 18th at Payneham Community Centre in Cornish Street at 1.15pm for anyone who is interested in attending.
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- BSSA Monthly Meeting: Join the BSSA on March 5th at the Unley Community Centre at 18 Arthur Street Unley @ 7.30pm. Their March meeting will include a guest speaker from the Avicultural Society. Each year the BSSA have one meeting where they invite a guest speaker from the wider avicultural fancy in South Australia to talk to members about their passion. It is amazing what we can learn from the non-budgie aviculturists! Further information to be provided closer to the date.
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- North East Monthly Meeting: Get Ready for a Night of Discovery and Connection!Mark your calendars for March 13th because you’re invited to an exhilarating evening unlike any other – our Novice Pairing Night! This is your golden opportunity, especially for Novice breeders, to step into the spotlight with your feathered friends in tow.
Imagine a gathering where you can showcase your birds, share your pairing plans, or seek invaluable insights from the masters of breeding. Yes, that’s right! We’re bridging the gap between novices and experts, creating a vibrant exchange of knowledge and experiences.
But wait, there’s more! Our seasoned breeders aren’t just coming to observe; they’ll be bringing along their own birds to unravel the mysteries behind their successful pairings. Discover the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of their choices, with live examples flapping right before your eyes. This is a rare chance to see theory transformed into beautiful, living art.
And the cherry on top? A deep dive into the fascinating world of colour and variety genetics. Whether you’re a budding breeder or a seasoned veteran, there’s always something new to learn, and what better way than through hands-on, interactive discussions?
This isn’t just a meeting; it’s a journey into the heart of budgerigar breeding, where every bird tells a story, and every pairing opens the door to endless possibilities. Let’s come together to share, learn, and grow in our passion for these wonderful creatures.
When: Wednesday March 13th, 7:30 PM
Where: LeHunte Street, Kilburn
Theme: Novice Pairing Night
Bring your birds, bring your curiosity, and most importantly, bring your passion for breeding. This could be the night that sparks a new direction in your breeding journey or deepens your understanding of the intricate dance of genetics.
Let’s make this night unforgettable. See you there!
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- Port Pirie Club: Mark your calendars for mid-March for a meeting and aviary tour at Doug & Ruth Lange’s place on the Yorke Peninsula. Visit the Port Pirie Facebook group for all the latest information on What’s On.
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- Budgerigar Council of Tasmania Updates: Today marks the countdown of only 99 days until the ANBC National Titles, hosted this year in Launceston, Tasmania! Imagine this: the finest budgerigars from all corners of the country, converging in one spectacular showdown. The anticipation is building, and the excitement is through the roof! Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of this incredible event. Ensure you’re registered by clicking on the link below to secure your spot. This is your golden opportunity to witness the best of the best compete. Act now to avoid any disappointment!
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- Lucky Squares: Exciting News from BCT – Raffle Bird Announcement #2!The BCT are thrilled to announce the addition of a second raffle bird to our Raffle Bird lineup – Raffle #2 is now officially open! This time, you have the chance to win a Dominant Pied Opaline Light Green Hen with the ring number HOL 23/099. This isn’t just any hen; she hails from prestigious lineage, from a sister to the Sky Blue ANBC Winner, who is also the aunt to the White Cap National Winner.
The BCT extends a heartfelt thank you to Troy for his generous donation of this hen, contributing significantly towards the BCT’s efforts in organising a spectacular National show in May.
Raffle Details:
Ticket Price: $10.00 each
How to Purchase: Reach out to Dale Ward at 0488 400 369 or send an email to [email protected] with your ticket request and contact information
Don’t miss your chance to add this lovely hen to your aviary, all while supporting the BCT in bringing you an unforgettable show. Act now to secure your tickets – this is a unique opportunity to both support a great cause and potentially win a bird of outstanding quality and lineage.
Good luck to all our participants!
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It’s been absolutely heartwarming to witness the enthusiasm and camaraderie at our recent budgie events throughout South Australia. Observing the community come together, united by a shared adoration for these vibrant and spirited creatures, truly reinforces the beauty and depth of our collective passion.We aim for this budgie bulletin to be more than just a newsletter; we hope it is a source of invaluable information, and a cornerstone for fostering engagement within our passionate community. Your insights, feedback, and contributions are the lifeblood of our efforts, enabling us to celebrate and nurture our love for budgies in ways that resonate with each and every one of you.
Together, let’s continue to build a thriving, supportive, and vibrant budgie community, illuminated by our shared passion and dedication. Your involvement and enthusiasm are what make this journey so rewarding.
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Show Dates for 2024
April
- Sunday, 7 April 2024, BSSA Murphy Classic, Westbourne Park Community Centre – 388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park
May
- Sunday, 5 May 2024, BSSA Stan Watson Breeder’s Show, Westbourne Park Community Centre – 388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park
- Saturday, 11 May 2024, PPBS Harry Johnson Young Bird Show, Crystal Brook Council Hall
- Sunday, 12 May 2024, NEBS Lloyd Edwards Breeder Show,49 LeHunte St, Kilburn
- Sunday, 19 May 2024, BCSA Logan Shield Interbranch, Enfield Community Centre, Regency Road, Enfield
- Saturday, 25 May 2024, ANBC National Titles, Launceston, Tasmania
- Sunday, 26 May 2024, ANBC National Titles, Launceston, Tasmania
June
- Saturday, 22 June 2024, NEBS Fisher Annual Show, 49 LeHunte St, Kilburn
- Sunday, 30 June 2024, PPBS Hutchinson’s Annual Show, Crystal Brook Council Hall
July
- Sunday, 7 July 2024, BSSA Ron Norman Show, Westbourne Park Community Centre –388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park
- Saturday, 20 July 2024, BCSA Auction & AGM, Enfield Community Centre, Regency Road, Enfield
October
- Sunday, 27 October 2024, BSSA/NEBS Interclub Nest Feather Challenge, Westbourne Park Community Centre – 388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park
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