The response to last week’s Budgie Bulletin member survey surrounding the motions currently before the Australian National Budgerigar Council (ANBC) was outstanding. Importantly, it gave the Budgerigar Council of South Australia (BCSA) delegates a valuable snapshot of what members were thinking before they came together on Wednesday night to formally discuss and vote on each proposal.

One of the most interesting aspects of the survey was the difference between the overall response from Budgie Bulletin readers and the results once responses were filtered to include BCSA members only. In several cases, the South Australian position was considerably different from the broader readership.

September 1 Ring Issue Date

The first major discussion centred on the North Queensland motion proposing that the official ring issue date move to September 1, commencing in 2028. Across all Budgie Bulletin respondents, the vote was relatively close, with 45% in favour and 55% against. However, when interstate and non-BCSA responses were removed, the South Australian result changed considerably, with 69% of BCSA members supporting the proposal and 31% opposing it.

Following considerable discussion and consideration of the member feedback, BCSA delegates voted 7 FOR and 2 AGAINST, meaning South Australia will support North Queensland’s motion for a September 1 ring issue date when voting is finalised. There was, however, an important qualification.

South Australia will propose an amendment to the ANBC requesting that the change be introduced gradually rather than moving directly to September 1 in 2028. Under the BCSA proposal, the transition would be:

• 2028 – November 1 ring issue

• 2029 – October 1 issue

• 2030 – September 1 issue

The reasoning behind the staggered implementation is to minimise the possibility of creating a significantly reduced pool of eligible birds for a particular National Championship during the transition. Without a gradual introduction, one of the events potentially most affected would be the 2029 ANBC National Championships in South Australia.

The BCSA believes a staged transition gives breeders time to adjust their breeding programs while still achieving the ultimate objective of moving the ring issue date to September 1. Furthermore, the BCSA also believes that posting of rings 15 day prior to the ring issue date is no longer required if the shift is made, as the justification for this was Christmas postage delays.

Moving the National Championships

Motion Two, submitted by North Queensland, proposes moving the ANBC National Championships from its traditional position on the last weekend of May to approximately late July or early August.

With New South Wales already well advanced with arrangements for Canberra and Western Australia having secured its venue, South Australia’s 2029 National Championship is likely to be one of the first events substantially affected should the motion proceed.

The member feedback on this proposal was particularly striking. Across all Budgie Bulletin respondents, 65% supported the change and 35% opposed it. Once the responses were filtered to include South Australian members only, however, the result was emphatic: 100% of South Australian respondents supported the motion.

That level of support was reflected around the Council table. Following discussion, BCSA delegates voted 8 FOR and 1 AGAINST, giving South Australia a very strong mandate to support the North Queensland motion to move the National Championships to later in the year.

National Judges and the Hall of Fame

Motion Three, also from North Queensland, proposed that National judges automatically qualify for induction into the Service Division of the ANBC Hall of Fame after completing a specified number of National judging appointments. This produced one of the closest survey results. Across the overall readership, 42% supported the proposal and 58% opposed it. Interestingly, the South Australian-only result moved in the opposite direction, with 54% in favour and 46% against.

The closeness of the vote was reflected in what became a significant discussion amongst delegates Ultimately, the majority view around the Council table was that distinguished judges already have the ability to be recognised through the existing Service Division Hall of Fame nomination process. Delegates felt that National judging appointments can and should form part of a person’s case for induction, but that they should not automatically guarantee entry into the Service Division. As a result, South Australia voted 2 FOR and 7 AGAINST, defeating the motion at BCSA level.

Separate Mauve & Olive Class

Motion Four came from the Budgerigar Society of New South Wales and proposed the introduction of a separate National class for Mauve & Olive budgerigars, with the intention of encouraging and promoting Dark Factor Normals. This generated some particularly robust discussion.

One of the practical concerns raised was the difficulty that can occur when distinguishing an Olive from a Violet Dark Green, particularly when assessing birds under different lighting conditions. Again, there was a noticeable difference between the broader readership and South Australian members. Across all respondents, 65% supported the proposal and 35% opposed it. Among BCSA members, however, only 31% supported the motion, while 69% opposed it.

After considering both the objective of promoting Dark Factor birds and the practical difficulties surrounding classification and identification, BCSA delegates voted unanimously against supporting the BSNSW motion.

Event Management Group Receives Strong Support

The final motion concerned the formal installation of the Event Management Group (EMG) to oversee the running of the ANBC National Championships.

Of all the proposals surveyed, this received comfortably the strongest support. Across the full Budgie Bulletin readership, the result was an overwhelming 94% FOR and just 6% AGAINST. Among South Australian members, support remained extremely strong at 85% FOR and 15% AGAINST.

The results would appear to reflect considerable confidence in the direction and delivery of the National Championships in recent years and the benefits of having an experienced group overseeing the considerable organisational requirements associated with the event. BCSA delegates agreed, voting unanimously in favour of the South Queensland motion.

Members Have Had Their Say

Wednesday night’s BCSA delegates meeting demonstrated exactly why member consultation is valuable. Across five significant national motions shaping the future of the hobby, South Australian members provided clear feedback, and in several cases their views differed substantially from the broader Budgie Bulletin readership. Those responses gave BCSA delegates valuable insight before making the final decisions that formed South Australia’s position on each of these motions.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey and have their say.

Cinnamonwing or Cinnamon?

The motions before the ANBC were not the only national matters discussed on Wednesday night. South Australia has also agreed to submit a proposal through the ANBC Colours and Standards Committee seeking a change in terminology from “Cinnamonwing” to simply “Cinnamon.”

The proposed change would bring Australian nomenclature more closely into line with terminology commonly used throughout the international budgerigar fancy. While it may appear to be a relatively small wording change, consistent terminology becomes increasingly important as Australian breeders, judges and exhibitors interact with the broader international fancy.

BCSA Biosecurity Policy Revised

Another major item of discussion was the BCSA’s biosecurity policy following the recent bird flu outbreak. Council delegates spent considerable time discussing how the policy should operate practically at affiliated club events while maintaining appropriate biosecurity precautions. Following the discussion, the policy has now been revised.

Under the updated approach, event-specific Risk Assessments will be completed, allowing the circumstances surrounding each event to be considered before it proceeds. Delegates also agreed that where a Risk Assessment determines that measures such as compulsory sanitising of judging sticks between birds would be necessary for an event to safely proceed, that the event instead should not proceed.

The intention is to maintain sensible and meaningful biosecurity precautions without creating procedures that may themselves become impractical during the judging and handling of birds.

The revised BCSA Biosecurity Policy is published on the BCSA website and remains applicable to all BCSA-affiliated clubs while the current biosecurity concerns remain in place.

BCSA Shows Cancelled for the Remainder of 2026

Perhaps the most difficult decision of the evening concerned the remainder of the 2026 South Australian show calendar. After carefully reviewing the current situation, discussing the potential risks and considering the feedback being received from members, Council delegates agreed to cancel all BCSA bird shows and exhibitions for the remainder of 2026. This includes Budgie Fest 2026 and the Tri Club Cup.

It is certainly not a decision that Council has taken lightly.

Animal welfare and biosecurity are responsibilities the BCSA takes very seriously. Council also acknowledged that a number of members have already begun self-regulating, choosing not to bring birds to club meetings, shows or other gatherings while concerns surrounding the current H5 avian influenza outbreak remain.

While Council believes the direct risk to the South Australian budgerigar fancy remains low, the decision was made from an abundance of caution. Making the call now also provides exhibitors, clubs, organisers and the many volunteers who make these events possible with as much notice and certainty as possible.

The BSSA also advised Council that it has cancelled its planned BSSA vs NEBS Interclub Show and its Come & Try event in October 2026.

These are not decisions that anyone within the hobby wants to make. Shows sit at the very heart of the budgerigar fancy. They are where we showcase the results of months of breeding and preparation, compare the progress being made within our aviaries, learn from one another and, perhaps most importantly, spend time with the people who share our passion. They are also one of our most important opportunities to introduce newcomers to the hobby and allow them to experience the competitive and social sides of the fancy firsthand.

However, Council ultimately felt that the potential consequences of getting this decision wrong outweighed the disappointment of cancelling several events. Protecting the birds and aviaries of South Australian fanciers must remain the priority. Council believes taking a cautious and responsible approach is in the best interests of the entire South Australian budgerigar community.

Looking Ahead

This weekend, all roads lead to Auburn, with Tony and Angela Van Den Brink once again opening their home and aviaries for the Port Pirie Budgerigar Club’s annual aviary visit.

The day has become a much-anticipated fixture on the South Australian budgerigar calendar, combining good birds, good company and, if previous years are anything to go by, an extraordinary amount of food. It is probably fair to say that nobody has ever left a Van Den Brink aviary visit hungry!

Adding to the day will be guest speaker and BCSA Life Member Nigel Tonkin, who will share some of his knowledge and experience with those in attendance. Nigel has been involved in the South Australian fancy for many years, and his presentations are always sure to generate plenty of discussion amongst breeders.

For those who have never made the trip to Auburn, it is located approximately 100 kilometres north of Adelaide, around a one-and-a-half-hour drive from the city. Sitting on the southern edge of the beautiful Clare Valley, Auburn makes for a fantastic destination in its own right, and the aviary visit provides the perfect excuse for a drive through one of South Australia’s most picturesque regions.

It promises to be another enjoyable day of budgerigars, conversation, hospitality and fellowship, and we are sure Tony, Angela and the Port Pirie Club will once again put on a terrific event.

To RSVP, please contact Jason Longbottom at email address: ppbs@outlook.com.au

BSSA Auction 16 is currently underway, featuring another varied selection of birds from South Australian breeders, while the North Queensland Budgerigar Breeders Club online auction offers fanciers the chance to secure birds from several highly competitive studs.

Meanwhile, attention will turn to Victoria for the United Auction, which will be the final live auction of the year. Live auctions always bring a different atmosphere, giving fanciers the opportunity to catch up, inspect the birds in person and enjoy the excitement of bidding on the day.

With three very different auctions taking place, there should be plenty of interest from breeders across the country as we head into another busy weekend in the budgerigar fancy.

A major feature of the United Budgerigar Auction 2026 will be the Tony McMahon and Allan Dixon Dispersal Sale, providing buyers with access to established bloodlines and experienced breeding birds.

The catalogue contains 181 lots. The vendor list includes Peter Smith, Jeff Orlandi, David Rowe, the Bradley Family, Kevin O’Callaghan, Jimmy Meale, M & R Randall, the Holmes Family, Adrian Praeger, Alan Baxter, Lloyd Richardson, Brett Martin, Wayne Cachia, Alan Rowe, Michael O’Connell, D & M Vremec, Ray Howard, Ian Schneider, Phil Anderson, Ken Pullen and Greg Culell.

The catalogue offers an extensive range of varieties, including Normals, Opalines, Cinnamonwings, Spangles, Recessive Pieds, Dark-Eyed Clears, Crested, Australian White Caps, Lacewings, Lutinos, Clearwings, Greywings, Fallows, Texas Clearbodies and Dominant Pieds.