| Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin! |
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| It has been a particularly busy and successful week in the South Australian budgerigar community, highlighted by the staging of the annual BCSA Live Auction and the arrival of a strong contingent of interstate visitors.
The weekend began on Saturday evening with the pre-auction dinner at Gaucho’s Argentinian Steakhouse in the city. The dinner provided a relaxed opportunity for local and interstate fanciers to catch up before the main event, share a meal and enjoy the social side of the hobby. It was wonderful to see so many people making the effort to attend and helping create such a positive atmosphere ahead of the auction. |
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| On Sunday, attention turned to Klemzig for the BCSA Live Auction. The event proved to be a tremendous success, setting a new South Australian record for auction revenue. A wide range of birds were available, with prices catering for buyers across all budgets. There were opportunities for those looking to strengthen established breeding programs, as well as newer fanciers hoping to secure quality birds at an affordable price.
The auction was supported by a fantastic group of volunteers, vendors, buyers and interstate visitors. Their contribution, whether through entering birds, bidding, assisting with the setup, helping on the day or simply attending, played an important role in the success of the event. |
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| The week continued on Tuesday evening when BSSA members came together for their monthly meeting. The night featured another edition of Gather Around, providing members with an entertaining and informative opportunity to discuss birds, breeding and the wider hobby. |
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| Looking ahead, Nigel Tonkin will be taking to the airwaves later this morning with The Generation Gap on Tribe FM. Nigel is always an excellent ambassador for the hobby, and it will be well worth tuning in to hear the discussion with Trevor Garand and Emcee Blase on the program.
Several South Australian fanciers will also be making the pilgrimage to Newcastle this weekend for the club’s annual auction. The event continues to attract strong interest from across the country and will also be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. The link is featured below in the auction section,
Monday evening will see the ANBC delegates come together to consider a number of motions that could shape the future direction of the National Show and the wider hobby. North Queensland has submitted three motions, including a proposal to move the annual ring issue date for all Zones to 1 September from 2028, and another seeking to move the ANBC National Show to a later date, preferably in late July or early August. A further motion proposes that ANBC judges be awarded Hall of Fame status once they have reached seven appointments at the National Show, recognising their service to the hobby and bringing judge recognition more closely into line with that of breeders.
South Queensland has also submitted a motion proposing that the ANBC establish an Event Management Group to plan, coordinate and conduct the National Show and its associated events, with the aim of promoting both the ANBC and the hobby more broadly. New South Wales has put forward a proposal to create a new Normal class at the National Championships specifically for Normal Olives and Normal Mauves. There is plenty for delegates to consider, and the discussions are likely to generate strong interest across the Zones.
Wednesday evening will see the North East Budgerigar Society hold its Annual General Meeting. The night will also feature the club’s ever-popular Blast from the Past interview, with BCSA and NEBS Life Member Ian Marshall taking centre stage. Ian has made an enormous contribution to the hobby over many years, and the interview promises to be an insightful and entertaining look back at his experiences in budgerigars. |
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| Check out the collaboration between our partners Hentley Farm, and Budgie Fest’s own artist, Dr. Daniel Connell! |
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| The online auction calendar remains busy this week, with the BSSA returning with a pet bird auction featuring a strong focus on Crested budgerigars. Also underway is the A2Z Auction from Ante Zupan in Deer Park, offering fanciers another opportunity to add quality birds to their breeding rooms.
Attention will also turn to Wallsend in New South Wales this weekend for the Newcastle Budgerigar Club’s annual live auction. The event is always well supported and is expected to attract strong interest from both local and interstate fanciers, including several South Australians making the journey across. |
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BSSA Pet Bird Auction #7 2026🦜
Lots Available: 20
Ends: Sunday, August 9th at 7 PM ACST plus extended biddingThe BSSA Pet Bird Auction 7 for 2026 is now live, presenting budgerigar enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to purchase colourful, crest-bred and Frillback budgerigars carrying established Australian bloodlines. The auction commenced on Sunday, August 2, and will close on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 7:00 pm ACST, with extended bidding applying. The birds are being offered by a pet breeder based in Springvale, Melbourne, who contacted the Budgerigar Society of South Australia to become involved in the BSSA online auction program. The majority of the birds available carry bloodlines by Christine Sabateen. |
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A2Z Budgerigars Auction 2026🦜
Date: Sunday August 9th, 8:30 PM AEST plus extended bidding
Lots Available: 20The A2Z Budgerigars Auction 2026 is now live, offering budgerigar enthusiasts the opportunity to secure a quality selection of birds from well-known Victorian breeder Ante Zupan. The online auction opened on Sunday, August 2 and will conclude on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 8:30 pm AEST, with extended bidding applying. Prospective buyers are encouraged to register early, inspect the available lots and place their bids before the auction enters its closing stages. For those unfamiliar with the name, A2Z Budgerigars is the stud of Ante Zupan, who is based in Deer Park, Victoria. Ante has assembled a varied offering featuring several popular varieties and colours, providing options for breeders looking to strengthen established bloodlines or introduce something new into their breeding rooms. |
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Newcastle Auction 2026🦜
Date: Saturday August 8th
Lots Available: 167The Newcastle Auction 2026 will bring together an outstanding selection of exhibition budgerigars from leading breeders across Australia. Hosted by the Newcastle Budgerigar Club, the live auction will be held on Saturday, 8 August 2026 at the Wallsend Pioneer Memorial Hall, 54 Cowper Street, Wallsend, New South Wales. Viewing begins at 9:00 am, with the auction commencing promptly at 10:00 am. This year’s Auction features 167 lots supplied by 29 respected vendors from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. |
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Western Suburbs Auction 2026🦜
Date: Saturday August 16th
Lots Available: 205Western Suburbs Auction catalogue has been released, featuring an impressive 205 lots from 27 vendors. The vendor line-up includes Wayne Cachia, Michael Pace, Gerry Duffin, Norm Wheatley, M & R Randall, Jeff Orlandi, Barry Wise, John Ennis, G & P Dickson, Martin Paoli, Allan Dixon, Armen Arslanian, Bates & Haddick, Bernie Thomson, the Boal Family, C & A Mifsud, the Cameron Smith Family, Cookson & Avery, David Broughton, Don Rixon, Greg Culell, the Holmes Family, Ivan Mamic, Ken Pullen, Lloyd Richardson, Peter Thurn and Ray Slade. |
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United Auction 2026🦜
Date: Saturday August 22nd
Lots Available: 181Hosted by the United Budgerigar Society, the live auction will take place on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at Plenty Hall, 21 Memorial Drive, Plenty, Victoria. Viewing will be available from 9:00 am until 10:00 am, with the auction commencing at 10:00 am. The event will also be live streamed for fanciers who are unable to attend in person. 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 impressive 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, Crests, Whitecaps, Lacewings, Lutinos, Clearwings, Greywings, Fallows, Texas Clearbodies and Dominant Pieds. |
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North East AGM & Blast From The Past
🗓 Date: Wednesday, August 12th, 7:30 pm
📍 Location: Hectorville Community CentreJoin the North East Budgerigar Society for their Annual General Meeting, as well as a Blast From the Past segment featuring Ian Marshall. |
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Port Pirie Aviary Visit
🗓 Date: Sunday, August 23rd, 10:30 am
📍 Location: Van Den Brink Residence, AuburnJoin the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society (PPBS) for their annual trek to Auburn. |
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| Have you signed up to the ANBC Gazette? It is packed full of information, and spans the continent, with cutting edge news from Vets, nostalgic reflection on some of the older Clubs, fanciers in focus, and more. Its free, and it’s a great resource. We encourage anyone with a passion in budgerigars to sign up. |
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As another week in the hobby draws to a close, there is plenty to look forward to. From the success of the BCSA Live Auction and the friendships shared with interstate visitors, to upcoming ANBC discussions, club meetings, interviews and auctions, the momentum continues across South Australia and beyond. Whether you are tuning in to Tribe FM, following the Newcastle auction, attending the NEBS AGM or browsing the online offerings, there are many ways to stay connected. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our clubs, events and fellow fanciers. We look forward to another enjoyable week in budgerigars.
Until next week. |
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August 2026
- Wednesday August 12th – NEBS AGM Plus Blast From The Past @ Hectorville
- Sunday August 23rd – Port Pirie Meeting @ Van Den Brinks (Auburn)
- Monday August 24th – Closing Date for 2027 Ring Orders
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