This week, the BSSA held its annual Christmas party – a fitting way to round out a very successful 2025 for the Club. They had a fantastic turnout at the Goodwood Hotel, with members, families and friends coming together to share a meal, a few laughs and plenty of budgie stories. It is always nice to see fanciers out and enjoying each other’s company in a relaxed setting.

The night also happened to coincide with Club Life Member Sue Adam’s birthday, which gave everyone an extra reason to celebrate. A very happy birthday to Sue – and thank you for everything you continue to do for the Club and the State – we are very fortunate to have you. In true BSSA fashion, there was plenty of good-natured banter, a few photos taken for social media, and a chance to acknowledge the efforts of the committee, stewards, judges, and volunteers who have helped keep things running smoothly throughout the year.

Santa even made a cameo appearance, much to everyone’s delight. He oversaw the Kris Kringle and made sure that all in attendance went home with a small gift and a big smile. His photo with BJ dispelled many years of myths and inuendo, as the two had never been spotted in the same room together.

Earlier in the week, the ANBC delegates met to work through several important matters relating to the 2026 Nationals and other national matters. These meetings often fly under the radar, but they play a crucial role in keeping the hobby organised and moving in the right direction. The group addressed various operational matters including Hall of Fame awards, coordination for moving the ANBC container, and arrangements for ANBC judges’ travel and sponsorship. The conversation ended with discussions about bird welfare standards, lighting conditions for the ANBC show, and the scheduling of the next meeting in February 2026.
Chris Murphy presented to the delegates a proposal on behalf of South Australia about bird eye visibility. One proposal was to submit the motion through the Colours and Standards process, aiming for its inclusion in The Standard. Alternatively, it could serve as a welfare statement featured on the ANBC website. The delegates were broadly supportive of moving forward, while recognising that any formal change to The Standard must go through the proper channels, consultation, and review. It is pleasing to see welfare and practicality being considered together, and South Australia continues to play an active role in those discussions.

Chatter Magazine has been electronically published this week, and physical hard copies will be mailed out next week to subscribers. This edition represents another step forward for our state publication, as we are trialling a new printer with similar specifications to our previous issues. We are particularly keen to hear what members think about the print quality, colours, and overall finish. Chatter has continued to grow in both content and size, with this edition reaching fifty-six pages. If you have not had a chance to read it yet, you can view the electronic copy via the link provided below, and the hard copy should be in your letterbox soon if you are a subscriber. As always, feedback and contributions are very welcome. If you have ideas for future articles, photos from your aviary, or a story to tell, please get in touch – Chatter is strongest when it reflects the breadth of our membership.

It is also recommended that all attendees consider making their general accommodation and travel bookings at this time to avoid disappointment.