| Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin! |
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| It has been another busy week in budgerigars in South Australia. The Port Pirie Any Age Show was held in Crystal Brook, with 134 birds benched. Congratulations to Geoff Edwards, who took out both Grand Champion of Show and Best Opposite Sex. The Longbottom Family claimed Best Intermediate and Best Intermediate Opposite Sex, while Graham Wilson took out Best Novice and Best Opposite Sex Novice.
Judges George England and John Mulley commented on the quality of the birds on display, with the Top 10 dominated by Geoff Edwards, Graham McCallum and Malcolm Loveridge. |
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| Saturday saw the release of the latest quarterly edition of Chatter Magazine, featuring reflections on South Australia’s fantastic success at the recent National Titles in Southport. The issue also included a Fancier in Focus article celebrating the remarkable legacy of Sheppard & Flanagan.
Nigel Tonkin offered a thoughtful reflection on judging, accountability, and the importance of remaining true to The Standard, while John Mulley contributed Part 1 of a detailed exploration of inbreeding and line breeding. The publication also revisited Gordon Lowe’s 1988 Hobart Nationals lecture on stress in budgerigars, featured Ali Bouresli’s unforgettable journey from Kuwait to Australia, and examined the valuable insight budgie droppings can provide into what is happening inside a bird. |
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| Wednesday saw the release of the July edition of the ANBC Gazette. This issue included timely veterinary articles on the topical issue of bird flu, along with plenty of other excellent reading for fanciers.
Thursday brought the much-anticipated release of the 2026 BCSA Auction catalogue. This year’s event features 184 lots from breeders including A & C Druery, Boal Family, CET Budgerigars, Daniel Child, D.A.D. Budgerigars, Dennis Lomman, Doug & Ruth Lange, Eric Whitton, Gary Gazzard, Geoff & Jenni Smith, Graham McCallum, Holmes Family, J & W Weidenhofer, John Ennis, Jupp & Scheerer, Kelwyn Kakoschke, Lee & Zoi Payne, Malcolm Loveridge, Michael Pace, M & R Randall, Norm Wheatley, Peter Thurn, Russell & Cheryl Ogden, Ray Slade, Stephen Thompson, Tony & Sylvia Appleton, and many more.
The dinner being held on the evening prior to the auction is also proving popular, particularly with interstate visitors planning to attend. |
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| Speaking of interstate, the Riverina Auction on the NSW/Victorian border dominated Facebook feeds, with more than 80 people attending the Saturday night dinner from across Australia. From all accounts, it has grown to a must-attend event for budgerigar fanciers. |
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| Photos courtesy of DAM Budgerigars & Riverina Budgerigar Society |
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| Looking ahead, Nigel Tonkin will be back on the airwaves this morning at 9:30 am for his second stint with The Generation Gap on Tribe FM. Join him on 91.1 FM as he chats with MC Blaze and Trev Garard.
Saturday, interstate will see the Hills Auction take flight. A link to the live streaming of this event is provided below. This is always one of Australia’s Premier Budgerigar Auctions. The event will be live from 8:00 am AEST on Saturday. Full details on the event are available in the Auctions section. |
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| On Saturday evening, the BSSA will come together at the Unley Community Centre from 6:30 pm for its July meeting. This year, the meeting will take a very different format, being held on the evening before the Ron Norman Annual Show. The event will incorporate a pizza and social get-together, with Guest Major Award Judge Neale Love from Queensland taking part in a question-and-answer session on all things budgerigars.
Neale has been involved in the hobby for many years and has judged at six ANBC National Shows, giving him a wealth of knowledge to share with those attending. The BSSA warmly invites all members and their families to come along for what promises to be a great social evening and a highly informative discussion with the current ANBC Secretary.
On Sunday, the Ron Norman Annual Show will proceed under BCSA biosecurity measures. Birds can be benched between 9:30 am and 10:15 am, allowing ample time for exhibitors travelling from further afield to arrive comfortably. To ensure judging is completed efficiently, additional judges will be engaged, enabling the club to enjoy lunch and conduct the trophy presentation by 2:00 pm. There is a total of $750 in prize money available, along with vouchers and 40 kg of premium budgie mix to be won. |
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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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| This week has seen a lot of activity on the Live Auction front, as well as the release of one 32 Auction online. It is shaping up to be a busy period for exhibitors, fanciers and clubs alike, with a wide range of varieties, bloodlines and opportunities available across multiple states, with Hills Auction headlining this weekend. |
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Reid/Barsdell Auction 2026🦜
Date: Wednesday July 8th @ 8:00 PM ACST
Lots Available: 35The Reid Barsdell Auction 2026 is now underway, offering 35 budgerigars. The auction features Spangle AOSV’s, Golden Faced Violets, Dominant Pieds, Clearbodies, Violets, and more. With 35 lots on offer, there is plenty of variety for exhibitors and breeders to consider, whether you are chasing colour, variety, breeding potential, or simply looking to add quality birds from respected fanciers. |
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Hills Branch Auction 2026🦜
Date: Saturday July 4th
Lots Available: 147The 2026 Hills Super Budgerigar Auction is set to be one of the standout budgerigar auctions on the Australian exhibition calendar. Hosted by the Hills Budgerigar Club, the auction will take place on Saturday 4 July 2026 at the Don Moore Community Centre, corner of North Rocks Road and Farnell Avenue, North Rocks. Viewing will take place from 8:30am to 10:00am, with the auction commencing at 10:00am. The auctioneer for the day will be James Matthews.This year’s catalogue features an outstanding line-up of birds from highly respected breeders including A & C Druery, Anthony Starcevic, Boal Family, Craig Buckingham, D.A.D Budgerigars, Daniel Child, G & H Hibberd, Holmes Family, I & K Manton, J & W Weidenhofer, James Matthews, Jeffrey Leong, John Barden, John Boss, John Ennis, Mario Capasso, Mick Gearing, Norm Wheatley and Pam Hewitt.
With 147 lots catalogued, the sale includes a wide selection of exhibition budgerigars including Normals, Spangles, Lacewings, Fallows, Clearbodies, Recessive Pieds, Dominant Pieds, Clearwings, Opalines, Cinnamonwings, Greywings, Yellow Faced and Golden Faced varieties. |
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Bendigo Auction 2026🦜
Date: Sunday July 12th
Lots Available: 224The Bendigo Budgerigar Auction 2026 is shaping up as one of the major Victorian budgerigar auction opportunities of the year, with 224 lots listed. This year’s catalogue features contributions from a strong group of vendors, including S. Mow, R. Kirby, R. Stephens, T. Butt, Smith & Meagher, H. Chasemore, J. Krisslebrink, D. Spink, I. Mamic, Meney & Muller, M & R Randall, G. Cullel, W. Cachia, G. Duffin, K. Pullen, D. Rixon, R. Slade, M. Paoli, Dam Budgies, J. Orlandi, M & D Gearing, Holmes Family, B. Ricardo, A. Baxter, G & P Dickson, T. Anderson and M. Huth.Buyers will find a broad selection of varieties including Normal Greens, Grey Greens, Sky Blues, Cobalts, Violets, Spangles, Opalines, Cinnamonwings, Dominant Pieds, Recessive Pieds, Lutinos, Inos, Clearbodies, Lacewings, Yellow Faced, Australian Golden Faced, Black Eyed Self, Fallows, Dilutes and more. |
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Melton Budgerigar Auction 2026🦜
Date: Saturday July 18th
Lots Available: 182The Melton Budgerigar Auction 2026 features birds from many of Australia’s respected exhibition budgerigar breeders. The auction will be held on Saturday 18 July 2026 at St Francis Catholic College, 109–141 Bulmans Road, Melton West, Victoria. This year’s Blue Ribbon Auction includes birds from Alan Rowe, Ante Zupan, Back Family, Barry and Maree Wise, Boal Family, C&A Mifsud, CET Budgerigars, Chris and Elena Rogers, D.A.D Budgerigars, Eric Whitton, G&T Sinclair, John Ennis, Kev O’Callaghan, M & R Randall, Mark Brennand, Martin Turner, Peter Thurn, Richard Bucior, S&T Grech, Tony Butt, Trevor Broadbent, Vella & Thomas, Wayne Cachia and many others. Buyers can expect a broad selection of varieties including Normal Green, Grey Green, Sky Blue, Cinnamonwing, Opaline, Spangle, Recessive Pied, Dominant Pied, Fallow, Lacewing, Texas Clearbody, Lutino, Ino, White Capped, Dark Eyed Clear and other specialist varieties. |
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Moreton Bay Budgerigar Auction 2026🦜
Date: Sunday July 26th
Lots Available: 234The Moreton Bay Auction 2026 is set to be one of the major budgerigar auctions on the South Queensland calendar. Hosted by the Moreton Budgerigar Association Inc., this auction will take place on Sunday, 26 July 2026. The location is the Strathpine Community Centre, Mecklem Street, Strathpine. The event will commence at 9 AM. This year’s catalogue features a wide range of exhibition budgerigars, with 234 lots listed from a strong group of vendors. Breeders represented include the Boal Family, Kev O’Callaghan, Russell & Cheryl Ogden, Ian Schneider, Jason & Wayne Weidenhofer, Garry Edwards, Malcolm Loveridge, Garry Murray, Aaron Forbes, Scott Eriksen, Barlow & Janes, Brett & Danny Card, Wayne Stephan, Garry & Helen Hibberd, Errol & Lynne Miller, Trevor Broadbent, Chris Rogers, John Boss.The birds on offer cover a broad mix of varieties. The catalogue includes Normals, Spangles, Cinnamonwings, Opalines, Dominant Pieds, Recessive Pieds, Clearwings, Lacewings, Lutinos, Yellow Faced, Australian Golden Faced, Greywings, Violets, Fallows, Crested and other specialist varieties. |
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Budgerigar Council of South Australia Auction 2026🦜
Date: Sunday August 2nd
Lots Available: 184The BCSA Auction 2026, hosted by the Budgerigar Council of South Australia, will be held on Sunday 2 August 2026 at the Klemzig Community Centre, 242 North East Road, Klemzig, South Australia. Viewing commences at 9:00 am, giving buyers the opportunity to inspect the birds before the auction begins at 10:15 am sharp. With 184 lots on offer from breeders across South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, the BCSA Annual Auction is set to attract serious exhibition budgerigar breeders from across the country.The 2026 catalogue features a strong line-up of vendors. These include A & C Druery, Boal Family, CET Budgerigars, Daniel Child, D.A.D. Budgerigars, Dennis Lomman, Doug & Ruth Lange, Eric Whitton, Gary Gazzard, Geoff & Jenni Smith, Graham McCallum, Holmes Family, J & W Weidenhofer, John Ennis, Jupp & Scheerer, Kelwyn Kakoschke, Lee & Zoi Payne, Malcolm Loveridge, Michael Pace, M & R Randall, Norm Wheatley, Peter Thurn, Russell & Cheryl Ogden, Ray Slade, Stephen Thompson, Tony & Sylvia Appleton and more. and many more.
Buyers can expect a broad selection of varieties including Normals, Cinnamonwings, Opalines, Spangles, Dominant Pieds, Recessive Pieds, Fallows, Lacewings, Lutinos, Clearwings, Crested varieties, White Caps, Greywings, Black Eyed Selfs and other sought-after varieties. |
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Saturday July 4th – Pizza Night With Neale Love
📍 Unley, SA, 6:30 pmOur July meeting will take a very different format this year, with the meeting to be held on Saturday 4 July– the evening before the Ron Norman Annual Show, and we will hosting a pizza and get together evening. Our Guest Major Award Judge – Neale Love from Queensland will be part of a question and answer session on all things budgies. Neale has been involved with the hobby for many, many years, and has judged at 6 ANBC National Shows. All members and families are very much invited to this evening, for a great social get together plus a very informative discussion with Neale. |
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Sunday July 5th – BSSA Ron Norman Show
📍 Ascot Park, SAPreparations are well underway for our Annual Show, which will take place on July 5 at the Ascot Park Scout Hall. This year marks the 77th Annual Show of the BSSA. Birds can be benched between 9:30 am and 10:15 am, Don’t forget the “Pet Budgie” classes (61 and 62). We encourage everyone to invite family, friends, and fellow bird enthusiasts to enter these classes. A standard show cage is not required for Pet Budgie entries. There is a total of $750 in prize money available, along with vouchers and 40 kg of premium budgie mix to be won. |
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Wednesday July 8th – NEBS Christmas In July
📍 Windsor Gardens, SAThe North East Budgerigar Society (NEBS) is excited to host a festive Christmas in July celebration at the Windsor Hotel! Join the Club for a cheerful evening filled with good company, great food, and a little Christmas magic – midyear style. Keeping with the spirit of giving, the North East will be running a Kris Kringle raffle with an equal number of prizes available for both members and guests. Each person attending will receive one free raffle ticket on arrival – no cost, just a bit of festive fun! Meals will also be subsidised by the Club. To help us finalise numbers, please contact Con Orfanos on 0448 740 645 to confirm your attendance. Because its a pub dinner, no birds this month. The NEBS community welcomes members and guests to come together for some midyear cheer – we look forward to celebrating with you! |
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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 busy week draws to a close, it is clear that the budgerigar fancy in South Australia continues to thrive through strong show participation, publications, major auctions, and the shared efforts of dedicated fanciers. From Crystal Brook to the pages of Chatter Magazine, the week has again highlighted the depth of knowledge, history, and passion within our hobby.
With major events, social gatherings, and the Ron Norman Annual Show still to come, there is plenty to look forward to this week. Most importantly, the week reminds us that our strength remains in participation, learning, and community. With that said, please try to get out and enjoy the BSSA meeting this Saturday night, and the Ron Norman Show this weekend. With 250 birds on show, it promises to be a great day out.
Until next week. |
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July 2026
- Saturday July 4th – BSSA Pizza with Neale Love, Unley
- Sunday July 5th – Ron Norman 77th Annual Any Age Show, Ascot Park
- Wednesday July 8th – NEBS Christmas in July, Hotel Windsor
- Sunday July 19th – Barossa Bird Club Expo
- Sunday July 26th – United Bird Societies of SA Seminar, Sferas Modbury
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