| Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin! |
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| This week the North East Budgerigar Society came together for its monthly meeting, with the evening centred around an engaging and informative discussion on different breeding philosophies used in the exhibition budgerigar hobby. |
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| Two presentations formed the backbone of the night. John Mulley delivered a detailed talk on Inbreeding and Line Breeding, exploring the theoretical and genetic foundations behind these approaches. Inbreeding describes very close matings between direct relatives, such as father–daughter, mother–son, and brother–sister pairings. Line breeding involves more distant relationships, such as half-brother to half-sister, uncle to niece or aunt to nephew, and cousin matings, where birds share common ancestors further back in the pedigree. John discussed the concept of F-factors (inbreeding coefficients) and how breeders can identify common ancestor loops within pedigrees. His presentation highlighted how calculated use of related birds can help stabilise desirable traits within a line, while also acknowledging the importance of careful selection to avoid unwanted weaknesses. |
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| Following this, Troy Holmes presented on Feature Breeding, offering a slightly different perspective that focused more heavily on visual assessment and practical selection in the breeding room. Troy discussed identifying standout features in individual birds such as feather, width, mask, and overall style, and using those strengths deliberately when pairing birds. While the discussion initially framed the topic as a separate philosophy, the group ultimately agreed that feature breeding, as described, could be considered a softer form of line breeding, where visual traits guide the pairing rather than strictly calculated pedigree structures. |
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| Together, the two presentations provided members with a balanced look at both the genetic theory and the practical art of building a successful stud. As always, the discussion that followed was lively, with members sharing their own experiences and approaches to maintaining quality lines.
Of course, no North East meeting would be complete without the all-important meat tray raffle, which on this occasion was proudly taken home by Beau Schutz. |
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| This week also saw our regular monthly segment on The Generation Gap program on 91.1 Tribe FM, where we joined Emcee Blaze and Trevor Garard to chat about all things budgerigars. It was another enjoyable discussion covering what’s happening in the hobby, upcoming events, and the passion that continues to drive the budgerigar community.
Our sincere thanks to Blaze and Trevor for generously giving their time each month and for helping promote the hobby to a broader audience. Opportunities like this play an important role in sharing the enjoyment of budgerigars and keeping the wider community connected with what’s happening in our clubs. |
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| This week, we also hard launched our BCSA 30 year anniversary lunch. Since we are celebrating 30 years, we are giving away 30 free BCSA hats to the first 30 members to register for the lunch. We’re inviting the entire South Australian budgerigar community to help us celebrate this special milestone.
For three decades, the BCSA has been the organisation bringing our clubs together, coordinating our state teams, supporting our shows, and representing South Australia on the national stage. Now it’s time to take a moment, look back on the journey, and celebrate the people who have helped shape our fancy.
We’re inviting everyone to join media personalities Graeme Goodings and Nic Hayes for this relaxed and enjoyable lunch as we bring together fanciers from across the state, past and present, to share stories, memories and a few laughs about the hobby we all love. BCSA members can attend free, while guest tickets are available for $25, making it easy to bring along a partner or friend to join in the celebrations. Tickets are strictly limited due to venue capacity.
Events like this don’t come around often, and 30 years is a milestone worth celebrating properly, so we encourage everyone involved in the South Australian fancy to be part of the event.
Whether you’ve been involved since the early days or you’ve only recently joined the hobby, this is a great opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and celebrate the community that makes the budgerigar fancy so special.
🎟 Secure your ticket and join us in celebrating 30 years of the Budgerigar Council of South Australia. For the first 30 members to register, you will get a FREE 30 year commemorative hat, courtesy of the BCSA.
Saturday 18th of April 2026, Max Amber Community Hall – Wayikuu, George St Athelstone, between Noon and 2 PM. |
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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, we have several auctions that have been released online, with BSSA Auction 3, the Nash Beniamin Breeders Sale, the Bill Schultz Auction, and the Garry & Pat Heuvel Sale. We also have the Wynnum Redlands live auction catalogue, featuring 214 lots. The event will be held on Saturday March 21st at the Cleveland State School Hall in Queensland, featuring birds for sale from some of the country’s top breeders. |
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BSSA Auction 3 for 2026🦜
End Date: Sunday 15 March 2026 at 8:00 pm ACDT, with extended bidding applied where required
Lots Available: 14BSSA Auction 3 2026 is now live, bringing together a strong line-up of quality budgerigars from several respected breeders within the Budgerigar Society of South Australia. This event runs from March 9 through to March 15. BSSA Auction 3 2026 features birds offered by George England, Ken & Janet Harris, the Holmes Family, and Sue Adams. Inos, Cinnamonwings, Dominant Pieds, Clearbodies, Opalines, Violets, and Normals are on offer. |
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Bill Schultz Auction – 2026🦜
End Date: March 15th 2026
Lots Available: 10North Queensland Budgerigar Zone President Bill Schultz is having a Reduction Sale featuring 10 birds, including Opalines, Normals, Split Blackeyes, Cinnamonwings, Lutinos and more. Bill has indicated that he is “cutting back on bird numbers. These birds will not be used and some have bred well for us.” The event kicks off on March 6th, and ends at 8 pm on March 15th, plus extended bidding if required. Birds are located in Townsville. |
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Nash Beniamin Breeders Auction 2026🦜
End Date: March 15th 2026
Lots Available: 11Nash Beniamin is having a breeders auction for 2026. Birds are located at Trentham drive, Gladstone park, Vic 3043. Varieties include Albinos, Clearbodies, Spangle Double Factor, Golden Faced, Normals, and Lutinos. The birds offered here are bred by fanciers including M & R Randall, DAM budgerigars, Wayne Cachia, Garry & Helen Hibberd, John Ennis, Jeff Orlandi, G & P Dickson, Peter Smith, Ali Humadi and Peter Tyack. |
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Garry & Pat Heuvel Sale 2026🦜
End Date: March 15th 2026
Lots Available: 15The Brisbane & Northern Suburbs Budgerigar Society are assisting Life Members Garry & Pat Heuvel with a stock reduction sale for 2026. Varieties on offer include Dominant Pied, Normals, Opaline Cinnamonwings, Spangles, and Yellow Faced. All 15 birds being made available were bred by Garry & Pat Heuvel. The birds are located in Bracken Ridge, Queensland 4017. |
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Wynnum Redlands Showcase Auction 2026🦜
Date: March 21st 2026
Lots Available: 214Featuring birds from notable breeders and well known studs from across the country, the Wynnum Redlands Showcase Auction promises to be a great day. This live event is one of the top auctions in the country. |
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| Sunday, 22 March 2026
PPBS
Aviary Tour – Longbottom Family
📍 Spalding
A fantastic opportunity to view quality birds up close and connect with fellow fanciers in a relaxed setting. |
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| Sunday, 29 March 2026
BSSA
BSSA Murphy Classic
📍 Ascot Park Scout Hall
One of the highlights on the BSSA calendar — don’t miss this competitive and well-supported show, specifically for Juniors, Novices and Intermediates. |
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| Tuesday, 7 April 2026
BSSA
Budgie Varieties Night – White Cap, Yellow Faced & Golden Faced
Presented by Wayne & Kelwyn
📍 Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur Street, Unley
An informative evening focusing on these increasingly popular varieties. |
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| Wednesday, 8 April 2026
NEBS
Blast From The Past – Budgie Bill Davis
📍 Hectorville Community Centre, 47 Reid Avenue, Hectorville
A nostalgic and educational session revisiting birds and stories from years gone by. |
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| Sunday, 12 April 2026
BCSA
BCSA Judges Meeting
📍 Enfield Community Centre, Regency Road, Enfield |
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| Saturday, 18 April 2026
BCSA
BCSA 30th Anniversary Celebrations
📍 Venue Athelstone Football Club – Max Amber Community Hall
A major milestone for the Budgerigar Council of South Australia — more details to be announced soon. This will be a celebration not to be missed! |
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| The ANBC is currently seeking photographs of recipients listed on its Service Division Honour Roll, including one of South Australia’s own, Mr Gordon Lowe. Gordon was recognised as one of the founding fathers of the ANBC, making his contribution to the national budgerigar fancy both significant and historically important.
If any members have a photograph of Gordon Lowe in their collections or archives, the ANBC would greatly appreciate a copy so it can be included in the official Honour Roll records. If you are able to assist, please contact BCSA President Troy Holmes, who will coordinate forwarding the image to the ANBC. Preserving these pieces of history helps ensure the contributions of the pioneers of our hobby are properly recognised and remembered. |
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| The ANBC has received advice from Mantra Sharks, the venue for the 2026 SQBBA Trill National to be held on the Gold Coast, that accommodation is already filling quickly. Zones are therefore encouraged to make early arrangements for their carers and preparers, to ensure suitable accommodation is secured.Please contact Mantra Sharks, Gold Coast, on (07) 5603 3200 to confirm and book your accommodation requirements. Don’t forget the DISCOUNT CODE 15% SSANBC26 – this code is not available for online bookings.
It is also recommended that all attendees consider making their general accommodation and travel bookings at this time to avoid disappointment. |
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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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| This week was a reminder of what makes the budgerigar hobby so special – learning from one another, sharing ideas, and celebrating our community. From thoughtful discussions at the North East meeting to promoting the hobby on The Generation Gap with Emcee Blaze and Trevor Garard on 91.1 Tribe FM, it was a week of connection and reflection.
Make sure you take advantage of the early ticket offering for our 30th birthday celebrations.
Until next week. |
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March 2026
- Sunday 22 March 2026 – Aviary Tour – Longbottom Family – Spalding.
- Sunday 29 March 2026 – BSSA Murphy Classic – Ascot Park Scout Hall.
April 2026
- Tuesday 7 April 2026 – Budgie Varieties Night – White Cap, Yellow Faced & Golden Faced (Wayne & Kelwyn) – Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur Street, Unley.
- Wednesday 8 April 2026 – Blast From The Past – Budgie Bill Davis (NEBS) – Hectorville Community Centre, 47 Reid Avenue, Hectorville.
- Sunday 12 April 2026 – BCSA Judges Meeting – Enfield Community Centre, Regency Road, Enfield.
- Saturday 18 April 2026 – BCSA 30th Anniversary Celebrations – Max Amber Community Hall, Athelstone
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