Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin! |
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Sunday kicked off with a stroke of luck—power was restored on the Yorke Peninsula just in time for the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society (PPBS) to hold their much-anticipated aviary visit at Tiddy Widdy Beach!
With mere moments to spare, Polly worked her magic in the kitchen, whipping up a meal for the masses despite the time crunch, while the group dived straight into the meeting. A highlight of the day was the virtual aviary tour from the Holmes Family, giving members a fascinating insight into their setup, gadgets, and hand feeding regime.
As the afternoon unfolded, everyone enjoyed a fantastic meal, followed by an exciting raffle—and it was Graeme Wilson who took home a lovely Normal Green kindly donated by Doug & Ruth Lange.
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The meeting also included a presentation of certificates to newly minted life members Peter Glassenbury, Malcolm Loveridge, and Bob Simpson.
A brilliant afternoon of budgies, banter, and good company was had – PPBS events never disappoint! 🎉🐦 |
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BSSA Committee Meeting
On Monday evening, the Budgerigar Society of South Australia (BSSA) committee gathered to plan and prepare for the busy month ahead. Key topics on the agenda included the upcoming Murphy Classic and the highly anticipated visit from Dr. Rob Marshall.
With so much to look forward to, it’s shaping up to be an exciting time at the Club —stay tuned for more updates! 🎉
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NEBS Committee Meeting
The North East Budgerigar Society (NEBS) recently gathered for their monthly committee meeting, reflecting on the success of their Once In A Blue Moon Show and planning ahead for upcoming activities.
Next month’s meeting promises to be an insightful one, with a focus on culling techniques and identifying show faults on the bench—a valuable discussion for exhibitors looking to refine their stock. Stay tuned for another engaging session! 🐦🏆
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The Week Ahead
🚨 Final Call for Murphy Classic Entries! 🚨
Don’t miss out—entries for the Murphy Classic close this Sunday, March 23rd! Submit your entries to Show Manager, George England via email at 📧 [email protected]. For any enquiries, contact George at 📞 0418 819 705. Get your entries in now and be part of the action! 🏆🐦
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📢 Reminder: Register for the 2025 TRILL™ Expert ANBC Championship Show! 🏆🐦
A reminder too that registrations are now open, giving you access to the two-day show and the chance to book functions and tours.⏳ Don’t miss out—registrations close in just 10 days on March 31st, 2025! Secure your spot today! |
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Show Cages
Unpainted Show Cages for Sale
BSSA has been acquiring materials to produce a batch of show cages for its members. This initiative aims to provide members with the opportunity to purchase up to 10 brand-new show cages each.
Currently, unpainted cages are available for $34 each. Painted show cages will be offered at a later date, with pricing yet to be determined as the paint has not yet been purchased.
Members interested in securing show cages are encouraged to contact Marie Murphy, at 0417-840-777 to reserve their order. |
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BSSA Melton Bus Trip
The BSSA is inviting expressions of interest from members keen to travel to Melton, Victoria, in late July for the annual Melton Auction. The BSSA already have 9 confirmed attendees, so if you’re interested, please register your interest as soon as possible!
Trip Details:
🗓 Departure: Friday, 25 July
🗓 Return: Monday, 28 July
📍 Auction Day: Saturday
🐦 Aviary Visit: Sunday
🚍 Travel Costs: The BSSA will cover bus hire, while travelers will split fuel costs and arrange their own accommodation.
If you’re keen to join or have any feedback on this trip, please contact the BSSA Social Coordinator, Janet Harris, at 0456-160-553. |
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Latest Update on Bird Flu (H7N8)
The most recent information on Bird Flu (H7N8) is outlined below. The key takeaway for bird owners is the importance of maintaining strict biosecurity measures.
✅ Keep sheds, yards, aviaries, and equipment clean ✅ Ensure footwear is clean before entering bird areas ✅ Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling birds or eggs
Staying vigilant with hygiene practices is essential in protecting your birds and preventing the spread of disease. Note that poultry and bird sales, shows, markets and auctions or other gatherings within the control and restricted areas are prohibited until further notice. |
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Press release from Agriculture Victoria |
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This week, we have four online auction underway on the 32 Auctions platform – BSSA Auction 6 for 2025, the DT1 Auction 3, Eric Whitton Auction 21, and Sunshine Coast Auction 8. Details of these events are provided below.
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BSSA Auction 6 for 2025 🦜
Date: Ends March 23rd 2025
Lots Available: 16 individual lots
Auction 6 for 2025 from the Budgerigar Society of South Australia (BSSA) features 16 carefully selected birds from Marie & Kerry Murphy, George England, Chris Jones, Jane Kelb, and Peter Brumby. A diverse range of varieties is available, including Spangle, Recessive Pied, Violet, Opaline, Crest-bred, Inos, and White Caps. The auction began on March 17th and will close on March 23rd, 2025.
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DT1 Auction 3 🦜
Date: Ends March 23rd 2025
Lots Available: 20 individual lots
Dale Keevers and Tiani Hoskinson are hosting DT1 Budgies Auction 3. The auction includes 19 carefully selected birds, featuring White Caps, Crested, Fallows, Normals, and Spangles. Among them is a sister to the 4th-placed Crested and the 5th-placed Crested from the Launceston Nationals. Winning bidders can collect their birds from 57-63 Couldery Crt, Cedar Grove, Queensland 4285, or they can be freighted at the buyer’s expense. Auction 3 from DT1 Budgerigars began on March 16th and runs until March 23rd.
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Eric Whitton Auction 21 🦜
Date: Ends March 25th 2025
Lots Available: 18 individual lots
Eric is offering 18 budgerigars for sale, featuring a diverse selection of varieties. These include Dominant Pied, Lutino, Split Greywings, Normals, Dilutes, Fallows, White Caps, and more. The auction begins on March 17 and concludes on March 25, giving bidders ample time to participate.
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Sunny Coast Auction 8🦜
Date: Ends March 30 2025
Lots Available: 20 individual lots
Dates: The Sunshine Coast Budgerigar Association auction runs from March 23 to March 30.
Payment: Winning bidders must complete payment within 48 hours of the auction ending.
Invoices: Sent immediately after the auction concludes.
Featured Breeders: The auction includes 20 birds from Holmes Family, Stephen Thompson, Joel Kuene, Charles & Ann Mifsud, Tony & Sylvia Appleton, ROC Partnership, and Craig Barnett.
Varieties Available: Spangle Double Factors, White Caps, Cinnamon Wings, Opalines, Dominant Pieds, Clearbodies, and more.
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Murphy Classic Future Champions Show
🗓 Date: Sunday, March 30th 2025
📍 Location: Ascot Park Scout Hall
Groomed to perfection from beak to claw, the Australian native budgie will go on Show when the Murphy Classic Future Champions Show gets underway at the end of March. The BSSA is set to dazzle at Ascot Park Scout Hall with their annual exhibition for up-and-coming budgerigar breeders.
The event is expected to draw enthusiasts from across South Australia, inviting all to experience the joy and perhaps even take home a feathered friend. The future champions event is only open to Novice and Intermediate breeders to showcase their best budgerigars. Doors open to the public from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, offering an opportunity to admire the colours and varieties on display. |
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Join Dr. Rob Marshall for an In-Depth Discussion on Vitamin A Deficiency in Budgerigars
🗓 Date: Tuesday, April 1st 2025
📍 Location: Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur St Unley
Dr. Rob Marshall will be presenting on the critical role of Vitamin A in reproduction and the diseases associated with Vitamin A deficiency in budgerigars. This is a valuable opportunity to gain insights into avian health and learn how proper nutrition impacts breeding success.
Attendees are encouraged to prepare a list of questions related to budgerigar health and disease, as Dr. Marshall will be answering them directly during the meeting.
In an interactive session, he will also be seeking insights from Troy and Kelwyn on the unique challenges of breeding exhibition budgerigars in the South Australian climate.
This event is open to finch and parrot breeders, veterinarians, and any other interested parties. Don’t miss the chance to engage with one of the leading experts in avian health!
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BCSA Judges Meeting
🗓 Date: Sunday April 6th, 2025
📍 Location: Enfield Community Centre
Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
All BCSA accredited judges are required to attend the meeting, convened by Judges Coordinator, John Mulley. |
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Stock Reduction Strategies & Preparing for May
🗓 Date: Wednesday April 9th, 2025
📍 Location: Hectorville Community Centre, 47 Reid Avenue, Hectorville
Entertainment will be Stock Reduction (what to keep, and what to move on), as well as anything else to do with getting ready for the shows in May.
Bird of the night will be Black Eyed Self and Dilute. |
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The North Queensland Budgerigar Zone are hosting another raffle to support the 2025 TRILL™ Expert Australian National Budgerigar Council (ANBC) Championship Show being held in May – this time, a pair of Budgerigars from Ray Slade. The Raffle will be drawn on March 31st 2025. Tickets are $20 each and are available from Michelle Vidler 0457 088 108. |
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2025 TRILL™ Expert Australian National Budgerigar Council (ANBC) Championship Show
May 23rd – May 25th 2025, Brothers League Club, Cairns, QLDRegistrations for the 2025 TRILL™ Expert Australian National Budgerigar Council (ANBC) Championship Show are now open. Registration for the event includes access to the two-day show and grants eligibility to book functions and tours. Be sure to secure your spot soon, as registrations close on March 31st, 2025.
- Registration Fee: $30 per person (Free for children under 12 years)
- Sunday Night Options: Additional bookings are available for the highly anticipated Sunday evening events, which are known to sell out quickly—don’t miss your chance to attend!
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Jamie Durie will be a featured guest for Experts On The Perch on the Friday night |
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Schedule of Events
The weekend events will commence with Registration collection Friday afternoon. The Friday Night Meet and Greet incorporating “On the Perch” will commence at 6 pm at the Brothers League Club. This night is a great interactive event to catch up with old and new friends and exhibitors incorporating the ANBC Experts “On the Perch”. Saturday will see judging at the Brothers League Club commencing around 9 am and continue on again on Sunday from 9 am. The Auction on Sunday will commence around 1.30 pm, concluding the Sunday show events around 3.30pm. Finally, the Presentation Dinner at the Brothers Leagues Club will open at 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start. |
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More To Do in Cairns
For those that would like to see a little more than budgies in boxes Saturday and Sunday, Cairns offers a variety of attractions including Cairns Aquarium, Botanical Gardens and Centenary Lakes, Cairns Shopping Centre, Tanks Art Centre or a stroll along the Esplanade and Lagoon.Saturday 24th May Evening
$170 – Saturday Dinner Cruise –Spirit of Cairns
Saturday Night you can relax for Dinner on the Spirit of Cairns Inlet Cruise boarding at 6.30 pm for 2.5 hours – min numbers are required. |
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Monday 26th May Day Tour
Kuranda Rail & Sky Rail (includes pick-up and return to Cairns Colonial Club)
$175pp Adult
$110pp Child 4 to 14 years
Add $65pp for Lunch at Frogs Restaurant – Main & DessertFull day tour leaving the Cairns Colonial Club at 9.00 am – Kuranda Sky rail and Cableway. Firstly, travel on the Kuranda Scenic rail from Freshwater to Kuranda.To that end, explore Kuranda and the markets, transferring to the Skyrail rainforest cableway to Smithfield. Finally, leave the Skyrail terminal and return back to Cairns Colonial Club at approximately 5 pm. |
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Tuesday 27th May Day Tour
Herberton Historic Village and Tablelands, Atherton, Fig Tree, Crater Lake, Platypus (includes pick-up and return to Cairns Colonial Club)
$95pp Adult
$70pp Child 4 to 14 years
Add $25pp for Lunch at Bakerville Teahouse (cold lunch) |
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Visit Historic Herberton Village! Full day tour leaving Cairns at 8.00 am to visit Herberton Historic Village travelling though the Kuranda Range. Depart the Historic Village after lunch to visit the platypus and the unique attraction of the Curtain Fig Tree. Next, return down the scenic Gillie Range and through cane fields neat Gordonvale. Finally, arrive back at Cairns Colonial Club around 5 pm. |
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Wednesday 28th Full Day Cruise
Big Cat CruisesGreen Island (Full Day) – includes buffet lunch & transfers. plus choice of snorkel gear or glass bottom boat tour (includes pick-up and return to Cairns Colonial Club)$165pp Adult
$80pp Child 4 to 14 years |
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Leave the Cairns Colonial Club at 8.30 am for a full day with up to 5.5 hours on Green Island. For those eager explorers, you can choose snorkel gear or a glass bottom boat tour. To that end, minimum numbers of 45 people are required. A buffet lunch is available for the full day tour. Furthermore, there may be an option for 2-hour tour on Green Island (bus transfers not included). Green Island offers a range of activities. |
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Thursday 29th May 2025
Hartley Crocodile Adventures – (includes pick-up and return to Cairns Colonial Club)
No Lunch included (available at kiosk)
$95pp Adult
$60pp Child 4 to 14 years
Embark on a full day of adventure as you depart Cairns Colonial Club at 8:00 am. Firstly, at 9:00 am, you can kick off the excitement with the Cassowary Feeding or a fascinating Crocodile Farm Tour. Next, at 10:00 am, head over to the Snake Show, followed by Croc Feeding at 11:00 am. |
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Enjoy a lunch break at 1:00 pm or revisit the Crocodile Farm Tour. For those still captivated by reptiles, the Snake Show is on again at 2:00 pm. Consider booking a wildlife photo shoot to create a unique Facebook profile picture or a memorable keepsake for your wall. At 3:00 pm, don’t miss the thrilling Crocodile Attack Show. Finally, your day concludes with a return to Cairns Colonial Club around 4:00 pm. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures offers a variety of wildlife encounters—visit their website via the link for full details! |
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USE DISCOUNT CODE CAMP-SHOW25 TO ACCESS YOUR EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT |
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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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With so much happening in the coming weeks and the South Australian show season about to get underway, now is the perfect time to get involved, connect with fellow members, and take advantage of the opportunities available through the club meetings. Whether it’s sharpening your knowledge around Vitamin A deficiencies, what to keep and what to sell, expanding your stud through strategic purchases, or planning a social outing like the BSSA Melton Auction trip, there’s something for everyone.
Until next week. |
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March
- Sunday 30th March – BSSA Murphy Classic Novice & Intermediate Show @ Ascot Park Scout Hall
April
- Tuesday 1st April – BSSA Meeting featuring Dr Rob Marshall, Avian Vet, Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur St, Unley
- Sunday, 6th April – BCSA Judges Meeting, Enfield Community Centre, Regency Road, Enfield
- Wednesday, 9 April 2025 NEBS Culling & Getting Ready for May presentation, featuring BES & Dilute, Hectorville Community Centre, 47 Reid Avenue, Hectorville
- Sunday, 27 April, PPBS Harry Johnston Young Stock Show, Crystal Brook Council Hall
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