| Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin! |
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The BSSA has announced an exciting new event—a Juniors-only Show, set to take place in October alongside its popular Come and Try Night. Scheduled to coincide with the school holidays, the evening aims to encourage families and community members to come along and get involved. The event will be held at the BSSA’s home base, 18 Arthur Street, Unley, on Tuesday, 7 October.
Entries are in for this weekend’s BSSA Murphy Classic, and Show Manager George England is pleased to report a strong turnout—215 entries across the Novice and Intermediate categories, featuring 16 Novice exhibitors and 4 Intermediate exhibitors. The show is shaping up to be a fantastic day out this Sunday, 30 March. If you’re keen to attend, head to the Ascot Park Scout Hall and enjoy the day’s events!
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The Week Ahead
🚨 Murphy Classic Future Champions Show! 🚨
This Sunday, 30 March, the BSSA will host its Murphy Classic Future Champions Show at Ascot Park Scout Hall, located at 51 Sixth Avenue, Ascot Park. Open exclusively to Novice and Intermediate exhibitors, the day will begin with benching at 9:30 AM, followed by judging at 10:30 AM (adjusted to accommodate traveling exhibitors), and a trophy presentation after lunch. Exhibitors are reminded that show cages must be standard BSSA-approved chrome or powder-coated, with a D drinker half-filled with seed (canary, jap millet, or white millet), a drinker positioned four spaces from the left, and a white paper or plastic insert if desired. Entry stickers should be placed on the bottom left corner of the cage.
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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 on Monday, March 31st, 2025! Secure your spot today!Don’t forget—the raffle for the Ray Slade pair closes on 31 March, so make sure you get your tickets in before it’s too late! |
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| 📢 Reminder: Dr Rob Marshall Meeting 🏆🐦
This Tuesday evening, the BSSA will welcome renowned guest speaker Dr Rob Marshall for a special presentation. Dr Marshall will be discussing the role of vitamin A in budgerigar reproduction, along with the diseases linked to vitamin A deficiency. A strong turnout is expected for this highly anticipated interstate guest, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a seat. Doors open at 7 pm.
In addition, the BSSA is offering a special raffle prize—members will receive one raffle ticket for every question submitted via email, with the prize to be drawn during the meeting. |
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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 two online auction underway on the 32 Auctions platform – BSSA Auction 7 for 2025, and Sunshine Coast Auction 8. Details of these events are provided below.
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BSSA Auction 7 for 2025 🦜
Date: Ends March 30th 2025
Lots Available: 16 individual lots
BSSA Auction 7 for 2025 is now live, running from March 24 to March 30, 2025. The event showcases an exciting selection of 16 quality lots. This week’s auction features a diverse range of varieties, including Inos, Cinnamonwings, Clearwings, Opalines, Spangles, and the eye-catching White Cap. Vendors include Tony Vandenbrink, Jane Kelb, Chris Jones, Ken & Janet Harris, and Marie & Kerry Murphy.
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Sunshine Coast Auction 8 🦜
Date: Ends March 30th 2025
Lots Available: 20 individual lots
This auction includes 20 birds from Troy Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Joel Kuene, Charles & Ann Mifsud, Tony & Sylvia Appleton, ROC Partnership, and Craig Barnett.
Varieties Available: Spangle Double Factors, White Cap, Cinnamonwings, Opalines, Dominant Pieds, Clearbodies, and more. Note that while the Sunshine Coast are running the auction, the birds are located in various parts of the country, so be sure to check each individual listing for its location before bidding.
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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 the first official show of the year taking place this weekend, now is the perfect time to get involved, reconnect with fellow members, and make the most of the opportunities offered through club meetings. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of vitamin A deficiencies, make decisions about what to keep or sell, or grow your stud through strategic purchases, there’s something for everyone.
For those planning to head to Cairns for the TRILL™ Expert ANBC National Championship Show, don’t forget—registrations close this Monday, as does the raffle for the Ray Slade pair. Let’s aim for a strong South Australian presence in Cairns and show our support for the BCSA!
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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