Welcome to This Week’s Budgie Bulletin!

Although we may not have had any meetings as such, we’ve had plenty going on in the world of budgies, both here in South Australia, and across the country.

In an Australia-wide update, the ANBC has successfully renegotiated a long-term agreement with Coditech for the provision of bird rings for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027. This new contract entails a modest rise in the cost per ring. The BCSA recognises the importance of affordability for breeders regarding ring prices and is committed to minimizing the impact of this increase on the end users as much as possible.

Furthermore, there has been some discussions around the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has commenced public consultation on the renewing of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS). The Australian Government committed $5 million over 4 years to the development of the renewed AAWS, with the objective of providing a framework for a national approach to animal welfare in Australia. The development of the renewed AAWS will be jointly led by the Australian, and state and territory governments, informed by your engagement and feedback during consultation. The AAWS will include nearly all animals. It will be released in chapters, each dedicated to one of 6 animal groups, with the final strategy expected in 2027. More information is available using the link below:

Looking ahead to next month, on April 2, we step into a presentation from Dr Marijke Mellor from the Unusual Pet Vets Adelaide. Dr Mellor will be completing a short presentation, and then offering free five-minute vet checks for your budgies. For the pet or colony breeder, it’s a great way to forge a relationship with a local avian specialist. For the exhibition breeder, it offers great reassurance having a qualified professional look over your birds at no cost. Get along and join the BSSA for what promises to be another great FREE event.

On April 7^th, we open the South Australian show season with the Murphy Classic Future Champions Show. This show is for our Novice and Intermediate breeders only and promises to be a great day out with some great prize money on offer. Wayne Weidenhofer will be the major award judge, and an entry form can be found on the BCSA website, as well as a link to the Facebook event for catering the all-important sausage sizzle.

On April 10^th, the North East are hosting their 50^th birthday celebrations. Wood fired pizza will be served from 6 PM, and official festivities will kick off at 7:30 PM. Iconic South Australian media identity, Graeme Goodings, will take the audience on a nostalgic journey through what’s happened in South Australia over the 50 years that NEBS has been in existence, for what promises to be a brilliant event. A 50 year almanac has been developed, detailing much of the NEBS history – get along to this event for your FREE copy. The Club is encouraging everyone to bring along their partners.

Turning our attention to events beyond our local scene, we observed United hosting their Show, which featured the debut of the Alan Rowe Perpetual Trophy. A round of applause for Ian Hunter, who clinched the inaugural trophy. Over in New South Wales, the prestigious Royal Easter Show unfolded, where Luke Connor triumphed with a lovely Spangle Grey cock – kudos to Luke. Meanwhile, at the Border Districts event, M & R Randall captured both Best Young Bird and Best in Show accolades with their stunning Cinnamon Light Green Hen – a well-deserved congratulations to them.

Moving our focus to Auctions, the BSSA aren’t holding a weekly auction because of Easter, but there are three auctions being run online to fill any sense of loss you might be feeling from your weekly auction trawling – the Glenn Sinclair second sale for 2024, the Richard & Michelle Eppelstun and Josh Portch combined sale, and the Clyde Easter sale. The Clyde sale is unique, in that 100% of the funds go back to the Club with these donated birds.

This week highlights three notable online events, culminating in the much-anticipated Wynnum Redlands Showcase Live Auction next weekend. The online lineup includes Glenn Sinclair’s 2nd stock reduction sale of 2024, signaling his move to a new location, alongside a joint sale by Richard & Michelle Eppelstun and Josh Portch from the Sunshine Coast in QLD. Also featured is the Clyde Easter Auction, which stands out as members have opted to donate birds in lieu of traditional fundraising activities like hosting a Bunnings BBQ. This means that all proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the Clyde club, showcasing a commendable initiative that not only supports the club but also spares members from the perennial debate over the correct placement of onions, sausage and bread in the all-important Bunnings sausage sizzle.

Clyde Easter Auction: Currently underway and set to conclude on March 31st, the Clyde Easter Auction is actively showcasing a unique selection of birds from the members of the Clyde Budgerigar Society. Notably, all budgies presented for auction are donations from the breeders, which guarantees that all proceeds will directly support the club. Furthermore, this may be the first auction where a bird from Clyde hasn’t been described as “girthy” by one Con Herouvim. Alas, there is still time to avoid this impending precedent.

To check out the birds on offer, use the link below:

Glenn Sinclair Stock Reduction Sale: Glenn Sinclair’s Auction 2 for 2024 is currently underway, presenting a selection of surplus birds. These are all maiden birds, meaning they have not yet been utilised for breeding purposes. Consequently, this sale offers an opportunity to acquire birds from the final batch before a meticulous selection process determines which ones will relocate to the new address.

To check out the birds on offer, use the link below:

Richard & Michelle Eppelstun and Josh Portch Combined Auction: The Eppelstun Portch Auction currently showcases a unique collaboration between Richard & Michelle Eppelstun and Josh Portch. This event provides an exciting opportunity for fellow breeders to acquire birds that can significantly enhance their breeding programs. Importantly, this sale highlights birds that are surplus to the breeders’ current needs. Notably, these birds are in prime breeding condition and ready for relocation to continue their breeding journey elsewhere. The selection, which includes Opaline Cinnamons, Opalines, Spangles, Dominant Pieds, and Yellowfaces among others, totals 20 birds.

To check out the birds on offer, use the link below:

Wyynum Redlands Showcase Live Auction:  One of, if not the, best auctions in the top half of the country, Wynnum always attracts quality budgerigars, and 2024 will be no exception. The event will happen live on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at the Assembly Hall on Smith St, Cleveland. Birds from 24 different vendors will be on offer, across 164 lots. For inquiries, please reach out to Trevor Broadbent at 0407 323 622 or Bill & Pat Sedgwick at 07 3396 8732 or 0413 960 396, or via email at [email protected]. A link to the catalogue is provided below:

Club events for the month of March are complete in South Australia. April is looking exciting, with two meetings, and the first of the Club Shows for 2024.

BSSA Monthly Meeting:

Mark your calendars for Tuesday April 2nd, as the BSSA hosts Dr Marijke Mellor from the Unusual Pet Vets Adelaide to talk all things budgies. Dr Mellor will also be providing free, 5 minute vet checks of your birds, so the BSSA encourages you to bring your feathered friend along for what promises to be a great night.

BSSA Murphy Future Champions Show: Join the BSSA for the Novice and Intermediate Show for 2024. Great prize money on offer, and lots of fun to be had. More details available on the link below.

North East Monthly Meeting:

Mark your calendars for Wednesday April 10th, as the North East celebrates 50 years! Plans are now in place and the 50-year anniversary booklet reviewing the club’s history. All current members, past members, and members of other clubs are welcome. Wood fired pizza will be served from 6.00pm onwards. Meeting will be opened at 7.30pm, Kelwyn Kakoschke as a Co-Founder of NEBS will speak on the early days. The night will feature media identity Graeme Goodings, who will present a nostalgic look at South Australia between 1974 and 2024, covering the 50 years that NEBS has existed. So, there is something of interest for partners of breeders as well. Supper will follow. Love to see you there.

North East Fundraising – Lucky Squares:

In order to help fund the 50th Birthday celebrations, the North East Budgerigar Society are delighted to offer this Dominant Pied Opaline Grey Hen bred by Troy Holmes as their Lucky Squares Prize, as part of their 50th Anniversary celebrations. She is Ring Number HOL 23/096, and a maiden hen, born in the later half of 2023. She is a half sister to some of Troy’s very best birds, including numerous National representatives. Her siblings will from an important part of the 2024 Show Team. For those who know Troy’s birds, the sire is a Super Opaline Grey split Lacewing Cock. Similarly, those who know Troy may also know that had he provided this description, a small forest may have been sacrificed in paper. In fact, earlier this year, the Colac catalogue may have been 3 pages shorter, had Troy not provided a short novel on the background of each bird.

Moving on, tickets can be bought by contacting Ian Wise either through Facebook Messenger, emailing [email protected] or texting 0437 591843. The tickets are $10 each and payments can be made by transferring to North East Budgerigar Society BSB 105146 Account number 547328040 and use your surname as the Reference to be able to reconcile your payment. The prize will be drawn at the NEBS 50th Celebration meeting on Wed 10th April 2024.

The link below will take you to a direct email to Ian.

• Sunday, 7 April 2024, BSSA Murphy Classic, Westbourne Park Community Centre – 388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park

• Sunday, 5 May 2024, BSSA Stan Watson Breeder’s Show, Westbourne Park Community Centre – 388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park
• Saturday, 11 May 2024, NEBS Lloyd Edwards Breeder Show,49 LeHunte St, Kilburn
• Sunday, 12 May 2024, PPBS Harry Johnson Young Bird Show, Crystal Brook Council Hall
• Sunday, 19 May 2024, BCSA Logan Shield Interbranch, Enfield Community Centre, Regency Road, Enfield
• Saturday, 25 May 2024, ANBC National Titles, Launceston, Tasmania
• Sunday, 26 May 2024, ANBC National Titles, Launceston, Tasmania

• Saturday, 22 June 2024, NEBS Fisher Annual Show, 49 LeHunte St, Kilburn
• Sunday, 30 June 2024, PPBS Hutchinson’s Annual Show, Crystal Brook Council Hall

• Sunday, 7 July 2024, BSSA Ron Norman Show, Westbourne Park Community Centre –388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park
• Saturday, 20 July 2024, BCSA Auction & AGM, Enfield Community Centre, Regency Road, Enfield

• Saturday, 26 October 2024 – Budgie Fest
• Sunday, 10 November 2024 – BSSA/NEBS Interclub 2024, Westbourne Park Community Centre –388 Goodwood Road Westbourne Park