| Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin! |
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| Well, what a fantastic week it’s been in Budgies. With the Nationals over, the media blackout is officially over, and we can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Congratulations to J & W Weidenhofer and Graham McCallum, who won the Normal Violet, and Normal Grey classes at the 50th Annual Trill™ Expert National Championships representing South Australia. This is Jason & Wayne’s 6th win in the modern era of the Nationals, and Graham’s first. And as team South Australia, we placed third overall, the first time since our Grand Chancellor event in 2014, finishing 10 points above the home state South Queensland with 474 points. It’s our highest points tally in the history of the National event, and a massive endorsement of all the good that is happening here in budgies in South Australia. |
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At the National level, some of our Top 7 placings include:
J & W Weidenhofer – 1st Normal Violet Class, 3rd Dilute Class, 4th & 6th Greywing Class, 5th Dominant Pied Class, 7th Grey Green Class
Graham McCallum – 1st Normal Grey Class
Holmes Family – 3rd Normal Grey Class, 3rd Yellow Faced Blue, 3rd Black Eyed Self Class, 3rd Opaline Class, 3rd Opaline AOSV Class, 3rd & 6th Spangle AOSV Class, 3rd Dominant Pied Class, 3rd Australian White Cap Class, 3rd Hens Class, 4th Cinnamonwing Class, 4th & 6th Spangle Class, 5th Grey Green Class, 5th Fallow Class, 6th Dark Eyed Clear Class, 6th Clearbody Class, 7th Normal Blue Class
George England – 3rd & 4th in the Clearbody Class, 3rd Lacewing Class.
Tonkin & Schutz – 3rd & 5th Cinnamonwing Class, 4th Lacewing Class.
Peter Brumby – 4th in the Albino Class.
Shiralee Reardon – 4th Crested Class
Kelwyn Kakoschke – 5th & 7th in the Clearwing Class
Dennis Lomman – 7th Yellow Faced Blue ClassA big thanks to the bird carers in Michael Smith, George England, Troy Holmes, Paul Wilton & John Mulley, who meticulously prepared the team in readiness for the big weekend. From Tonkin & Schutz:“A massive thank you to the BCSA bird carers, who once again did a wonderful job. Their dedication and professionalism were clearly evident, and the way they helped one of our birds, a Lacewing, excel beyond expectations is a true testament to their skill and commitment. Leaving the Logan Shield full of blood across the head feathers, then seeing it at the Gold Coast, benched, settled, and looking superb, was an incredible turnaround and a true testament to their skill and commitment.” |
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| We can also reveal that the three Novice members who won their respective classes at the Logan Sheild last week were Paul Wilton (Normal Blue), Peter Brumby (Albino) and Pauline Lampre (Recessive Pied).
The Longbottom Family also won the Lutino Class as Intermediates.
We believe (waiting on confirmation from Chris Murphy) that may have elevated Paul (10 points) and Peter (25 points) into Intermediate with their previous points tally across three years. For elevation, Novice breeders require 30 points over 3 years with a minimum of 3 different birds. If that is in fact the case, well done to you both!
A link to the full copy of the Logan Shield results is featured below. |
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| Back to the Nationals, and South Queensland is already preparing to re-take their “rightful order of third place” in Canberra in 2027, in a post by SQBBA President Garry Hibberd.
We are hoping South Australia takes this call to arms and continues to build on 2026. In order to do that, we need everyone showing, and breeders covering off a breadth of varieties to ensure we finish with two birds on the top bench (Top 10) in every class, our challenge for the last 3 years. |
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| South Queensland, setting the challenge to its cohort, to regain its “rightful” third place in 2027 |
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| The weekend received a lot of media attention, with a Seven News cross on Friday, a 9 News piece on the Saturday, and Weekend Sunrise crossing to the judges on the Sunday. Thanks to our partners at Media Stable for such a wonderful job in garnering interest in this wonderful Australian bird, with the 7News cross alone having over 300 shares on Facebook. |
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| 9 News Cross to ANBC National Titles |
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| Channel 7 Sunrise Breakfast Show Interviewing Father & Son, Mal & Rob Randall |
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| 7 News Segment on the ANBC National Titles |
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| South Australia’s Holmes Family was also officially presented their plaque for induction into the ANBC Hall of Fame Breeder’s Excellence Division. Congratulations to Troy & Kelly. |
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| The event also saw the unveiling of the ANBC Hall of Fame Service Division Banners, which included several South Australian’s in Stan Watson, George Duffield, Gordon Lowe, Peter Glassenbury, and Nigel Tonkin. The Council received the following message from Gordon Lowe’s Grand-daughter, Jenny, after seeing his banner.
“Hi Nigel, Thank you so much for the picture on the banner. My family will love it. Jenny Lowe” |
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| Looking Ahead
This week, the BSSA will come together on Tuesday, June 2nd at the Unley Community Centre, commencing at 7.00pm. The meeting will feature three key components, offering members a mix of entertainment, education and insight following the recent National Championships.
The evening will begin with the popular Member on the Couch session, with George England asking the hard questions of nominated guest Sue Adams. This will be followed by the launch of a brand-new segment, “Budgies with Brice”, hosted by Brice Wheaton. In this interactive session, members will work together to examine selected budgerigar varieties, beginning with Opaline and Opaline AOSV. To conclude the evening, George England will present his annual ANBC round-up, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the bird room and providing a detailed rundown of the 50th Annual Trill™ Expert ANBC National Championships on the Gold Coast. Members will also receive an update on the BSSA online auction. |
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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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| A surge of auctions has been unleashed after the Nationals has ended, with Cusack Auction 1, Elmir Family May 2026 Auction, NB4 Auction 4, BSSA Auction 10, and Capricornia Live Auction all coming online this week. We also feature the Eastern catalogue, for the June long weekend. |
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Elmir Family Auction May 2026🦜
Ends: May 29 @ 8 PM AEST plus extended bidding
Lots Available: 20The Elmir Family May 2026 Auction is now live, featuring 20 budgerigars from the Elmir Family stud in Victoria. This auction is the first of three planned auctions. One of the upcoming auctions will be dedicated specifically to Crested birds. The auction will conclude on May 29th at 8:00 pm AEST. Varieties on offer include Normal Yellow Faced, Cinnamonwing, Dominant Pied, Spangle, Spangle Double Factor, Normal Grey, Normal Blue and more. |
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Cusack Auction 1 2026🦜
Ends: May 31 @ 8 am AEST plus extended bidding (note – AM, not PM)
Lots Available: 20Andrew & Wayne Cusack Auction 1 for 2026 is now live, presenting fanciers with the first of several upcoming auctions from the A & W Cusack partnership. This auction features 20 budgerigars in total. The auction will conclude on May 31 at 8:00 am AEST. The varieties on offer include Black Eyed Selfs, Cinnamonwings, Normals, Opaline Cinnamonwings, Dilutes, Greywings, Lutinos, Recessive Pieds, Clearwings and more. |
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NB4 Auction 4 2026🦜
Ends: May 31 @ 7 PM AEST plus extended bidding
Lots Available: 10NB4 Auction 4 for 2026 is now live, featuring 10 quality budgerigars from well-known Melbourne breeder Nash Beniamin. The auction will conclude on May 31st at 7:00 pm AEST, with extended bidding applying where required. Varieties on offer including Inos, Cinnamonwings, Clearbodies, Dilutes, Dominant Pieds, Spangle Double Factors, Lacewings, Opalines and more. |
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BSSA Auction 10 2026🦜
Ends: May 31 @ 7 pm ACST plus extended bidding
Lots Available: 12TBSSA Auction 10 features 12 birds from vendors Chris Jones, George England, and Kerry & Marie Murphy. The auction will conclude on May 31 at 7:00 pm AEST, with extended bidding applying where required. This auction includes a diverse mix of budgerigar varieties, including Normal Violets, Recessive Pieds, Yellow Faced Blue, Opaline Cinnamonwings, Rainbows and more. |
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Capricornia Auction 2026🦜
Date: Saturday June 6th
Lots Available: 220Hosted by the Capricornia Budgerigar Society Inc., this annual club auction will be held on Sunday, 7 June 2026. The venue is the North Rockhampton High School Assembly Hall, Berserker Street, North Rockhampton. The 2026 catalogue features birds from 35 breeders and exhibitors. The auction includes a wide range of varieties and colours – Normals, Spangles, Dominant Pieds, Recessive Pieds, Danish Recessive Pieds, Opalines, Cinnamonwings, Lacewings, Lutinos, Australian White Caps, Yellow Faced, Golden Faced, Greywings, Dilutes, Fallows and more. Breeders represented include Russell and Cheryl Ogden, Joel Keune, Scott Eriksen, Michael and Shayla Evans, Brian Harms, Peter Drew, Ian Schneider, Peter Thurn, Kevin O’Callaghan, Mark Walker, Jon Lamberton, Jason Major, Rod and Michelle Vidler, Doug Wales, Peter Jeffrey, Treva Turner and many more feature birds for sale. |
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Eastern Districts Auction 2026🦜
Date: Sunday June 14
Lots Available: 208 birdsThe Eastern Districts Auction 2026 presents an outstanding opportunity for budgerigar breeders and exhibitors to secure quality birds from a wide range of respected Australian studs. With more than 200 lots listed in the auction catalogue, this sale offers strong variety, depth of bloodlines, and genuine breeding opportunities for fanciers looking to strengthen their stock ahead of the next breeding season.This year’s catalogue features an impressive selection of exhibition budgerigars across many popular varieties, including Normal Green, Normal Grey, Cinnamonwing, Spangle, Opaline, Dominant Pied, Recessive Pied, Greywing, Clearbody, Violet, Lacewing, White Cap, Lutino, Albino and more. The breadth of varieties on offer makes the Eastern Districts Auction 2026 a valuable event for both established breeders and those looking to develop particular lines within their stud. |
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Tuesday June 2nd – BSSA Monthly Meeting
📍 Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur St. UnleyCommencing at 7.00pm, the meeting will feature three key components. The evening will begin with the popular Member on the Couch session, with George England interviewing Sue Adams. This will be followed by the launch of a brand-new segment, “Budgies with Brice”. In this interactive session, members will work together to examine selected budgerigar varieties, beginning with Opaline and Opaline AOSV. George England will then present his annual ANBC round-up. |
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Wednesday June 10th – NEBS Tender Sale
📍 Hectorville Community Centre, 47 Reid Av HectorvilleNorth East will hold its monthly Mega Auction, leading into a tender sale on June 10th. These tender nights are always popular and provide a great opportunity to pick up new birds from local club members, often at bargain basement prices. |
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Sunday June 14th – PPBS Aviary Visit, Shiralee Reardon
📍 Penrice, SAOn Sunday, June 14th, the Port Pirie Club will hold a luncheon and aviary tour at the residence of Shiralee Reardon in Penrice. Shiralee recently won the Logan Shield Crested class and was awarded Best Opp Sex at the BSSA Show. She also placed third in the Hens class at the 2025 Nationals, so it will be a great opportunity to see some of the birds she is breeding while enjoying lunch with fellow members. |
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Saturday June 20th – NEBS Annual Show
📍 Hectorville Community Centre, 47 Reid Av HectorvilleOn Saturday, June 20th, the North East Budgerigar Society will host its Fisher Annual Show, with Wayne Bandt as the Major Awards Judge for the event. |
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Sunday June 28th – PPBS Annual Show
📍 Crystalbrook, SAOn Sunday, June 28th, Show Manager Tony Van Den Brink will be back in the saddle, with the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society Any Age Annual Show being held in Crystal Brook. |
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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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| Congratulations again to Team South Australia on a fabulous showing at the 50th Annual Trill™ Expert National Championships. Achieving a record-breaking 474 points and overall third place is a tremendous result and a credit to the depth, preparation and commitment shown across the entire team. Congratulations to J & W Weidenhofer and Graham McCallum for their individual accolades.
As we turn our attention to Canberra in 2027, the challenge now is to build on the momentum created this year. Our focus must be on strengthening every class, with the aim of placing two birds on the top bench each time. That will only be achieved through the same team-first approach that delivered such a strong result in 2026.
It was the depth of our team, and the commitment of each and every one of you, that helped South Australia reach this point. Congratulations to all involved, and let’s keep building together.
Until next week. |
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June 2026
- Tuesday June 2nd – BSSA Meeting, Unley
- Wednesday June 10th – NEBS Tender Sale, Hectorville
- Sunday June 14th – PPBS Aviary Visit, Penrice
- Saturday June 20th – NEBS Annual Any Age Show, Hectorville
- Sunday June 28th – Port Pirie Annual Any Age Show, Crystalbrook
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