| Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin! |
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The Port Pirie Budgerigar Society held its October meeting on Sunday, 19th October, at the welcoming home of Doug and Ruth Lange. Members enjoyed a relaxed and social day filled with great conversation, plenty of birds to admire, and spirited discussion about the upcoming breeding season. The meeting also included the judging of Unbroken Caps and Young Birds from the 2025 rung year, giving attendees an early look at some promising youngsters for the year ahead.
Congratulations went to Tony and Angela Van Den Brink, who won Best Current Year Rung Bird with a striking Spangle Grey, while Malcolm Loveridge took out Best Unbroken Cap with a beautiful Cinnamonwing Grey Green. The day was a wonderful reminder of the camaraderie and passion that defines the Port Pirie club, with many members staying on long after the judging to share advice, stories, and a few laughs among friends.
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| This week saw plenty of media interest, online, in print and on tv. The Advertiser came and took plenty of photos of Chessington and Richie, in readiness for Budgie Fest, while Sunrise ran a feature on a past Chirp Champion, Bubble. |
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| This evening, we will be hosting the Human Stories Behind Budgies, as Graeme Goodings digs into the back stories behind budgerigars, with a focus on the mental health benefits associated with the hobby.
Saturday morning sees our Interclub and Tri Club Cup kick off, with judges Gary Gazzard from NSW, and James Bader from Victoria.
In the afternoon, our Budgie Fest kicks into gear, and we’ll judge the Ultimate Chirp Champion with our budgie judges, alongside some celebrity guests. |
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| Budgie Fest 2025 Has Arrived! |
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| From Cage to Centre Stage – the Quest to Find Australia’s Ultimate Pet Budgie
Budgie Fest 2025 is here! The Budgie Fest grand finale will happen on Saturday afternoon at the Campbelltown Convention Centre, 172 Montacute Road, Rostrevor. Join us between Noon and 3 PM at the Campbelltown Function Centre for a FREE FAMILY FUN DAY filled with all things budgies. Kids can enjoy face painting, magic shows, colouring competitions, and even free 5-minute vet checks for feathered friends. Adults can relax with a Barossa wine tasting thanks to our partners at Hentley Farm and enjoy a live art demonstration inspired by—you guessed it—budgies!
🥇🐦 Chirp-Champion 2025 – The Ultimate Best Pet Budgie of the year
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| Human Stories Behind Budgies – Tonight!
Hosted at the Campbelltown Function Centre, home of Budgie Fest, our dinner will feature a buffet dinner and dessert, all provided by our dedicated cohort of volunteers.
The evening will be hosted by Graeme Goodings, the beloved former Channel 7 news anchor and current FiveAA radio personality. Graeme will guide us through heartfelt conversations with passionate budgie breeders, including Garry and Helen Hibberd from Toowoomba, James Bader from Victoria, Kelwyn Kakoschke from South Australia and others, as they share their personal stories, challenges, and triumphs that go on behind their budgerigars.
This isn’t just about the birds; it’s about the amazing people behind them. Graeme will bring their stories to life, offering you a rare and insightful look into their world. Enjoy the buffet-style dinner, filled with delicious options, and cap off the evening with a decadent dessert. It’s sure to be a night to remember, filled with good food, great company, and inspiring conversations. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just love great storytelling, this event is for you!
Location: Campbelltown Function Centre, Home of Budgie Fest, 172 Montacute Rd, Rostrevor. Tickets: $35 per person—limited tickets available. Secure yours today! |
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| Budgie Fest also incorporates our all important NEBS vs BSSA Interclub, and Tri Club Cup. Entries have closed, but the details are below. Benching of birds is between 7:30 am and 8:30 am, with judging kicking off at 9:00 am. If you haven’t received your cage stickers by Friday, October 24th, 2025, please contact the President, Troy Holmes at 0419 526 753 by Friday evening to arrange for printing of duplicate stickers.
A reminder – as NEBS are hosting this show, one kitchen measuring cup of seed on the floor – no D cups. |
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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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| Two auctions see out the week – BSSA Auction 29 for 2025, and the Midstate Fundraising Auction. Both Auctions feature at least one National representative from this year’s event in Cairns, so some great birds on offer. |
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BSSA Auction 29 for 2025🦜
Closing Date: October 26th 2025
Lots Available: 15
The Budgerigar Society of South Australia (BSSA) is proud to present BSSA Auction 29, running from 20 October to 26 October 2025. This online event features 15 high-quality lots from some of South Australia’s most dedicated breeders. To that end, it showcases a diverse selection of varieties including Inos, Cinnamonwings, Dominant Pieds, Opalines, Recessive Pieds, Violets, and more.
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Midstate Fundraising Auction 2025🦜
Closing Date: October 26th 2025
Lots Available: 18
The Midstate Budgerigar Auction 2025 features 18 quality lots, all generously donated by members of the Midstate Budgerigar Club. This is part of our club’s yearly fundraising initiative. Please support the club and the budgerigar hobby as a whole. This year’s lots feature a stunning selection of Cinnamonwings, Spangles, Normals, Clearwings, Violets, Yellow Faced Blue, and more. All are bred and donated by dedicated Midstate breeders. The auction opened on 19 October and closes on 26 October 2025.
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🐦 Budgie Fest Dinner
📅 Friday October 24th, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
📍 Campbelltown Function Centre, 172 Montacute Rd, RostrevorJoin us tomight, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, as we explore the fascinating human stories behind budgerigars. This special dinner event will be expertly hosted by none other than Graeme Goodings, former Channel 7 news anchor and current FiveAA radio personality, who will guide us through intimate conversations with passionate budgie breeders. Hear from Garry and Helen Hibberd from Toowoomba, James Bader from Victoria, Hall of Fame & BCSA Life Member Kelwyn Kakoschke and others as they share their unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs in this hobby. It’s not just about the birds—it’s about the people behind these amazing creatures, and Graeme will bring their stories to life, offering a rare glimpse into their world. Enjoy a buffet-style dinner filled with delicious options and a decadent buffet dessert to cap off the evening. This will be a night to remember, full of heartwarming tales, good food, and great company. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast, a lover of great storytelling, or just looking for an evening with something special, this event promises to deliver.Location: Campbelltown Function Centre, Home of Budgie Fest, 172 Montacute Rd, Rostrevor.
Cost is $35 per person. Tickets strictly limited.
BYO alcohol. |
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🐦 Budgie Fest 2025
📅 Saturday October 25th, 12 pm – 3 pm
📍 Campbelltown Function Centre, 172 Montacute Road, Rostrevor |
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🐦 Budgie Fest 2025 Interbranch & Tri Club Cup
📅 Saturday October 25th, 9 am – 3 pm (7:30 am Benching)
📍 Campbelltown Function Centre, 172 Montacute Road, Rostrevor |
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🐦 18 Days of Incubation
📅 Tuesday November 4th, 7:30 pm
📍 Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur St UnleyJoin the BSSA as they talk about the 18 day incubation cycle of an egg. Our speaker at our November meeting with be Troy Holmes with a presentation on ”The development of the embryo inside the budgie egg”. |
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🐦 Come & Try, Incorporating Tender Sale
📅 Wednesday November 12th, 7:30 pm
📍 Hectorville Community Centre, 47 Reid Avenue, HectorvilleHave you ever considered keeping, breeding or exhibiting budgerigars? Come along and meet the Budgerigar community. This free evening will include bird giveaways, buy-swap-sell of books and more, as well as a tender sale of budgerigars from some of the North East’s leading breeders. |
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🐦 Port Pirie Christmas Party 2025
📅 Sunday November 23rd
📍 Port Broughton HotelJoin the Port Pirie Club for their annual pilgrimage to the Port Broughton Hotel. |
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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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The countdown is on to Budgie Fest 2025 this weekend! It’s set to be an incredible celebration of our favourite feathered friends. A big thank you to everyone who’s worked behind the scenes to make it happen. Be sure to get around it, and soak in just how great the quintessential Aussie budgie is, and how it connects us all.
Until next week. |
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October
- Friday 24th October – Budgie Fest Dinner & Human Stories
- Saturday 25th October – Budgie Fest/Tri Club Cup/Interclub, Campbelltown
November
- Tuesday 4th November – 18 Days of Incubation, BSSA, Unley
- Wednesday 12th November – Budgie Come & Try Night, NEBS, Hectorville
- Sunday 23rd November – PPBS Christmas Party, Port Broughton
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