| Welcome to this week’s edition of the Budgie Bulletin! |
|
|
If you’re new subscriber, it’s brilliant to have you with us. Each week we round up what’s happening in the South Australian budgerigar scene: show results, breeder spotlights, upcoming auctions and sales, helpful how-to’s, and community news. If it’s not your cup of tea, you can unsubscribe any time – no hard feelings, but we do hope to see you at Budgie Fest 2026. For those of you sticking around, welcome aboard, and happy reading!
Budgie Fest 2025 opened with a dinner hosted by former 7 News anchor and current FiveAA presenter Graeme Goodings. In conversation with James Bader, Kelwyn Kakoschke, and Garry & Helen Hibberd, Graeme drew out the human stories behind the cages—what budgies mean to them, the moments the hobby has carried them through, and why this community matters. |
|
| Budgies were across the media again this week, thanks to the great work of our friends at Media Stable. Budgies featured in the Weekend Advertiser, as well as on Sunrise and 9 News Adelaide. |
|
| Saturday kicked off with the Tri Club (Interclub) Show, as well as Budgie Fest. The Interclub was won by the BSSA with 526 points, followed by the North East on 199, and Port Pirie on 44. Congratulations to Schutz and Tonkin, who took out Grand Champion (Beau’s first ever Grand Champion), Jane Kelb with Champion Intermediate, Paul Wilton with Champion Novice, and Darcie Osobase-Kelb with Champion Junior. |
|
| At noon, the doors opened to a rush of visitors from across Adelaide and beyond – two parties even brought their pet budgies from interstate. By 2.15 pm, the counter had clicked past 1,000 attendees. Gertie Spurling, Will McDonald, James Bader and Gary Gazzard judged the Ultimate Chirp Champion – Australia’s Best Pet Budgie, with Queen Fredricka of Bridgewater, SA, taking the crown. |
|
| If the smiles were any measure, the joy of the day was contagious. Children compared feathers, pet owners beamed with pride as they introduced their birds, and a great day was had by all. One 6 year old was quoted by the media as saying, “Budgies are SO much more fun than an iPad”. A genuinely beautiful day for our community, all made possible through the generosity of our sponsors and the tireless volunteers at the heart of the budgerigar cohort here in South Australia. |
|
| In the week ahead, the BSSA will be holding their weekly meeting. For anyone looking to understand the 18 day incubation cycle of a budgie, and terms like early term addling, late term addling, and dead in shell, this is a presentation not to be missed. More details are included in the Around The Clubs section below. |
|
| Check out the collaboration between our partners Hentley Farm, and Budgie Fest’s own artist, Dr. Daniel Connell! |
|
|
| This week, we just have the one online Auction, being run out of Hoppers Crossing in Victoria. The BSSA and North East auctions are set to return next week—perfect timing if you’re hunting for that hard-to-buy-for someone.
Advance notice: The North East is running a tender sale on Wednesday, 12 November, featuring exhibition budgerigars. There’ll be giveaways for Novice and Junior breeders, so if you’re not a member yet, now’s the time to join and get involved. |
|
Elmir Family Auction 2025🦜
Closing Date: November 5th 2025
Lots Available: 17Elmir Family are disposing of some excess stock, which includes a number of crested and tufted budgerigars, as well as some Lutinos and Yellow Faced Blues that have been brought in. Check out the link below for more information. |
|
🐦 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”. |
|
🐦 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. |
|
🐦 Port Pirie Christmas Party 2025
📅 Sunday November 23rd
📍 Port Broughton HotelJoin the Port Pirie Club for their annual pilgrimage to the Port Broughton Hotel. |
|
| 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. |
|
|
A very special thank you to every volunteer who made Budgie Fest 2025 happen – thank you. From the cooks who prepped Friday night’s food, to the friendly faces on the tables, the traffic marshals, the show bag crew, the stewards and set-up/pack-up teams, you kept the day moving and the smiles coming. Please know how deeply you’re valued. The BCSA is genuinely privileged to count you as part of our cohort.
A big shout-out as well to our judges, who made the day an extraordinary success, and to our sponsors, whose support turned an idea into a great family friendly event.
Until next week. |
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
