Lee Brooks Fundraiser

Lee Brooks Fundraising Auction

Angela and Tony Van Den Brink have always been the sort of people the budgerigar community in South Australia can count on. They’re the first to put their hands up — whether it’s hosting an aviary tour, stewarding at a show, helping set up, or jumping in to prepare food for a club function. They do it quietly, consistently, and without ever asking for anything in return.

This Christmas, their world was turned upside down. At their family Christmas party, Angela and Tony unexpectedly lost their son, Lee Brooks, at just 42 years old. Lee leaves behind a wife and young son.

As you can imagine, their grief is immense — and on top of that comes the sudden financial pressure of arranging a memorial. When Tony reached out asking if he could sell a few birds to help cover the memorial expenses, we couldn’t say anything but yes.

Because the BSSA Auctions don’t recommence until February and the NEBS Mega Auctions until March, we’ve created this one-off fundraising auction to give Tony and Ang the chance to offer a small selection of their better birds that were not used during 2025. A number of breeders have also donated birds to support the family, and the Van Den Brinks thank those breeders from the bottom of their hearts for their generosity.

Every single dollar raised (100%) will go toward Lee Brooks’ memorial service. If funds exceed the cost of the service, the remaining amount will be set aside for Lee’s two-and-a-half-year-old son, Greyson.

We’ve also created a Donation Lot for anyone who would like to contribute directly, even if you’re not bidding on birds. This can be done using the Buy It Now feature.

Auction Dates

Opens Wednesday 14 January and closes Sunday 18 January.

Varieties on offer include Clearbodies, Crest-breds, Black Eyed Selfs, Normals, Cinnamonwings, Lutinos, and more. Vendors include Gary Gazzard, Peter Thurn, Michael Pace, Joel Keune, Trevor Broadbent, Stephen Thompson, Ali Humadi, Dave Kelleher, Nash Benjamin, Jeffrey Leong, Vic Kocoski, and the Boal Family.

 

No family ever expects to face something like this. If you’re in a position to help — whether through a bid, sharing the auction, or making a donation — your support will mean more than words can say during this heartbreaking time.

Thank you for standing alongside Angela, Tony, and their family.

Troy & Kelly

 PS — A heartfelt thank you to Ian Wise for pulling Auction 32 together, and to John Mulley for spotting and preparing the birds located in South Australia. We also sincerely appreciate Gary Gazzard, Peter Thurn, Michael Pace, Joel Keune, Trevor Broadbent, Stephen Thompson, Ali Humadi, Dave Kelleher, Nash Benjamin, Jeffrey Leong, Vic Kocoski and the Boal Family for donating birds to support this cause. The generosity shown by the budgerigar community during times like these is truly humbling.

Link to Lee Brooks Fundraiser Auction