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HISTORY

2001  TO  2008

2001   Hosted by the Western Australian Budgerigar Council, this years show was held at Fremantle. The social functions were all well run and met with approval from visitors and fanciers. The two day show is now accepted by most. The one day show is still an option for member bodies and some will have to exercise this option due to local problems in trying to run the two day event. The new style scoreboard proved to be a popular innovation, electronic scoring was used for the first time and it is hoped this will be a normal procedure in the future. A problem arose when the Tasmanian team arrived at the airport. Sadly some of their team were found dead when the team handlers opened the travel cage. Post-mortem examinations revealed the birds died of asphyxiation. This has caused member bodies to look more closely at the ventilation available, to allow cross ventilation and sufficient air for the birds to travel safely. Fanciers and hosts all expressed their sympathy to the Tasmanians. Seven thousand dollars was raised via the ring levy towards the running of this year’s show and the same amount is to be forwarded to the hosts for the future Championship shows. The ANBC is now a member of the ABA and is now covered by their public liability insurance scheme. The ANBC secretary is to be the delegate representing the ANBC at ABA meetings. A three year record of the colours benched in the normal green and the normal blue series has revealed the following for the year 2000:- ten grey greens and four other greens, eleven greys and three other blues further results are to be recorded. Incorporation has been regarded as an essential protection for member’s bodies to guard against liability in the case of accidents. The council has decided to incorporate in the ACT. Victoria winning the competition for the sixth year in succession. The clear wing class created some controversy this created some concern and due to this a workshop for judges on clear wings is to be held in Tasmania 2002. FINAL RESULTS Victoria 361 New South Wales 342 South Queensland 331 Tasmania 268 South Australia 214 North & Central Queensland 188 Western Australia 185

2002   The Tasmanians again hosted a well run and successful show held at The Wrest Point Casino in Hobart.  The Friday night reception was held on board a Ferryboat on The Derwent River, something different and well received by visiting fanciers.  The dinners and trips were all well planned and certainly of interest to all who took advantage of these occasions.   The setting and location for The Championship Show was perfect with plenty of room and good even lighting, judges and spectators were all well catered for.   ANBC guests were Ghalib Al-Nasser and his wife Janice, both gave very interesting talks and attended various sub committee meetings.  Their friendly and warm personalities made them very welcome guests.  Comments and suggestions from both Ghalib and Janice were well received and it is hoped we can see them both again in the near future.    Three year survey re the numbers of Greyseries birds exhibited in the normal classes has revealed the following statistics Greygreens 30 Greys 26 against 12 Greens and 16 Blues.  These statistics prompted The Council to approve a motion to add two further classes to the Championship Show, ie Grey and Greygreen to be separated from the normal Greens and normal Blue classes from the year 2004.    The Crest variety is to be included in the point score starting in the year 2003.    The Clear body variety to be exhibited as an exhibition variety for 3 years starting in the year 2003 with a revue after 2004 to consider making this variety a permanent Championship class. Motions to alter the ring issue date and the age of birds eligible for The Championship Show both were defeated.   No response from the states who have hosted the two day show in regard to a request from Council re the running of the two day show.   A plastic show cage presented to Council, more information to be presented.   The ANBC registration, as an incorporation required and Australian Registered Body Number to cover The Championship show in all states.  Advice given to the secretary from the N.S.W. and  ACT Registrars  departments and legal under the ASIC act.   Mr Leigh Downey and Mr Colin Flanagan were granted permission to represent ANBC at the W.B.O. A.G.M. and report back to council at the 2003 meeting.   Mr Bruce Bradford’s term of office as the ANBC Secretary was extended for another twelve months.   Ms Debbie Ham is now The Website Manager and will be paid a $200 maintenance fee on a yearly base.   The Budgerigar Rare and Specialist Exhibitors of Australia are now another welcomed sponsor who were responsible for bringing Ghalib and Janice Al Nasser to Australia.   A Clearwing – Greywing workshop was held, however the decision arrived at by The National Judges Panel did not meet with approval from many Clearwing breeders.  The officiating judges were Mark Bridgeman from Victoria, Allen McCauley N.S.W. and Malcolm Loveridge S.A. and Kevin O’Callaghan N.Q. FINAL RESULTS Victoria 364 New South Wales 338 South Queensland 304 Western Australia 246 Tasmania 221 South Australia 217 North Queensland 200

2003   North and Central Queensland hosted this year’s Championship at the Colonial Club Resort in Cairns. This venue has proved to be the most popular of the venues where we have held the Championship Show.  The main comment from visiting fanciers was to praise the help, hospitality and overall friendliness of the hosts. Every person interviewed commenced their comments with, “ Our hosts were wonderful and went to great lengths to ensure we enjoyed ourselves.”   The show was run as a one day event and the North Queenslanders can be congratulated on proving one day shows can still be run successfully. Most visitors enjoyed being able to view the host’s selection show.  Delegates were pleased not to have subcommittees squeezed into a restricted timetable. The only adverse comments were made on the time allowed to view the exhibits, but the majority of visitors felt they had enough time.   The excursions were all given high praise and the impression  was that everyone who had the good fortune to attend would be back again.  During the last coach excursion Joyce West, the wife of our late Secretary Brian West advised the members this would be her last national.  Her attendance at these shows has been regular and her absence will be felt by all who know her as a hard worker and ambassador for budgerigars and North Queensland.   The best news for the Championships was the number of specialist clubs and commercial enterprises willing to support the event with cash donations, the Clearwing, Crest and Pied Societies all coming forward with cash donations.  Golden Cob have pledged a seven year support for the Championship along  with paying the Membership fee to the World Budgerigar Organisation.  This support along with the increased ring levy puts the ANBC in a very healthy position.   This year marks the end of popular secretary Bruce Bradford’s long term of office (over an eight year period) and Alistair Home has taken over the position.  Thanks and well wishes were all put forward in motions and personal approaches. Council discussed many issues from plastic strips to creating a Hall of Fame.  The significant issues were: Plastic strips on the front of cages raise the question of ventilation and difficulties when trying to judge the birds. The election of a National Executive was mainly a procedural item, however the ANBC President could best serve the coming event if elected from next year’s host. The issue of overseas judges officiating at the Championship Show was soundly defeated.  However, encouragement was given to those member bodies who wish to use these judges at state level. A unanimous decision to have the Clearbody variety compete for points at the 2004 show was well received by all. Council gave approval for an Honour Roll or hall of Fame to be estanblished with Peter Glassenbury given the task of establishing the criteria in consultation with Alistair Home. The BSNSW, next year’s host, for the 30th Anniversary Show have been given permission to honour the “Founding Fathers”.   The new Standard for Budgerigars produced under the guidance of Bob Bourke was completed and presented to Council for permission to go to print.  This was approved and as we approach the 2004 Championship the Standard has been issued to all member bodies.   Victoria has now won seventeen Championships, the last eight in a row.  NSW and South Queensland seem to have settled into second and third places, but the other four members have interesting tussles each year with the outcome never known till the last class is judged.   This year’s officiating judges were:- Steven Mow (Victoria), Graham Tuthill (Tasmania), John Bowgett (North Queensland) and Peter Glassenbury (SouthAustralia). FINAL RESULTS Victoria 385 New South Wales 361 South Queensland 350 Western Australia 290 Tasmania 242 South Australia 195 North Queensland 172

2004   New South Wales hosted this years Championship Show at Coffs Harbour in Northern N.S.W. The move away from the capital city proving to be popular with the visitors and local fanciers.   The BSNSW were extremely grateful to the BCV for allowing N.S.W. to go out of turn thereby combining The BSNSW fiftieth anniversary with the thirtieth anniversary of the ANBC, The Saturday and Sunday dinners were used to acknowledge The life members of the BSNSW and also the founding fathers of the ANBC, in addition an auction of a cricket bat signed by Matthew Hayden was staged to raise money for the 2005 championship show. BSNSW members hope their initiative in running an auction of this kind will be the start of a continuing tradition.   The council decided to establish a trophy to be given to class winners each year, South Australia and Victoria to produce the proto type. A decision to review and possibly change the style of the trophy every seven years was also agreed to. The hall of fame has now been established and put in place, the agreed criteria being seven class wins or four wins in the same class. These awards were presented at the Sunday night dinner. The following fanciers being inducted into the hall of fame:    H. George - 23 wins    I. Hanington - 13 wins including 7 in the fallow class    K. Kakoschke - 11 wins    Sheppard & Flannagan - 9 wins    J. Tanner - 8 wins    A. Rowe - 8 wins    A & C Druery - 8 wins   These awards were calculated from 1983 onwards as all zones were competing from this year. The fanciers acknowledged as establishing this information were Peter Glassenbury South Australia, Alistair Home Tasmania and Ron Hunt New South Wales. A decision to alter the criteria for electing the president of the ANBC was agreed to, the old system of the current host providing the president for the next year has been replaced by the next years host providing the president. This allowed Warren Wilson New South Wales to step down after the 1st July, 2004 and Leigh Downey would then take over until after the 2005 Championship Show held in Victoria.   Office bearers also elected by the council were ANBC Secretary Alistair Home, Public Officer Dave Butters, ANBC Historian Ron Hunt.   This years show was a two day event with the usual problem of insufficient time for the various sub committees to meet, this problem was the only down side to this years event.   The eight year record winning streak of the Victorians came to an end this year with New South Wales winning with a record number of class wins. Thirteen class wins were recorded by New South Wales fanciers surpassing their previous best. Judges for this years show were, Alan Baxter Victoria, Peter Dodd New South Wales, Jim Fletcher Tasmania and Henry George South Queensland. FINAL RESULTS New South Wales 464 Victoria 415 South Queensland 400 Western Australia 286 Tasmania 262 South Australia 246 North Queensland 237

2005   Hosted this year by the Budgerigar Council of Victoria at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Prior to this event many people were concerned about being in the capital city, parking and mobility were two of the major concerns. Once underway these concerns were found to be of no real issue. Those of us who found the actual venue a bit pricy were pleased with the location of the alternative accommodation and visitors who drove to Melbourne left their cars in their parking place and walked to the Convention Centre. Many visitors walking to the Centre were caught up in the atmosphere created by the crowds going to the various football venues and this added to the excitement of going to our own Budgerigar Championship. The rooms where the dinner functions were held were spacious and added a touch of class to the occasion. The day trips proved to be interesting and entertaining, the only down side was the cost but most visitors felt the final result was worth the effort and enjoyed their stay in Melbourne. The ANBC elections were held with the following results:    President        Dave Ganzer    South Queensland    Secretary       Bob Bourke      New South Wales    Public Officer   Dave Butters   A.C.T.    Historian         Ron Hunt        New South Wales A third person was elected for the first time to the executive position, Leigh Downey as past president filled this role. Mr Bruce Bradford has indicated his willingness to continue as the ABA delegate. Debbie Ham indicated she would not be able to continue as the web master and her elected replacement was Steve Campbell. Two more fanciers were elected to the hall of fame, Gary Gazzard N.S.W. and the partnership of Graham and Marlene Tuthill Tasmania were the recipients of this honour. Council decided to purchase the cut glass with rosewood base trophy as the championship trophy. Six years supply to be purchased from the N.S.W. supplier, the secretary Bob Bourke to follow up. The controversial item from the Colour and Standards Committee was the paper presented by John Mulley re the reorganising of The Matrix to allow the yellow face mutation more prominence. This was voted on by the member bodies before the 1st October 2005 and defeated 6-1. Rob Hugo was elected as co-ordinator of Colour and Standards. The council voted 4-3 to allow international judges to be invited to adjudicate at the ANBC championship show. This decision certainly caused a ripple through the fancy, not all favourable!! This years show for the first time was judged by three panels of two judges and was very successful, however it should be noted that the show hall was large enough to allow this to work successfully and the use of TV monitors enabled fanciers at the back of the hall to follow proceedings. The hall also allowed for plenty of space to stage the birds after judging and visitors could move freely. around the exhibits. The officiating judges were Neale Love South Queensland, Ian Schneider North Queensland, Derek Poole Tasmania, Roy Blair Tasmania, Lloyd Richardson Victoria and Russell Keane New South Wales. Blair and Poole were the first partnership of National Judges where both were invited to judge the same National Show. N.S.W. won this years event to make it two back to back for the second time. FINAL RESULTS New South Wales 482 Victoria 393 South Queensland 377 Tasmania 317 South Australia 294 Western Australia 266 North Central Queensland 81

2006    It was South Queensland Budgerigar Breeders Associations turn to host the ANBC Championships this year. The Venue was Rydges Resort Caloundra, centrally located, large and able to accommodate all functions, very efficiently. The down side was the size of the Judging viewing auditorium and the lighting, over the exhibits as they were being judged. Caloundra is located in a very beautiful part of the Country, the tempid weather, the very well supported, and from all reports, thoroughly enjoyed day trips and extra evenings of entertainment made this national a most popular event. The aviary excursion proved very popular and was well patronised. Everybody enjoyed their time, and appreciated the effort of the South Queensland Budgerigar Breeders Association in organising the week’s events. These Championship Shows are going from strength to strength in popularity and are testimony to the effort of all associated with the event. The A.N.B.C. Elections were held at the Delegates meeting on the Monday with the following results:    President        Nigel Tonkin    S.A.    Secretary       Bob Bourke      New South Wales    Public Officer   Dave Butters   A.C.T.    Historian         Leigh Downey   VIC. Dave Ganzer (Sth. Qld.) is the third person on the Executive for the ensuing year. COLOUR & STANDARDS CO-ORDINATOR Rob Hugo. W.A. Relected. A.B.A. Delegate is Bruce Bradford. N.S.W.   I have taken over as the Historian from Ron Hunt, so I hope I can follow as well in his footsteps and I thank Ron for his time and commitment as our Historian. The ANBC Championship Trophy’s awarded for the first year of the six year time frame were very well received.   This show is historically the beginning of a new concept, after 31 years, was a first with an International Judge officiating. We were delighted to witness the Judging performance of the highly credentialed Jeff Attwood from the U.K. As a polished raconteur, his lectures were immensely popular and as always very entertaining, and highly educational in the art of the Budgerigar hobby.   The major motion passed at the Council meeting 4 for 3 against, was the moving forward of the ring issue date to the 1st September of the previous year. 2007 young birds, for ring issue 2008. This allows for three months extra growing time for the young birds for the 2009 National Championship Challenge Show.Some other motions that seem to appear with regular monotony, again failed. Good. This weekend show was back to the two day format and was adequately spaced time wise to allow all the other activities to be accommodated at a relaxed pace. Which was pleasing. The viewing of the birds after Judging will always be a crowded affair as soon as they are opened at the availability of the classes, but with a bit of patience everyone managed to see every bird. The officiating judges were Jeff Attwood, United Kingdom, Alan Rowe, Victoria, Gary Gazzard, New South Wales, and Neville Spencer, South Queenslad. Tasmania’s Graeme & Marlene Tuthill retired from Exhibiting Budgerigars this year and went out on a high being successful and winning three classes. Congratulations on a magnificent year and also a magnificent career in the hobby. New South Wales won again to be three in a row with a magnificent team of perfectly presented budgerigars. Winning eleven classes a great effort.   Another area of interest is the ongoing diologue with the BSNZ who may well in the near future apply to affiliate with the ANBC and to nominate candidates to sit the ANBC National Judges’ Accreditation Examination. There is continuing dialogue between the ANBC and the BSNZ to foster co-operation across the Tasman between the two organizations. The very welcome NZ contingent is growing from year to year and adding to the spirit of this wonderful annual event. FINAL RESULTS New South Wales 484 Victoria 418 South Queensland 392 Tasmania 318 Western Australia 254 South Australia 231 North & Central Queensland 213

2007    The Championships, this year were hosted by the South Australian Budgerigar Council at their very reliable Venue. Allan Scott Park, more commonly known as the Morphettville Race Course. A very easy find ample parking most accommodating auditorium. Plenty of space to view the birds with the added advantage of their in house television net work, enabling people to view the judging from any area. The Sunday night presentation dinner with an excellent menu, at the same venue shows the true worth of working with well organized professional entities. It was unfortunate that some of the other social arrangements did not meet peoples desired expectations, and cast a minor cloud over the whole proceedings. However we are all there for the Birds, the Competition, the Friendships, with all like minded people and the chance to view the best of the best the Budgerigar fraternity has to offer Nationally. The Championships were strongly supported from all zones of Australia, as we go from strength to strength. The A.N.B.C. Elections were held at the Delegates meeting on the Monday with the following results:     President        Gina House    W.A.     Secretary       Bob Bourke      New South Wales     Public Officer   Dave Butters   A.C.T.     Historian         Leigh Downey   VIC. Nigel Tonkin (S.A.) is the third person on the Executive for the ensuing year. Gina House is our first ever Lady President, congratulations Gina. Bruce Bradford (N.S.W.) remains as the A.B.A. Delegate. Rob Hugo (W.A.) remains also as the Colour & Standards Co-Ordinator. Peter Glassenbury (S.A.) is the new National Judges Co-Ordinator taking over from Russell Keane (N.S.W.). We thank Russell for his time and commitment to this important position. The main issue at the Delegates meeting was the Affiliation of the Budgerigar Society of New Zealand to the A.N.B.C. Finally sanity prevailed and they were accepted. The affiliation annual fee set, and the way was paved for New Zealand to adopt our Written Standard of the Budgerigar, and allow two candidates to sit the National Judges Exam on 2008. Welcome New Zealand. Secondly the ring issue date is to remain at January the 1st. We are moving more to the era of Electronics as has been seen by the excess of emails the Secretary has had to endure. One wonders the relevance of that quantity of correspondence required in our hobby. The weekend of Birds, Lectures, and Forums, was well defined and well spaced with ease of viewing of the Judging, the Judged Classes, and the Lectures. The show was well supported by the trade stands with something for everyone. The new concept continued with a second International Judge Officiating as one of the panel. Marcel Buhler from Switzerland stepped into judge at obviously a very different format to his usual. He also provided two power point lectures, which were well received. The teams of Officiating Judges were Mark Bridgeman (Vic) with Marcel Buhler (Swd) Nigel Tonkin (S.A) with Kevin O’Callaghan (Nth.&Ctl.Qld) The show will be remembered more for the unfortunates, than the successes as it had the highest disqualifications in any National Show. Very technical Judgements adhering to the relevant clauses in the Standard. Not totally accepted by some exhibitors present. Of the twenty two classes, and the exhibition class (non point scoring) all were won by different exhibitors representing their respective zones. A great result congratulations all. We were also entertained as part of the weekend program by a Panel night which included Marcel Buhler, his bird partner Ron Pierce (UK), Rick Watts (UK) , Alan Gamble (NZ) and Warren Wilson (N.S.W), M.C. Nigel Tonkin (S.A) The format was well received and the knowledge imparted by all especially the Northern Hemisphere contingent made for a very informative enjoyable evening of entertainment. Victoria was judged the winners coming out on top ending a winning streak of three years by N.S.W. It was a very close result. Congratulations Victoria. The controversial judging will be remembered for quite a while, but one hope is that this does not effect the continuing harmonious growth of this wonderful annual event, and the National now International friendships that are forged from it and the wonderful little bird that makes it all happen. FINAL RESULTS Victoria 433 New South Wales 428 South Queensland 381 Western Australia 304 South Australia 302 Tasmania 265 North & Central Queensland 185

2008    Western Australian Budgerigar Council (WABC) was the host this year for the National Competition. After a tumultuous year in the west throwing the organising committee completely offside with the Original venue being sold out from under them, they were forced to look elsewhere promptly for an alternative venue. As all who have been involved with organising a National weekend know full well that it takes in excess of twelve months of planning. WABC chose the Geographe Resort situated on Geographic Bay, Busselton. A beautiful part of Australia. In the short space of time the Resort worked with Gina and the executive of the WABC to enable them to provide for all of the Australian Budgerigar fanciers a memorable weekend, successful in all aspects of the National Competition and the associated social activities. These were well up to the high standard we have come to expect. There were also many volunteers from other zones who put their hands up to work at the show helping out WABC and ensuring a very well organised and smooth show. A great communal atmosphere for the enjoyment of everyone. Although the restrictions by Quarantine controls created a mild hurdle, and the distance from the airport in Perth to the venue was considerable, all seemed to be overcome and the birds from all reports travelled well to and from the show. The fanciers also came to enjoy a great weekend of budgies and a week of lovely tours as well. Congratulations to the WABC for a very successful National. The A.N.B.C. Elections were held at the delegates meeting on the Monday with the following results.    President.          Jim Fletcher.        Tasmania.    Secretary.          Bob Bourke.         N.S.W.    Public Officer.      Dave Butters.      A.C.T.    Historian.            Leigh Downey.     VIC.    Web Master.       Steve Campbell.   VIC. The Executive this year is the President, Secretary, and the immediate past President, Gina House.    Colour and Standards Co-Coordinator   Rob Hugo.             W.A.    A.B.A. Delegate.                               Bruce Bradford.      N.S.W.    National Judges Co-Coordinator.          Peter Glassenbury.  S.A. There was not a large amount of business to be discussed, with the main item being the ring issue date. This is now to be the 1st. September commencing 2010. There were no New Zealand candidates for the National Judges test. Maybe next year. The weekend started with rain, but it did not dampen the spirit once everyone had arrived and renewed acquaintances. Friday night meet and greet was again very well patronised causing the organising team a few problems with catering and accommodating everyone. They sorted through it with just a few delays. Saturday and on with the show, the birds, Lectures, forums, and the now traditional Auction, all well spaced defined and a pleasure for all who attended. A few trade stands and a cosy bar rounded everything out. Saturday night’s dinner dance and Sunday night’s presentation dinner were well supported and very nice. Congratulations to the staff as both of these events were logistically labour intensive. For the third year in a row we were treated to an International Judge. Janice Al Nasser, who has a very impressive CV, was one of the officiating Judges. The current President of the B.S. England, a WBO Judge, English Judge and a budgie breeder of note in partnership with her husband Ghalib. Janice also gave a very informative lecture, and a slide show including some magnificent European birds. The teams of Officiating Judges were: Janice Al Nasser U.K. with Henry George Sth. Qld. Peter Glassenbury S.A. with Derek Poole Tas. The show was judged, as is the norm now, over two days in Great Spirit to a full auditorium of interested spectators, right to the very last class. A truly close and seesawing competition. The room provided for the public viewing of the judged classes was spacious and pleasant for all for ease of viewing. The logies were well distributed with twenty of the classes won by different individual Exhibitors. Bob Smith Sth. Qld won two classes. An impressive performance, elevating him into the Hall of Fame, a great effort. There was also one more inductee into the Hall of Fame. Wayne Cusack NSW. Achieved this by winning the same class four times. Not only is it a great achievement winning the Black Eyed Self Class four times, to his credit he achieved it over the last four consecutive years. Victoria was judged the winners leading from midway through the first day and them watching as the lead was whittled away throughout the final classes, but managing to hold on by four points from NSW. FINAL RESULTS Victoria 456 New South Wales 452 South Queensland 430 Western Australia 341 Tasmania 244 North & Central Queensland 197 South Australia 190 The weekends Judging was a huge success, following on to decisions made as to judging to the Standard in the previous year, and Zones taking note of these requirements to make sure there were no re-occurrences of birds benched that do not conform, and with all contentious birds either left home or in the holding area. The tours organised in that beautiful part of Western Australia were well patronised and thoroughly enjoyed by all. In this current climate of ever increasing costs, and bureaucratic hurdles, it is lovely to see a continuing growth in support of this event every year. With budgerigars from all zones made available and people from across Australia in all aspects of organising, combining together to make sure these weekends are memorable and enjoyable for all hobbyists. As a follow on to the Council Meeting on the Monday: an amendment to the Standard (No 1/2008) was endorsed and issued in December 2008, the Standard (less graphics) was loaded to the web site and remaining hard copies of the Standard were distributed to ANBC Member Bodies. Leigh A Downey. Historian A.N.B.C.