BSSA SHOW MANAGERS REPORT FOR 2024
As they say in the classics “another one bites the dust”. It seems like only a year ago I was writing a show managers’ report for 2023 (well, guess what, it was a year ago).
While the BSSA has hosted four main shows this year there have been plenty of associated shows and judging commitments on the budgie calendar. With all of these shows and events, plans need to be in place and birds need to be prepared, not to mention issues with breeding and moulting that make for a busy budgie year.
The opportunity to show our birds is one of the features of being involved in our club, it is one of the underlying reasons for our club exists. Obviously, breeding healthy, top quality birds is the major reward for a budgie breeder but what good is that if you can’t show or be recognized for what you’ve achieved.
Our Intermediate and Novice breeders get the chance to compete against each other in the Murphy Classic, which was our first show for the year held in April at the Westbourne Park Memorial Hall. There were 214 birds entered for this show representing 4 Intermediate and 12 Novice breeders. The Campion Novice Young Bird was won by Andrew Swift with a Black Eyed Self over Danny Brill’s Spangle AOSV while Kevin Back took out the Campion Novice Old Bird with a Cinnamonwing over Trevor Goodenough’s Normal Blue. Ian and Gina Wise picked up the Campion & Reserve Champion Intermediate Old Bird and also collected the Campion Intermediate Young Bird with Michael Smith bagging the Reserve Champion Young Bird.
Our second show, The Stan Watson, which is held in the lead up to the Nationals and is for birds that were rung in the previous year, was held on the 5th of May with our guest Major Award Judge from Newcastle, Gary Gazzard officiating. With 358 entries it was our biggest show for the year. Andrew Swift got his Blackeye Self to back up from the Murphy Classic and grabbed Grand Champion which was quite unique given that the Blackeye Self is a lesser variety bird and was bred by a Novice breeder which meant that he also won Campion Novice. A great example for any Intermediate or Novice breeder who doesn’t think that their birds are good to compete with or win on the top bench. The Champion Intermediate belonged to Ian & Gina Wise with a Cinnamonwing Green Hen which gave them enough points to advance into the Open status. It was also great to see Darcie and Everly in the Junior status. Well done to all.
July 7 saw the 75th staging of the Ron Norman Show. The Ron Norman is a show for any aged bird and is contested by Cocks and Hens. There were 233 entries from 5 Open breeders, 2 Intermediates, and 9 Novices. The Grand Champion was from Ken and Janet Harris with a Normal Grey Cock bird, the Campion Intermediate was a Spangle Hen from Jane Kelb, and Danny Brill snagged Champion Novice with Normal Grey Cock bird.
This brings us to last week’s show, our final show for the year, the annual Interclub Challenge was staged Last Sunday November 10. As it was the BSSA’s turn to host, we decided to try something different and stage a show for birds that are rung in the current year. This was brought about primarily by the difficulties associated with showing unbroken caps and clashes with the breeding season. We badged the show as the Adelaide 1000 Interclub Challenge. We had 234 entries and although the number of entries were significantly biased in favour of the BSSA it was great to catch up with a few of our friends from across town. This show was also hosted at a new venue, the Ascott Park Scout Hall, which seemed to meet with everyone’s approval. We also arranged the judging quite differently with the Major Awards judged in tandem, as per the Nationals format, with John Mulley representing the NEBS and myself, the BSSA. We also took advantage of our Floor Judges and used a few more than normal which seemed to work extremely well. As for the winners, the BSSA won the day, with Sue Adams securing the Best In Show and Best Open Bird with her really nice Spangle AOSV. Best Intermediate Bird was grabbed by another Spangle from Jane Kelb and our Best Novice Bird was snaffled by Paul Wilton.
I would like to thank you all for your efforts in assisting on show day especially our President, Chris Murphy, who is responsible for pretty much everything. Our Stewards and Judges on the day and all exhibitors. A big thank you to Marie Murphy for keeping us all fed and watered.
Good luck in the off season and I look forward to a bigger and better show season next year in 2025.
George England
BSSA Show Manager
As they say in the classics “another one bites the dust”. It seems like only a year ago I was writing a show managers’ report for 2023 (well, guess what, it was a year ago).
While the BSSA has hosted four main shows this year there have been plenty of associated shows and judging commitments on the budgie calendar. With all of these shows and events, plans need to be in place and birds need to be prepared, not to mention issues with breeding and moulting that make for a busy budgie year.
The opportunity to show our birds is one of the features of being involved in our club, it is one of the underlying reasons for our club exists. Obviously, breeding healthy, top quality birds is the major reward for a budgie breeder but what good is that if you can’t show or be recognized for what you’ve achieved.
Our Intermediate and Novice breeders get the chance to compete against each other in the Murphy Classic, which was our first show for the year held in April at the Westbourne Park Memorial Hall. There were 214 birds entered for this show representing 4 Intermediate and 12 Novice breeders. The Campion Novice Young Bird was won by Andrew Swift with a Black Eyed Self over Danny Brill’s Spangle AOSV while Kevin Back took out the Campion Novice Old Bird with a Cinnamonwing over Trevor Goodenough’s Normal Blue. Ian and Gina Wise picked up the Campion & Reserve Champion Intermediate Old Bird and also collected the Campion Intermediate Young Bird with Michael Smith bagging the Reserve Champion Young Bird.
Our second show, The Stan Watson, which is held in the lead up to the Nationals and is for birds that were rung in the previous year, was held on the 5th of May with our guest Major Award Judge from Newcastle, Gary Gazzard officiating. With 358 entries it was our biggest show for the year. Andrew Swift got his Blackeye Self to back up from the Murphy Classic and grabbed Grand Champion which was quite unique given that the Blackeye Self is a lesser variety bird and was bred by a Novice breeder which meant that he also won Campion Novice. A great example for any Intermediate or Novice breeder who doesn’t think that their birds are good to compete with or win on the top bench. The Champion Intermediate belonged to Ian & Gina Wise with a Cinnamonwing Green Hen which gave them enough points to advance into the Open status. It was also great to see Darcie and Everly in the Junior status. Well done to all.
July 7 saw the 75th staging of the Ron Norman Show. The Ron Norman is a show for any aged bird and is contested by Cocks and Hens. There were 233 entries from 5 Open breeders, 2 Intermediates, and 9 Novices. The Grand Champion was from Ken and Janet Harris with a Normal Grey Cock bird, the Campion Intermediate was a Spangle Hen from Jane Kelb, and Danny Brill snagged Champion Novice with Normal Grey Cock bird.
This brings us to last week’s show, our final show for the year, the annual Interclub Challenge was staged Last Sunday November 10. As it was the BSSA’s turn to host, we decided to try something different and stage a show for birds that are rung in the current year. This was brought about primarily by the difficulties associated with showing unbroken caps and clashes with the breeding season. We badged the show as the Adelaide 1000 Interclub Challenge. We had 234 entries and although the number of entries were significantly biased in favour of the BSSA it was great to catch up with a few of our friends from across town. This show was also hosted at a new venue, the Ascott Park Scout Hall, which seemed to meet with everyone’s approval. We also arranged the judging quite differently with the Major Awards judged in tandem, as per the Nationals format, with John Mulley representing the NEBS and myself, the BSSA. We also took advantage of our Floor Judges and used a few more than normal which seemed to work extremely well. As for the winners, the BSSA won the day, with Sue Adams securing the Best In Show and Best Open Bird with her really nice Spangle AOSV. Best Intermediate Bird was grabbed by another Spangle from Jane Kelb and our Best Novice Bird was snaffled by Paul Wilton.
I would like to thank you all for your efforts in assisting on show day especially our President, Chris Murphy, who is responsible for pretty much everything. Our Stewards and Judges on the day and all exhibitors. A big thank you to Marie Murphy for keeping us all fed and watered.
Good luck in the off season and I look forward to a bigger and better show season next year in 2025.
George England
BSSA Show Manager
