Hi BSSA Members & Friends
November 1000 – Interclub 26 – Sunday 15 November 2026 at Ascot Park Scout Hall
The show schedule for the Interclub 26 November 1000 Show is attached. Please go ahead and plan your entries and we will keep an eye on the Bird Flu situation and adjust our plans closer to the event if necessary.
The Show is for GREEN 2026 rung birds only and the schedule is aligned to the ANBC Class Schedule to allow for status movement points to be allocated if sufficient numbers of exhibitors and entries are benched on the day. This Show will also serve as the annual Interclub competition between the BSSA and NEBS
October Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 6 October 2026 @ 7pm at Unley Community Centre. – a quick recap.
Our Member on the Couch segment, saw George interviewing Wayne Weidenhofer about his remarkable 50-plus years in the budgerigar hobby. Wayne spoke about living as a young lad in Woodside, where his parents bred Red Factor Canaries. With encouragement from his father and mentorship from BSSA Life Member George Duffield, Wayne developed a passion for exhibition budgerigars, quickly establishing himself as a successful exhibitor. His particular interest in Australian Golden Faced budgerigars saw him win the Interstate Challenge Show four consecutive times between 1977 and 1980. This Show was the precursor to the current ANBC, which involves 7 zones from all over Australia.
Wayne also told us about his time in the South Australian Police Force, his eventual selling of his stud and step away from the hobby. Years later, the discovery of his old breeding equipment by his son Jason reignited his interest, leading to the establishment of the Jason and Wayne Weidenhofer partnership. JW2 has won numerous Grand Champions at BSSA Shows and as a partnership have now won 6 ANBC National titles. This link will take you to the BSSA Hall of Fame - https://www.bssainc.org.au/bssa-hall-of-fame.html
Beyond the obvious breeding success, Wayne has contributed enormously to the BSSA through Judging, ten years as Show Manager, and his ongoing assistance with the Trading Table, which benefits all of our members.
Opaline v Opaline AOSV
The second part of our October meetings focussed on the Opaline variety and in particular, this differences between the Opaline and the Opaline AOSV, and which class to exhibit your Opaline in. The showing matrix is a handy guide to help you work out which class your budgerigar should be entered in at a show. It lists the recognised colours and varieties, assigns each a section number, and shows which varieties can be combined. Download a copy of the ANBC standard which lists the full matrix and work from the bottom up!!
1. Start with the section numbers
Each primary variety has its own section number. For example:
2. What are recognised combinations?
Budgerigars can display more than one variety. The matrix shows which combinations are recognised and how they are classified for exhibition.
For example, an Opaline bird may also be a Greywing or Cinnamonwing. These combinations are recognised in the matrix, but the bird's final classification depends on the primary variety rules.
3. How do you decide the correct class?
The important rule is that the highest-numbered applicable section generally determines the primary variety for exhibition purposes, provided the combination is recognised.
For example, a bird displaying both Spangle and Opaline characteristics would generally be classified under Section 16, Spangle, rather than Section 12, Opaline.
4. What does AOSV mean?
AOSV means Any Other Standard Variety. It is a recognised section for birds that fit this classification under the applicable standard.
Beginner's tip: Identify your bird's colour first, then its variety and any additional varieties. Use the matrix to check the recognised combination and confirm the correct class with your club's current show schedule.
BSSA Online Auction
Our auction link is https://www.32auctions.com/BSSAAuction21-26
Only 6 birds entered for this weeks auction, with plenty of room in auctions to follow, so please contact Ken if you have birds suitable for our Club auctions.
If you have any birds you would like to sell in future auctions, please contact Ken Harris on 0456 160 553 or [email protected].
Bird Flu Update – PIRSA Webinar on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Keep Your Animals Safe from H5 Bird Flu
Do you keep backyard poultry or pets? A community webinar is being held to help animal owners understand how to protect their animals from H5 bird flu.
The session will cover:
Wednesday 14 October 2026
6:00pm–7:30pm
Online via Microsoft Teams
The webinar is open to pet and backyard poultry owners, so we encourage members to register and share the information with others who may benefit.
👉 Register via the link or QR code on the event poster which is attached to this edition of the Digest.
For the latest information about H5 bird flu in South Australia, visit birdflu.sa.gov.au.
For questions or concerns, contact the H5 bird flu response team at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
Tuesday 3 November – BSSA November Monthly Meeting – Unley Community Centre at 7pm.
Sunday 15 November – Interclub 26 @ Ascot Park Scout Hall.
For the latest club news, visit the BSSA website and Facebook page:
http://www.bssainc.org.au/
Have a great week everyone, if you can, join the Bird Flu webinar on Wednesday evening – register early and you will get a reply email.
Chris Murphy
BSSA President
0409 799 627
November 1000 – Interclub 26 – Sunday 15 November 2026 at Ascot Park Scout Hall
The show schedule for the Interclub 26 November 1000 Show is attached. Please go ahead and plan your entries and we will keep an eye on the Bird Flu situation and adjust our plans closer to the event if necessary.
The Show is for GREEN 2026 rung birds only and the schedule is aligned to the ANBC Class Schedule to allow for status movement points to be allocated if sufficient numbers of exhibitors and entries are benched on the day. This Show will also serve as the annual Interclub competition between the BSSA and NEBS
October Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 6 October 2026 @ 7pm at Unley Community Centre. – a quick recap.
Our Member on the Couch segment, saw George interviewing Wayne Weidenhofer about his remarkable 50-plus years in the budgerigar hobby. Wayne spoke about living as a young lad in Woodside, where his parents bred Red Factor Canaries. With encouragement from his father and mentorship from BSSA Life Member George Duffield, Wayne developed a passion for exhibition budgerigars, quickly establishing himself as a successful exhibitor. His particular interest in Australian Golden Faced budgerigars saw him win the Interstate Challenge Show four consecutive times between 1977 and 1980. This Show was the precursor to the current ANBC, which involves 7 zones from all over Australia.
Wayne also told us about his time in the South Australian Police Force, his eventual selling of his stud and step away from the hobby. Years later, the discovery of his old breeding equipment by his son Jason reignited his interest, leading to the establishment of the Jason and Wayne Weidenhofer partnership. JW2 has won numerous Grand Champions at BSSA Shows and as a partnership have now won 6 ANBC National titles. This link will take you to the BSSA Hall of Fame - https://www.bssainc.org.au/bssa-hall-of-fame.html
Beyond the obvious breeding success, Wayne has contributed enormously to the BSSA through Judging, ten years as Show Manager, and his ongoing assistance with the Trading Table, which benefits all of our members.
Opaline v Opaline AOSV
The second part of our October meetings focussed on the Opaline variety and in particular, this differences between the Opaline and the Opaline AOSV, and which class to exhibit your Opaline in. The showing matrix is a handy guide to help you work out which class your budgerigar should be entered in at a show. It lists the recognised colours and varieties, assigns each a section number, and shows which varieties can be combined. Download a copy of the ANBC standard which lists the full matrix and work from the bottom up!!
1. Start with the section numbers
Each primary variety has its own section number. For example:
- Section 1: Normal Green Series
- Section 2: Normal Blue Series
- Section 3: Yellow Faced Blue Series
- Section 8: Clearwing
- Section 9: Greywing
- Section 10: Cinnamonwing
- Section 12: Opaline
- Section 16 : Spangle.
2. What are recognised combinations?
Budgerigars can display more than one variety. The matrix shows which combinations are recognised and how they are classified for exhibition.
For example, an Opaline bird may also be a Greywing or Cinnamonwing. These combinations are recognised in the matrix, but the bird's final classification depends on the primary variety rules.
3. How do you decide the correct class?
The important rule is that the highest-numbered applicable section generally determines the primary variety for exhibition purposes, provided the combination is recognised.
For example, a bird displaying both Spangle and Opaline characteristics would generally be classified under Section 16, Spangle, rather than Section 12, Opaline.
4. What does AOSV mean?
AOSV means Any Other Standard Variety. It is a recognised section for birds that fit this classification under the applicable standard.
Beginner's tip: Identify your bird's colour first, then its variety and any additional varieties. Use the matrix to check the recognised combination and confirm the correct class with your club's current show schedule.
BSSA Online Auction
Our auction link is https://www.32auctions.com/BSSAAuction21-26
Only 6 birds entered for this weeks auction, with plenty of room in auctions to follow, so please contact Ken if you have birds suitable for our Club auctions.
If you have any birds you would like to sell in future auctions, please contact Ken Harris on 0456 160 553 or [email protected].
Bird Flu Update – PIRSA Webinar on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Keep Your Animals Safe from H5 Bird Flu
Do you keep backyard poultry or pets? A community webinar is being held to help animal owners understand how to protect their animals from H5 bird flu.
The session will cover:
- What bird flu is and what to look out for
- Current preparedness and response measures
- Animal, human and environmental health considerations
- An opportunity to ask questions
Wednesday 14 October 2026
6:00pm–7:30pm
Online via Microsoft Teams
The webinar is open to pet and backyard poultry owners, so we encourage members to register and share the information with others who may benefit.
👉 Register via the link or QR code on the event poster which is attached to this edition of the Digest.
For the latest information about H5 bird flu in South Australia, visit birdflu.sa.gov.au.
For questions or concerns, contact the H5 bird flu response team at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
Tuesday 3 November – BSSA November Monthly Meeting – Unley Community Centre at 7pm.
Sunday 15 November – Interclub 26 @ Ascot Park Scout Hall.
For the latest club news, visit the BSSA website and Facebook page:
http://www.bssainc.org.au/
Have a great week everyone, if you can, join the Bird Flu webinar on Wednesday evening – register early and you will get a reply email.
Chris Murphy
BSSA President
0409 799 627
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BSSA Zoom Meetings
Since Covid hit and has disrupted our wonderful hobby the BSSA has brought you an insight into many top breeders aviaries from around Australia and the World via Zoom meetings. If you'd like to view any of them you can visit the BSSA Youtube page and view them anytime.
Click here
Since Covid hit and has disrupted our wonderful hobby the BSSA has brought you an insight into many top breeders aviaries from around Australia and the World via Zoom meetings. If you'd like to view any of them you can visit the BSSA Youtube page and view them anytime.
Click here
Ring Orders
Ring order form for 2027 is now available. Orders now for 2027 Rings. Click here.
New BSSA Apparel
New BSSA Apparel available. See the BSSA Apparel page to view and contact Ian Jenke to order.
Ring order form for 2027 is now available. Orders now for 2027 Rings. Click here.
New BSSA Apparel
New BSSA Apparel available. See the BSSA Apparel page to view and contact Ian Jenke to order.
