Half-a-Century Down Under
Stan Watson, who joined the Budgerigar Society of South Australia Incorporated on 6th July 1954 and has been a Life Member since 1967, tells me that this society celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year. In fact, the first meeting was held on 20th May 1948 in the Trades Hall, Adelaide. The name adopted for the society was the South Australian Budgerigar Society but this changed to its present identification in 1950. Eleven fanciers attended. Their first show was May 21st and 22nd 1950. Profit from the show was six pounds and four shillings. They affiliated to the BS here in England in July 1954. By 1957 more that 100 fanciers were attending meetings.
In Stan’s words, "The 1960’s were boom years in the Budgerigar world with the membership reaching the 400 mark and the formation of the Port Pirie Budgerigar Society and the Central Districts Budgerigar Society. The B.S.S.A. had reached the 1000 plus mark in the Annual Shows on many occasions. The Poultry Hall had become too small and the shows were held in different halls in and around Adelaide. During these times of big entries of birds being benched the committee engaged judges from Sydney and Melbourne on several occasions."
Interest had been shown in the Gardner Shield in Victoria with members attending privately to several of these events which resulted through the efforts of those members and Jim Don in Melbourne who persuaded the Victorian Council to allow birds representing South Australia to compete in their Gardner Shield. On the way home from one of these private visits to the Gardner Shield the four members decided that the B.S.S.A. should have a Magazine of it’s own. This was soon approved by the Committee, which nominated these four members as co-editors. This was the start of the BUDGIE Digest, as it is still known. (Stan continues to be Editor to this day.)
During one of these Shield competitions a meeting was held to discuss the idea of a National Competition which was the forerunner of the present day annual competition. The first interstate teams were from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. This was followed by Queensland and Western Australia, with Queensland becoming North and South. Tasmania was the last to enter. South Australia has had many successes in the National, winning the Shield in 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1986. The 1993 National hosted by the B.S.S.A. at the Cheltenham Racecourse was considered by many visitors the best ever with the use of T.V monitors used for the first time and became the norm for the Nationals ever since.
Stan and his late wife won six Grand Champions (Best in Show) in a row from 1972 to 1977 and there were over 1000 entries each year. A record to be proud of.
Congratulations to Budgerigar Society of South Australia Incorporated on their 50th Year.
Will We Ever Be Right?
With the show season in the UK now virtually complete for another year I thought the directive to judges set by the Budgerigar Society worthy of mention. This in particular is in regard to flecking in Normals being penalised severely. The word MUST was used in this directive, making it mandatory.
It has been a long time since so many fanciers have spoken to me so passionately on a subject. The problem seems to exist on the two extremes. At one show in the south I heard comments which suggested that no flecking at all was being tolerated and it seemed to me that this was more of a complaint because of the rigidity of its application. The north gave me a different line where it was claimed that the directive was being totally disregarded. Others suggested inconsistency at events. I cannot provide an answer but published in this edition of Budgerigar World is an emotional letter from Colin Meachin who offers the words that many have expressed. Something for judges to think about for next season perhaps!
I for one will be looking forward to pairing up at the end of this month. What the new season will bring only time will tell. The important thing is to get off to a good start but this will only be achieved if the birds are breeding fit and ready to go. If newcomers are uncertain about the condition of their birds I am sure that they will find experienced fanciers more than willing to help. However, if you are stuck for advice you can either telephone me between 6 and 8 on any evening or Gwyn Evans during office hours. Both numbers are in this magazine. Alternatively, the BS run a regional Help-Line service.
Happy Breeding.