The Baw Baw Budgerigar Society competed in the UBC State Championship at Springvale South on September 11 finishing second overall from 15 competing clubs.
This was a fantastic result given Baw Baw was not a big club and was an improvement on its previous placing when the championship was last held.
Exhibitors are placed into four classes – beginners, intermediate, open and champion.
John and James Mastwyk, who are in the beginner class, had a clean sweep on the day having the best and reserve birds in each of four varieties – Goldenfaced, Clearbody, Lacewing and Rainbows. This is a fantastic effort and augers well for their chances when birds moult out and are entered in the adult championship next year.
Maxine Clark, an intermediate exhibitor, gained best bird honours for her Spangle; while Ewen Slater, a beginner, gained best bird for his Violet.
Others who contributed to the club's success included the Rowe Brothers, Alex Richardson, Garry Butler and Darren Macfarlane.
The club would love to see more people, particularly youngsters taking up this hobby, which not only provides satisfaction in breeding these wonderful little Australian parakeets but also the joy in seeing and listening to their chatter.
If you are interested, the club meets on the first Monday of every month in the old tennis club rooms in Burke St, Warragul. The next meeting is Monday, October 3 where there will be a speaker discussing one of the varieties. Club members are more than willing to assist newcomers in embracing this fancy.
The club has its annual show coming up in November where the public or anyone interested will see all of the varieties on show.