WHAT GOES ON AT A NEBS MEETING?
Have a look and see!
The
North-East Budgerigar Society holds a General Meeting on the second Wednesday
of each month at the Kilburn Hall,
Pictured
above: (Left) Secretary Mrs Bette Marshall deals with
Correspondence while President, Mr Lloyd Edwards chairs the meeting – (Right) A section of the audience at a typical night meeting.
Pictured above: (Left) Brian Marshall assists Patron, Mr
George Duffield with a membership enquiry – (right)
Ring Steward, Mr Graham Bell.
After the formalities are
over, the meeting usually includes some entertainment. This could be a talk on
a topic of interest to members from and experienced budgerigar enthusiast or
some other theme which members may find useful and/or interesting or just plain
entertaining. In recent years we have had talks from veterinarians, experienced
breeders and representatives of local councils or government departments. While
most of these talks are from club members, sometimes we draw upon people from
wider areas. Some years ago we even had a gentleman from a wildlife sanctuary
who brought a wedge-tailed eagle and an owl as well as joey
kangaroos along to illustrate his topic.
Recently Graham Bell gave a
demonstration of a gadget which he had invented that cleans the rubbish
(usually excess paint) out of the interior of some new bird rings. He did this
as the committee had been receiving a number of complaints from its members
about the quality of this year’s (2005) rings. These complaints specifically
referred to a perceived lack of consistency in bird ring diameter and quality.
Each month members are able
to bring a number of birds to compete in an intra-club night competiton. The purpose of the competition is not only to
encourage members to exhibit birds but also to give the birds and the breeders
a chance to gain experience in showing their birds. This is especially useful
for Novice breeders with limited experience. Should the weather forecast for
the day exceed 32 degrees Centigrade, the show is cancelled.
Birds are judged in Junior,
Intermediate and Open classes. Birds are awarded ribbons and trophies for best
in class and best bird in whatever variety is nominated as “Bird of the Night”
Usually two varieties are featured each month and rotated from month to month.
The Bird of the Month is usually a Young Bird except for the last few months of
the year when it is an Unbroken Cap (Nest feather) bird. The nominated “Bird of
the Month” is listed in the club bi-monthly magazine, “The Budgie Bulletin” so
that members know in advance which birds to bring. They can, of course, bring
any variety they like, but trophies will only be awarded to the nominated
varieties. Points are also awarded to breeders in each class and section and
accrue to the end of the year when prizes are awarded to the breeders in each
class who have amassed the most points over the year. The judging of birds
takes place while the main business of the meeting is progressing.
Upon arrival on
meeting night, those members who have birds they wish to exhibit are checked-in
by the Assistant Show Manager, Mrs Marion Stafford and her assistant, Mrs Tina Wison-Smith (featured below – Marion on the left, sitting
and Tina on the right, standing)
Towards the end of the
meeting and after the birds have been judged, the President calls upon the Judge
of the night to announce the results and give a brief report about the quality
of the birds presented that evening. Members are invited also to discuss the
judging with the Judge or other experienced breeders to get valuable feedback
on their stock. Also at the monthly meeting a small raffle is held to raise
funds for the club. Tickets are sold by Mrs Helen Edwards (pictured below) and
most members happily part with a dollar or two for this worthy cause and the
chance to win a meat-tray, fruit-basket or other useful prize. Lucky envelopes
are also sometimes sold with the prize being a show cage.
Once the formal part of the
evening is over, the meeting is closed by Lloyd and members are invited to
share a tasty supper and view the birds exhibited that night. The supper is
prepared in the kitchen of the hall by member volunteers such as those pictured
below, Helen Edwards, Budgie Bill Davis and Kate Dyer. While munching on a
sandwich or a cake and drinking a soft drink or cup of tea or coffee, members
are able to inspect the birds and discuss various aspects of the hobby.
Meetings rarely last past 10.00pm.
