Who are recognised as the top show breeders in Australia and why?

Edited May 30, 200816 yr by Derek

Mr Henry George

South Queensland. 22 wins, subsequent wins in 2005, two (2). Total wins 24.

 

Mr Ian Hanington

New South Wales. 14 wins, includes 8 wins in the Fallow Class.

 

Mr Kelwin Kakoschke

South Australia. 11 wins.

 

Mr Alan Rowe

Victoria. 11 Wins.

 

Mr Alan and Mr Chris Druery Partnership

New South Wales. 9 Wins. Subsequent win in 2006. Total wins 10.

 

Mr Bruce Sheppard and Mr Colin Flanagan Partnership

Victoria. 9 wins.

 

MR John Tanner (dec.)

Victoria. 8 wins.

 

2005

 

Mr Gary Gazzard

New South Wales. 8 wins.

 

Graeme and Marlene Tuthill

Tasmania. 7 wins. Subsequent wins in 2006, three (3). Total wins 10.

 

 

Blair & Poole

Holmes and Howard.

Bob Smith (just entered the hall of fame with 5 wins in the nationals)

Dave Ganzer 3 wins in the nationals in the last 4 years.

Kalvin Kalkoski

Whilst this is my first post, I have followed the forum for some time and find it an excellent source of Information.

 

I would like to add to the discussion by saying that Daz's list is very correct. But, the list of exhibitors is not exhaustive. Those listed are breeders who have show there birds and had success at the Nationals each year.

There are a number of breeders who for one reason or another don't show at the Nationals, but still have some of the best birds in the country.

Nigel Tonkin

Gary Watson, showed at his first national this year. But has some of the most sought after birds in the country.

 

Clint Ault, 4 wins in the past 5 years, too name a few.

 

Now, my view on why they are the best breeders in Australia. Firstly they have excellent birds, but the key to success is getting the birds in perfect condition at the right time. How many times have we heard from a judge "would have finished higher if in better condition". Top breeders plan to have there best birds in tip top show condition for the nationals, and take nothing to chance.

 

So the key to success in my view is getting birds displayed in the best possible condition for the Judges. Top breeders spend an enormous amount of time in the months and weeks and days leading up to a major show making sure everthing is perfect. I think this is a valuable lesson for all show breeders.

Hi Heathrow and welcome to the forum.Being new to the fancy I often wonder about the many breeders out there as you say who don't go looking for recognition.I guess that my reason for asking this question about breeders in the first place is that I ultimately will be looking to purchase, maybe a year or so down the track when I am more familiar with things, some reasonably good birds to kick off my breeding stock and am just looking around at the different breeders.I know some do, but unlike the UK, not a lot of breeders in Australia seem to have good websites where you can seek out information on their studs. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.Derek

 

Edita: A very interesting interview here with Nigel Tonkin http://www.budgerigars.co.uk/general/tonkin_interview.html

Edited May 31, 200816 yr by Derek

Hi Derek

I think it's almost an Australian thing, ie not to spruik too much about success, maybe tall poppy syndrome????. It seems like every good breeder overseas has there own website with all there secrets for all to see.

Hi Heathrow, welcome to the forum.

I found this Q&A very interesting.

 

In that interview Nigel Tonkin was asked this -

Where can you see the fancy heading especially with so many fanciers leaving the hobby?

 

His answer was -

I am not sure what we can do to stop the decline. Are we, the high profile fanciers charging too much for our birds? Are the many auctions where in excess of $1,000.00 is being paid for individual birds the cause? Are we not sponsoring Juniors? Is the hobby now a business? Is greed the problem? I am not sure but it is a big worry.

Edited May 31, 200816 yr by Derek

I would like to win practical prizes at bird shows, like bags of seed. If my birds ever win that is...

I would like to win practical prizes at bird shows, like bags of seed. If my birds ever win that is...

 

Hahahaha. Not into trophies on the mantlepiece hey. I see in some clubs they have monetary prizes.

 

Winning is fine but I think there is some great satisfaction in just seeing something created through your efforts.

I don't have a mantlepiece, I do have hungry budgies though... Money prizes would be good too, because I can use that to buy seed for them. Just have to breed something to win first though...There would be some great satisfaction in creating something totally different. That would be the best prize ever!!!Heathrow, what sort of show birds do you breed? Just budgies or other birds too?

Edited May 31, 200816 yr by DrNat

DrNat, how long have you been breeding and have you ever won anything.

DrNat, how long have you been breeding and have you ever won anything.

 

Had budgies when I was a kid, got back into it 3 years ago as a novice show breeder. And, yes, I've won the odd class at local shows.

I'm not so sure that Auctions are the problem, I been to a number of Auctions this year, both as a seller and trying to buy. I think that there are still some good bargains available at Auctions. Generally breeders put birds in Auctions knowing that there is no guarantee of a getting a good price. Now if the breeder sold his birds privately he sets the price, as opposed to auctions. I have had birds in Auctions recently that i were thought were pretty good, only to see them be sold cheap, and have birds sell way over what i would have asked fro them privately.

For my mind Auctions aren't for the newcomer to the hobby, but experienced breeders.

I agree with DrNat trophies can be an issue at some shows. I would like to see (victoria) change our points system, to give greater recognition to breeders. Currently in Victoria you can have the Best Opposite sex in Show and not receive any exhibitor points, Best young bird is the only bird to receive points.

There may also be a case to Nationlised ranking system. Each state has it's own status's and way of recognising breeders. If it was the same across the board it would clear up some confusion

Heathrow, what kind of show budgies do you breed?

DrNat - If you asking what varieites I breed, mainly cinnamon, opalines, normals, lacewings and spangles. I have bought in a Dominant pied also this year.

If you asking if they are good or not, I have had some success at the Nationals.

DrNat - If you asking what varieites I breed, mainly cinnamon, opalines, normals, lacewings and spangles. I have bought in a Dominant pied also this year.

If you asking if they are good or not, I have had some success at the Nationals.

 

Hmm... what is your ring code?

HC3 Why??????

Cause I want to find out who you are... That's all.

I recently bought some lacewings for breeding that I am sharing with another member of my club.

I wonder if you can tell me, once I get the numbers of lacewings up, what varieties you have found are best to cross them with to improve the wing markings and keep their body colour clean.

Edited May 31, 200816 yr by DrNat

Cause I want to find out who you are... That's all.

 

Sneaky

Cause I want to find out who you are... That's all.

 

Sneaky

 

Yeah, I know, and I want to pick his brain too!!!

Welcome to the forum Heathrow.

 

I agree that there are many in the fancy that go unnoticed. The Quiet achievers. Ken Dunk's first win at the national and also Dan & Brett Card. These can not be over looked.

 

At Auctions the birds sell for what the bidder is prepared to bye for. In my opinion the Bob Smith birds that were sold at auction on Sunday went for a very good price. I expected over $3000 to $4000.

 

I am sure you will see DrNat's name on the National list in the future

 

 

Heath how have you found G & M Watson Birds? Have they worked well for you?

Edited May 31, 200816 yr by Daz

Aw thanks for the encouragement Daz! Blushes.

I would add John Scoble to that list.

Daz- about the watson birds. Almost all my birds are related back to watson birds. Have they worked for me, I would have to say Yes. Initially when I bought them in, they went backwards, but I have keep breeding with them and in the past 2 years results speak for themselves.

I have been breeding budgies this time around since 2000, my initial stock was from a local breeder, which was pretty competitive. I made the decision in 2002, with the same local breeder to upgrade our stock. We visited Gary Watson with the view of buying in some modern feature, all we could afford was 1 cock bird each. At the time we both thought his was the best birdroom the country that we had visited. (there is a breeder profile on the BSNSW website)

In 2003 we purchased a pair each, and 2004 2 cock birds each. All the birds purchased were very non-visual birds, but were from exceptional families, this was all we could afford and were prepared to spend on budgies.

For the first couple of years, the birds produced rubbish, very small and no feature. We kept at it and used these rubbish birds because of there background, we paired all the birds genetically, and used as many different combinations as we could. We regularly swap birds from this line, but no new birds have been introduced up until this year. This year is the first year I have culled very hard.

Hopfully by early August we will see if my plans have worked out or not.

Hi Heathrow...

 

I recently purchased a white normal male lacewing and two yellow opaline lacewing hens. The hens are sisters, the male is from interstate and not directly related.

 

I am breeding them together to generate numbers of lacewings and sharing the offspring with another member of my club.

 

In your experience, what is the best outcross for lacewings to darken the wing markings but keep the body colour clear of suffusion?

 

What varieties should be kept out of lacewings for show purposes.

(Your hair would probably curl if I told you about all my experiments and composite varieties).