The Bathurst Regional Avicultural Society held its inaugural Bird Show on the 14 June 2009. Almost 350 entries were benched for judging—a pleasing result for the club which was only formed in November 2005. Judges for the occasion included Gary Hyslop (Budgerigars), Bill Christianson (Canaries), Grant Bastin (Finches and Zebra Finches) and Peter Naylor (Parrots). The quality was especially notable in the canary and Zebra Finch sections.

Some of the canary entries came from the Sydney area, but it was country exhibitor Allan Rees from Forbes who won Grand Champion. His Open Clear Buff Yorkshire Hen beat a high quality field of canaries for the top honour. Local Bathurst Zebra Finch breeder, John Hadley, won the Grand Champion in this section. His Young Marked White Hen backed up its Grand Champion win at the Dubbo Bird Show two weeks earlier. John Hadley also had a very successful day with final results showing that he too won three Reserve Champions in what was a competitive section.

Canberra breeder Brett Lewis had a worthwhile trip to Bathurst with wins for both the Grand Champion Finch and Grand Champion Parrot. The winning finch was a lovely Red Painted Firetail. A notable class in the finch section was one of 14 Gouldian cocks. The Grand Champion Parrot was awarded to a Normal Bourke’s Parrot cock. Brett Lewis also exhibited birds in the Zebra Finch and Canary sections. Trevor Weal from Bathurst exhibited the Grand Champion Budgerigar. The top bird was an Open Greygreen Opaline hen.

All exhibitors had an enjoyable day with the club catering for both morning tea and a BBQ lunch at no cost to exhibitors. The club is already looking forward to next year’s show which will be located at a bigger venue. It is certainly pleasing to see another country show up and running.

      
Grand Champion Parrot—a Normal               Grand Champion Budgerigar—an
Bourke's Parrot cock—exhibited by              Open Greygreen Opaline hen—exhibited
B & B Lewis                                                          by Trevor Weal

     
Grand Champion Canary—an Open              Grand Champion Finch—a Red Painted
Clear Buff Yorkshire hen—exhibited             Firetail cock—exhibited by B & B Lewis
by Allan Rees


Grand Champion Zebra Finch—a Young
Marked White hen—exhibited by John
Hadley