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The world of Budgerigars is not just a passion - it’s been a lifelong commitment. With 50 years of experience breeding and showcasing these captivating birds alongside my wife Judy, the journey began in our early teenage years.

My commitment extends beyond breeding, showing and judging these birds. I have been an active supporter of National Shows across Australia since 1988.

In 1990, I achieved a significant milestone by passing the inaugural ANBC’s judging examination. My expertise led me to serve as the Judges Committee Coordinator for several years, along with taking on the role of ANBC Secretary for three years. My passion for breeding and Judging has been pivotal in maintaining high standards within the Budgerigar community.

I have had National judging appointments in 1992, 1996, 2004, 2011 and 2017. I have Judged two World Budgerigar shows: Forli Italy 2013 and Bloemfontein South Africa as well a show at Southend-on-Sea in England. I was invited to Judge in 2020 at the 36th Budgerigar AZ-European Championship Show in Germany but Covid intervened here.

A pinnacle moment for myself and Judy was the National Show in Melbourne 1991 winning the Spangle class and Rockhampton in 2010, where our Normal Light Green Cock triumphed, winning the normal green class, and earning accolades for its exceptional quality. This bird and its siblings have since become the cornerstone of our current breeding line.

In our breeding program we have specialized in a variety of types, including Normals, Lutinos, Cinnamons, Opalines, Spangles, Yellow Face (English & Aust.), Dominant Pieds, Lacewings, Clearwings, Melanistic Spangles and Australian Whitecap.

I have been lucky enough to have been involved with two new mutations, Spangles, and Australian Whitecap in Australia taking a leading role in writing the Standard for the AWC’s.

I was introduced to budgerigars and other aviary bred birds from a very young age.  My parents had aviaries in most places we lived and in the main, colony bred budgerigars.  I had the shared task of looking after them.  

Once I moved out of home, budgerigars were long forgotten until I joined the RAAF and was posted to Wagga Wagga.  Neighbours at the side and to the rear had aviaries with a variable of species.  

One neighbour asked me to look after his birds whilst he was on a course for the RAAF for a number of weeks and my passion for budgerigars was ignited.  Seeing the size, the shape, the colours was amazing.  

My parent-in-laws lived in Kyabram and when on RAAF leave I would head there and I met a number of breeders that guided me, took me to shows and I was further hooked.

I left the RAAF and landed in Mt Gambier and a further growth spurt occurred. From there I went to judging school in Adelaide over a 15 month period from memory, progressed through the ranks, passed the ANBC Judges exam.

Judged the Nationals in partnership with others in Cairns in 1996, Adelaide in 2000, 2007 and 2014, meeting some amazing people along the way.  

Judging with another can give a different perspective as to how another assesses a bird and gives opportunity to compromise if needed with the final decision being by mutual agreement.  

Our minds eye might view a particular facet of the bird differently to your judging partner thus the need for compromise.

I am now in partnership with Beau Schutz a young man that is very keen and who is full of energy.  The birds have all been moved to his place in recent times because of renovation needs at my home.  

Quality is progressing after a period where my efforts for a few years was on a critical family need and minimal birds were bred.

JAMES BADER  (VIC)

I started breeding Budgies when I was 16 years old.

I was influenced by my Grand Mother & uncles to get involved as they were also keeping Budgerigars. 

In 1994 I joined Western Suburbs Budgerigar Club.
I became an Aspiring Judge in 2000 after successfully passing the BCV Judges Examination.

Rod Turnbull & I went into Partnership in 2003 & joined Eastern Districts Budgerigar Society.

I became a Senior Panel BCV in 2003 & in 2011 I passed the ANBC Judges Exam.

I have been a BCV National Team Carer since 2011 only missing this commitment when ANBC National Show commitments that Rod or I would be involved with that prevent me from being involved with the BCV National Team.

I Judged at the 2013 Nationals in Toowoomba. I have been the ANBC Judges Co-Ordinator since 2015.

I enjoy all parts of this amazing hobby that we are all part of, Breeding, showing, the friendships that we make but my greatest passion is Judging. 

Judging is a privilege & I am honored to have been asked to Judge at this years ANBC Nationals in Launceston.  

ROD TURNBULL  (VIC)

I started breeding budgies when I was 14 years old. I helped my mother when she was breeding and showing budgies up  until I was 12 years old. 

A couple of years later, in 1980, I acquired some birds, joined Western Suburbs club and begun my budgie journey.

Showing became more serious and I managed to get my first bird (a Greywing) into the strong Western Suburbs team for the BCV Shield competition in 1985.

It was a long wait until my first BCV Shield success, winning the UBC Shield with a Lacewing in 1996.

I enjoy the genetics side of breeding and have successfully dabbled in many lesser varieties over the years. I currently breed Goldenfaced, Dilutes, Dark Eyed Clears and are slowly getting back into Fallows.

James Bader & I became a Partnership in 2003 & joined Eastern Districts Budgerigar Society.

I became an Aspiring Judge in 2005, after successfully passing the BCV judges’ examination and was promoted to the BCV Senior Panel in 2009. In 2015 I passed the ANBC Judges Exam. I Judged at the 2019 Nationals in Brisbane and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

I have been “unofficial” ANBC photographer since Busselton in 2008 and even though it is a very busy weekend, I enjoy getting close to the birds by taking photos of the winning birds at the National show.

My involvement in the hobby via the BCV has been as Shield Secretary since the UBC Shield in 2002 and a BCV Councilor for nearly 25 years, including National delegate for around 10 years.

I enjoy many parts of our great budgerigar fancy but my greatest passions are judging and then taking photos. These involvements assist in the important social and friendship aspect of the hobby.

Judging is an honor and I am privileged to have been invited to judge at the 2024 ANBC Nationals in Launceston.