North East Budgerigar Society
About us
North East Budgerigar Society advise, mentor, and organize events for budgerigar enthusiasts. We meet at the Hectorville Community Centre every second Wednesday of the month, when guest speakers enlighten members about the latest developments and offer advice on caring for and breeding budgerigars.
Our events include night show competition, mini shows, bird sales, and a special offsite Christmas function in December. We also organize major Saturday shows to promote the hobby and improve bird quality.
All members of NEBS or any other club under the Budgerigar Council of South Australia Inc (BCSA) is welcome to our shows.
North East Budgerigar Society Meetings
Join us on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm at the Hectorville Community Centre, 47 Reid Avenue, Hectorville SA 5073.
Our general meetings serve as a learning platform. Members gain valuable insights from experienced breeders, including aspects such as colors, genetics and standards. Our meetings also foster a sense of community, offering ample opportunities for members to socialise.
We also frequently hold small night shows during these sessions. Our Annual Adult and Young Bird Shows as well as the annual State Show are much anticipated. At these events the best birds are selected to represent the State at the National Show. Our members consistently support both the State and National events.
For those seeking further details or wanting to stay updated on the North East Budgerigar Society, we recommend visiting our Facebook page
Our History
The North East Budgerigar Society was established in 1974 through the collective efforts of Mr. Bob Hancock, Mr. Alf Harrison, Mr. Kelwyn Kakoschke, and Mr. Gordon Lowe. Upon its inception, the club had 28 foundation members. Soon after, they held their inaugural general meeting in April 1974 at the Para Hills Community Hall and established a monthly tradition. The first Executive Committee, a robust team of 12 members, convened in May 1974, with Mr. Bob Hancock as President. By July 1974, membership surged to 52, necessitating a move to the more spacious Para Hills Kindergarten. In a show of commitment, members purchased 2,100 rings in the initial year.
During its formative years, the club frequently changed meeting locations. Starting with the Tea Tree Gully Institute in February 1975, they moved to the Druids Hall, Collinswood, in May 1975, and then to the Northern Masonic Hall, Broadview, in March 1978. Eventually, in April 1981, they found a permanent home at the Kilburn Hall, Kilburn. Since that pivotal shift, the Society has held its general meetings at the Kilburn Community Hall, 49 Le Hunte St, Kilburn.
In the realm of finance, fundraising initiatives kicked off in the early 1980s with ventures at Trash and Treasure Markets. Starting in 1985 and for nearly a decade thereafter, the Society fortified its financial standing through active participation at the Junction Market. At this venue, dedicated ladies contributed by baking and selling cakes, while breeders sold birds, giving a 10% commission to the club. In the mid-1990s, bird sales transitioned briefly to the Brickworks Market. Subsequently, the club adopted regular sausage sizzles as their fundraising mainstay whenever opportunities presented themselves.
Historically, the Society has primarily catered to budgerigar enthusiasts in both the inner and outer northern areas. As other clubs in the vicinity closed, many of their members merged with the North East Budgerigar Society. Over the decades, membership has fluctuated, but in recent times, it has stabilized around 60, with impressive annual sales of approximately 3,500 rings.
In 2024, the North East moved to their new home, at 47 Reid Avenue, Hectorville. However, before it departed Kilburn, it celebrated its 50th Birthday, and what an incredible evening it was, with 62 people coming out to this landmark celebration of half a century in existence. The event reunited members with many familiar faces from the past. Kelwyn Kakoschke delivered a captivating speech on the significant impact the NEBS club has had on the budgerigar community over the years. His words resonated with many of the crowd, sparking a wave of nostalgia and reminding us of the countless cherished memories tied to South Australia, which has been a wonderful place to call home.
We then journeyed through time, as Graeme Goodings skillfully guided us on a nostalgic trip from 1974 to the present day, encapsulating the essence and evolution of our beloved region, and all that's happened in between. His narrative not only celebrated our shared history but also highlighted the enduring spirit and camaraderie of our community.
Needless to say, Graeme absolutely captivated the audience, as he thanked everyone for allowing him to be a part of their family each night as he delivered the News here in South Australia over the decades.
For those early risers or the keen enthusiasts among us, you may have caught Graeme returning to the airwaves, with a big shout out to the Budgerigar community on 5AA’s Thursday morning program.
His familiar voice graces the morning broadcast from 5:00 am each morning, alongside his son Will Goodings, who is also the 7 News Nightly anchor.
Graeme’s presence on the radio, reminiscent of the past yet ever so relevant today, serves as a bridge connecting our cherished memories with the present, continually enriching our appreciation for the journey we’ve shared in this remarkable place.