We have previously welcomed our new committee members ;   Steve Redmond , David Lewis and Terry Darling  in his new role  .  Welcome back , Peter Tripoli , Bob Burdan and Graham Manning .   It is probably incomprehensible  to the membership at large , the amount of time , thought and typing that is expended by those dedicated to the committee email forum .  I would like to thank Brian McInerney for his long service , Brian has had problems with the ‘bush email’  but has regularly  “phoned-in” his thoughts , advice and opinion .  Thanks too Wayne R alston , for your consistent input and the value of your years of experience . Thanks also to Dave Pittard for his contribution before his much needed leave .

I would remind those  who nominate for committee positions  and those who nominate others to represent them , that there is time and attention that is required via the email forum .  

On a further note to the committee  I would ask that you relate ,to your state clubs or club editor ,positively about the work and the topics that are addressed by this forum throughout the year .  I have received copies of the  Dandenong Club Mag and John Murphy lists the topics and informs his members of the activity  of this National Committee .  I would hope that all rep’s could emulate this process .

 And to the rest of the (mid-term) committee  thanks for your perseverance .  I especially thank Doug for  providing some “order” to the email chaos , and apologise  for his  ‘initiation by fire’  due to the Ipswich incident . The incident and ensuing investigation  wasted a lot of time and emotion  and indeed dampened the momentum after a great show .  Lets hope that this type  of unsocial behaviour  can be eliminated  at least from our National show .  

The National Concept

There have again been reports of discontent , from some quarters , about the requirement of a uniform National ring and the specification of that ring for the ANPA show .    I consider   that the record number of entries  for this 25^th National  is an endorsement  of the ring policy  by  the majority of  Australian fanciers . The uniform National ring removes the perception of favouritism  (or worse cheating) from exhibition ,  this perception was rife in the past  where many ring identities were used.  The perception of favouritism was not necessarily a reflection on judges’ integrity   but was the perception of the disgruntled exhibitor when his/her bird didn’t win .  We don’t allow marker-rings , so the need for a standard ring is obvious.

To reiterate ; it is a National Body’s responsibility to come up with policies that reflect the wishes of the majority . Different states  have different policies  and ANPA has drawn from these policies to derive the common ground . On this theme , there is still the attitude  of “us and them”  in regard to state/regional clubs with respect to ANPA .  This attitude is fostered and festered mainly by mature exhibitors who carry grudges from may years past .   “Us and Them” are one in the same ,  we are all part of a very small group of Australians  who breed pigeons  , and the smaller group who exhibit fancy pigeons . 

The National Show.

With regard to this Melbourne National ,  Michael has kept me across the organisation of this show  and  the members of the VSPF conglomerate are to be congratulated on their dedication to this major project . There was a point where it was feared that entry numbers might not cover the investment and that the show would incur a loss .  A good profit was made  due the the organisational skills and volunteer labour  of the VSPF (including ANPA members)   and  due to the donated auction birds  afforded by local  and interstate members .  It was also good to involve the ‘racing fraternity’ on a larger scale and good to meet the personalities that support this section .  This record entry also gives those locals (who don’t normally  travel) a wider view of the national fancy  and might well inspire some to join the affiliation that travel and exhibit in a larger arena  .  “If you build it, they will come J”   

I am happy for host-clubs making profits  and applying that profit to purchase hardware  for the use of  further Nationals  and of course  their own shows , and ANPA members do contribute to that profit  by the labour (of some locals) , by their attendance  and from  increased entries , increased entry fees  and donations.  If a host club makes a profit ( $4k to $6k)  that profit can be considered (carried-over) and invested  when the National next comes to town .

 

The La Trobe campus  proved to be an ideal venue and the large well-equipped  cafeteria provided another meeting point for renewal of old friendships .  I have asked Michael and Paul to acquire references from the managements at La Trobe  so that a resume can be prepared (including images) to be used by future host clubs  in acquiring such  venues .

The Rydges Hotel  was nominated as the “base hotel”  and proved to be a great success  for the socially minded .  I have estimated (counted) that about 160 fanciers  stayed at this base .   Many personalities from all states and abroad  enjoyed the after-hours camaraderie  at the hotel    and the bar-staff did appreciate the extra shifts and overtime .

When ,  at intervals , large groups of weary looking  interstaters  lobbed  into the bar and bistro on Thursday night  and traded pleasantries and jibes , you got that buzz “Yes this is a National” .

Jamie Line (W.A.) has produced a CD and book of images  to attest  to this camaraderie , details can be obtained from our website .

 

Avian Influenza Workshop.

 In August I was invited by ‘The Department of Agriculture , Fisheries and Forestry’  to attend a conference on Avian Influenza .   I might add ,  that DAFF considered ANPA’s involvement necessary  and  financed  air-fare and accommodation

in Melbourne  . The workshop focused on ‘emergency response’ and circulation of information in regard to AI .

The workshop was informative , the main thing to be gleaned is that we (the Pigeon Fancy)  are considered low-risk , and further ,   Australia due to our geographic isolation is low risk  .      In the event of an outbreak the ‘Ausvetplan’  will implemented .  The nominated State Vet’ Officer  will oversee the Ausvetplan  implementation in the case of an AI incident .

108 pages of this plan can be viewed  at this address  (or via link from the DAFF website) ;

http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/eadp/ausvetplan_home.cfm

 I have copied a brief excerpt (relating to pigeons)  from this doco .  You should gain reassurance from the minor reference to the pigeon hobby .

 (( Effective quarantine of an area requires around-the-clock security to ensure that only authorised personnel in protective clothing are allowed to enter. It will be necessary to supervise the movements of residents onto and off the property and to ensure that all pets   are confined. It may also be necessary to ban pigeon racing, bird shows and other avian concentrations in the outbreak area.))

 

ANPA will assist in the process of drafting information for distribution to the Pigeon Fancy .  I am still awaiting minutes or summary of the workshop  , this department is now deeply involved with the Equine Influenza incident  and so our process has , for the moment ,  been retarded .

One outcome is that a document will be drafted , from our input ,  for distribution to all pigeon fanciers  . This document

will bear the DAFF logo  and can be used to advise/educate our non-fancier neighbours  (every Spring  ,when the Media Frenzy arises) of the non-risk of our hobby .

 We have begun to set-up an email chain (or tree)  for dissemination of info , this needs to be extended .  I would encourage

all recipients  ( if or when necessary) to print and pass  information  to associates  who have no email access .  If you wish to be included in this email advice system , you could email me with your address  or join the ‘ANPA members’ Yahoo Group .  All are welcome , this is not a “members only” service  but available to any pigeon  fancier  .  More later .

 

In General .  

We did make financial gains , in this last year , due to sales of the Standards Book .  This financial gain was achieved by Colin’s dedicated years of work  and in a lesser part by those who pursued advertising .  A further 150 B/W copies have printed and will hopefully be sold throughout the next year .  Thirty  Colour editions  were also produced ...

And so we come to finances ;   In consideration of the amount of  membership sub’s incoming  and profit from rings compared  to outgoings  ,  ANPA’s  available finance increases  only marginally each year .

The papers on Tiered membership and ring sales will be circulated  and   it is hoped  that affiliated clubs (in consultation with their membership )  will consider these proposals  with an open mind and with a positive attitude .  Input with a view to implementing this policy for the benefit of all Australian fanciers  will be appreciated .  

As a précis of benefits , the 2^nd-tiered membership  allows for ;

1 / One copy of the Gazette or Newsletter  ( I would suggest the National Special with results and pictures) .

2/  Voting rights for that year , allowing  more fanciers  to nominate and elect  their ANPA state representatives .   

3/  Purchase of the new plastic rings (secured by ANPA) at a discounted rate .

4/ Protection derived from our constitution and code of conduct .

5/ The shored-up cover  from our insurance policy .

6/ Representation from a larger National body in matters relating  to pigeon keeping .

7/  And the tireless services of our Secretary  in the National arena . J .  

Thanks to all , who provided positive support throughout this term .

Bob GRANT.