Zebra Finch Society of Australia

We did it again! Not just a win, a convincing win if you look at the scoreboard (see below). On a point basis we increased our previous personal best set at FED1999 in Kurri Kurri by almost10 points.

Before I go any further, let me congratulate Ken, Anne, Paul, Lorrie, Harry, Sid and all the WAZFS( Western Australian Zebra Finch Society) members on putting together a great weekend. No matter what the show result had been, a good time for all was guaranteed. The hospitality sure is great in WA!

I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of everyone who participated in all aspects of this successful "invasion of the West". When I say everyone, I don't just mean those members who were fortunate enough to have birds selected for the team (although I will say more about that later), but all club members who helped during the many months of planning leading up to the trip, with the team selection and those who generally gave support and wished us luck for the defense of the title. Well done to you all!

Regarding the team itself, I'd like to make special mention of some really great results on the show bench in Perth - John Walsh with 1st and 2nd in the Pied Hens out of 2 birds selected; Ray Griffin winning 1st with his grey cock, third with his White cock, and 3rd in the grey hens out of 4 birds selected, magnificent effort Ray; John Lewis winning the Isabel hen class; Roy Pinch with 1st in the CFW hens, and 2nd in the Isabel hens; Ron Weal with 1st in the Fawn hens ( the bird of the show, from my viewpoint), 3rd in the Fawn cocks, and 2nd & 5th in the Grey hens; and Bruce Hockley with two 2nd placing's, in the CFW hens and the Silver cocks, as well as two 4th placing's in Silver hens and Blackfront cocks. Great to see the awards spread around so much - in true ZFSA style.

One of the strengths of our team was, as always, the excellent condition our birds took to Perth and maintained throughout the weekend. Indeed, the judges commented upon this fact on several occasions, which was extremely gratifying. On this note, I would like to put on record my thanks to my (very pregnant) wife, Lisa, who did all the "team conditioning" work in the week leading up to Perth. Thanks sweetheart, you'll never know how much you have contributed!

I want to also mention Gordon in this "role of honour". As one of the Team Handlers (with Geoff) Gordon had to make the ultimate sacrifice and decide to leave his two selected birds as spares at the time of boxing. It is this sort of unselfish behaviour, which adds so much to our team, and our Society as a whole. Thanks Bubba! Whilst speaking of the Team Handlers, it is also significant to know how professionally Geoff handled the birds at boxing time; I believe this was a major, yet perhaps not an obvious, factor in our success. At the end of the weekend, it was the sight of Geoff accepting the coveted winners trophy, which made the long trip and all the months of effort worthwhile.

Looking forward, our eyes are now set firmly on Brisbane next year- Fed03, 30 & 31 August. Your Committee already has plans in mind to enchance our chances at next year's show, and these will be announced during the coming months. To start with, I am pleased to announce the creation of a new Office within the Society, that of Fed. Team Manager. The duties will include (but will not be limited to) monitoring the available birds for each upcoming Fed. Show throughout the twelve months prior, and ensuring member support is adequate for each "assault on the title". With these requirements in mind, I am pleased to announce Ron Weal is our inaugural Team Manager. Congratulations Ron. These decisions, and all others made regarding Fed.03 over the next twelve months, are done so to ensure that we do not become complacent at any time in the future. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels.

Before going to Perth, we queitly set ourselves two goals. One was to win the show, the other to have our Interim Standard proposal for the Charcoal to be passed. The later goal met with similar success, and I am extremely happy to report that not only has the Charcoal reached I.S. status, it will also have an "exhibition class" in Brisbane next year. Thank you from all members to David Myers & Ron Weal for the huge amount of they did over the last few years to enable us to reach this great result. Great work boys.

In closing, it was so pleasing to see some 12 of our members making the journey to Perth. This was a mgnificent effort, and we hope to double this number in Brisbane next year. For all those members who couldn't travel with us to Wa, rest assured, your were with us every step of the way! The win was for all of you. Another milestone for the ZFSA

Team	Score
Zebra Finch Society of Australia (ZFSA)	404
Western Australia Zebra Finch Society (WAZFS)	312
Adelaide Zebra Finch Society (AZFS)	243
Lake Macquarie Zebra Finch Society (LMZFS)	237
South East Queensland Zebra Finch Society (SEQZFS)	217