In the mid 1960's a branch of the Finch Society of Australia was formed with the guidance of Mr Bruce Read and this branch operated for about 3 years. Various problems arose between this branch and the head body over the control of the Zebra finch.

In June, 1968 members of this branch held a Lawn Day at the home of Doug Simms at Harboard where the future of the branch was discussed where the historic decision was made to form a Zebra Finch Society.

A meeting was called on the 9^th of July, 1968 at the Friendly's Society Hall at North Sydney. Nine Zebra finch breeders and they were:

• Bruce Read
• Roy Pinch
• M. Anderson
• R. Guy
• M. Brown
• R. Craig
• Bill Plimmer
• Barry Satchell
• W. Irwin

Bruce Read was elected President, Barry Satchell elected Secretary and M. Anderson was elected Treasurer.

An application to join Federation as a specialist Society was forwarded immediately. On the 20^th July, 1968 the application was accepted however the Finch Society of Australia remained the specialist Society.

At the next meeting, a number of other people joined the Zebra Finch Society. They were:

• Eric Brown
• Dennis Glacken
• George Cartwright
• D. Simms
• R. Perrin
• C. Harris
• G. Nordstrom

D. Simms was elected as Snr Vice President, George Cartwright Vice President and R. Guy as Publicity Officer. The Federation Delegates were Bruce Read and George Cartwright with D. Spring, Dennis Glacken and Roy Pinch being Committee members.

In March, 1969 a meeting was held between the Zebra Finch Society and the branch of the Finch Society of Australia with nothing substantial coming from the meeting. Further negotiations between the Societies were made through Mr J Miller of Federation. In May, 1969 the Zebra Finch Society again applied for Specialist rights however the application was defeated with the Finch Society remaining the Specialist body.

In June, 1969 Bill Plimmer took over as Secretary from Barry Satchell. On 6^th September, 1969 the Zebra Finch Societies first show was held in the Friendly's Societies Hall, North Sydney. Over 500 entries were received from Griffith, Yass, Dubbo, Canberra, Newcastle and the Sydney area. The show was followed by a BBQ at the home of D. Simms.

In August, 1970 Dennis Glacken took over the position of Treasurer which he held for 11 years. Further shows were held during 1970 and 1971. In November, 1971 Bill Plimmer suddenly passed away and Mr Jim Mead was elected Secretary.

As the Society did not have specialist rights the enthusiasm of the members started to slow and in 1972 there was no show or annual meetings held. A meeting was held in December, 1972 where a decision was made not to hold any more meetings and the Society went into recess. During this time however, Lawn Shows were held at the home of Bruce Read.

Interest in the Society slowly began to increase and the Society held another meeting in October, 1974. New members to join the Society were: Les Stratford, Geoff Roberts, Jim Clark, A. Gray, R. Orndish, R. Dixon, P. Croft with Ellis Thornley acting as Secretary until May, 1975 when this position was taken over by Roy Pinch.

In May, 1975 Specialist rights were again raised with Federation and meetings with the Finch Society were arranged however did not eventuate. Also in 1975, Ellis Thornley produced the Societies first newsletter and was also responsible for the production of the Societies first Standard of Perfection. In February, 1976 the Zebra Finch Society advised Federation there was no future in any further negotiations with the Finch Society and again requested Specialist rights for the Zebra finch. This request was stood over until March, 1976 where it was voted on and the Zebra Finch Society was given Specialist rights.

Between 1975 and 1978 the Society held their Annual Show in conjunction with the Parramatta Show. In 1978 Bruce Read declined the position of President and Gordon Coulter was elected as President. In 1979 Geoff Roberts was elected President and remained in that position until 1983 when Bruce Read was again elected as President. In 1979 the Society held it's own Annual Show and in 1981 held the first Zebra Finch Society Young Bird Show.

The formation of a Branch of the Zebra Finch Society in the Newcastle area was first discussed in December, 1981 with Roy Scott being the organising Secretary. Further discussions were had with members from the Newcastle area in April 1983 where permission was granted to form a branch to be called the Zebra Finch Society of Australia, Hunter Branch with Bruce Whiting being the Secretary. This branch split with the parent Society in 1987 forming the Lake Macquarie Zebra Finch Society.

The Central Coast and Hunter Valley Branch was formed in 1987 with Bill Pavitt as Secretary. The South East Queensland branch formed in 1987 with Ellis Thornley as Secretary. This branch formed their own Society in 1990 called the South East Queensland Zebra Finch Society with Ray Robinson as Secretary.

In 1990 the Lake Macquarie Zebra Finch Society suggested that a Federation of Zebra Finch Societies be formed. A meeting was held between interested clubs in Sydney on the Easter weekend in March of 1991 with Mr W Doull of the B.S.A as Chairman and the Federation of Zebra Finch Societies was formed. Terry Martin and Geoff Roberts being the Zebra Finch Society of Australia's first delegates with Terry Martin as liason officer.