Post by karli965 on Mar 6, 2014 6:11:38 GMT -5
Hi Fellow Orpingtonians across the water'. Its been a while since I posted but thought it would be good to keep you updated with whats happening in the Land Down Under in 2014!
Setting the scene.
On 20th July 1985 23 dedicated breeders of the Orpington fowl came together in Dubbo NSW Australia to do two things. One was to support a show featuring the Orpington breed and the second was to form the Orpington Club of Australia.
The feature show was a great success with judge Mr Pat Barr officiating over an entry of 89 birds - all of which were Large fowl. Graham Finlay won Ch Orpington of Show with a Black Pullet and J&M Gallagher went Reserve with a Buff Cock. Ch Blue and Ch White went to T&V Perry.
In terms of the meeting to form the Club in addition to those breeders present apologies and letters of support were received from 15 breeders from around the country. The records state that on that day the Club was formed with Jim Blatch being elected the first President of the Club and Rob Lavender accepting the role of Secretary /Treasurer.
Roll forward 30 years to 2014 and the Club now has over 100 members from every state and one territory and in 2011 held a National show where 373 birds were penned - we think this a world record number of Orpingtons entered in a single stand alone breed show! 270 were Large fowl and 103 were Bantams - quite a change from the first show.' The current custodians of the breed hope that the pioneers would be proud of how the Breed has developed over the past 30 years and that the original intent of protecting, preserving and promoting the Orpington as one of the heritage breeds is being honoured.
So in 2014 the current Club members will be recognising pioneers of that first meeting and milestones over the Clubs 30 year history by celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the formation of the Orpington Club at the 2014 National Orpington Show.
When. The 30th Anniversary show will be held on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June 2014.
Where. The Show will be hosted by our good friends of the Canberra - Queanbeyan Poultry Club at the Poultry Pavilion in Queanbeyan ACT
Who; The Club has been privileged to secure the services of two top class judges to adjudicate over what we hope will be another world class entry.
The well known judging all rounder Brian Bennett will be travelling up from the Apple Isle to join Robert Stanley one of the original members from 1985, a former Club secretary and breeder of quality Large Blacks and Buffs in assessing the current crop of birds and awarding one members bird the title of Champion Orpington of Show.
More details on the Orpington Club of Australia'' 30th Anniversary Show, including the Anniversary Dinner''' and the generous specials provided by our members and sponsors, will be posted here on this thread and on the Clubs website www.orpingtonaustralia.com.
Cheers for now
Martin D
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Martin D (registered as Karli 965)
Breeder and Exhibitor of Large Orpingtons in White, Black and Blue
www.waningaorpingtons.weebly.com