Established 1915
	The Wyandotte Club Of Australia Inc.

News Page

By Ian Pollerd

Show Patron, Megg Miller, presenting Frank Sawyer with Champion Bird of Show Trophy

One thousand plus Wyandottes what a sight; 13 different colours in the large fowl and 23 different colours in bantams add to this breeding pairs, teams, Display birds and Junior Showmanship. In their centenary year there were 67 large and 75 bantam Columbians entered. The largest number of Wyandottes ever displayed at the one venue in this great land of ours. Whites proving the most popular with 53 large and a staggering 167 bantams entered. With such a large entry organizers were faced with the unenviable task of refusing entries or using two venues, with the latter chosen, an enormous work load was immediately placed on the organizers particularly Paul Hocking who was responsible for obtaining cages and setting them up, a mammoth task, unless one was directly involved it is impossible to comprehend the amount of time and effort that went into presenting a show of this magnitude and congratulations must go to those responsible particularly as it allowed all exhibitors to be involved and this is what a National Show is all about.

Exhibitors came from New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland also a Breeder from Western Australia along with Judges from 4 states giving the show a truly National flavour.

When viewing the large Columbians no doubt Peter Ubrihien would have many memories of boiling the copper for hot water to wash his father’s team of large Columbians, in preparation for the Sydney Royal Show, and I guess that other fanciers had many memories also.

I know that I had a great time talking to the Juniors and it was not difficult to see the enthusiasm just oozing from these two young exhibitors when they were asked to elaborate on their birds that they had on display. What a wonderful concept, one which could be easily be adapted into the poultry fancy throughout Australia. The quality of birds shown in all sections were of a high standard indicating the dedication of the breeders in maintaining this standard throughout Australia also the manner in which all birds were presented.

Wyandotte Club mementos were available from a stall enabling enthusiasts to add to their collection and in later years reminisce on such a wonderful weekend of Wyandottes.     

After a full day in the pavilions it was time to get spruced up for the Evening’s Activities. First the Dinner then Presentations of the Major Awards followed by the Auction of Memorabilia which saw many spirited bidders chasing their chosen items, a great fundraiser for the club. Show Patron Megg Miller, editor of The Australasian Poultry Magazine, gave an interesting address on publishing. The evening concluding with a few trying their luck on the one arm bandits.

Next day was spent attending to your birds along with interviews and catching up with results. The presentation of beautiful Medallions and Ribbons for the various breed awards and finally the long awaited Auction which saw buyers in a bidding frenzy chasing that bird which hopefully would enhance their future breeding programs. Some excellent prices were obtained once again proving the popularity of the Wonderful Wyandotte. Time to box your birds, bid farewell to fellow exhibitors and friends and look forward to the next National Wyandotte Show. In closing I must congratulate the organizing committee in giving the Wyandotte Fanciers throughout Australia an opportunity to display their birds and compare the quality in each state, which can only enhance our chosen desire to have the very best.