Society News

The Chairman, Lou Dall'est opened the meeting at 8.12 pm welcoming the 75 members in attendance.
He thanked those members who had travelled long distances to be here this evening and members generally for their attendance at tonight's meeting.
Main Feature:
                Committee member Matt Baird introduced the speaker for our meeting this evening who was in fact a guest from overseas. Eric Antheunisse is the owner of Cedar Hills Birds in California, USA. He is a large breeder (to say the very least) of Exotic Birds and has some 1500 -2000 Aviaries situated on 8 acres. During his presentation he mentioned he had purchased the property next to him thus making 16 acres in total that he can dedicate to Aviaries. Eric began keeping birds at the age of 8 years and some 28 years later has developed Cedar Hill Birds as a successful family business. He supplies birds to the Pet Trade in America predominantly, however, he is now branching out overseas to China and other countries because of the current economic climate. He sells 98% of his birds to the Trade and the remaining 2% to Breeders.
                Eric keeps a large variety of Parrots including Amazons, Conures, Cockatoos, Lorikeets, Caiques and Horn Bills to name a few. Most of the birds are kept in suspended aviaries ranging in size from 2x2x4, 4x4x6 and 6x6x15 (all measurement in feet) to accommodate the different size birds. These suspended flights are located in huge Barn type buildings allowing easy access for handling and feeding. Most of the young birds are pulled at 27days and hand reared until they are old enough to be shipped to the suppliers. Eric mixes his own seed. The amount of seed, soaked seed and vegetables they feed in a week, given the size of the complex, is quite staggering. Eric has an interesting method of incubating the Amazon and Cockatoo eggs. He has 5 Silky Chickens that do all the work for him until the eggs are a couple of days from hatching. At this point he removes the eggs and places them in a normal Incubator and hand feeds the chicks from day one.
                  Eric then answered a variety of questions from the floor. In response to a question regarding a comparison of keeping birds in American/Australian, he suggested that our flights were, in general, much larger than those in America. He also commented that he had learned quite a deal from individual hobbyists in Australia, particularly with regards to the maintenance of Cockatoos. Tom Hobbs thanked Eric for his contribution to the evening. Tom then presented Eric with a certificate of appreciation from the Society on behalf of the members present.                              
General Business: 
1.  Competitions : The Lucky Door Prize, a $20 Voucher from Nunawading Birds & Pets was won by        Mr Stephen Maric. The Lucky Name Badge Prize, Mr Ron Backhouse won a $10 Voucher from Nunawading Birds & Pets. Raffle winners for the evening were - Mr Ken Moore won a $50 Voucher from Mad about Pets, Mr Ken Haywood won the 20kg Bag of Seed donated by Dandenong Stock Feeds and Mr Geoff Arnott won the Book donated by Andrew Isles. The two items donated by our guest speaker, a Candling Stick and Flush Cut Pliers, were won by Mr Guy Spiteri and Mr Andrew Williams respectively.  
2   New Members: Lou welcomed new members to the Society. He made particular mention of Martin Bando, young lad in the audience. Martin has recently joined the Society and Lou commented that he hoped Martin gained the same pleasure and enjoyment from his association with the Society as many other lifelong members had enjoyed.
3   Next months Program: Presentation from Vet Dr Colin Walker "Recent Clinical Experiences"
4   Lost /Found: Red Tail Black Cockatoo/Diggers Rest area…Female Eclectus /Nth Melbourne area
5   Service Items:  Service Items available at back of hall from Stephanie…some stock marked down
6   Books :  (TH)  New Rosella & Mutations available tonight…others at back of hall.
Other business:
1.    VAC Meeting Friday 21st August
2.    Invitation to Mornington Peninsular Avicultural Society 21st September. Glen Matheson Speaker "Keeping and Breeding of Lories and Lorikeets"
3.    Results of Photo Competition     1st Rob Watson-Asian Fish Owl ..2nd Rob Watson-Wood Swallows …3rd Cheryl Mares-Gouldians
4.    Discussion and questions from the floor regarding the current Venue
 
Meeting closed approximately 10.15pm    Members then enjoyed a chat over coffee 

This document authored by the VAC, (Victorian Avicultural Council) is available as a Word document HERE.

DONATIONS FOR RAFFLES

If you wish to donate an item to any of our regular raffles, please contact our Raffle Coordinator

PET BIRD BREEDERS REGISTER
Our secretary, Graeme Hocking receive calls from members of the general public who are trying to find a breeder they can contact for the purchasing of a pet bird. The usual enquiries are for budgerigars, cockatiels and canaries. However, other species are sought at times such as galahs, corellas, eclectus, conures etc. If you are a member, please contact Graeme Hocking [03] 5787 1292 and register. We need your name, phone number(s) and species. Only first names and phone numbers will be given out. If you are not a member, you may wish to also avail yourself of this service.   

FEATURES of OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS

The monthly meetings of the society are held in Melbourne at the Trades Hall on the corner of Lygon & Victoria Sts
The main entry into the Trades Hall is from Victoria street. After entering either go through to the courtyard or go up the stairs There is a lift in the rear building that will take you to level 2,On level 2 look for the signs that will direct you to the New Council Chambers where there is comfortable seating for over 400 people The entry from Lygon st is closed from 6 pm Parking is available in lygon street & surrounding side streets also there is about 40 carparks at the rear of the building. To reach this area enter from Victoria St & enter the Laneway behind the building then go up the ramp for parking Walk back down the laneway & enter as above.

Currently, the Avicultural Society of Australia meets at 8.00pm on the third Wednesday of the month. This is a heated venue with wheelchair access and ample adjacent free car parking. The meetings feature guest speakers, Powerpoint colour slide presentations and topics of interest relating to aviary birds.   

Avicultural accessories and bird books are available at reduced prices for members. The Society Exchange Steward is in attendance where members list their excess birds for sale and requirements. Supper is provided free at the conclusion of the meetings and visitors are always welcome.