Life Membership
By Errol Wilson
In 1954 I became interested in birds when my dad gave me a young male blue budgerigar. It was a great pet and mate and when I was at home would be on my shoulder inside and outside the house.
As time went on dad and I built a large aviary and I took a liking to Finches and eventually bird keeping was a large part of my life and still is today.
Whilst still a teenager I was fortunate enough to meet Sir Edward Hallstrom, founder of Taronga Zoo, and at least once a month (and school holidays) would hop on the train on a Saturday morning to spend the weekend at his place cleaning his aviaries and assisting him with the bird chores. Also on a Friday, during the school holidays I would go to Paddy's market at Haymarket in Sydney and Purchase finches from the chinese, mainly foreign finches - Green and Red Strawberry finches .Tri-colour and Chestnut Nuns and Parrot Finches were my favourites those days. The fatality rate was quite high as most were wild birds, consequently my pocket money did not go far.
Next step- I was able to purchase some Wild Gouldian Finches from Ray Accord at White Avenue Bankstown, they were beautiful black and red head, very big birds. This was a learning curve for me - there was no air sac mite at the time but it was still tricky to breed, mainly due to the climate on the south coast.
Like every other bird lover I wanted more species and branched out into parrots. In 1956 I erected a new aviary for parrots and kept the NEOPHEMAS, Turks, Scarlets, Bluewing & Elegents, POLYTELIS Princess, Superb and Regent. I chose them because they have a placid nature and thought they adapted well to the aviaries I had built. Fifty five years later, strangely enough, I still keep these species, but now enjoy breeding the mutation of these birds.
A huge set back in 2007, when I lost 22 years of mutation breeding, left me wondering if it was worth continuing in this hobby. Having my collection of Scarlet Neophemas stolen in one foul swoop by a bird thief from Romsey Victoria .was devastating. The tremendous support of so many pulled me through this setback and made me realise that their friendship is an important part of my life and worse things have happened to others..
I have kept many other species over the years and there are a lot of others I would like to have, but with 33 aviaries have as many as I can accommodate to give the birds the attention they need and deserve.
I was surprised and felt very humble at the Shoalhaven Avicultural Society AGM on the February 12 when I was honoured with Life membership. Although the ruse to remove me from the room prior to the presentation was a bit frightening when Keith Gallagher said he was ill and I might have to give him 'mouth to mouth'. I would like to thank President, Ray Faulds for inviting my family to attend Seeing them there really cut me up.
The only time I am away from them is when I am doing something involved with the birds and even then my thoughts are with them. My wife, Sally, is always helping me with the birds and I was really surprised and happy that she with Armi, our daughter and my sister, Lorraine were present.
The only time I am away from them is when I am doing something involved with the birds and even then my thoughts are with them. My wife, Sally, is always helping me with the birds and I was really surprised and happy that she with Armi, our daughter and my sister, Lorraine were present.
My thanks goes to John Colee and Rob Lenton and the Committee for this honour
I am very proud to be a member of the Shoalhaven Club which I have seen grow since its commencement.
As I said at the presentation, for many years we held our meetings at South Nowra Progress Hall (now Bunnings), the numbers dwindled down to 3 or 4 at a meeting so we purchased a 16mm movie projector and watched movies on birds (the feathered kind). Later we moved the meetings into town where the late Joelle Marshall was a driving force in resurrecting the club. Joelle focused on the junior members and gave them chores before and after the meetings and it worked out well. Alan Hooper also worked hard to keep the club active.
I thought 2012 was great year under the guidance of our President, Ray Faulds, who is continually looking at ways to improve the club
For me the highlights of 2012 were:
Over the years I have developed some great friendships through my interest in birds and really look forward to travelling to the bird sales with Craig Jeffrey, Ray Downton & Phil Tedstone. and having a great time meeting up with other bird enthusiasts. I enjoy my contribution to the Shoalhaven club and look forward to many more years as a an active member.
After all it is a GREAT hobby.
Errol
As time went on dad and I built a large aviary and I took a liking to Finches and eventually bird keeping was a large part of my life and still is today.
Whilst still a teenager I was fortunate enough to meet Sir Edward Hallstrom, founder of Taronga Zoo, and at least once a month (and school holidays) would hop on the train on a Saturday morning to spend the weekend at his place cleaning his aviaries and assisting him with the bird chores. Also on a Friday, during the school holidays I would go to Paddy's market at Haymarket in Sydney and Purchase finches from the chinese, mainly foreign finches - Green and Red Strawberry finches .Tri-colour and Chestnut Nuns and Parrot Finches were my favourites those days. The fatality rate was quite high as most were wild birds, consequently my pocket money did not go far.
Next step- I was able to purchase some Wild Gouldian Finches from Ray Accord at White Avenue Bankstown, they were beautiful black and red head, very big birds. This was a learning curve for me - there was no air sac mite at the time but it was still tricky to breed, mainly due to the climate on the south coast.
Like every other bird lover I wanted more species and branched out into parrots. In 1956 I erected a new aviary for parrots and kept the NEOPHEMAS, Turks, Scarlets, Bluewing & Elegents, POLYTELIS Princess, Superb and Regent. I chose them because they have a placid nature and thought they adapted well to the aviaries I had built. Fifty five years later, strangely enough, I still keep these species, but now enjoy breeding the mutation of these birds.
A huge set back in 2007, when I lost 22 years of mutation breeding, left me wondering if it was worth continuing in this hobby. Having my collection of Scarlet Neophemas stolen in one foul swoop by a bird thief from Romsey Victoria .was devastating. The tremendous support of so many pulled me through this setback and made me realise that their friendship is an important part of my life and worse things have happened to others..
I have kept many other species over the years and there are a lot of others I would like to have, but with 33 aviaries have as many as I can accommodate to give the birds the attention they need and deserve.
I was surprised and felt very humble at the Shoalhaven Avicultural Society AGM on the February 12 when I was honoured with Life membership. Although the ruse to remove me from the room prior to the presentation was a bit frightening when Keith Gallagher said he was ill and I might have to give him 'mouth to mouth'. I would like to thank President, Ray Faulds for inviting my family to attend Seeing them there really cut me up.
The only time I am away from them is when I am doing something involved with the birds and even then my thoughts are with them. My wife, Sally, is always helping me with the birds and I was really surprised and happy that she with Armi, our daughter and my sister, Lorraine were present.
The only time I am away from them is when I am doing something involved with the birds and even then my thoughts are with them. My wife, Sally, is always helping me with the birds and I was really surprised and happy that she with Armi, our daughter and my sister, Lorraine were present.
My thanks goes to John Colee and Rob Lenton and the Committee for this honour
I am very proud to be a member of the Shoalhaven Club which I have seen grow since its commencement.
As I said at the presentation, for many years we held our meetings at South Nowra Progress Hall (now Bunnings), the numbers dwindled down to 3 or 4 at a meeting so we purchased a 16mm movie projector and watched movies on birds (the feathered kind). Later we moved the meetings into town where the late Joelle Marshall was a driving force in resurrecting the club. Joelle focused on the junior members and gave them chores before and after the meetings and it worked out well. Alan Hooper also worked hard to keep the club active.
I thought 2012 was great year under the guidance of our President, Ray Faulds, who is continually looking at ways to improve the club
For me the highlights of 2012 were:
- Cecily Trevillion's effort in creating a new website - Well done! Cecily
- Rod Young- renewing the awareness and interest of Junior members - thanks Rod
- Keith and Margaret Gallagher - with the service they provide members at the monthly meetings. Thanks Keith & Margaret
- The introduction of table shows - which is creating a lot of interest
- Long Service awards being presented to Neville & Marilyn Higgins and Steve Helson
- The Donation of portion of Bird Sale profit to the 'Linear Accelerator' fund and the Police Boys Club- this was absolutely brilliant and thanks to all members for their generosity.
- The Christmas party at Berry was an apt finale for the year.
Over the years I have developed some great friendships through my interest in birds and really look forward to travelling to the bird sales with Craig Jeffrey, Ray Downton & Phil Tedstone. and having a great time meeting up with other bird enthusiasts. I enjoy my contribution to the Shoalhaven club and look forward to many more years as a an active member.
After all it is a GREAT hobby.
Errol