Top-flight exhibitors expected at show

Southland Bird Club publicity officer and bird sales manager Bob Smith (left) and club president...
Southland Bird Club publicity officer and bird sales manager Bob Smith (left) and club president Jeff Rankin with a couple of feathery friends similar to those to be exhibited at the 82nd Grand National Bird Show, to be held in Gore. Photo by Margaret Phillips
Plans are well under way for the 82nd Grand National Bird Show to be held in Gore this weekend.

This will be the first time the southern town has hosted the national event.

The Southland Bird Club is hosting the show.

Jeff Rankin, the club's president, said about 100 exhibitors from Auckland south would bring about 1200 birds for display.

The show will be staged at the Gore Town and Country Club stadium from Friday until Sunday.

''The club chose Gore as a venue, not only because of the excellent facilities available but also Gore and surrounding districts are well known for supporting major events in the area,'' Mr Rankin said.

Exhibitors and their birds would arrive in the town from today and judging would take place tomorrow from 9am to 4pm, he said.

Mr Rankin admitted when some of the Gore members of the club had originally suggested hosting the national show in the town, he had always thought the chances of that were slim.

However, overwhelming enthusiasm from members made the idea a reality, he said.

''Each person had their responsibilities and they've got on with it,'' Mr Rankin said.

The top-flight event had attracted judges from as far away as Australia.

The chief judge for the budgies, Jean Painter, is from Australia and assistant judge for that section Linda Patton is from the North Island.

Other judges were also from the North Island, he said.

The bird types would range from parrots down to small finches. Poultry and pigeons were exhibited at separate shows.

''There will be birds people don't normally see,'' Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith will display the relatively rare red crowned kakariki.

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