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  2000 • 2002 • 2004 • 2006  
 
 
After more than a decade of hosting first class local, national and international guest speakers at the Parrot Society of Australia's monthly general meetings, it was felt that regional and national members were missing out on accessing the very best of avicultural information. Issues of time, location and distance made it difficult, if not impossible for the majority of members to attend mid-week scheduling. This fact, combined with a sincere belief that there existed a lot of scope to improve the standard and professionalism of avicultural events in Australia, led to the first ‘Parrots' convention.
 

Parrots 2000 made its debut in October and was held at the Gaythorne RSL in Brisbane as a one-day educational event. Noted international aviculturist and published author, Mr. Rick Jordan (USA) was our first keynote speaker along with high profile Australian aviculturist speakers complementing the program. The event was a huge success for the Parrot Society and it was decided that ‘Parrots' should be continued on a biennial basis.

 
Parrots 2002 was held at the Carina Leagues Club in May and included international keynote speakers, Ms. Lyrae Perry (USA) who presented on the Psittacula genus and Mr. William Horsfield (Republic of South Africa) whose first class audio-visual presentation was one of the many highlights of the event. Australian speakers for that year included Mr. Graham Mathews, Mr. Phil Digney, Dr. David Madill and the late Mr. Colin McKechnie.

Parrots 2004 was held at the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club in August where EB & April Cravens (USA) introduced a number of new concepts to the program including their brilliant presentation on ‘Natural Methods of Parrot Keeping' and conducting the first companion parrot workshop for the Society. Other guest speakers included:

  • Dr Deborah McDonald (AUS) who delivered an outstanding lecture entitled ‘The Importance of Calcium and Vitamin D for Psittacines: Too Little for One Can Be Too Much for Another';
  • Diana Andersen (AUS)of Kimani Aviaries, Perth WA ‘Getting It Right – Breeding Season Management';
  • Dr. Adrian Gallagher (AUS) and Dr. Bob Doneley (AUS) presented topics within their avian veterinary expertise; and
  • Marcus Pollard (AUS) rounded out the extensive program with his species specific knowledge.

Parrots 2004 also introduced the concept of the concurrent session format, which proved to be extremely popular. The quality of presentations and content in concurrent sessions has since proved a dilemma for delegates to decide on which lecture to attend? Hence, our very popular and heavily discounted accompanying spouse registration means that many delegates now bring their partners along to take advantage of being in two places at once.

Parrots 2006 responded to delegate feedback for an expansion of the one-day program to be extended to a more comprehensive two-day convention with an increase of international guest speakers. Subsequently, there was a venue change to accommodate a much larger audience and need for more floor space and rooms. The Acacia Ridge Hotel Motel and Conference Centre was selected on Brisbane's south-west as fulfilling all of the necessary requirements for rooms, overnight accommodation and catering.

Once again, an outstanding list of international guest speakers were brought to Australia for the first time that catered for parrot breeders, companion parrot owners and parrot conservationists. They included:

  • Barbara Heidenreich (USA) who presented the keynote address as well as workshop opportunities for companion parrot owners.
  • Dr Deon Smith (South Africa) who delivered two lectures including the latest advancements in Indian Ringneck mutation breeding and a complete overview of all Amazon species breeding including the husbandry principles employed to obtain optimal breeding results.
  • Frank Miser (USA) presented an informative session on the keeping and breeding of Conures and an overview of Magnolia Bird Farm as a professional hobby and successful avian business.
  • Ryan Watson (QTR) presented the inspiring conservation dinner address on endangered large macaws - a breeding and problem-solving case study.
  • Dr David Groth (AUS) discussed the use of DNA technologies in bird breeding.
  • Dr Terry Martin (AUS) presented on ‘Genetics & Mutations: The Basics and Future Developments'.
  • Adam Fitzgerald (AUS) how to manage a mixed collection and planted aviary design.
  • Dr Mike Cannon (AUS) discussed avian biosecurity.
  • Christopher Claydon (AUS) provided an analysis of the avian bird market place in Australia and how to market your birds to achieve better sales.
  • Peter Odekerken (AUS) presented a stunning visual snapshot on the wild lives of parrots.
  • Russell Scott (AUS) shared his knowledge on the keeping and breeding of Neophemas and Grass Parrots.
  • Jim McKendry (AUS) equipped delegates to set their companion parrots up for success; and
  • Gary Colvin (AUS) investigated enrichment ideas for flighted companion parrots.

The concluding feedback from delegates was unanimous being that Parrots 2006 exceeded all expectations and set the benchmark as Australia's premier avicultural convention. We undoubtedly achieved our mission statement for the convention, which was to ‘raise the perch in avicultural education', and established the current two-day comprehensive format as an outstanding success.

Our experience to date is that each and every ‘Parrots' convention has progressed to a new level of professionalism for the Parrot Society of Australia. Parrots 2008 will be no exception with its thorough and extensive planning and quality guest speaker line-up.