POULTRY are coming back to the Bundarra Show this year in a tribute to a young man recently lost to the Bundarra and NSW poultry and waterfowl community.
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“It’s being called the Bryan BJ D’Este Memorial Poultry Show,” said Bryan’s father, John D’Este.
Julie and John D’Este lost their son Bryan in an Inverell auto accident in August. They held a commemorative sell-out auction of Bryan’s birds in November that raised $4400. Bryan’s partner Robyn Bartholomew had a trio of White Silkies that alone, sold for $400.
The money raised was set aside to establish three perpetual poultry show trophies in Bryan’s name at the Inverell, Armidale and Bundarra Shows.
Show committee member Gary Cracknell approached John to ask if he would be interested in re-establishing poultry as an exhibit. He suggested the old bar as a venue, and since then, Armidale and District Poultry Club offered the use of mobile pens to get the ball rolling.
“They brought them down and helped set them all up in the shed,” John said.
Bundarra has not had a poultry exhibition for many years, but John said they have already had over 90 entries with a great variety of birds for 2015.
“It will be a very friendly day,” John said.
“I do know my young bloke would be very happy.”
There will be a perpetual trophy for the Bird of Show, the trophy for Champion Junior Exhibitor provided by Renee, and special mementos for each junior exhibitor, including those with beloved pet chooks of all varieties from their backyards.
John said they have had plenty of support from local businesses for prizes and supplies for the exhibitors.
“People have been wonderful. It’s basically a family-funded thing, but with some outside sponsorship,” he said.
“And one of Bryan’s best mates from Gravesend has kindly organised getting made up some special rosettes for the Open.”
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall will make the presentations for poultry.
“See, Adam was mayor of Gunnedah when we were down there, and he actually knew Bryan. And when we rang him, he was only too happy,” John said.
Poultry will be on display at the Bundarra Show from 8am until about 4pm on Saturday only. Judging is at 9.30am and the presentations by Mr Marshall will be at 3pm.
