WHEN you spend six months carefully planning and organising the logistics of a major event you have every right to feel proud of your efforts when it goes off without a hitch.
That’s how John Wiseman must have felt on the weekend as the 83-year-old cast his eye across the 2023 National Pigeon Show entries in the main pavilion at Ipswich Showground.
John with the help of his small Ipswich Pigeon Specialist Club committee had reached out across Australia for months asking pigeon breeders to travel to Ipswich and to bring their prized birds with them.
In all 2330 were caged and on show when the annual event opened its doors on Friday morning.
Pigeon breeders ventured to Ipswich from every state in Australia except the Northern Territory.
One breeder, Carl Platt, had loaded up a converted horse float with pigeons and driven 4278 kilometres to attend.
Carl said most people thought he was crazy for doing it, but he wasn’t about to miss the national event.
“I left a day late and had to drive almost non-stop for four days spending $3600 on diesel just to get here, that’s commitment,” he said.
The annual show featured 80 different pigeon breeds and the specialist judges included one each from South Africa, England, Michigan and Dubai.
John said the annual show brought with it great benefits for the Ipswich region.
“We estimate around 5000 people made the trip and they will stay and spend in the area for at least a few days,” he said.
The 2023 show was a perfect way for John to step down from his role as secretary of the local pigeon club.
“I’ve held the position for 52 years and before me my father and grandfather held various roles after starting the club in 1940,” he said.
John says he won’t be lost to the pigeon world and is ready to give advice when the next annual show flies into Ipswich.
