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A magnificent effort from all the birds that managed to make it home. Special mention to the winning bird which was waiting on the grass outside the loft when it’s owner went down to check if he had any at 5:05am on the second day – clearly arriving in the dark.

Fastest in the Fed this week was Chris Marshall of the Dapto club clocking a two year old boy. Second place went to Kevin & Jan Pearson from Berkeley club clocking a two year old hen. Third place went to Richard & Heather Whitehead of the Towradgi club.

Thanks to the efforts of the Long Distance Committee the prize for the winner was a very healthy $1,000.

Please find below the official liberation report.

Liberation Report – Launceston 8th Sep, 2009.

At 5:50am the liberation committee discussed weather conditions at Launceston and on route home. The following points were noted:

• There had been showers at Launceston during the night but there had been no rain at Launceston area since 1:30am until the time of the discussion just before 6:00am.
• The winds were light SW at Launceston with overcast skies.
• Sunrise at Launceston was 6:30am and it was agreed that the birds be liberated no earlier than 30 minutes after sunrise.
• The weather across Bass Straight was clear of rain with stronger SW winds forecast.
• There was rain around the Melbourne area and this was considered to be well west of the flight path the birds would take.
• The coastline from Wilson’s Promontory north was clear of rain.
  

The liberator at Launceston was contacted just after 6:00am and he reported that the weather was overcast but looked to be suitable for liberation. The liberation committee consulted and agreed to liberate the birds at 7:00am and the liberator was given the go ahead to liberate the birds at that time.

Some time soon after that decision was made a light shower passed over Launceston. The BoM reported that 2mm fell between 6:00am and 7:00am. An attempt was made to call the liberator to discuss the weather but that call failed to get through.

At 7:40am the liberator called to advise that there had been a light shower after talking to the liberation committee and he had waited for that shower to pass. He reported that he had released the birds at 7:15am into clear but overcast skies. The birds were reluctant to leave and the big mob kept circling back trying to pick up approx 10 pigeons that would not leave. He reported that all birds had cleared the release point after 30 minutes.

The weather remained clear across Bass Straight during the morning and it was only during mid afternoon that a band of rain moved across from the west and was evident north from Bateman’s Bay.

The liberation committee would like to note that the liberator in Launceston has been associated with the liberation of birds from Launceston for over 50 years and we have the utmost confidence in his abilities and judgment as a liberator. As always, the liberator on site has the final say on the liberation; taking into account the conditions at the time of the liberation. The call to liberate at Launceston this year was made with the understanding of the weather conditions at the time and by unanimous agreement of the liberation committee and with full compliance of our liberation protocol.

Any SCF member who has information contrary to this official liberation report is welcome to put their concerns in writing to the SCF Committee. This information will be presented to a full SCF Committee so that they can assess if improvements can be made to our liberation protocols.

Regards
Trevor Gasseling
SCF Race Secretary

The Long Average saw the awarding of the Norm Hay Cup to C S & L Lane, they managing to take good placings from all 4 of the long races, all of which were particularly challenging. Second place was filled by Peter Clarke, with June & Graeme Davison in third.

Minutes of March Meeting held 31st at Towradgi 2009

The winning bird was a two year old hen which arrived early the next morning & belonged to June & Graeme Davison from Towradgi. Second place went to Dave & Michael Thompson from Albion Park Oak Flats with a young hen. Third position was taken out by Frank Raschilla of Towradgi with a two year old hen.

Minutes from the SCF Committee meeting held at APOF clubrooms

Fastest in the Federation this week went to Col Hedley of Woonona-Bulli RSL, clocking a two year old boy. Second in the fed went to Steve Saywell also of Woonona-Bulli RSL. Steve clocked a young boy. Third place went to June & Graeme Davison of Towradgi with a two year old hen.

Cheers - Trevor Gasseling

SCF Race Secretary

2 Bird Charity Race

Download this flyer promoting Pigeons for ParaMeadows print it out and pass around your local business area.