Presidents Report for 2025
Racing season 2025 of the direct West route was well supported with a 3% increase in flying membership on the previous year. Transition to President came quickly with the Central Cumberland Federation hosting the seminar in March.
The short series seen good returns and strong support for the fed training tosses. It was the middle-distance racing around Young Bird Derby that seen poor returns which was magnified by having two races on the same day. With good returns for the longer races with a quick Mildura and steady Renmark with three birds timing in the dark on the day.
This year worked towards review and change of processes to make the fed more assessable and inclusive for the next decade. These changes were strongly supported by the federation management committee who dedicated at least two to three nights a month to help develop a future for the federation.
Launch CCF Website
At the previous AGM we released the new CCF website www.ccfsyd.com . Andrew Grech was instrumental in developing a website that would meet our current needs. We wanted to make the site the sole point of information for all members and visitors. With a link to Racenet website for results.
The website has been a great tool to share more information than ever with the members and visitors. In almost twelve-month period we have had over 48000 visits to the website. With many interstate and overseas visitors interested in what CCF is doing.
The website has been updated and maintained by Andrew Grech and Alan Brown throughout the year.
CCF Seminar 2025
Held Fri 28th, Sat 29th & Sun 30th March turned out a great success. Exceptional loft tours to Dural fliers Stephen Eggleton and Pat Arcella lofts with special guest Ian Macca conducting interviews for his Australia All Over radio program. Very sociable lunch at Glenorie RSL.
Lots of vendors, studs and auction seen many interstate and international visitors. Guest speakers Stephen Kearsey (Vic), Greg Kakochke (SA) and Dave Chaffer (WA). Special mention for the following seminar committee that made the event possible Alan Brown, Sam Sultana, Mark Jeffery, Phil Murphy, Adam Archer, David Gordon, Paul Gibbs and John Debrincat.
The event was a great success with Parramatta Club donating $4000.00 to the federation to go into our future fund in recognition of the hard work by all the committee. Total profit raised from the seminar $11,376.
I have been informed that the 2026 seminar will be held on the second weekend in November 2026 at the Angle Park Greyhound track in Adelaide.
Domestic Combines
This year we have reestablished three domestic combines with a 10-bird nomination. Races from 200-mile, 300 mile and 400 mile. With perpetual trophies donated by ABC textile fabrications, Tropicana Banana and Facilities Development Services. With an overall averages trophy for the three combines won by Tony Attard (GREY).
600-mile Sponsorship
The old Bill Alexander trophy for the six-hundred-mile winner was retrieved and upgraded to be awarded to the winner of the 600-mile race winner. To encourage interest in the 600-mile distance race the Alexander family have offered $1000 prizemoney and photo portraits for the top three birds in the 600-mile race. Photos and prize money was presented at the presentation night for M & D. Sultana, John Borg and S & D. Gordon.
AI Liberation Forecast
A lot of time was spent on developing an AI program to forecast weather conditions from the race point to Sydney with the parameters of our current liberation protocols. The AI reports proved a popular tool for the liberation committee to reflect on while making their decision to liberate.
Andrew has decided that he no longer has the time or motivation to continue the AI after the previous race season.
Liberation Committee
I would like to thank our liberation committee of Lead Adam Archer, Alex Caruana and Ryan Coy. Each week they provided their best assessment of race conditions in at least three days prior to the liberation.
Far majority of the 21 races the best race conditions to our liberation protocols were achieved. On a couple of occasions weather conditions did not meet forecast which resulted in poor returns. It is obvious that race performance is strongly influenced by poor weather conditions through the mountain ranges.
As the only liberation committee member to carry on his service for 2026 race season I recommend Ryan Coy to take on the lead role for 2026.
Constitution Committee
Almost every three weeks the constitution committee have been reviewing the constitution to make it more relevant to todays racing. Dedicated works have been achieved by Nick Kaparos, Sam Sultana, Mark Jeffery, Robert Gates and David Gordon.
We are looking to split race rules and constitution to provide more flexibility in the future to adapt to race conditions. Updates include drug testing and social media expectations.
Mapping changes to existing constitution, review by lawyers to ensure correct wording to meet expectations then final approval by members. I would expect these changes would be ready for approval at the 2027 AGM or an extra ordinary fed meeting.
Truck Storage
For the past 15 years we have been paying $15 k per annum to store the trucks with no official agreement. After we put trackers on the trucks, we are aware that the trucks have been stored in several separate locations.
With the help of David Gordon, we have negotiated to store the trucks and trailers on a property at Cranebrook for $7.5 k per annum. The property owner has laid 400sqm of road base and widen gate access to accommodate the truck and trailers.
We now have a 12-month lease with a three-year option to continue the storage of these fed assets. Saving the fed $30 k over the next four years.
Trailer upgrades
Now that the trucks and trailers are in one location we have commenced works to upgrade the fed trailers for better welfare of our birds. We are replacing the existing plastic tanks with stainless steal tanks. Also doubling the capacity to 1600 litres. New tanks will provide drainage systems.
Battery case for new lithium batteries is being built and installed to provide improved capacity to run fan system when stationary. Solar panel will be installed to back up lithium batteries.
Once new batteries are installed, we will be installing the two corridor cameras so we can provide connection with birds while at the race point.
Liberation Protocol Review
A new committee will start reviewing the current liberation protocols. Committee will start meeting at the end of February including Stephen Eggleton, Nick Kaparos, Warren Schofield, Luke Sienkiewicz, David Gordon, Brian Becker and myself.
Team will review preliminary review by constitution committee and provide strong recommendations for future racing.
Management Committee
Now that the motion to remove the management committee has been dealt with, I expect all members to get behind the new committee who will be looking to the best future for our fed and birds.
I would like to thank the outgoing committee of Robert Gates, Andrew Grech, Ryan Coy, Adam Archer, Sam Sultana, Don Cook, Mark Jeffery and Nash Achurch. I welcome and look forward to working with Robert Gates, Ryan Coy, Adam Archer, Sam Sultana, Don Cook, Kevin Farrugia, Phil Murphy and Warren Schofield.
The commitment to fortnightly meetings and direction to successful future for the federation is much appreciated.
Life Membership
At the fed AGM the members must consider the nominations of Trevor Steed of Blacktown club and Barry Green of Parramatta club for life membership to CCF. Unanimous vote of all delegates present at the AGM is required before the person so nominated shall be granted life membership.
Life Membership of the CCF any person who has rendered outstanding service to the CCF.
Vice President
I would like to express my appreciation for the help and support of Mark Jeffery as vice president. Mark has provided good business sense and advice throughout a busy year of change.
I strongly recommend that Mark is once again nominated and moved to take on the responsibility of vice president for 2026.
Risk to 2026 race season
As last year the greatest risk to our race season is the potential for the Avian Flu H1N5 reaching Australia. Australia is the last continent to be Avian Flu free. Scientists believe it is inevitable that the virus will come to Australia.
Currently WA and VIC fliers are required to acquire a (PIC) Pigeon Identification Code. This is so the authorities can identify where lofts are once a H1N5 outbreak occurs. These states must pay a fee to maintain their PIC.
Currently thousands of penguins and seals in the Antarctic region have died through H1N5 infection. An outbreak in NSW would see racing cancelled.
Future pressure will come from animal activist groups who are slowly shutting down the greyhound racing industry. Which include in the last year closure of greyhound racing in New Zealand and Tasmania. Closure of Dapto and Wentworth Park tracks in progress.
All fliers should try to think before they place comments on social media that may harm our sports future.
Conclusion
There have been many outstanding performances throughout the 2025 race season direct West route. Once again, the partnership of Vescos & Marshall win the Fed Point Score.
I can also inform the members that two CCF birds took out two of the three Ace Bird awards for the Australian Racing Pigeon Board. P & P. Weynton (LIV) winning short to middle distance bird of the year and John Borg & Son (IHPS) winning middle to long distance Ace Bird.
I look forward to the 2026 race season Northwest route.
Best Regards
Stephen Shears
President CCF
Stephen Shears