September 29th IBC Show
Early in 2013, very few in the Australian aquarium community had neither seen nor heard of an IBC (International Betta Congress) betta show. Early in the year a handful of aspiring Melbourne judges headed to Singapore for Aquarama in the hopes of becoming Australia's second, third and fourth internationally accredited judges. The hard work and dedication paid off as these four returned home with big plans and big smiles, finally Australia was about to see it's first IBC sanctioned show.
Fast forward through 3 months of intensive show organising, importing, quarantine, wrangling, fundraising, photography, construction, decoration, design, discussion, legwork, advertising, meetings and cleaning… the Victoria Betta team were poised to throw open the doors to the public for this exciting event.
While they day went from 10am – 5pm, there was no shortage of activity. Much like a Myer Boxing Day Sale, the moment the doors opened, curious crowds poured into the Aquarium Society of Victoria's Grant Street Hall in Clifton Hill, counting up to 78 people in the hall at one time, a record for attendance.
250 Exhibits of show quality Betta, sat proudly upon custom made stands along the far side of the hall. From Halfmoons, Plakats, Females, Double Tails, Crown Tails, Giants, Wild varieties as well as fin and form variations, there was plenty to fill your eyes with. If you were craving just a little more colour, there were also exhibits in the Arts & Crafts, Photography and Illustration sections too. The all-female judging team were all put through their paces in a 9 hour judging session on the Saturday, featuring Jodi-Lea Matherson (From Fishchick Aquatics) along with judges Ness Flett, & Jessica Brett.
Victoria Betta meets have been happening regularly at the venue for the past few years, with a real focus on the education, discussion and sharing of knowledge on the breeding, judging, showing and care of these incredible fish. September's IBC show did not loose sight of these elements with Head Judge Jodi-Lea giving a talk on the origins and current state of wild Betta types.
The sponsored raffle table was a sight to be seen, with Coburg Aquarium's ever popular Dymax IQ3 Starter kit, perfect for the new betta keeper, one of the first prizes to be won off the table. The trading table also allows members to sell goods that are often unavailable elsewhere (second hand tanks, self-bred fish, or a bunch of that rare plant that is growing out of control in your tank.)
After the raffle was drawn, the prizes & monetary awards were given out and the trading table all but sold out, it was time to auction off the international fish. As a condition of entry, the internationals know their fish are on a one-way-ticket and the Aussies know, there is a smorgasbord of high-end genetics up for grabs.
The Auction was a roaring success with some of the highest bids going well above $250+. Many of the interstate visitors (QLD, NSW, TAS, WA) also went home with some big rosettes and some very special fish, many thanks goes out to them for their support and attendance. It was noteworthy that the international fish were on a competitive level with the Australian Bred and/or exhibited fish, with a near equal split of overseas/Aussie fish. None of this would have been possible without the enormous efforts of our talented Show Chair Michael Chang and event coordinator Ness Flett, along with a wonderful team of stewards, auctioneers and volunteers in the Victoria Betta group.
After a wonderful show day, a magnificent turn out and an all-female judging team, Australia's first IBC sanctioned (international) show has been benched out, packed down and put away. A Great many thanks go to our Major Sponsors for their belief and investment back into the fishy community, their generous contributions of Sponsorship, Raffle Prizes & Trading Table gifts for us all to enjoy.
We look forward to some rest, relaxation, and to get stuck into it all over again in the coming years!
-Victoria Betta