RECOGNISING over 47 years of commitment to the Bellinger River District Poultry Club, three founding members have been celebrated and honoured.

Des Taylor, Hilton Lovering and Ted Vaughan were lauded at a presentation attended by a small group of members who gathered at Diggers Tavern in Bellingen.

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“The Poultry Club was reformed on 6 May 1975 and at that meeting Des, Hilton and Ted were present,” Secretary for Bellinger River District Poultry Club, Peter Paff, told News Of The Area.

“All of these gentlemen still perform important functions in the club and we felt that it was time that their commitment was recognised.

“They have each held various positions over those 47-plus years, Des having been President for thirteen years and Hilton has now served as President for 30 years.

“Ted is currently Chief Steward also having served in many roles such as Secretary for an extended period.”

The club presented all three with Foundation Member bars and Life Membership, an honour which Peter said was “well and truly deserved and way overdue”.

The club members recognised that their commitment would not have been possible without the support of their wives.

They acknowledged the support of the late Nola Lovering for her dedication and hard work for the club over those years and also acknowledged Bettina Taylor and Diane Vaughan who continue to support their husbands and the club to this day.

Talking about the organisation, Peter Paff said, “The Poultry Club is many things.

“It is there to raise awareness of the joy of keeping poultry, support its members, to encourage young and not-so-young people to discover a rewarding hobby.

“It is also a great way to teach children the responsibility of looking after a pet with the side benefit of fresh eggs for breakfast.

“Many of the breeds kept are rare and breeders work hard to maintain each breed’s integrity.”

The Bellingen club runs the Annual Poultry Section of the local Agricultural Show, which is held in May each year.

It also conducts its own Club Show which is traditionally held on the last Sunday in May.

These shows bring exhibitors from up and down the coast and over the range.

“The last show we had exhibitors came from as far away as Somersby and Muswellbrook and up to Grafton, the shed was full to capacity with 575 birds.

“Both shows have junior sections and we encourage kids to enter their birds.”

Members of the club are often seen giving tips on the best way to look after the chickens and how to keep them healthy.

On the first Saturday of every month Bellinger River District Poultry Club holds a poultry market at Bellingen Showground and people are welcome to bring excess poultry along for sale.

The club charges a small fee for birds entered at this market.

By Andrea FERRARI