In 2008 Sheryl Baron found herself unexpectedly taking on a significant responsibility when her son Hamish approached her with a unique request. She calls it “reverse inheritance”.

“Mum, I’m going to vet school in Brisbane, will you look after my birds for me until I come back?”

Hamish left his 30-40 budgies in Sheryl’s care as he embarked on his educational journey at the University of Queensland. Attracted by the university’s world-class veterinary faculty and outstanding hockey programme, Hamish, who had played hockey for the NZ Blacksticks, chose Queensland because he hadn’t been accepted at Massey University.

Initially going for five years, his study of avian and exotic pets grew into a business with now 10 The Unusual Pet Vets clinics spread across Australia.

During Hamish’s prolonged absence, his parents moved to the Bay of Plenty - and Hamish and Sheryl joined the Tauranga Bird Club.

This club has grown to more than 80 members, and has managed, after 30 years, to secure hosting rights for the Topflite National Bird Show for 2024. The prestigious event is set to take place this weekend at Mercury Baypark.

“We’re about to open a new clinic in Sydney, but when they got the national bird show, I was like: ‘Right, I’ll book my flights’,” says Hamish, who, along with Tauranga exotic pet vet Martin Earles, will provide avian veterinarian services at the show.

He says on shifting to Tauranga from Auckland in 2015, mum Sheryl joined the club to be a part of the bird keeping community in her new city.

Hockey, scouts, birds

“Mum told them: ‘’I’m happy to help”. She’s always been a huge community volunteer.”

He recalls Sheryl being a cub leader then group leader of their local Scout group in Auckland where he grew up.

“She’s been involved in hockey, Scouts, and birds. Basically, everything that any of her sons have done, she’s got around it and supported us to make that happen.

“And she’s done the same thing with the bird club, where in the first year she helped; and in the second year became president.”

Despite her significant contributions, Sheryl insists that the club’s growth is the result of a large team of volunteers working together.

“The coolest thing for me is that the Tauranga Bird Club is one of the only bird clubs in New Zealand that is growing,” says Hamish.

“And it’s probably why they’ve been rewarded with the national bird show this year.”

Giving back

Hamish emphasises that much of his return this week is about supporting the hobby that supported him during his formative years. He is looking forward to seeing birdkeepers at the show who he first met as a 15-year-old.

“A lot of the bird people I knew are now in their 80s and 90s, coming from Auckland and Hamilton. I’m still that kid who came to the Auckland Budgie Club and won Best Junior. They gave me some birds to help me get started.”

Mentoring and knowledge

Hamish fondly remembers being the only 15-year-old at bird shows. The older bird keepers mentored him, providing birds and sharing their knowledge.

“It was back in the day when you had landlines. A lot of the old guys would call me up and talk to me on the phone about birds for an hour.”

He notes the challenges facing diminishing clubs and bird keepers today, such as smaller property sizes, busier lifestyles and increasing costs.

Specialist avian veterinarian Dr Hamish Baron. Photo: Supplied.

“Very few people can dedicate the amount of time that is needed. As a kid, I was able to have an aviary in my backyard in Auckland. Mum and Dad would take me to the shows. Now parents have other pressures – having to work on weekends or do extra shifts to pay the mortgage. It’s hard to then encourage your kids to breed birds in the backyard as well.”

Despite these challenges, he says the Tauranga Bird Club has transformed into an inclusive and thriving community, attracting artists who paint birds, birdwatchers, and others who help with conservation efforts at Otanewainuku.

“They have a common interest and aren’t all people who show birds. Passionate people who want to be part of a community group that’s doing good things.”

The national show

Hamish is “super excited” about the national show.

Initially planning to help set up, he has taken on multiple roles including avian vet work, a Q&A with breeders, a talk for the sponsor Topflite, and being the MC at the dinner.

“Originally, I was coming over just to help, set up staging, that sort of stuff. Then Mum said if you’re here, you might as well do the vet work to make sure that all the birds are healthy, and that if there’s any issues you can deal with them.”

Over the years Sheryl has transitioned from being Hamish’s stand-in bird keeper to becoming a useful member of the NZ Federation of Bird Clubs, as well as taking on the local club’s presidency.

“She has this ability to empower people to feel like they’re part of any group. She knows how to motivate them and get them to buy into the journey. Everyone feels like they belong, and the club is doing awesome things,” says Hamish.

The Topflite National Bird Show, with 1435 birds on show, is open to the public at the stadium lounge at Mercury Baypark Arena on Saturday, July 27, from 9am-5pm, and Sunday, July 28 from 9am-12pm. Entry is $5 adult, $3 child, preschoolers free, family $12.

- SunLive