The competition encompasses pigeon racers from Shepparton, Kyabram, Benalla, Finley, Berrigan, Wangaratta, Mansfield and Euroa, with races between 300km and 1000km.
Pigeon racing clubs across the region stage their own series before flyers come together under the federation banner for longer distance efforts.
Birds are ‘liberated’ at release points and race back to their home lofts, where the average velocity and speed over the distance is calculated — with the winning bird deemed the one with the best velocity.
It was during a race from Cobar — held earlier this month — that Finley locals, Luke and Jim Sibraa had their first taste of success.
Despite a strong headwind of 35km/h the Sibraas’ pigeon took home the win.
‘‘With pigeon racing it all comes down to the heritage,’’ Luke said.
‘‘The bird that won that race is a fifth-generation winner, and that particular bloodline fares pretty good in headwinds.’’
At a distance of almost 450km, the duo’s bird made the trip in just under eight hours, a full hour ahead of their competitors.
Though heritage is king when it comes to the quality of the birds, it’s certainly played a part in their trainers too.
‘‘I’ve always had fancy pigeons,’’ said Luke.
‘‘My father had them, and his father too.
‘‘And my mother helps out with feeding and caring for them whilst I’m at work.’’
The Sibraas’ second win — also starting in Cobar — was a five bird race, which limits the amount of birds trainers can release.
‘‘It’s a more even playing field,’’ Luke said.
‘‘In some races you could have some people release 30 birds and others release a dozen, this way everyone is limited to just five.’’
During the race the pair beat their previous score by a full hour, clocking in at just under six hours. It was, in part, because of significantly reduced headwinds.
The Sibraas’ results in the final rounds saw them finish fourth on the ladder for the season.
The leaderboard is as follows: T & S Sofra , 1; Parker Geoff, 2; Mark Jeffery, 3; L, J & F Sibraa, 4; Lester Adams, 5; Graham Moulday, 6; J & J Burke, 7; Hawkins and Hill, 8; M & T Fletcher, 9; Ray Moulday, 10; Curtrona Carl, 11; Cam Racing, 12; Daryl Sinclair, 13; R & K Ryan, 14; Gary Beavis, 15.
Luke thanked Greater Valley Pigeon Federation president Michael Hawkins and secretary Margot Robinson, and everyone else involved with transporting the pigeons to their start locations.
He said this assistance made this year’s season a reality.
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