1. Review and approve the VRPB Code of Practice 2024 and redistribute it for publication to all Victorian Racing Pigeon Federations.
2. Make application to the ANRPB for funding to finance a study on how to minimise disease in one loft races and set up a separate disease Management Fund under the control of the VRPB. Seek further funding if necessary from Racing Pigeon Federations around Australia to make up the shortfall.
3. Develop liberation protocols for Victorian Racing Pigeon Federations to use for pigeon races. The following steps will need to be followed to do this:
i. Interview the liberation committee members from the VHA, GMPF & Western Fed. To determine the decision-making process, they follow when deciding when to liberate their birds for races. Ask any other racing pigeon federation to submit their own decision-making process for liberation to the VRPB Secretary.
ii. Develop a flow diagram of the decision-making process used for the VHA, GMPF & Western Fed.
iii. Develop explanatory documents which will be named VRPB Bird Release Protocol
iv. Seek comments from VRPB representatives regarding their own preferences for the best liberation procedure and determine as a committee the best model.
v. Develop a set of definitions for the role of Conveyer, Liberation Committee, Head Liberator etc…
vi. Develop a risk analysis chart on weather conditions to consider when liberating birds for a race. Use a colour code system to outline Low risk = green, medium risk = amber and high risk = red to do this.
vii. Trial the new risk analysis flow chart with any interested liberation committees and make any improvements necessary.
4. Review the upcoming VCAT Case – City of Darebin vs Varelas which is to be held on 2 May 2024 and make decisions about the next step that needs to be taken following the case.