Bird lovers flock to pigeon racing

PIGEON racing is thriving in the Northern Rivers region, with members of Ballina Byron Pigeon Racing Club competing in 16 races throughout the 2024 season.

The final event was an epic 776-kilometre race from Cunnamulla in Outback Queensland.

Jim Court, who has more than 30 years of pigeon racing experience, was the 2024 winner, taking out the short distance point score, long distance honours, and the overall season title, having secured an impressive five first-place finishes.

Races are designed to test the endurance, speed and homing instincts of the birds.

Stevey Arena – the daughter of the late INXS manager Chris Murphy OAM – is the only female member of the club.

“One afternoon I was having a gin and tonic on the deck and a pigeon basically fell out of the sky at my feet,” she said. “I took a picture and sent it to dad. I knew he had raced pigeons as a young teenager. I caught it and he came and collected it.”

Seeing the life band on the bird’s leg, Murphy called the president of the Ballina Byron Pigeon Racing Club Mick Horsfield to discuss

returning the bird, and to learn more about the club.

That’s when plans to build a pigeon loft emerged.

While Murphy sadly passed away from cancer in 2021 before getting to see his birds race, Arena inherited his passion for the sport.

“This has been my third year racing and I enjoy the breeding, training, and racing seasons equally,” she said. “Meeting at Jim’s each week to basket the birds for race day is something I look forward to too. Everyone has a laugh, a drink and discusses our birds with the same gusto as we do our racehorses.

“I’m the only female racer and slightly younger than most of the members, but the guys have welcomed me with open arms and supported and guided me every step of the way.”

Arena has more than 100 pigeons on her property, Sugar Beach Ranch at South Ballina, as well as a flock of white pigeons which are available to release for special occasions, such as weddings and funerals.

“There is something beautiful about watching the white birds dance around the sky,” Arena said.