VICTORIAN HOMING ASSOCIATION INC
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. (a) The name of the Association shall be “The Victorian Homing Association” (hereinafter be referred to in these rules and regulations as the V.H.A.)
(b) The Objects of the Association shall be:-
(i) The protection and improvement of Homing Pigeons and the encouragement and conduct of Federation Races
(ii) The regulation of the sports of pigeon racing and the showing of Homing Pigeons
(iii) The regulation of all apparatus or appliances applicable to the said sports, and the management and care of pigeons.
(iv) The protection and advancement of the interest of its members connected with the said sports.
MEMBERSHIP OF V.H.A.
2. (a) The V.H.A. shall consist of metropolitan clubs and their affiliated members, whose lofts must be within a 50km radius of the intersection of Bourke and Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne, plus the the whole of the Mornington Peninsula. The V.H.A. shall conduct races for these members as set out in the Annual Line of Flight Meeting where all conditions for racing will be set.
(b) The VHA shall not be dissolved without the consent in writing, of three-fourths of the affiliated members of the Metropolitan Clubs.
3. (a) The entrance fee payable by each proposed club in the VHA shall be $10.00 plus $5.00 nomination for each new member. An Annual affiliation subscription shall be paid to the VHA for each financial member of each club. All monies, as aforementioned must be paid in advance to enable delegates from each club to take part in the business of the VHA. Any member belonging to more than one club shall pay only one fee and no person can be represented on the V.H.A. through more than one club. Any club that affiliates members with the V.H.A. shall be responsible for all fees. The said club shall bear all losses if the members fail to fly with that club.Amended NOM August 2011
(b) Non metropolitan Clubs may be affiliated with the VHA and shall pay a subscription of $10.00, but non metropolitan clubs cannot compete in VHA Federation races.
(c) The nomination and election of a member to the VHA shall take place at a meeting of the Executive Committee in respect of which notice of such nominations has been given. Election shall be by show of hands, (unless specifically asked by two or more delegates present), a two thirds majority of those present and voting shall be required. In the event of an applicant being rejected, three months’ notice must be given before such person can be again submitted for membership.
(d) No club, having as a member thereof, an expelled member of another Club, shall be eligible for affiliation with the VHA and any affiliated Club that shall retain as a member thereof, an expelled member of the VHA for four weeks, after due notice has been given from the VHA shall by that very fact cease to be an affiliated Club of the VHA.
(e) The Executive Officers of the VHA shall have the power to accept a request for and grant membership to any person as long as such request is made by an affiliated club and is accompanied by a list of pigeons the applicant wishes to enter in VHA races and the payment of the VHA Annual Membership Subscription. Such application for membership must then be ratified or otherwise at the next meeting of the Executive Committee as per the procedure set out in Rule 3©. Where the Executive Committee refuses to ratified such membership, the annual subscription must be refunded to the applicant.
The Executive Officers of the VHA shall have the power to refuse any member’s subscription without giving any reason. Amended NOM 2/12/19
(f) The Executive body shall have the power to expel, suspend or fine any member convicted of any offence regarding the importation of pigeons or pigeon eggs, under Customs or Quarantine Regulations of Australia.
(g) Any member of an affiliated Club transferring to another affiliated Club must produce a written clearance showing that all dues have been paid and that there is nothing detrimental to his character as a flying member.
(h) Any Club being one month in arrears shall be fined $10.00 and a further $10.00 for each subsequent month, and shall not participate in any of the privileges of the VHA until such arrears have been paid.
NEW CLUBS
4. (a) Any club desirous of becoming affiliated shall make application in writing to the secretary, and shall supply a list of its members’ names and addresses on the night of application, together with the proposed Club boundary and $10.00 affiliation fee, which shall be refunded should such Club be not admitted and a ballot shall be taken for their admission at the following meeting. One vote in three, of delegates present and voting, to exclude.
(b) To be eligible to compete in the young bird series, affiliation of a member must be approved no later than February Delegates Meeting and for old birds affiliation must be approved no later than the July Delegates Meeting. Before any new application can be considered the application must be accompanied by an Initial Ring List and completed Loft Location Form. The acceptance of the new application is at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
VHA OLD BIRD SECTION BOUNDARIES (as from 2021)
NORTH
NORTH: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
SOUTH: Latitude Line 37 degrees 40 minutes 48.0 seconds
EAST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
WEST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
NORTH WEST
NORTH:
Latitude Line 37 degrees 40 minutes 48.0 seconds
SOUTH: Latitude Line 37 degrees 45 minutes 38.0 seconds
EAST: Longitude Line 145 degrees 06 minutes 22.2 seconds
WEST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
NORTH EAST
NORTH: Latitude Line 37 degrees 40 minutes 48.0 seconds
SOUTH: Latitude Line 37 degrees 45 minutes 38.0 seconds
EAST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
WEST: Longitude Line 145 degrees 06 minutes 22.2 seconds
CENTRAL
NORTH Latitude 37 degrees 45 minutes 38.0 seconds
SOUTH: Latitude 37 degrees 53 minutes 50.3 seconds
EAST: Longitude 145 degrees 10 minutes 19.9 seconds
WEST: From the southern boundary north along Longitude 145
Degrees 07 Minutes 18.3216 Sec to Latitude 37 Degrees
50 Minutes 21.879 sec then to the 50 Kilometre Boundary
of the VHA
CENTRAL WEST
NORTH Latitude 37 degrees 50 minutes 21.879 seconds
SOUTH: Latitude 37 degrees 59 minutes 28.6542 seconds
EAST: Longitude 145 degrees 07 minutes 18.3216 seconds
WEST: 50 Kilometre Boundary of the VHA
CENTRAL EAST
NORTH: Latitude 37 degrees 45 minutes 38.0 seconds
SOUTH: Latitude 37 degrees 53 minutes 50.3 seconds
EAST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
WEST: Longitude 145 degrees 10 minutes 19.9 seconds
SOUTH WEST
NORTH: Latitude 37 degrees 53 minutes 50.3 seconds
SOUTH: Latitude 38 degrees 04 minutes 09.6 seconds
EAST: Longitude 145 degrees 13 minutes 32.5 seconds
WEST: From the northern boundary south along Logitude 145 Degrees
07 Minutes 18.3216 sec. To Latitude 37 Degrees 59 Minutes
28.6542 sec. then to the 50 Kilometre Boundary of the VHA
SOUTH EAST
NORTH: Latitude 37 degrees 53 minutes 50.3 seconds
SOUTH: Latitude 38 degrees 04 minutes 09.6 seconds
EAST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
WEST: Latitude 145 degrees 13 minutes 32.5 seconds
SOUTH
NORTH: Latitude 38 degrees 04 minutes 09.6 seconds
SOUTH: 50 Kilometre boundary to Baxter Tooradin Rd and a straight line continuation of that road to Port Phillip Bay. ( update June 2021)
EAST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
WEST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
NORTH: 50 Kilometre boundary to Baxter Tooradin Rd and a straight line continuation of that road to Port Phillip Bay. ( update June 2021)
EAST: Coninuation of Fisheries Road from 50 Kilometre VHA boundary to Western Port Bay (update June 2021)
SOUTH & WEST: To include the whole of the Mornington Peninsula (update June 2021)
VHA YOUNG BIRD SECTION BOUNDARIES
NORTH
NORTH: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
SOUTH: Latitude 37 degrees 46 minutes 59.99 seconds
EAST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
WEST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
CENTRAL
NORTH Latitude 37 degrees 47 minutes 00.0 seconds
SOUTH: Latitude 38 degrees 01 minutes 49.99 seconds
EAST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
WEST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
SOUTH
NORTH: Latitude 38 degrees 01 minutes 50.00 seconds
SOUTH: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
EAST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
WEST: 50 Kilometre boundary of the VHA
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
5. (a) The VHA shall be governed by an Executive Committee, composed of Delegates of the Metropolitan affiliated Clubs, that is to say, for the first four financial members and an extra vote for every four financial members thereafter. No metropolitan Club whose membership does not carry four financial members shall be allowed representation on the Executive Body.
(b) The Officers of the VHA shall be a President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, Race Secretary, Transport Officer, and Chairman of the clock committee, Ring Secretary, GPS Officer, IT Officer, Administration Officer and the Auditor. Nominations for these positions are to be taken at the October meeting of Delegates, and the Election of the Office Bearers is to be conducted at the February meeting of delegates. The said President, Secretary, or Treasurer shall not be eligible to act as delegate for their respective Clubs.
The Executive Officers shall be the President, two Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Race Secretary, Transport Officer, and Chairman of Clock Committee. The President, Secretary and Honorary Solicitor shall be ex –officio members of all Committees.
(c) The management of the VHA shall be vested in the Executive Committee, such executive committee shall have the power to make such By-Laws, Rules and Regulations as they may from time to time deem necessary.
(d) Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held monthly or as often as required. All correspondence must be in the secretary’s hand three clear days prior to the monthly Delegates meeting
(e) The V.H.A. Executive Officers shall have the power to deal with any business arising between meetings that may not be covered by the rules. They shall have power to deal with any urgent business, in accordance to the rules and to report the same to the Executive Committee at the next meeting.Executive Officers who occupy more than one position, shall in the event that a vote is taken on any matter, shall only have a single vote. Rule altered NOM 2022
(f) The Executive Committee shall have power of appointing all V.H.A. officials other than those pursuant to these regulations.
(g) The Executive Committee shall have power to frame regulations for the conduct of all Federation and Special Races, and the “Federation” in such regulations shall be deemed to be identical with the V.H.A. herein.
(h). It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to resolve annually a route fixed in rotation East of due North, North and West of due North with race points being those set out in Schedule Two and to fix such other specific race points as it may deem desirable notwithstanding that any such specific race point may not be on the fixed route. Such specific races may be designated a Federation Race or a non-Federation Special Race. The Executive Officers shall have the power to alter or vary the race program or any individual race or races should the necessity arise. Rule Altered NOM 2/09/2019
(i)The Executive Committee shall consider any appeals pertaining to racing made by V.H.A. members. The decisions of said committee are to be binding on all parties.
(j)The Executive Committee reserves the right to decide any question that may arise which is not specified in these Rules and Regulations, and its decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
(k)All questions and disputes not provided for in these Rules and Regulations shall be decided by the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
6. President: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all General and Committee meetings, to preserve order, to give a casting vote upon all questions when required, sign the minutes of the previous meeting when confirmed by vote, and he shall have power to call Special Meetings and sign cheques in conjunction with the Treasurer or Secretary. And he shall have power to impose fines under rule 33 hereof and any member or club fined by the President shall be deemed un-financial, until such time as the fine or fines be paid. Rules altered NOM April 2019
7. Vice Presidents: It shall be the duty of the Vice Presidents to render assistance to the President on all occasions and to perform the duties of the President in his stead when he is absent when he shall be vested with all the powers of the President, and to also preside over various sub-committees as required.
8. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to convene and attend all meetings, except such as he may be excused by the meeting from attending. He shall conduct all polls at meetings, held by the Executive Committee, Executive Officers or Race and Finance Committee. He shall be in charge of the supply of all stationery, race requisites and supply all clubs with the same. He shall do all preliminary preparation of year books, race diplomas and other awards. He shall make each rule amendment and have a complete set of up to date rules available for each meeting. He shall be responsible for the day to day running of the V.H.A. in conjunction with the Treasurer.Amended NOM 2022
9. Race Secretary: He shall keep a record of all distances supplied by the GPS Officer and be responsible for the calculation of all velocities and verifications in connection with V.H.A. races.
10. Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to attend all meetings, except such as he may be excused by the meeting from attending, receive all monies and give a receipt for same. He shall deposit all monies in the bank in the name of the V.H.A. and shall, in conjunction with the President or Secretary, sign cheques. He shall make payments for goods and services incurred by the VHA. He shall produce a Balance Sheet, signed by the Auditor, at the Annual Meeting or at any time he is requested to do so by the Executive Committee. He shall keep an up to date members’ data register and be responsible for pre race data input. He shall be responsible for the day to day running of the V.H.A. in conjunction with the secretary and Administration Officer.Amended NOM April 2019
It shall be the duty of the treasurer to to keep up to keep an up to date members' date register and be responsible for pre race data input collection of race entry summaries from clubs/centres and determine financial result of races. He will be responsible for payment of all accounts including distribution of prize money.(Amended NOM June 2021)
11. Minute Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Minute Secretary to attend all meetings and make an accurate record of the business transacted there at. He shall keep a separate book containing each rule book amendment and this book shall be brought to all meetings for reference purposes.
12. Ring Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Ring Secretary to issue all life rings and keep a record of all ring numbers registered by or issued to members of affiliated clubs. On each member’s ring register, record all ring numbers transferred by member also receive from, and report to members, particulars of lost and found birds, and make a check of ring numbers when required under V.H.A. rules. The registration of recognized life ring numbers will be hereinafter referred to as rings.
13. The Transport Officer shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and it shall be his duty to be in charge of all transport and also the care and maintenance of tier units and equipment. He shall provide directions to the senior Conveyer as required.
14. The Clock Chairman shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. His duties shall be to take charge of the V.H.A. Chronometer and supervise the settings and checking of all flyer’s clocks. He shall also be responsible for the reading and checking of all tapes. In the event of any irregularities he shall report same to the next meeting of the Executive Committee.
15. The Auditor shall, prior to each Annual Meeting, or at any time the Executive Committee may direct, audit and examine all books, documents and balance sheets, and if correct sign and certify to the same accordingly.
16. (a) Centre Supervisors shall be appointed by the Executive Committee, and it shall be their duty to receive and dispatch all birds to the race point, and to check all units, baskets and labels thereon.
(b) An Assistant to the Clock Chairman shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and his duties shall be to assist the Clock Chairman.
17. Convoyers: It shall be the duty of the Senior Convoyer to take charge of the race birds as soon as accessible and attend same until liberation. He shall also check baskets, units and labels. On race days he shall communicate with the Liberation Committee Chairman to decide the time of liberation. The Senior Convoyer shall complete a Convoyer’s Report Form as supplied by the VHA, such report to be forwarded to the VHA Secretary within 7 days.
18. Liberation Committee: A Committee consisting of three members shall be elected annually by the Executive Committee. This committee will decide on the liberation time on race day and they shall have the power to vary the appointed time on the race schedule up to 1-1/2 hours either way. Liberation is not to take place unless in the opinion of the Committee the birds have been at the liberation point for a reasonable length of time.
19. A Race and Finance Committee consisting of the Executive Officers and one member from each basketing centre, such members shall be elected by clubs using that centre. Their duties shall be to make recommendations to the Executive Committee on all matters pertaining to racing and finance. The Race and Finance Committee may submit notices of motion and other correspondence, including Line of Flight submissions, to be dealt with by the Executive Committee.
FINANCE
20. The recognized financial year of the VHA shall be from the 1st January to 31st December.
21. The Income and property of the VHA whensoever derived, shall be applied solely towards the objects of the VHA and no portions thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise howsoever by way of profit to the members of the VHA, provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment in good faith of an allowance to any officials or servants of the VHA, or to any member of the VHA in return for services actually rendered to the VHA or prevent the free gift to the members of the publications of the VHA or the giving of privileges to or the payment of the expenses of representatives attending meetings on behalf of the VHA, or to prevent the bona fide issuing of certificates of merit or the giving of prizes or contributions for prizes by the VHA to the members of the VHA.
22. The general fund of the VHA shall consist of subscriptions, donations, levies, fines, dues, etc.The Presideent, Secretary and Treasure only have responsibilty and authority to sign cheques and authoriseelectronic funds transfers from all VHA bank accounts and any of these three office bearers have singular access to these accounts. Amended April 2019
23. The Executive Committee shall have power at any time they deem it necessary to make a levy on all V.H.A. members. Should any member fail to pay any such levy or levies within the time specified by the Executive Committee, he shall be adjudged unfinancial and cease to be a member of the V.H.A.
24. Any club retiring from the V.H.A. before the end of the season must waive and forfeit all rights, monies etc deposited with the V.H.A. and will be held liable for an equal part of any deficit in general expenses account.
V.H.A MEETINGS
25. The Annual Meeting of the VHA shall be held on the first Monday in February immediately preceding the February monthly meeting for the purpose of receiving the Annual report and Balance Sheet and to present any special prizes won during the season, and to receive any recommendations from members for consideration of the incoming Executive Committee.
26. At the July meeting each year, delegates will be required to approve race stages, times of liberation, and commencement date and all matters pertaining thereto, for the young birds’ series for the ensuing year.
All line of flight matters, for the coming year, must be in writing and delivered to the V.H.A. Secretary prior to the May delegates meeting.
27. At the October Meeting each year, Delegates will be required to approve a race program, times of liberation, the commencement date and all matters pertaining thereto for the Old Bird Series for the following year. All line of flight matters, for the following year must be in writing and delivered to the V.H.A. Secretary prior to the August Delegates Meeting. Only race points on the relevant Line of Flight as set in Schedule Two of these Rules and Regulations can be submitted for consideration to the Executive Committee. Rule altered NOM 2/9/2019
28. All nominations for Life Membership must be submitted by a member’s club or by the Executive Officers of the V.H.A. The nominations must be in writing outlining the history of the member concerned, such as years of membership and outstanding services rendered to the V.H.A. All nominations are to be submitted to the Executive Officers for their approval before being considered by the Executive Committee.
29. A Special Meeting will be called by the President on the written requisition, signed by seven delegates representing three or more Affiliated Clubs, specifying the objects of same.
AMENDMENTS OF REGULATIONS
30. (a) Notices of Motion to add new rules, alter or rescind any old rule must be given in writing at a general meeting and dealt with at a subsequent meeting of the Executive Committee.
(b) Delegates present at any meeting, representing not less that two-thirds of the affiliated clubs, or twenty delegates, whichever is the lesser, shall form a quorum. All notices of motion must have two-thirds majority of delegates present and voting before they can be carried.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
31. (a) It shall be incumbent on all members to pay due respect to the Chairman and to uphold the dignity of the Chair. Any member disobeying the Chairman’s ruling shall have his conduct referred to the Executive Committee, which shall have the power to expel or otherwise deal with such a member in a manner that it feels is appropriate in the circumstances. The Executive Committee’s decision is final.
(b) All business conducted at Meetings of the Executive Committee, including the business of the Election of Officers, shall be determined by the show of hands with the number of votes for and against being recorded in the Minutes of the Association and not by secret ballot.
32. Any club or member of a club affiliated with the V.H.A. who, in the opinion the Executive committee, is guilty of misconduct or of willfully breaking the V.H.A. rules may be reprimanded, fined or be expelled.
PROTECTION OF PIGEONS
33. Any member of any affiliated club, whose pigeons have been destroyed, stolen or trapped, shall give notice to the Secretary in writing, supplying such information as is in his power; and should the said information, in the opinion of the V.H.A., warrant the prosecution of the offender, the V.H.A. shall at once direct legal proceedings to be taken.
34. Any member whose loft has a pigeon other that his own, shall at once give notice to the Ring Secretary that he has such a pigeon. The Executive Committee shall have power to expel or fine any member who fails to comply with this rule. No member shall be held responsible for any pigeon after fourteen clear days of written notice to the Ring Secretary.
35. Any member not claiming a bird within seven days of receiving notice from the Ring Secretary shall be fined $25.00 for the first notification and $50.00 for the second notification. If the bird is still not claimed the member will be deemed in breach of these rules and may be dealt with by the Executive Committee.
CONDUCT OF RACES
36. All fees for all Races must be paid to the V.H.A. Treasurer on the night of basketing for each race.
37. The cost of each Federation Race will be defrayed by the V.H.A. In club races the costs of the convoying will be defrayed by the clubs competing. The cost of convoying will be decided by the Executive Committee.
38. All birds competing in Federation Races must be basketed as directed by the Executive Committee, under the supervision of the Centre Supervisor, who is appointed by the Executive Committee. He shall be fully responsible for the conduct of that centre. The Centre Supervisor is to advise the Transport Officer the number of units and baskets forwarded by the centre.
39. All birds entered in Federation Races by any competitor must be entered through the affiliated club in which he is represented on the V.H.A. and all competing members must basket their birds and have their clock or electronic timer set at the centre nominated by their affiliated club.Exception to the rule - A member may have his/her electronic timer set (at a centre for other than a VHA centre for other than VHA races only after permission has been obtained from the VHA clock Chairman at least 7 days prior. The VHA clock chairman will liaise with the members club centre clock chairman to ensure the clock is running on AEST. Members using manual clocks must use a separate clock.NOM November 2022. Every member competing in any race must have his birds at the basketing centre by 8pm on the night of basketing unless an earlier or later time is fixed by the Executive Committee.
40. No member may set, open or read his own clock or electronic timer for any Federation Race. Also no member is permitted to participate in basketing of his own pigeons. No non-member may set, open or read any member’s clock or electronic timer for any Federation Race. Also, no non-member is permitted to participate in basketing of pigeons by either, handling, penciling or ringing pigeons.
41. All birds competing in Federation Races must be rung with one intact life ring of standard size, not defaced. Only V.H.A. rings and rings approved by the V.H.A. Executive Committee will be recognized for competitions in races and shows.
42. All young birds competing in Young Bird Federation Races must be rung with V.H.A., V.P.U., W.P.F. or MELB rings.
43. No bird which the Centre Supervisor considers to be in any way injured or suffering from disease, shall be allowed to compete in any Federation or Special Race.
44. All birds must fly to a member’s loft, and be the absolute property of members whose name they are registered and be shown within six days of close of race alive, if required, to the appointed representatives of the V.H.A. who shall have power to liberate the birds at the member’s loft in his presence. Any infraction of this rule shall at the discretion of the Executive Committee annul all rights to prizes, and to future competition in Federation Races. The Executive Committee shall also be at liberty to send a representative to investigate legitimate ownership of any pigeon, the expense of such investigation, as fixed by the Executive Committee, to be borne by the defaulting member, and to be recoverable as and for liquidated damages. Notwithstanding the foregoing all winners of Federation Races must be inspected and liberated from a winning member’s loft; as soon as is practical and reasonable, by at least two officials from the basketing centre at which the winning bird was basketed and that confirming of such action be reported to the V.H.A. Secretary in writing.
45. All transport units are to be colour coded for identification purposes and a voucher showing the number of birds must accompany the consignment to the V.H.A. clubrooms and be handed to the V.H.A. Secretary.
46. The V.H.A. or its affiliated clubs must provide proper units for the conveyance of birds together with suitable feed and water troughs for each unit. It shall be the responsibility of the affiliated clubs that have the use of V.H.A. units, to see that the units are kept in proper order and condition, and it shall be their responsibility to arrange for the repair of any unit, when instructed by the Transport Officer to do so. The costs of the repairs are to be paid by the V.H.A. Unit Fund.
47. The V.H.A., in all races, shall provide food for all race birds when under their charge.
48. (a) Members flying distances over any course, decided upon, shall be measured by an official to be appointed by the Executive Committee and only these measurements will be accepted. The original measurements will be held by the V.H.A. but a copy of the same will be supplied by the VHA Secretary to each club. All objections to the said measurements must be lodged with the V.H.A.
Secretary within seven days of the race. Loft location plans from affiliated clubs must be submitted on the Official Loft Form, to the VHA Secretary.
(b) All V.H.A. members must have their flying distances calculated for every race point on each year’s racing schedule.
(c) All requests for distances for both new and old members must be in the hands of the V.H.A. Secretary by the affiliation deadline for both the young and old series. Failure to comply with this rule may render the member ineligible to compete in that series.
49. (a) If two members, except as a firm, fly their birds to the same loft or premises in any one race, each member must fly all the races he competes in during the season to the same loft or premises, unless he be incapacitated from doing so by change of residence in which case the Executive Committee may grant him permission to fly his birds from another loft. If more than one member’s loft is situated on the same premises such lofts must be nominated. The distance of these competitors would be computed from one loft, the nearest to the race point; such shall be official distances for all lofts on said premises. This shall also apply where one member has more than one loft on his premises.
(b) All members are required to notify the club Secretary of any alteration to the original Loft Location Plan.
50. In the event of a member’s death, the Executive Officers or the Executive Committee may grant permission to the family of the deceased member to continue to race the birds until the year is completed.
51. (a) Other than members using Electronic Timers, entries in Federation Races must be made on the official V.H.A. entry form. All ring marks and numbers on the life ring and a correct description of the birds entered must be written legibly. Each bird entered must be written on the entry form one below the other, with no blank spaces between each bird. All birds entered in pools must be clearly marked with an X. It shall be the duty of the club official accepting the entry to sign his name on the line below the last bird entered. Each member when producing his clock at the centre after clocking in must also produce a verification book which will show the description of the bird clocked, the ring markings of the bird, and any pools that the bird is entered in. In the event of wrong verification or non-production of the verification books, the member may be fined or disqualified, at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
(b) Members using electronic timers will use the entry sheet produced by the electronic timer. These members are not required to use verification books.
(i) In the event that a member sends or pools more birds than he has paid for he shall then only be permitted to clock those birds entered on his entry form up to and including the last bird paid for. The birds deemed to be paid for shall be counted from the top of the entry form. Any bird not marked with an X will be deemed not to be pooled.
(ii) In the case of members using electronic timers, it will be the responsibility of the member to ensure that the Room Supervisor marks his pooled birds on the entry sheet produced by the electronic timer.
52. All VHA official entry forms in all V.H.A. races are to be stamped with the Official Stamp. They are to show the names of the handlers, the ringer and the penciller. The form must be signed by the V.H.A. Centre Supervisor or his representative. Only VHA Affiliated Members shall be allowed to take part in the basketing of the birds for the races. Unless in the opinion of the Executive Committee a clerical error has occurred, the number on rubber race ring, produced from the clock, must correspond with that on the entry form. For members using electronic timers, the electronic timing rules will apply.
53. All Federation entry forms shall be under the direct control of the Centre Supervisor, and the sealed packers shall not be broken for the purpose of checking race marks until the leading clocks at each centre have been pulled against the V.H.A. chronometer.
54. All birds competing in Federation Races shall carry a rubber race ring, which must be placed in the thimble on arrival, and placed in the receptacle in a clock (as hereafter defined). Only telescopic unperforated double-ended thimbles can be used except where permission has been granted by the Executive to use another type. The Executive Officers of the V.H.A. shall have the power to view or impound any member’s clock at any time. In the event that a flyer uses a clock specifically designed to operate thimble-less and that clock has been approved by the Executive Committee that flyer does not have to use a thimble. For members using electronic timers, electronic timing rules will apply.
55. (a) Any competitor may, in Federation Races up to 660km, clock pool birds as well as a Federation bird but only the first clocked bird entered in the race shall be entitled to compete for the Federation Race.
(b) Any competitor may, in Federation Races over 660km, clock pool birds as well as two Federation birds but only the first two clocked birds entered in that race shall be entitled to compete for the Federation Race.
(c) In any Federation Race competitors may have their clock reset for the purpose of clocking more birds, provided all prizes have not been won. The ordinary time allowance shall be calculated from the time of clocking such pool bird or birds.
56. In all Federation Races only the first clocked bird shall be eligible to take points for the V.H.A. Aggregate points.
57. (a) Pool birds must be entered on the entry form and verified in the usual manner.
(b) In races up to 660km a competitor can take only one position in each pool entered, and in races over 660km a competitor can only take two places in each pool entered.
58. (a) Members competing in Federation races, not including Tasmanian races, must produce their clock at their appointed Centre within two (2) hours of clocking. Any flyer who wishes to have more than this appointed time to produce his clock, may apply to the V.H.A. Executive Committee for extra time. In races of 660km and further where two (2) birds may be timed in, all Members must produce their clock at their appointed Centre after clocking by 8pm E.S.T. or 9pm D.S.T.
Exceptions to this rule will apply where a Member is unable to produce his clock at his appointed Centre by 8pm E.S.T. or 9pm D.S.T.as the case may be, for one of the following reasons:
(i) Where a Member times in one bird and waits for a second race bird, he must produce his clock at his appointed Centre within a time calculated by adding his allotted travelling time to his appointed Centre to the clocking time of his second race bird.
(ii) Where a Member waits to time in a second race bird but fails to do so, he must produce his clock at his appointed Centre within a time calculated by adding his allotted travelling time to his appointed Centre to the time of the closing of the race for that day.
(b) For any race conducted from the Tasmanian mainland, Members must produce their clock at their appointed Centre by 8pm or 2 hours after clocking whichever is the latter.
(c) Not withstanding anything in Rules 58 (a) and (b), in any race:
(i) Where the first bird timed in by a Member is timed in after the closing of the race on that day but before midnight, the clock does not have to be produced at the appointed Centre until 8pm E.S.T. or 9pm D.S.T the following day.
(ii) Where a Member times in a first bird when the race is open and times in a second bird after the race closes, the clock must be produced at the appointed Centre on the day of timing in the first bird in the time frame as set out in Rule 58(a)(i).
(iii) Race closing time, opening time and hours of darkness are set out in Rule 74(i)
(d) No extra time to clock pool birds is allowed in any V.H.A. race.
(e) Any member failing to comply with any part of Rule 58 (a), (b) or (c) shall be disqualified from the race in question unless otherwise decided by the Executive Body. Rule 58 Amended N of M 03/07/2017
59. Any competitor, other than the VHA Executive Officers, or the Liberation Committee, communicating with the convoyer, or in any way interfering with the liberation of the birds or Liberation Committee may be barred from the race and future competition in the VHA for such time as the executive Committee may determine.
60. Any two of the Executive officers shall have the power in all races to take whatever action they may consider advisable, to ensure that all birds have been liberated at the race point.
61. Any member of the V.H.A. sending birds for liberation to the race point on the day of races, other than through his club, shall have his conduct referred to the Executive Committee who shall have the power to reprimanded, fine or disqualify the member for the remainder of the season.
62. Members of the V.H.A. not competing in a race, must confine their birds in their loft during the course of each race, any offender will be dealt with by the Executive Committee
PROTESTS
63. Protests of any description must be accompanied by a deposit of $10.00 and must be made through the club such a member is represented through, within one week of declaration of race, and if said protest is considered frivolous by the Executive Committee, the deposit shall be forfeited.
CLOCKS
64. All competitors in Federation Races must use a clock specially made for timing homing pigeons, and it must be approved by the Executive Committee and no alteration shall be allowed to any clock other than that sanctioned by the Executive Committee. If two or more members fly to the one loft, they may use one clock. In the Rules of the Victorian Homing Association, any general reference to clocks also includes Electronic Timing Systems (EBBSS) unless specifically stated otherwise in the rules including the Electronic Timing Rules.
65. All clocks used by competitors in Federation Races must be set and sealed as decided by the Executive Committee and each clock shall have a number thereon.
Each competitor shall have only one clock for each Federation Race, which shall be issued to him from the club in which he is represented on the V.H.A. and each clock shall bear the name of the competitor. A list of members’ names, clock makes and clock numbers shall be forwarded to the Chairman of the clock Committee prior to the commencement of racing.
CONTINUOUS RUNNING CLOCKS
66. (a) All clocks shall, during the racing season, be kept in the custody of the club or V.H.A. except when under seal.
(b) The V.H.A. Chronometer to which the clocks are all started shall be handed over to the Clock Chairman and remain in his custody until the close of the race. All clocks in each race are to be started at actual time taken from the V.H.A. Chronometer, excepting battery operated clocks. All clocks are to be pulled twice against the Chronometer and a record of the time kept. Any clock set more than 5 seconds fast or slow must be reset.
(c) On the production of a clock or clocks after the race, all clocks must be produced unopened and they shall be struck against the V.H.A. Chronometer and thus obtain the total variation, which shall be added or deducted in the usual way, except in the event of a clock gaining at the rate of more than 5 seconds per hour, the registered time on the tape will be taken as the time of arrival, and in the event of a clock losing at the rate of more than 5 seconds per hour, double the varied slow time is to be added to the registered time. In the event of a clock ceasing to work after the bird has been timed in, the clock shall be deemed to be a slow clock.
(d) In the event of any member’s clock for some reason not being pulled over against the chronometer but the clock has been pulled over in the clubrooms by the clock committee before the clock is opened, the executive body may grant the member his time provided that the tape is replaced and the correct variation is taken.
(e) No time will be given unless the clock opening puncture appears on or after the registered time when the clock was struck against the Chronometer after timing in.
(f) All clock rolls must be stamped with the V.H.A. Official Stamp and bear the member’s name, the number of the clock, the date of the race, and the signature of the member of the Clock Committee who set the clock. Any club failing to comply shall be fined $25.00 for each race.
(g) Exceptions to the above rules 71(d) and 71(f) shall be applied only to members who use approved Computer Clocks, which do not have a tape in them.
In the cases where these clocks are in use, the code number inserted for each particular race is to be entered on the clock sheet at the time of clock setting and checked at the time of clock presentation. It is the responsibility of the flyer that uses this type of clock to produce a printer on race days so as a clock tape can be retrieved and maintained for records. In the event that it is impossible to produce a clock tape for a particular race then the flyer will be given no time.
(h) In the event of any malfunction or suspected malfunction of any clock after a member has timed in, the V.H.A. Clock Chairman may open the clock before it is pulled against the Chronometer and make his report to the Executive Committee.
(i) In the reading of any clock tape which shows any split second readings, all split readings shall be read back to the last completed whole second.
67. Any competitor who shall prior to the clocking of his bird find the clock issued to him at fault, can have it exchanged for a clock that has been set by the Clock Committee for the race. The Clock Committee shall be responsible for the production of the faulty clock unopened if required by the Clock Chairman.
68. In the event of any clock found to be faulty on the race bird homing, the competitor may clock his bird in any clock set by the V.H.A. for that race day. The faulty clock to be produced at the centre unopened with the seal intact.
Rules relating to the Use of EBS Systems are contained in Schedule 1.
DECIDING RACES
69. The Federation prizes and awards will be awarded on the system of velocity proper, i.e., the bird making the greatest velocity and complying with all the V.H.A. Rules and Regulations to be deemed the winner.
70. In any race where two or more velocities are equal to the third decimal place a dead heat shall be decided.
71. All sweepstakes in Federation Races shall be divided as fixed by the Executive Committee. Should only one bird home within that time limit specified in rule 61 hereof, it shall be entitled to all prize money, but should two or more birds home within the time limit, they shall be entitled to divide all surplus prize money equally to each bird taking a position in the race.
72. Races up to 490km shall close at midnight on day of liberation, from 491km to 700km at midnight on the day following the day of liberation, from 701km to 900km at midnight on the third day following the day of liberation, from 901km to 1050km at midnight on the fourth day following the day of liberation. In the event of the race not being won within the time specified, the Executive Officers shall have the power to extend same.
73. All race distances positioned in these rules are calculated from the race point to the Melbourne G.P.O. The V.H.A. Boundary is a radius 50km from the centre of Bourke and Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne.
74. (i) In the case of races extending over one day, there will be a deduction for the hours of darkness. The race will close half an hour after sunset and will re-open half an hour before sunrise the following day. The sunset and sunrise times will be the times issued by Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne for the relevant days.
(ii) Without limiting the above rule, any bird timed in before midnight shall have its velocity calculated without any allowance for the hours of darkness on that day. Further, any birds timed in before midnight shall be placed higher in the result than any bird timed in after midnight regardless of their velocity.
(iii) Any bird timed in after midnight but before the race is opened, shall be taken to be timed in on the minute the race is opened.
(iv) For the purposes of clarity, any birds timed in during the hours of darkness as set out above will have no effect on those hours of darkness which will always be the time between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise the
following day.
Rule 74 Amended N of M 08/05/2017
75. Diplomas will be given for each Federation Position.
76. (a) Should any competitor be credited by the Secretary with having made such a velocity as the Executive Committee considers impossible on the day, the Executive Committee shall have absolute power to disqualify the said bird in the said race, although there may be no evidence to suggest or support any fraudulent practice of the competitor or any other person responsible for the marking or despatching of the birds to or at the race point.
(b) Winning pigeons in VHA Federation races may be randomly selected for a blood test to determine the presence of illegal substances, with a positive test; the bird shall be disqualified from all prizes. Should the owner/s refuse to produce the bird for testing, then the bird will be deemed to have returned a positive test result.
(c) Should a bird test positive to illegal substances, the owner/s of the bird and loft shall be disqualified from competition for a period of 12 months.
RINGS
77. (a) No life rings shall be issued by the V.H.A. prior to the first day of July in each year, and no life or rubber rings shall be issued by the V.H.A., except to a Secretary or Club Representative.
(b) Pigeons carrying life rings issue the same year as the current racing season are ineligible to be entered in races conducted during that season. Included by NOM 12/11/2018
REGISTRATION OF RECOGNISED RINGS
78. All members, including Honorary and Junior members of any metropolitan affiliated club must have filed with the V.H.A. Ring Secretary a list of all the ring numbers that are owned by them. This initial list on the prescribed form must be submitted with every application for new membership. The initial ring list must show the following:
(a) All ring numbers on birds that are bona fide property of the new member; all numbers that are on birds that are on loan to the new member. Altered NOM May 2022
(b) An initial fee per ring shall be paid except in relation to the V.H.A. rings of the current season’s issue. If the member is transferring to the VHA from another Melbourne Federation for the first time, an initial ring fee will be charged to the value of added monies paid by existing members. Altered NOM May 2022.
(c) The only rings that may be regsitered in the VHA ring Registry must have been issued by an authentic Australian Racing Pigeon organisation and must have a contact phone number for the issuing organisation on them. Added NOM May 2022 This rule will be effected on 1st January 2023.
79. A member may request the change of ownership of a pigeon or pigeons from his/her ownership to the ownership of another member by forwarding a request for such transfer to the Ring Secretary of the VHA. On recording of the change of ownership, on the V.H.A. Ring Registry, the Ring Secretary shall forward written confirmation to both the original owner and the new owner that such transfer has been completed.
(a) A transfer fee of $2.75 (Incl. GST) for VHA and $2.75 (Incl. GST) for Non VHA rings is to be paid by the new owner after such change of ownership. In a case where there are a number of rings listed for transfer, for VHA rings, $2.75 (Incl. GST) for the first ring and a fee of 20c for each other ring. For non VHA rings, $2.75 (Incl. GST) for the first ring and for each other ring, the fee is set at the same cost per transfer as the price of a VHA ring sold the previous year, for racing in the current year. This payment per ring renders the birds eligible to compete for money added from the VHA Ring Fund to Federation Race prizemoney for races conducted during the current season.
(b) Any bird must be transferred prior to the bird having been entered in any race during the current season. Notification of all transfers shall be sent to both the new owner and the former registered owner of the ring. Until a member receives written confirmation from the Ring Secretary that the transfer has been completed, the bird or birds are ineligible to be entered in any VHA conducted race and no member shall be entitled to win a prize unless the bird was transferred as per this rule. Written confirmation includes electronic communication.
© Notwithstanding anything rule 79 (a) and (b), the transfer of pigeons between flyers and/or lofts from the same address will not be permitted once the racing season has commenced. For clarification, the racing season commences at the first club race.
(d) Proof of the ownership of all placed birds in club races must be checked by the appropriate Club Secretary, and in Federation Races all placed birds must be checked by the V.H.A. Race Secretary with the Ring Secretary.
(Complete Rule 79 amended via NOM 2/12/19)
80. Additional old bird/foreign ring entry fee. Rule deleted. NoM 1/8/2016
81. Any member who conducts a total disposal sale of his pigeons cannot compete in any VHA race or show for two years. Altered NOM May 2022
82. Rings on birds which may become the subject of a partnership between members of the V.H.A. at the address at which same are already registered may be registered in the names of the partners without payment of any fee, providing the registered owner of the rings is a member of such partnership.
83. In the event of a dissolution or termination of a partnership, alteration of registered owner’s name will be made free of cost in respect of rings of birds at the same address, providing such registration revert to one of the members of the partnership. Proof of dissolution or termination of partnership must be furnished. Full detailed list of rings must accompany any application for registration or alteration.
All rings on birds moved from or to an address other than that at which they are already registered, must be transferred in the usual manner and fees paid.
84. Any member being found with a pigeon that is not his property and the pigeon is not registered in his name in the V.H.A. Ring Register, may be fined or suspended at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
85. Any pigeon entered in any race or any show shall not bear any stamp of any kind.
86. Any metropolitan club with unsold life rings must return same to the V.H.A. Ring Secretary by March 31st each year. Otherwise the club will be responsible for payment of same.
DEFINITIONS
87. Where the word “his” is used in these rules and Regulations, is also to be taken as “her” where the opposite sex may apply.
Where the words “Federation” and “Federation Races” are used in these rules and regulations, they are also to be taken to apply to Special V.H.A. Races.
88. (a) All members are bound by the Victorian Code of Practice for Keeping and Racing of Pigeons (otherwise known as the Code)
(b) A member shall cooperate fully in any investigation by the VHA of a breach of the Code.
(c) Any member found in breach of the Code or this rule shall, depending on the severity of the breach, be fined up to $200, suspended, or expelled from membership.
ELECTRONIC CLOCKS RULES
Schedule 1 - USE OF ESB SYSTEMS
The use of Electronic Band Scanning systems (“EBSS”) is approved by the Victorian Homing Association Incorporated (“VHA”) for use in all races conducted by the VHA.
1. In the event that the VHA Executive Committee determines that an EBS System or a system design does not provide adequate security or presents a potential security question, the VHA may disapprove the use of that system.. The disapproval of any system will be effective immediately upon resolution on the VHA executive Committee and the disapproval will be advised to members as soon as reasonably possible by personal notice.
(a) The VHA reserves the right to withdraw the approval of any EBSS at any time, if a lack of security occurs with any particular system.
(b) If the VHA Clock Chairman, his designate, or any race official determines that a lack of security exists with any individual unit, he must notify the VHA Executive Committee and seek an immediate statement as to the validity of the continued system use. The VHA Clock Chairman, his designate or race official must provide a written statement of the reason for concern to the system owner and to the VHA Executive Committee.
(c) Issues of the potential or actual adequacy or otherwise of security will be a matter for determination by the VHA Executive Committee within its absolute discretion.
2. Use of an EBSS by an individual VHA member must be notified to the VHA in writing by the member’s respective VHA affiliated club.
3. A VHA affiliated club shall not make use of an EBSS mandatory, nor is it compulsory for a flyer to use EBSS for the whole season..
Particular EBS Systems
4. A member is free to purchase any EBSS he chooses. A member is responsible for ensuring the system (hardware/software) is compatible with other systems used by the VHA or the member’s VHA affiliated club. The VHA or the club shall have no responsibilities for any system incompatibility.
5. It would be advisable for any member, prior to purchasing an EBS system, to check with the VHA as to what systems are already in use.
Use of EBS Systems by Members
6. The serial number of each EBSS and the serial number of each antenna must be approved by and registered with the VHA prior to use.
7. Installation of the EBSS in a member’s loft must be inspected and approved by the VHA Clock Chairman or his designate before being accepted for competition use within the VHA.
8. Rule 8. Every EBSS sensor antenna may be installed wholly or partially within the confines of the competitor’s loft. Further, the EBSS sensor antenna can also be installed outside the loft but only in such a manner that one edge of the sensor antenna is against and touching an external wall of the loft. Each sensors/antennas of an EBSS must be installed at an entrance to the loft.
Amended NoM 1/8/2016
9. Every sensor/antenna must be sealed as a fixture at point of entry. Point of fixture shall be documented.
10. Multiple entries are permissible, however, the loft measurement will be from the closest entry to the majority of race points
11. No sensor/antenna may be employed or placed at the loft of another competitor or moved to any other position of the competitor’s loft without prior application to, and approval by the VHA.
12. Where an EBSS is configured for multiple users:
(a) members will be permitted to use one electronic clock for three individual flyers (or up to the clocks capacity) to the one loft. Amended NoM 08/11/21
(b) Conversley multiple users may use more than one electronic clock to the same sensor/antenna subject to the inspection and approval by the VHA clock chairman or their delegate. Amended NoM 08/11/21
Racing Requirements
13. System control modules or system keys and software used in EBS systems shall be purchased or procured by the system owner.
14. One month before the start of each flying season, the Clock Chairman of each VHA Centre shall ensure that the software installed on all club basketing units is updated to the most recent download of the manufacturer.
The Centre Clock Chairman shall confirm this in writing to the VHA Secretary and EBSS shall not be sanctioned for use in any race conducted under VHA rules until this has occurred.
15. Users of EBSS must:
(a) Use an electronic band scanning system that has a re-programmable electronic band.
(b) Use electronic bands that have read/write chips. Currently the use of 64k/128k bit chips are approved for use.
16. The Clock Chairman of each competing VHA Centre shall secure all individual system control modules or system keys during competitive events. The use and operation of these security controls shall only be permitted by the individuals specifically authorised by the VHA during competitive events.
17. It shall be the responsibility of each individual competitor to affix or attach electronic bands securely to each of his birds making sure that the band’s locking mechanism is securely engaged.
18. During the race entry logging or the basketing process, electronic banded pigeons shall not be handled by the competitor or a representative of the competitor. During the logging process, all band data must be reviewed to ensure band data accuracy by the VHA Clock Chairman or his designate.
19. After all race birds have been entered in an EBSS, the VHA Clock Chairman or his designate shall print a list of the competitor’s entries as verification of all birds entered. The printout shall be signed by the VHA Clock Chairman or his designate, and the competitor.
20. The printout serves as a race entry sheet. An additional copy shall be printed for the competitor. A normal race entry sheet may be supplied by the competitor and all entries may be checked by the person overseeing the logging of the birds as an additional proof of entry.
21. In the case where an electronic clock race sheet shows a tie, the first bird listed will receive the highest ranking of the tied birds and so forth, down the list.
22. If the data contained in an EBSS becomes defective, erases, or corrupted between race entry and the return of pigeons to the competitor’s loft, all entries for that competitor shall be disqualified from any race results. The VHA Clock Chairman or his designate will verify the system failure.
(a) In the event that a member’s entry is deleted on basketing night for the said race and the birds cannot be retrieved and re-entered, the VHA entry fee shall be refunded to the member
23. If the EBSS has a continuous clocking function, then that function is approved for use subject to normal clock presentation procedures.
24. (a) In the event of a malfunction of an EBSS and it being sent for repair, proof of repair must be produced before the EBSS can be used for competition again.
(b) In the event of the removal of the sensor/antenna for any reason, the sensor/antenna reinstallation must be approved by the VHA before the EBSS can be used for competition again.
25. If any competitor intentionally attempts to corrupt, interfere with, or destroy the electronic data of another competitor, then his entire entry shall be disqualified from competition at the discretion of the VHA Executive Committee.
26. When closing the race, the VHA Clock Chairman or his designate shall print out all data prior to transferring data from the EBSS to the computer. The printout will serve as a back-up document for later reference if necessary. All data files should be stored on a back-up diskette in the event data reconstruction becomes necessary but none of the VHA, the VHA executive Committee, the VHA Clock Chairman or his designate or other race officials has any liability whatever for any act or omission including, without limitation, loss or corruption of any data. Use of an EBSS is at sole risk of the member or competitor using it.
27. (a) Should the EBSS display (after a race entry or race) show the complete set, but NOT be able to generate a printout, the VHA Clock Chairman or his designate shall view the display data and report it manually. The manual report shall be used for calculating race results
(b) In the event of it being a VHA controlled race and a printout cannot be generated from a member’s timer/recorder, the timer/recorder must be produced for a manual reading by the VHA on the day or night of the race. Failure to produce the timer/recorder will result in the non acceptance of the member’s result.
© This rule is read in conjunction with Rule 59. All time frame conditions set out in Rule 59 in relation to the production of clocks applies in exactly the same manner to the arrival of the email evaluation sheet at a competitors designated Centre.
(i) The use of an EBS System that allows a competitor to evaluate his clock via the ‘Live System’ in a manner the same as or similar to ‘Benzing Live System’ is approved for use in the Victorian Homing Association.
(ii) The VHA Clock Chairman must be satisfied with the integrity of any EBS System proposed to be used and its ability to carry out the functions and provide the required level of security. Approval of EBS Systems will be the responsibility of the VHA Clock Chairman. The only approved system at the time of implementation of this rule is ‘Benzing Live’
(iii) The use of Benzing Live or any other future approved system within each VHA Centre will be a decision for the members of each individual Centre.
(iv) Any Centre wishing to use an approved ‘Live’ System must have an email facility at the Centre, the email address encompassing the name of the Centre either wholly or in part.
(v) The Centre Clock Chairman or his designate or the Centre Supervisor or his designate will be responsible for the receiving and printing of the emailed evaluation sheets.
(vi) In the event of a competitors email evaluation sheet not arriving at his designated Centre, the competitor will be required to produce his electronic clock at his designated Centre within the normal time frames as set out in Rule 59. No additional time to produce will be allowed. Failure do so will result in no time being given.
(vii) To clarify and avoid confusion, where an email evaluation sheet does not arrive at a competitors designated Centre within the normal time frames set out in Rule 58 due to a failure in the email system and the competitors clock is not
produced at his designated Centre within the normal time frames as set out in Rule 58, then no time will be given.
28. Where a club system is required to clear a race from an EBSS, it is only to be cleared by the VHA Clock Chairman or his designate. Members are not to clear a race from their own EBSS via a club system even if the club system is owned by them.
General
29. The VHA Executive Committee or its designate reserve the right at any time, without prior notice to inspect the installation and operation of any EBSS being used by a competitor within the VHA.
30. Any application form adopted by the VHA Executive Committee from time to time forms part of these rules and conditions.
31. The VHA Executive Committee may from time to time amend these rules and conditions as it thinks fit and within its absolute discretion.
32. These rules and conditions are supplementary to and must be read in conjunction with the current VHA racing and clock rules. To the extent of any inconsistency, the latter shall prevail.
33. Headings are inserted for convenience only and are not intended to assist interpretation.
SCHEDULE 2 Included NOM 2/9/2019
LINES OF FLIGHT and RACE POINTS
NORTH-EAST LINE OF FLIGHT
1. Shepparton
2. Findley
3. Narrandera
4. West Wyalong
5. Parkes
6. Dubbo
7.Coonamble
8.Collarenabri
NORTH LINE OF FLIGHT
1. Shepparton
2. Deniliquin
3. Hay
4. Hillston
5. Mt. Hope
6. Cobar
7. Bourke
8. Barrigun
NORTH-WEST LINE OF FLIGHT
1. Maryborough
2. Wycheproof
3. Ouyen
4. Mildura
5. Renmark
6. Morgan
7. Carrieton
8. Bookaloo
TASMANIA
Races may also be programmed from locations within Tasmania as per Rule 5(h)
Rules Updated 15th November 2023
