Introduction
Grant Paterson was born in 1942 and is married to Kaye. They have two
children Suzanne and Marnie. Grant started competitively racing pigeons in
1969. He had them as a schoolboy. He commenced with the North East club
and then moved to the Hampstead club in around 1977.

Best Achievements
4 times in the top 10 SAHPA Aggregate points and others in the top 20.
1st SAHPA Temora
Numerous 2nd’s, 3rd’s and many other high placings in the top 10.

Grant, who has been the biggest influence on you in pigeon racing?
Without a doubt Allen Goodger who was a cousin of mine. Allen and Alan
Thede who is another cousin provided Grant with his foundation.

Grant, Which families of birds perform best for you?
Allen Goodgers. I have pretty much restricted myself to them and I haven’t
had to vary much from them. They have been the best performers.

Who would you rate as the best 3 flyers you have competed against and why?
Keith Wickham- he has set a record of SAHPA wins that has stood the test of
time. It is a very hard record to eclipse.

Allen Goodger- in his later years, he was probably the most versatile
pigeon flyer in S.A, he could win from all distances.
John Pryor- in modern times, for sheer consistency & competitiveness from
start to finish of a season.

Grant, what is your most memorable moment in pigeon racing?
When I won Temora, there were no birds home on the night. She lobbed at
about 5:40 am Sunday, Knowing what the winds & weather were like, I knew
she had to be early and I knew she was good as she had been placed twice
previously. It was also my first and only win and stopped a frustrating
run of high placing’s without a win.

Grant, what is your most forgettable moment in pigeon racing?
I can recall we flew Young one year. The birds didn’t look like they were
going to make it on the day so at 6pm I went in to watch Norwood on the
footy replay. During the replay I came out and found the pigeon in there
and finished 3rd. I was annoyed at my lack of discipline for not being
there after the bird had put all that effort in, it flew 520 miles on the
day so I was very cross with my lack of discipline.

Grant, I often hear different stories of the origins of Allen Goodger’s
pigeons. Could you set the record straight and tell us the exact origin of
Allen’s birds?
Allen’s birds weren’t based on 1 or 2 pairs from 1 or 2 flyers. He had a
number of pigeons from his good friend the late Vin Blanden; acquired
others from Arnold Smallacombe, used pigeons from Ron Colmer and in
particular a hen from Henry Ford.
In later years, Allen never hesitated to swap pigeons with well
credentialed flyers. To name a few: Harold Webber, Peter Arriola, Jim
Marafiote and Colin Elliot. He also acquired at an SAHPA squeaker sale a
pigeon bred by Bill Verco which was to prove to be an outstanding
producer. Allen also received an odd bird from others. In short Allen was an outstanding judge of a pigeon, a good breeder and
didn’t hesitate to blend pigeons.

Grant, which bird do you consider to be the best bird ever in S.A?
I am aware that S.A has produced many magnificent pigeons.
In my experience the pigeon that has had the most impact on pigeon racing
in S.A over the last 30 years is Allen Goodger’s (Elliot Hen SA 64 16016
BCH). The reasons I say this is that until this hen was gifted to Allen by
his very good friend Colin Elliot; it would be accurate to say that Allen
was a very good flyer up to middle distance, but thereafter only a moderate
long distance flyer. Allen flew the Elliot hen and was placed in the SAHPA from Finke (1100 km)
in two consecutive years. When put to stock she immediately left a family
of pigeons that not only made Allen a highly respected long distance flyer,
but her influence was so strong that Allen and I once quickly identified
that no less than 30 of her sons and daughters had bred SAHPA placing’s.
In claiming she is the best pigeon, she has had a marked influence on
pigeon racing for several decades, it is widely accepted that birds
purchased at Allen’s sale have been outstanding.

Grant, what is the best bird you have ever owned?
My Temora winner, she only started 3 times in SAHPA races for 1st Temora,
20th Benalla & 21st Mitiamo. In her first year at stock she bred the SAHPA
bird of the year for Roy Dangerfield, 4th & 6th SAHPA Booroorban. She has
been a very good producer direct, but more importantly her offspring have
very good breeding qualities.

Grant what would you like to see in S.A pigeon racing?
I would certainly like to see more harmony. We set out to be involved in a
sport and for one reason or another seem to be embroiled in continual
bickering. My aims are to enjoy it and I achieve a lot of my enjoyment with the group
of people I regularly train with, because these people adopt a positive
approach and don’t want to enter into the negatives.
Thanks for your time Grant.

Tim Fawcett