In 1980 Neville and Enid “Noddy” Connors purchased a 100 acre bush property bordering a beautiful fresh water river in northern NSW close to the rural city of Grafton.

They moved their collection of parrots onto the property that had by then been named “Casuarina” after an indigenous tree that provides the food source for one of their favourite species within their collection the Glossy Black Cockatoo. Further aviaries were constructed until the number totalled approximately 150 separate flights. In 1990 the Connors became full time aviculturists and the property name evolved into 'Casuarina Parrot Gardens'.

Although specialising in Australian Black Cockatoos the love of all parrots necessitated the keeping of a large variety of species. Importation during the early 1990's allowed them to obtain a considerable collection of Macaws by Australian standards.

Together with other South American species such as Conures and Amazons, there are African and Asian species with their Australian counterparts. The majority of birds are hand reared from the egg. They are either made available for other aviculturists, as companion birds or retained as part of the ever evolving breeding programme at Casuarina Parrot Gardens.

The Connors proudly play a role in the organising of the biennial “AVES” Convention and actively promote aviculture with a willingness to attend and speak at conventions both within Australia and abroad. They also encourage organised visits to Casuarina Parrot Gardens for a variety of groups extending from school classes to pensioner bodies. Neville has spoken at numerous club meetings within Australia and also a number of conventions including…

• AVES Convention Grafton 1993 & 1997
• Parrots 2000 Convention Brisbane
• 10th National A.F.A. Convention Adelaide 2001

Overseas engagements include speaking for…

• The Parrot Society of New Zealand 1992
• The Parrot Society UK 1990
• The 4th International Congress Tenerife Spain 1998
• The AFA Houston Texas USA 1999
• The Canadian Parrot Conference 2006