The pigeon, usually homed in the loft of David Galea, flew 985 kilometres from Charleville in Queensland to Goulburn in 12 hours, 36 minutes and 11 seconds.

(It would take a vehicle driving non-stop along 1156.1 kilometres, much of it on the Mitchell Highway, about 12 hours and 38 minutes to achieve the distance.)

And so it was the Goulburn Homing Pigeon Society's season came to an end for another year after the final race from Charleville on Saturday, November 2.

The race turned out to be a special one for Galea and Charlie, as it was the first time a bird had flown this distance on the one day in the club's 137-year history.

Released at Charleville at 6.30am, Charlie arrived home to his Goulburn loft at 7.06pm.

The flying time of 12 hours, 36 minutes and 11 seconds gave him a velocity of 1285.25/mpm, or 77km/h.

Twenty three birds - 13 from Goulburn and 10 from Canberra - were released together.

David Mills, who also had a feathered competitor in the race, said the result was remarkable.

"Flying at this speed for 12 and a half hours is a real test of stamina and motivation," Mills said.

"To fly races of this distance takes a lot of skill from the owner or trainer of the birds.

"The birds must be bred to fly the distance, just like some racehorses are sprinters and some are stayers, and the flyer must know which birds to send to each race."

Mills explained how the competition works.

"Each race point gets further away as the season progresses and the birds get fitter," Mills said.

"The season commenced in Boorowa, which is a distance of 100km from Goulburn.

"Race points are measured by direct survey from the point of release to each member's loft.

"The first bird home to each loft is timed in upon arrival and the time taken is calculated.

"The birds are placed in order according to the velocity flown."

Charlie retired after setting the record.

The Goulburn Homing Pigeon Society meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6pm at the Goulburn Showground on Braidwood Road, next to the Poultry Pavillion.

People interested in joining the society are welcome to go along to the meeting and enquire.

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