President’s Message

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“We have seen our dog world ramping up with an array of conformation shows and dog sports events happening in Queensland and inter-state. As I type this message this is the week for the Rottweiler National on our grounds. I have no doubt that this will be a successful event and I wish all the participants and organisers well. Great to see both conformation and dog sports events catered for.

We are entering those spectacular winter months here in Queensland and let’s hope that some long sunny days with crisp nights continue. The Durack grounds look an absolute picture and that is the result of much hard work by our DQ grounds staff and volunteers. A big thank you to them and also to our Grounds Committee members.

Final finishing touches are happening with our lure coursing field. Do have a look at the field on the right as you drive in. I cannot believe how the levelling and use of quality fill has expanded the look and utility of this land. A big thank you to Craig Drury and to the clubs and Grounds Committee for the hard work in making that happen.

Mandatory DNA Testing

At the Board Meeting on 27th June, the Board discussed at length the need for Dogs Queensland to continue to be the gold standard in the breeding of pure bred dogs.

As a further step, the Board is keen to introduce a measure whereby any litter whelped on 1st January 2023 or after would require DNA Profile for Parentage – i.e. DNA Profiles of the Sire, the Dam and all puppies. So this would be mandatory for both Main and Limited Register dogs.

If any Member wishes to provide a submission on this proposed process change they are invited to do so and have their submission tabled at the July Board Meeting when the matter will be further considered. Submissions would need to be lodged no later than COB 20th July 2022.

The Ekka August brings the Ekka with a bonus second dog

Make sure you get those entries in! Entries close at 5pm on Friday 8 July 2022 with entries being $30 for RNA members and $35 for non-RNA members.

There is ambit to lodge a late entry after 5pm on Friday 8 July 2022 for a week up to Friday 15 July 2022 but the cost of an entry during that period is $75. So don’t delay with those entries!

Dogs Queensland is going to have a well-located presence with good traffic flow at the Ekka close to the rings and spectator stand. Barbara in the office has done a wonderful job sourcing great things for the Dogs Queensland Ekka bags. We will be looking for volunteers shortly both for an Ekka bag working bee at Durack and also for the DQ stand at the Ekka. So, look out for updates in Paw Prints.

Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers Meeting on Monday 11 July 2022 at 7pm

This annual meeting will be held at the Clubhouse, and we are looking at zoom being available for our regional people and those who would like to avoid the drive to Durack. Remember, this is for the executive of all our affiliated clubs so that includes our dog sports clubs as well as our All-Breeds Clubs and Specialty Breed Clubs.

Those club representatives who would like to participate in this meeting should contact the office. This meeting is a great forum to raise issues for clubs and also to share information about productive initiatives.

Dogs Australia (ANKC Ltd) meeting

Dogs Queensland has two of its own directors on the board of our national body. Currently that is Mrs Barb Murfet and I. We have been having three meetings a year and with Covid that has been by Zoom. Most recently we had a Zoom meeting on Saturday 18 June 2022. The minutes from that meeting will issue soon and I will give members an update on important outcomes from that meeting. It was agreed that the next meeting on 15 and 16 October 2022 will be face to face and that it will be held in Sydney with the State and Territory administrators meeting on the Friday 14 October 2022.

Undercover arena at Durack

Over the years I have attended dog shows held by the Bundaberg Kennel Club in their fabulous equestrian facility. I also visited the smaller but very effective open sided undercover arena at Morayfield a few years back. Most recently I drove to Kilkivan for one day of the well-run Gympie Kennel Club show weekend also held in an equestrian facility. That was a week marked by torrential rain and the use of that undercover facility saved the show weekend.

A number of people asked me when we were going to build such a useful facility at Durack. I think that this has been something on the back burner for quite a while.

Even without the wet, an undercover facility would be so welcome in our subtropical climate. As I see it, it could be built in stages with the sides left open but the roof giving protection from the sun and elements. Others may have a different view, but I think it could be sited on the other side of the internal road where rings 11 to 16 are located.

In any event, I would like to see a dynamic committee formed to look at the following-: • Establishing a fundraising initiative • Investigating possible government and related grants • Possible industry partnerships • The development of options with draft plans and costings.

If you have skills in any of these areas and would like to make a contribution in progressing these initiatives, please contact Rob in the office.

I hope these winter months bring you many happy times with your dogs.

”

Ulla Greenwood, President Dogs Queensland 27 June 2022