President’s Message

DOGS QUEENSLAND SHOP

We now stock Royal Canin products specific for breeding bitches, puppies and adult dogs. Also available is a range of high quality shampoos, conditioners and grooming products from Plush Puppy. Shop hours are: Monday to Friday 8.00am – 5.00pm

DOGS QUEENSLAND LOVES DOG TALES

Members are invited to submit dog related stories of interest for inclusion in upcoming issues of our Dog World magazine. All canine topics are accepted whether they be unusual, quirky or factual and can include ‘paw-friendly’ walks and cafes, heart-warming tales or antics while in lockdown to name a few.

Dogs Queensland would like to showcase your dog’s story to the wider canine community. To see your story published simply send it through tobarbara@ dogsqueensland.org.au

“We just had the Dogs Queensland August Board meeting last night so it is a good time to write this message to members. For those who are unaware, these meetings happen the fourth Monday of the month and usually run for around 3 and a half hours from 6pm to 9.30pm.

Directors try to physically attend but that is not always possible, and Zoom has been a good option particularly during Covid times.

The role of a director is a voluntary one and directors are not paid for their time and effort in the role. For those travelling extensive distances to and from the meeting, there is ambit for reimbursement of petrol expenses. And of course, our Zone 2 and 3 directors, able to attend in person, have their return flights paid for by Dogs Queensland.

We generally have an extensive agenda at these board meetings, so directors need to read the material provided with the agenda prior to the meeting to ensure that they can discharge their considerable responsibilities under the Corporations Law as a director for the Canine Control Council (Queensland) Ltd. The Executive, comprising Mrs Barb Murfet, Miss Carolyn Ryan and myself, generally meet with the General Manager, Rob Harrison, the week before the Board meeting for a heads up on issues to be addressed at the meeting and any further preparatory work that needs to be undertaken.

The Canine Control Council (Queensland) Ltd has two director positions on the Australian National Kennel Council Ltd (ANKC Ltd) with similar Corporations Law responsibilities for this national body. Those director positions have traditionally been held by the President and Senior Vice President. Over the last few years those Board meetings have been conducted over Zoom with good results. The ANKC Ltd Board meeting on 15 and 16 October 2022 will be conducted in person in Sydney with the State and Territory administrators meeting the day before on Friday 14 October.

This will be a super opportunity for directors and administrators to meet new faces in some of these roles and to further develop effective networks.

The Ekka It was just great to have the Ekka happening after 2 years of Covid cancellations. The new venue was well received by exhibitors with the high roofline giving an airy and light atmosphere. Considering it was a new venue and the length of time since the last Ekka, I think the RNA did an excellent job with the organising and staging of the Dog Show. There is no doubt that improvements can be made but that is to be expected. We are looking forward to meeting with RNA officials for a de-brief and to work towards improvements in the staging of the dog show in 2023. The Dogs Queensland stand needs to be better located and this will be on the agenda. As a steward I announced on Ring 2 at the Ekka and worked with the other stewards over 6 long days. I have done this for quite a number of years now giving me a pretty good understanding of the Ekka Dog Show operations. And I can say that there is a very good case for having toilet facilities just for exhibitors, stewards and judges due to the extensive queues that we experienced in the outside facilities.

Some misinformation has been circulating on social media about Dogs Queensland providing and funding alcohol for stewards at the Ekka when that is absolutely not true. Dogs Queensland is a sponsor of the Ekka and contributes funds as a sponsor and for space for the Dogs Queensland stall.

Stewards are required to be members of Dogs Queensland and volunteer their services over specified dates for the duration of the Ekka. The RNA has routinely provided complimentary alcohol and soft drinks for stewards in each of the divisions at the Ekka for many years. At the end of a long day stewards can have a drink and some cheese and crackers and enjoy each other’s company before heading home. Purchased alcohol must be consumed in designated areas on the grounds but the Ekka Showgrounds are a fully licensed venue meaning that the consumption of this complimentary alcohol provided by the RNA is perfectly legal. I hope this clarifies the position.

Breeders’ Corner A reminder to members that compulsory DNA testing is being extended to limited register litters meaning that all puppies will need to be DNA tested, whether on the Main or Limited Registers. For Limited Register puppies this will come into effect from 1 January for puppies whelped from that date.

It is confirmed that there is a choice of Massey or Orivet for DNA testing. We are now in September so it is a good opportunity for breeders to “get their houses in order” and look to DNA profile their breeding stock in the lead up to 1 January 2023.

Judges Exhibiting at CACIB/FCI Shows Just a reminder with the forthcoming shows that the following FCI rule needs to be complied with just at the CACIB/ FCI Shows.

The dogs that a judge handles at a FCI-CABIB show where he is not acting as a judge must be bred, owned or co-owned by him, by a partner, by a member of his immediate family or any person living with him in his household.

”Wishing you and your families a very happy springtime in our dog world. Ulla Greenwood, President Dogs Queensland 31 August 20222