President’s Message
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I
t is hard to believe that the month of January has passed already. I hope that you and your families and dogs have had some nice times over this summer holiday period. It would seem that the COVID-19 situation is thankfully settling into a more manageable period although it remains dynamic. This has been evidenced with Perth, Western Australia, going into an 8-day lockdown period. Although travel interstate for dog events and judging is more on the agenda, one needs to be prepared to “up stumps” and head home on relatively short notice so as to avoid any mandatory quarantine periods. And it is great to see more Queensland clubs planning COVID-19 compliant dog shows and sports events in 2021. I remind organisers that the office and directors are more than happy to assist in the whole area of COVID-19 compliance. As we know 2020 was a very challenging year for our dog world and for our individual members in coping with the health concerns and economic fallout. Staying closer to home was a given, and was a mixed blessing depending on individual circumstances. Despite the drastically reduced number of conformation dog shows and dog sports events and related DQ revenue in 2020, initiatives such as JobKeeper, the reduction of expenses where possible, and additional revenue from litter registrations assisted greatly with our balance sheet. I am looking forward to the release of the audited financial statements in the near future. 2021 will hold its own special challenges but I am confident that Dogs Queensland will be the equal to these challenges and will provide the underpinning to a new normality in our dog world with many opportunities to participate in our chosen disciplines. It will be a year when volunteer support will be stretched so I do encourage those of you who do not volunteer assistance to our affiliated clubs and to Dogs Queensland to think about doing so. It is a great way to give back that little bit to our dog world when we gain so much pleasure from these activities with our dogs. Have a chat to Rob in the office or to any of our directors if you are after some inspiration about clubs to join and volunteering areas. Grounds Update – Durack More detailed grounds reports have been provided but I note that some good milestones have been achieved.
We are now looking to the installation of new shade structures on the rings commencing early March 2021. It has been so important to settle on the right treatment that will suit our needs in the long term. A budgetary allowance has been made for this important expenditure. Members will have noticed the completion of construction of the new shed behind the clubhouse. This will be a great storage resource and was completely funded by grants moneys. The Current Election and Email Addresses As members would know, we have the ballot for the election of 6 directors currently underway. One of the important rights and privileges you have as a member is to vote and I encourage you to exercise this right and privilege. Most members will be voting online, and, to that end, the Returning Officer was provided with the most recent email addresses for eligible members. About 100 of those email addresses were not current. These members are being contacted and asked to respond with their current email address so that they will be able to vote. Many of us change our email addresses from time to time. When you do, make sure you contact the office and update your email contact details. This will also ensure that you receive your copies of the Dog World magazine and Paw Prints. Mr Ley James A feature on the special presentation to Mr Ley James by the Cairns City Kennel Club on 30 January will appear in the March 2021 magazine. Ley has been the President of the Club since 1985 and his contribution to the Cairns region and to our wider dog world has been immense. A special tribute to Ley has been the naming of the club grounds as the Ley James Canine Arena. I congratulate Ley on this special recognition and look forward to his continuing contribution to our dog world. Ulla Greenwood President
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!
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DOG WORLD February 2021
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