President’s Message
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t is always important not to wish your life away but I think many of us are happy to say goodbye to 2020 and say hello to 2021. It was a year that set new boundaries and changed domestic and international perspectives about how quickly things can change. I think it encouraged a personal rethink of priorities and brought forward some key initiatives such as working from home and teleconferencing with Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Home schooling has been a new experience with special challenges for many Australian families. Of course our Australian governments have had pandemic response plans in place but I was interested in one report that said that this planning had anticipated the closure of our national border to overseas but not the closure of State and Territory borders. We felt for our Melbourne cousins with the nearly 100 day lockdown and of course there is an ongoing uncertainty about travel south of our border with more closures possibly happening. The heightened focus on staying close to home has added to family demand for dogs. Many of our breeder members have risen to this challenge with a Dogs Queensland record number of litters registered in the months of September, October and November 2020. The increased demand means that our breeders can be even more selective with applicants for their puppies and ensure that they are placed in the very best homes. This is our ethical responsibility and aligns with our Breeders’ Code of Conduct (www.dogsqueensland.org.au/media/2029/code-ofpractice-breeder-final.pdf). If you are a newer breeder of dogs, remember that we have a wealth of breeder experience in our dog world. If you have difficulty sourcing a mentor in your chosen breed please contact the office for a referral. Experienced breeders happy to mentor newer breeders should contact Ian Rasmussen in the office about going on this list. There has been a welcome return to more events and shows over the last few months. Great to see these conformation show weekends happening with the Cairns City Kennel Club, “Easter in December” with the Bundaberg Canine Club Inc, and a number of shows at our Durack facility culminating in the recent well supported 3 night Festive Fiesta and the New Year Shows held by the Atherton Tableland
Kennel Club Inc. A big thank you to all those clubs and their volunteers for making these events and also the supportive puppy training events happen. It has been a joy to many of our members and is most appreciated. On the dog sports front there have been lots of field days and training events happening too. I would like to acknowledge those who have done the hard work behind the scenes and on the day to make these events and shows such a success. COVID has added an additional layer of requirements for clubs and their cooperation and the support of the office and Mrs Sharron Taylor is appreciated. Our directors have been very “hands on” in making these events happen. As members know, the ballot for 6 director positions on the board of our governing body will open on line later this month. Sure, voting is not compulsory, but your right to vote as a member is a precious and important entitlement. It only happens once every two years. Please read the information about each of the 20 nominations carefully and vote for up to 6 directors responsibly. And finally, some special awards happened at 6pm on the middle night of the Festive Fiesta on 30 December. Life memberships of Dogs Queensland were awarded to two All Breeds Judges and long term special contributors to our Dog World, Ms Shaneen Bendixen and Mrs Valerie Spence and to Mrs Christine Gross, who has made a special contribution to fund raising activities for many clubs (page 7). Becoming an all breeds conformation judge is the culmination of many years study and hands on experience and commitment. This wonderful milestone was formally recognised at this event for Mr Lance Wright and Mr Jason Attridge. Congratulations to both these gentlemen on this wonderful achievement (page 7).
Ulla Greenwood President
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!
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DOG WORLD January 2021
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