Vale Cristina Fornasier
Leanne Parsons Photography
Crissy moved to Townsville in the mid 90’s and after a break, again became involved in dog showing joining the two local clubs – Townsville Kennel Association and Thuringowa City Kennel Club, taking on committee positions. She never refused help when asked and throughout her illness, whenever there were community breed displays, handling classes and photography events or stewarding, she was always there. Crissy was passionate about responsible and ethical breeding practices and took part in a couple of local radio interviews promoting pure bred dogs and the hobby of dog showing.
The NQ and Central Qld community were shocked and saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of Crissy Fornasier on 18 November 2021 – a committed stalwart of showing for many years.
Her dogs were her passion but she also developed her skills with photography and graphic design and integrated these skills into the show scene. Many breeders owe their kennel designs and advertisements to Crissy. She spent countless hours photographing dogs in the ring and at play with their owners, with at times hilarious candids of owners and dogs. Crissy also used her talents to collate and make special mementos for people celebrating their wins or just because…. It was an always unexpected and a beautiful gift.
Crissy had been very passionate about Juniors right from the early days in Mt Isa. She was always willing to mentor new and junior handlers and guide them through the intricacies of ring Cristina Fornasier grew up in Mount Isa and whilst procedure and etiquette. Her patience with a teenager joined the Mount Isa Kennel Club with her 2 dogs, a German Shepherd Dog called Pharaoh children was unsurpassed and she always made dogs available for junior handlers to use in and a Doberman. This Dobe, Chaka, was her first and main ‘heart’ dog. She always referred to him as competition. My Chaka – and this is where her prefix came from After her Chaka passed away Crissy came to her – Mychaka. next great loves: the Sighthounds – Whippets, Crissy was active in Obedience and conformation events and travelled to shows on offer. The distance travelled were not to be sneezed at. Mt Isa to Cloncurry, a measly 120kms whilst Mt Isa to Charters Towers was a staggering 769kms. Occasional trips to Townsville shows entailed an approximate 10 hour trip and 900 kms each way. So travelling to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne for breed specialities, distance meant very little to Crissy. She was very involved with club activities and held various positions in the club.
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DOG WORLD January 2022
Italian Greyhounds and Pharaoh Hounds campaigning these breeds with passion and vigour throughout the state. Crissy bred a number of Whippets under her prefix and enjoyed many successes over the years. The pithy one liners, the crazy memes on Facebook, her ‘Phftt’ and ‘Whatever’ will always be a part of her. So farewell Crissy till we meet again. – Louise Marsden
