President’s Message

“Ihope this message finds you and your families well and enjoying these beautiful Autumn days. April was a busy month for the governance of Dogs Queensland and tinged with some deep sadness with the loss of some wonderful people in our dog some real talent and expertise in a range of fields amongst our members and it would be great to tap into that more. world. We mourn the passing of Mr George Ness, Mr Volunteers are in short supply at many of our events. Ken Iggleden and Mrs Rena Henderson. They were Do think about contacting the office if you can assist very much individuals who made huge contributions at an event. For instance, COVID Compliance Officers over many decades to the conformation show world are in short supply and on line training is available. as judges and exhibitors and also to their chosen Your assistance would be most appreciated in a whole breeds. Many members benefited from their generous range of roles. mentoring over decades. They will be sadly missed, and our thoughts are with their families and friends. Last week we had a most productive meeting with the Brisbane City Council. Our Durack Sports Grounds are On the governance front, we had the Annual in the BCC area and they are most keen to collaborate General Meeting (AGM) by Zoom of our company, with Dogs Queensland on dog ownership related Canine Control Council (Queensland) Ltd with the initiatives. They have undertaken research recently presentation of the independently audited Financial that has revealed that 90% of dogs are microchipped. Statements for the 2020 COVID year. This happened on Although a high percentage it should be 100%. Wednesday, 31 March, with the meeting postponed due to the lockdown a fortnight earlier. As members know, we came through this difficult year financially well and this has given us a good buffer to meet the challenges that will no doubt continue to occur this year. More concerning is the fact that only 48% of dogs are registered. It seems that many dog owners are unaware of the need to register their dogs with the council. This is an area where our breeders can assist with providing information to new puppy owners. The council is looking to provide us with online links and March/April was also a transitional period with the hard copy brochures for inclusion in puppy packs. old Board having its final meetings and the new Board forming for its first meeting after the AGM when the new Executive was elected. I look forward to continuing in the role of President for the next two years and congratulate Ms Carolyn Pearen and Mrs Barbara Murfet on their election to the Senior Vice President and Junior Vice President roles. BCC is running a Pet Fair at Whites Hill on Saturday, 19 June, 2021. We are looking at having a Dogs Queensland stand at this event. Breed clubs are also invited to have stands at this event free of any council charge. It will be a great opportunity to get our messages out to the wider community. For more information and to register your interest contact Rob Dogs Queensland has two director positions on at rob@dogsqueensland.org.au the board of our national dog body, the Australian Thanks to all those involved in staging the Anzac Day National Kennel Council Ltd and I welcome Carolyn Show and the quite beautiful sunset service honouring Pearen to join me as a director in that governance role our troops and service dogs in this most important as well. National day. It was very poignant. This is a wonderful As members would be aware, the Board has refreshed the description of committees and called for expressions of interest from members interested in making a contribution. This is a great way to give something back to your dog world and I encourage collaboration with the RSL Forest Lake Sub Branch and we particularly thank the President, Mr Steve Ford, and Ms Margaret Wedgewood for their work. The ceremony was videoed by Mr Daryl Cross and is available through our website. you to consider putting your hand up. I know we have