7 minute read
Dogs Queensland Director Profiles – Gordon Mayne, Elisa McCutcheon and Ainslie Carius
Gordon Mayne
– David Margan
One thing about Gordon Mayne, he just loves dogs.
He grew up with working dogs on a merino sheep farm in New South Wales. The border collies were the kings of the run but a little surprise packet by the name of Possum, an Australian Silky Terrier, more than matched them.
Jump 25 years forward and now living in Cairns, Gordon and his partner, Peter, would regularly go to dog shows in Cairns and fell in love with Cocker Spaniels and in 2012 they bought their first, a blue roan bitch named Murphy who was soon joined by Mason.
They joined the Cairns City Kennel Club to do dog training classes and since then their lives have never been the same.
While it was Dog Sports, or more particularly, Agility that drove Gordon and ‘Murphy’ to join Dogs Queensland it was the introduction of the Neuter Class that really got them going. ‘Murphy’ and ‘Mason’ entered their first Neuter Class Show at the Mareeba and District Kennel Club in September 2013.
Over the next six years, Murphy, Mason and Gordon would travel to shows all over north Queensland supporting clubs that had Neuter Class. By default, they became the face of neuter class in north Queensland as Gordon says: “I will always be a staunch advocate for the class. It is a great way for new exhibitors to get involved in conformation shows. But I also love the camaraderie that exists in the dog sports community. I often say, Agility is one of the few sports where you still get a cheer whether you win or lose – it’s simply about participating and challenging yourself.”
In 2018 with ‘Murphy’ and ‘Mason’ nearing retirement, the family has been joined by Tristan, the Portuguese Water Dog.
Gordon is a regular face, with Tristan by his side, at shows across the expansive area of Zone 3. In between this Gordon started Agility training with Tristan and plans to compete in Jumping this year. Gordon grew up in a family which honoured the value of charity and giving back to the community, and it was the dog community that encouraged him to take on some official responsibilities.
Gordon first became involved in the Cairns City Kennel Club to project manage a $35,000 kitchen renovation then became the club’s Publicity Officer and completely rebuilt the club’s website.
Now, as the President of the Cairns City Kennel Club, he still wears the publicity hat, and is leading several initiatives to improve the club’s governance, funding sources (the club currently has three grant applications in progress), building community connections and most importantly creating a safe and welcoming environment.
Connecting with the club’s 300+ members is very important to Gordon, whether it be by helping at trials or shows, working bees, fund raising events or regular emails and newsletters.
While doing all this Gordon has had a diverse career working in hotel management, print media and policy development with the Queensland Government and so he has had a wealth of experience in Project Management, Risk Management and Management Systems Auditing.
All this has reinforced his values of charity, customer service, consultation, planning and the importance of good governance processes.
Elisa McCutcheon
– Elisa McCutcheon
I am a solicitor in Queensland with a practice in intellectual property, licensing and sponsorship, defamation, competition and consumer law.
I have acted for organisations in the public and private sector including not-for-profit organisations. I am an experienced advocate before the courts. I have considerable experience in dealing with membership issues as well as vexatious claims.
I am a registered patent and trade mark attorney in Australia and New Zealand. I also have a Science degree with majors in Genetics and Chemistry.
I acquired my first pedigree dog at 6 years old. I have owned and loved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for almost 30 years.
I first joined Dogs Queensland so I could have fun and hang out with my dogs. I have an interest in and have participated in both Conformation and Agility with my Cavaliers.
I have been a member of Dogs Queensland for approximately 10 years and I have been a Club Secretary for 8 years. I am therefore familiar with the running of clubs and some of the challenges clubs face. I have served on various Dogs Queensland committees and panels. I am currently a member of the Constitution and Rules Committee and the Canine Health Committee. I am also a member of the ANKC National Legislative Committee. I have recently been assisting the ANKC with the transition to Dogs Australia.
I believe that my skillset and experience will enable me to provide a valuable contribution to the Board.
In my new role as a director of Dogs Queensland, I am looking forward to working on ways to improve our sense of community, engagement with other stakeholders, and also to advocating for and promoting our pedigree dog world.
UPCOMING BREED FEATURES
Dogs Queensland is offering all breeders the opportunity to advertise in the Dog World magazine Breed Features at the discounted rate of $100 for 1/4 page. The following dog breeds are planned for the coming months: June 2022: Australian Kelpie July 2022: Shar Pei August 2022: Biewer Terrier September 2022: Irish Wolfhound For more information or to book an advertisement, email barbara@dogsqueensland.org.au
Ainslie Carius
– David Margan
Ainslie Carius has been with Dogs Queensland for a long time., so long and so important has been her contribution she was made a Life Member in 2022. Her experience and service are epic. She grew up with Basset Hounds and the family’s beloved ‘Ralph ‘began her love of dogs. In the early 80’s Ainslie joined her mother in theshow ring and also competed in Junior Handlers competitions and wasone of the foundation members of the Junior Kennel Club of Qld and became its inaugural secretary. Ainslie is also a past President and Vice President of Dogs Queensland. Ainslie has always served our canine community and she currently has many hats as President of the Yuggera Canine Club, President of The Basset Hound Club of Qld, Secretary of Gundogs and Heavy Breeds and Secretary of the Dachshund Club of Queensland.
If that’s not enough to do she is also a trainee judge and is working towards gaining All Breeds status. This is not the first time she has been a director, she previously served for 8 years and in that time took on a variety of responsibilities from Dog of the Year to the Festive Fiesta and has also served on ANKC working parties and committees. Ainslie currently works with members of the board on the Dog of the Year Committee, Rules and Constitution Committee, Canine Health Committee, Junior Handler Committee, Dog Sports Committee and is co-coordinator of Group 4 in the judges training scheme. In the time she has left Ms Carius is also Manager, Human Resources at QEII hospital.
But wait, there’s more, Ainslie also has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and is a trained mediator. Now that’s something that will come in handy. In her nomination for Life Membership this was said of her,
“Ainslie has had an unwavering devotion and dedication to the organisation as a whole. Those who know her, would have witnessed the countless hours that she has spent undergoing thankless “behind the scenes” tasks for Dogs Queensland that got her little recognition and that the normal DQ member would not even be aware of.”
I only wish I had her energy and capacity.
Junior Handler Reminder
A reminder to all Junior Handlers and Parents that to compete in the Junior Handler State Final in October 2022, the Junior Handler must be a Junior Member. Membership is free to become a Junior Member – simply download the Membership form (link below) and return to Dogs Queensland. https://emarketing-au.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws. com/59095/9cX6XluHDI5ENZLqUjrN0Jjxdzlbge5YM5PH56zu458/2664645.pdf
