THE FIRST YEARS OF THE BUNBURY & DISTRICTS DOG CLUB

The Bunbury & Districts Dog Club came into being in the winter of 1965 and was the brain child of Jim and Rita Marshall, a Scottish couple who owned a Golden Retriever bitch ( Sundial Ecossaise, nick named Shona ) and were keen on starting an Obedience and Retrieving club. Roddy and Louvain Gledhill lived in the next street to the Marshall’s and also owned a Golden Retriever dog ( Sundial Commodore) It was only a matter of time before these folk became acquainted and from there a club was born.

In May 1965 an advertisement was placed in the South western times newspaper advising that anyone interested in dog obedience should come to the Hockey club building at Hay Park on Sunday afternoon.

Any breed of dog, pure bred or mongrel alike was welcome ( This tradition still holds today with Obedience training and Shows ) A number of keen enthusiasts turned up and Louvain remembers the day well as it was a real wet miserable day and she had the duty of collecting names and addresses of all the prospective members. There was a minimum number needed for us to form a club and that is still a requirement today. At that time the Canine Association of W.A. was under the auspice of the Royal Agricultural Society of W.A.

The B&DDC had an official opening at the old premises of the Rifle range on Bussell Highway, Gelorup.

In July 1965. The late miss Pat Thomas an All Breeds Judge who was also interested in Retrieving and Obedience with her partner the hon. Jill Alexander officiated at the opening.

Mrs. Barbara Kempin gave an obedience demonstration with her Labrador Champion Greenbanks Ajax U.D. which inspired everyone present.

Club members and committee were all very enthusiastic and all novices. According to Pat Louvain it was a bit like the blind leading the blind to start with. Jim Marshall was president and Rita was a trainer. Louvain was secretary cum treasurer; Stewart and Margaret Clarke who owned a rough collie bitch were also involved with the club. There were a few others on the committee but their names I do not know.

Roddy was the tea boy, he made the fire and boiled the Billy at each training session. Later on he became involved with the training side of things.

The club became affiliated with CAWA in 1966. Obedience trials and a parade were held in 1968.

The first Championship Show was held in 1969 at Koombana Park and a couple of retrieving trials were held that year; hence the club badge which encompassed all three aspects of the dog world at that time.i.e.

Showing, Retrieving and Obedience. We understand that Jim Marshall designed the badge.

The judge for the first championship show was the late Mr. Gumnow.

At this time Roddy was transferred to Port Hedland for 18 months and on the Marshall’s return in mid 1969 Mrs. Joan Fuhrer was secretary, Jim was president and Rita was still a trainer. Mrs. Joan Barbour was treasurer and she and husband also had Golden Retrievers. Merle Lee of Busselton was head trainer and she had a wonderful little dog named Zak with whom she achieved great scores in obedience, winning the Linc Sullivan trophy for the dog who qualified for CD. CDX. and UD in one year. Terry Hills had also achieved this fete in 1967 with a German Shepherd named Rusty. Terry joined the club in 1966 and became an obedience judge in 1980. He was a top trainer with the club for many years.

Since those early beginnings the B&DDC has flourished with its committee being continuously replenished with hard working enthusiastic dog lovers. It is with warm appreciation that we can look back over the 40 year history of the club and give thanks to everyone who freely gave their time and devotion toward its continued existence.