Presidents Report 2009
Southern Gundog Society Inc. - Presidents Report March 22nd 2009
My first thoughts today are of long time SGS member Leonie Harrington who passed away last year. Leonie’s farewell here at the Kennel Centre was an emotional and lovely occasion. She had planned it all herself and although we all left exhausted we knew it was what she wanted and appreciated the time to say goodbye. Leonie, her dogs and her brave fight will not be forgotten.
My first thanks for the year go to the committee who work very hard to arrange smoothly run and enjoyable shows. We feel we have things well organised now and manage to get through busy days with a minimum of fuss. It has been a pleasure working with you all and thank you for your help and support.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Butch who generously donate vouchers, prizes and sashes to our shows. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Sharon Byrne, a long time club member for her sponsorship from Fur N Feather. She has kindly donated some very generous prizes for our Easter show and we thank you very much.
We had very successful shows in 2008 with Lyn Parakowhai judging at Easter and Carolyn Pearen from Queensland in November. We also had the extra show during the Nationals with our judges Robyn Wallis (Australia) and Mrs Raija Tammelin from Finland. We were particularly blessed with the weather that day showing our North Island entries just how lovely a spring day in Canterbury could be. We were all very grateful to be in the Westpac Stadium the next day when that wild nor-wester and then the ferocious southerly which came as a bit of a shock to those visitors from the north. I would like to extend my congratulations to all winners and thanks to all exhibitors.
For 2009 we have our Easter Trophy Show with Christine Cunningham from Australia judging and I am very pleased to announce we have a very special person judging in November.
As you know we like when ever possible to have our own gundog specialists and it will be a big show that weekend because we have several gundog breed specialities on which should significantly increase our entry numbers. I am therefore delighted to announce that our judge that weekend will be Sue Swift our very own Vice President who has given more time and years to this club than she would care to admit. It will be an honour to have her judge and we thank her for accepting the appointment.
Last year I mentioned that member Rhys Dwyer would be sitting his gundog exams and I am very pleased to add our congratulations to him for passing these. I am sure he is looking forward to his first Championship show appointment and I hope you will all support him with your entries.
Our website is up and running very well with new additions being put on by Phil Brien. We have been able to add special pages like long time SGS member Wendy Schwalger and her honorary gundog “Tex” the sniffer beagle who keep our borders safe. Thank you Phil for all your work.
We will also be adding a page to our latest International Star - Amy Lee Trainor who was placed third at the Junior Handler competition at Crufts. Congratulations Amy Lee – you did us proud! We will be adding an article about Amy’s trip and photos so you can see our website is worth its weight in gold.
I hope you will contact Viv Brien our Treasurer to put a link or advertising on the pages, rates are very reasonable for members and you will be interested to know we have had contacts from people as far away as Scotland.
I have enjoyed the year as president and once again thank you all for you help and support.
Lyn Dunscombe - President