Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the Chairman...December 2004

As the newly appointed Chairperson of the ADAA Board of Directors, I would like to introduce myself to those who don’t know me and say hello to those who do. For those who have competed in Queensland or at the Grand Prix, I am the one who makes a lot of noise at Prize giving, and run a Tricolour Sheltie, Flicka. It is an honour to be asked to assume this role, and I hope in this exciting time when ADAA is experiencing such phenomenal growth to be able to contribute back to the Sport in which I have participated for the last 20 or so years.

Briefly, I was involved in the foundation stages of the Sport in South Africa in the early 80’s (yep that makes me rather old!!)… and continued to participate until we emigrated to Australia 10 years ago. I think the hardest part of the emigrating was leaving our 5 Border Collies behind, but we soon acquired 2 more once we were settled in Brisbane. We investigated Agility, found ADAA got involved in a minor way, just training our dogs…. But old habits die hard I guess, so my husband Neville and I are now both on the Board of Directors, we both Judge, we are on the PADS Committee and we once again have 5 dogs… this time 4 Border Collies and Flicka , our one diversion from the Border Collie path.

ADAA has an exciting year planned for 2005, starting with the Seminars with combined tuition from both Susan Garrett and Greg Derret, both in Sydney and Brisbane. The middle of the year brings the Annual Agility Training Camps; also in Sydney and Brisbane. October then sees the last large event of the year; Grand Prix 2005, which is guaranteed, after the successful 10th Birthday event this year, to be a bigger and better Grand Prix as news spreads of what fun was had by all at Uralla this year. Throughout the year there is a great schedule of Competitions in which to compete, so keep an eye on the Webpage Calendar of events .

I would encourage you to buy a copy of the new rule book, acquaint yourself with the fabulous array of events that can now be entered the titles you can earn with your dog and while you are there, the rules of the Game we play called Agility. For our volunteer run Sport to thrive and keep growing, there need to be workers; so jump in boots and all, start a club, join the judges training program, scribe at the competitions learn how that new electronic Timing Equipment functions…. There are many ways to help. ADAA will continue to strive to give you the Best that Agility can offer, so get out there participate and have FUN.

Lastly if you have not applied to attend the Agility Seminars, its not to late to apply to Audit, in fact there is a discounted price if you apply before the 12th December. Don’t feel you will not benefit by auditing; Watching, Listening and Writing notes will see you go home with a huge store of information to try at your leisure. You may in fact learn more than if you were trying to do the above, as well as control your dog .

I wish you all a relaxing holiday season; May your Xmas be very Merry and the New Year, an Agility Extravaganza!!

Marion Allen

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