Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the Chairman...December 2005

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my Best Wishes for the Festive Season to all ADAA members…May the man in Red bring you whatever you desire… May you not eat so much that you cannot run fast on the courses next year and most importantly... May you take some time out to relax and recuperate from the hectic year. Just don’t relax over the New Year Weekend, when I gather the Party is in Bundaberg!! Get those entries in, along with your catering requests… so BDS can get their planning underway. For those of you who live a bit further south… I am looking forward to Judging, along with Loyd, at the 1st competition at Wollombi. Their schedule looks great and it looks like that will be a great weekend too.

I have had many queries as to how the interview with Mr. Beattie progressed. Well, being government that’s hard to say, but he was interested, he listened, obviously applied thought to the matter as he asked questions…. So I guess it’s slowly, slowly.. and hope we get gradual progress towards recognition as a Sport. Thank you to those who were interested enough to ask.

Most clubs are soon to go into their shutdown for the holidays. This will give all Instructors, those very important people who donate their time to assist others to learn how to do Agility, a time to rest as well. The Instructors carry quite a load, as there are none who simply Instruct, they all have their own dogs to train and much less time to do it in, due to their instructing commitments. So this is the time to offer your assistance to your club, when they are drawing up their roster for the new year…. Remember that you may not be an expert but you do know more than the beginners. What many do not realise is how much you can learn from instructing. Our own dogs all present their own particular challenges, some more than others…. but its by helping others and solving their challenges that your knowledge will grow and you will find that, at some time you will apply that knowledge to your own dog.

At the recent ADCQ competition I had the fortune to present 2 of our most Prestigious awards. A Bronze Handler Award to Kerry Lovell and a Silver Handler Award to Natalie Kirkwood. Natalie is only the second to earn this award…come on you guys! All you need is 200 Cards. Seriously, Congratulations !! Earning these awards is HARD work but the Hand-drawn Pastel portrait of your dog is fabulous, so start counting your cards.

So have a great Festive Season so you are refreshed and ready for 2006.

Have Fun Always

Marion Allen

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