News and updates

Many of you will have seen comments online over the last few days about the Board’s decision regarding sheep at Orchard Hills. To avoid confusion, and to make sure our members have the correct information, I want to set out what has happened and how the Board reached its position.

First and most importantly: herding is continuing at DOGS NSW.
Nothing in the Board’s decision prevents trials, training or activity at approved off-site locations. The decision relates solely to the management of sheep at Orchard Hills.

How we got here
Earlier this year concerns were raised about the condition of the flock at Orchard Hills after a particularly demanding season. This included heavier workloads on the sheep, reduced pasture quality, worm pressure and higher-than-usual feed supplementation needs. In light of these issues, the Board sought a clear understanding of what would be required to responsibly return sheep to the grounds.

The Herding Working Party, led by Director Ann Moy, supplied a detailed recommendation proposing the return of sheep in March 2026. Their proposal included limits on the number of training days, rest periods for the flock, notification requirements, and structured oversight to maintain welfare standards.

It is important to acknowledge that the NSW Herding Association has made significant improvements in flock care over the last 12 months. Their management of the sheep has been at a standard we have not seen in many years, and the Board recognises the effort, time and expertise that went into achieving this. Their work formed an essential part of the Board’s consideration.

Alongside this, the Board received a separate livestock management report that outlined, in practical terms, the level of management required to run sheep on the 20-acre Orchard Hills site. Key points included:

• the need for proper rotational grazing and rest paddocks
• seasonal feed shortages requiring scheduled supplementary feeding
• regular worm egg counts and follow-up testing
• biosecurity risks associated with the creek line and potential liver-fluke exposure
• structured rest periods before and after trials to maintain condition
• statutory record-keeping obligations for all treatments, rotations and training use

These requirements reflect current expectations for responsible livestock care, animal welfare and biosecurity.

Why the Board made its decision
After reviewing all information, the Board agreed that DOGS NSW does not currently have the capacity or infrastructure to manage a flock at Orchard Hills to the standard required under modern welfare, safety, biosecurity and compliance obligations. While the Working Party’s submission was detailed and well-considered, and despite the excellent work of the NSW Herding Association over the past year, the practical demands of meeting all requirements consistently remain significant.

The decision was made in support of animal welfare and safety. It reflects our responsibility to ensure that any livestock under the care of DOGS NSW are managed in a way that meets regulatory expectations and protects their wellbeing. Based on the evidence before us, maintaining sheep at Orchard Hills is not a viable or responsible option at this time.

Where herding stands today

• Herding remains fully supported as a discipline.
• Activities at Kurrajong continue, and the Board is open to additional off-site venues if brought forward.
• Orchard Hills is not ruled out for the future; however, it requires a level of infrastructure, resourcing, management and most importantly to consider the welfare of the livestock into the future.

Our aim is simple: if DOGS NSW manages livestock, it must be done safely, sustainably and with the welfare of the animals as the first priority.

Moving forward
The Board recognises herding’s long history within DOGS NSW and the commitment of the many members involved in the sport. We will continue to work with the NSW Herding Association, the Herding Working Party and all stakeholders so that herding remains strong, supported and well-managed.

This update is provided so that members have a clear understanding of the facts and the process that led to the Board’s decision.

President & Board Executive
DOGS NSW

 Please find attached the Dogs Australia Meeting Summary of the October 2025 Annual General meeting and Board meeting here.

At the October 2025 Board meeting, the Executive Committee approved the recruitment for the position of a New Dogs Australia Administrator. This advertisement will be posted online with Seek in each State & Territory. Please click on the link below to view.

In addition, our Directors agreed for all Member Bodies to be requested to disseminate it to their members. Interested candidates must submit their applications to the email address provided in the advertisement.

Please note the closing date for applications is COB 24 November 2025.

Please click here to view the advertisement.

At its October 2025 meeting, the Board resolved to amend the following DOGS NSW Regulations:-

PART II-SHOW
Clause 4.4D – NEW CLAUSE (original Clause 4.4D renumbered 4.4E)
Clause 8A(2)(h) – NEW CLAUSE

PART X-AFFILIATED BODIES
Clause 2.2(b)(ii) – AMENDMENT

Please click here to view the amended Regulations.

ABC News reports that the potentially deadly tick-borne disease that attacks a dog's immune system is now "endemic" across northern Australia!

The rapid spread of Canine Ehrlichiosis since it was first detected in Australia in 2020 "has left a lot of destruction in its wake", veterinarian Liisa Ahlstrom said.

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease transmitted quickly when an infected brown dog tick bites a dog. 

"It's endemic, which means we're never getting rid of it," Dr Ahlstrom said. "A lot of dogs have died from this disease … it's well and truly established across northern Australia."

Image: A dog receives a blood transfusion after an ehrlichiosis diagnosis. (Supplied Elanco Animal Health)

Vets are urging dog owners and those travelling through northern Australia to take preventative action.

The disease presents in three phases, and Dr Ahlstrom said in the first stage symptoms could appear around two weeks after infection.

To read more about the disease in the ABC News article and how to take preventative measures with your dog, please click here.

As you may be aware, voting for the 2025 Board Elections (Metropolitan) closed at 12:00 PM today, Friday, 26 September 2026. The election results were compiled by Vero Voting.

Total Eligible Voters: 2,633
Total Voted: 883

A total of nine (9) candidates stood for election, with the following five (5) candidates successfully elected:
Mr Ross Sinclair – 504 votes 
Mrs Sue McFadden – 492 votes 
Mrs Lynette Brand – 440 votes 
Mrs Tracy Hofman – 423 votes 
Mr Phillip Brown – 418 votes 

The remaining candidates not elected were:
Mr Guy Spagnolo – 402 votes
Mr Stephen Oliver - 386 votes
Mrs Lynette Brown - 349 votes
Mrs Mara Bontempo-Ross – 263 votes

We thank all candidates for their participation and congratulate those who have been elected.

2.2  An Affiliate shall:-

(a) within two (2) months of its Annual General Meeting in each year, but in any case, not later than the 31st day of October, forward to the DOGS NSW Secretary a copy of its Balance Sheet and Financial Statements as adopted and duly prepared by a member of one of the following professional accounting bodies:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Australia and New Zealand
CPA Australia
Institute of Public Accountants
National Tax Agents' Association Ltd
The Tax Institute (TTI)
Australian Bookkeepers Association Ltd
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
National Tax Agents’ Association Ltd (NTAA+)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA)
Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ).
TAI Practitioners & Advisers Limited          (09/25)

Members are advised that the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Royal NSW Canine Council Ltd (DOGS NSW) will be held as follows:
Location: Amenities Building, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills
Date: Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Time: 7:30pm

All financial members are encouraged to attend. Please remember to bring your membership number with you as it will be verified upon entry.
For those unable to attend in person, completed proxy forms must be submitted by 4.30pm on Monday, 3 November 2025.

The 2025 Agenda can be found here: https://dogsnsw.org.au/media/7499/agm-agenda-2025.pdf
The Proxy Voting Form is available here: https://www.dogsnsw.org.au/.../appointment-of-proxy-2025.pdf

The DOGS NSW Southern Region AGM will be held on:

DATE: Sunday, 30 November, 2025
TIME: 10.30am
VENUE: Wagga Showground Club rooms 

Nominations close: 10 November 2025 

For Nomination or post votes forms please contact: The Secretary, Nicole Tetley: [email protected] 

Please click here to download the AGM Proxy Form.

Please Note: Completed Proxy Appointment Forms must be posted to the RNSWCC, PO Box 632, St Marys NSW 1790 or scanned/emailed to the Office, so as to be received by no later than 4.30pm on Monday 3 November 2025.