News and updates

Charles Sturt University is currently recruiting to multiple vacancies on the Charles Sturt University Animal Ethics Committee. Ideally they are seeking individuals located within the regional footprint of the University, but thanks to digital meetings they will consider applicants from any location. The position description and a cover letter from Professor Michael Friend, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and innovation).

The current vacancies include:

• Veterinarian (Category A member)
• Animal Welfare Practitioner (Category C member)
• Layperson (Category D member)

The Animal Ethics Committee reviews teaching and research proposals involving the scientific use of animals to ensure that they are ethically acceptable and follow relevant standards and guidelines. The Committee also ensures that the use of animals is justified, provides for the welfare of those animals and incorporates into their use the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement. The University is an accredited Animal Research Establishment and as such the Animal Ethics Committee provides assurance that the University is compliant with Animal Research legislation.

They would love to hear from you if you are interested in being part of our ethics committee. To apply, please submit an expression of interest addressing the selection criteria.

All applications should be emailed to:

Ms Elizabeth Harangozo, Manager, Research Integrity - [email protected]

This week, AVA representatives briefed the committee undertaking the NSW Government’s inquiry into the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW.  

AVA Head of Veterinary and Public Affairs Dr Cristy Secombe and NSW Division President Dr Zachary Lederhose were invited to present to the Inquiry Committee Members as part of this briefing. The presentation included some background on the veterinary workforce shortage in Australia, a summary of the main factors driving the shortage and proposed solutions. 

This inquiry was announced following the AVA’s NSW Election Platform advocacy on key priorities pre- and post NSW election, including  rural and regional workforce issues.  

The AVA continues to drive advocacy on this extremely important issue. Currently the AVA are undertaking a consultation process with members and key stakeholders to inform the AVA representations to the inquiry. Member feedback will inform a comprehensive AVA submission and representations to the inquiry. 

To read more please click here.

For further information from the Upper House NSW Parliamentary enquiry into Vet Shortages please click here.

The attention of DOGS NSW members is drawn to Dogs Australia Regulations Part 8: Member Bodies & Membership, Section 2:  Membership, Clauses 2.1 & 2.3), as follows:-

SECTION 2
Membership
2.1    A member of an ANKC Ltd Member Body must, as a minimum, be a member of the Member Body for the jurisdiction in which they reside.  This membership shall be regarded as the person’s Primary Membership.  A member of a Member Body shall have a maximum of 1 (one) Primary Membership.  This will not prevent persons from joining the Member Bodies of other jurisdictions, either individually or in partnership. (Added 02/21, 5.4 effective 01/07/21)

2.3    A person shall only be permitted to transact all member services, ie, register and maintain a prefix, register a litter or a dog, apply for a title or participate in a Judges Training Program, or undertake an activity similar to aforementioned, in the jurisdiction in which they hold their Primary Membership as defined in 2.1, above. (Added 02/21, 5.4 effective 01/07/21)

Further, in accordance with a long standing agreement between Dogs Australia Administrators, which was re-affirmed at its meeting in October 2022, applications received from members of other Member Bodies should be rejected and the member advised to submit their application through their own Member Body.

Therefore, DOGS NSW members must submit all applications for processing through DOGS NSW Office.

Affiliates are advised that the purpose of breaking up the Presidents & Secretaries Meetings to be held in the various Regions was to make it more convenient to those Affiliates in the regional areas to attend these meetings.

It is expected that the Agenda for each Regional meeting would be similar in content in respect of addressing Regulations, Aggressive Dogs, Affiliate matters, etc, with the addition of any specific items placed on the Agenda by an Affiliate.

Affiliates are entitled to attend whichever meeting they wish and whichever meeting is convenient to them.

At the 2023 Annual General Meeting of RNSWCC Ltd, five (5) members of the Board of Directors will retire by rotation pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of RNSWCC Ltd.  Accordingly, the Board has resolved to call for nominations to fill the said vacancies.

The successful nominees shall each be elected for a term commencing at the conclusion of the 2023 Annual General Meeting of RNSWCC Ltd and expiring at the conclusion of the first Annual General Meeting held more than 30 months thereafter.

These five (5) positions are to be elected from the following Regions:-

Two (2) representatives from the Metropolitan Region

One (1) representative from the Hunter Region

One (1) representative from the Illawarra & South Eastern Region

One (1) representative from the Western Region

Retiring Directors are eligible to nominate for these positions provided that they continue to comply with the requirements set out in the following paragraph.

Members seeking election will be required to reside in the Region for which they seek to represent and will also be required to be full financial members of RNSWCC Ltd.  It will be necessary to be nominated by two (2) full financial members of RNSWCC Ltd who also must reside in the same Region.

Nomination forms are available from RNSWCC Ltd, PO Box 632 St Marys NSW 1790, or [email protected]

Nominations must be lodged with the Secretary of RNSWCC Ltd at the Company’s registered office, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, on or before 3.00pm Friday 4 August 2023.  Nominations may be posted to reach the Company’s registered office on or before the closing time.

Nominations must include the full name, address and telephone numbers (both home and business) of the nominee and accompanied by a resume and photograph as described on the RNSWCC Ltd official nomination form.

Each full financial member of RNSWCC Ltd will be eligible to vote for the candidate/s in the Region in which they reside.  Please Note: Associate, Junior Members and Affiliates of RNSWCC Ltd are not entitled to vote.

Members seeking election should also note that the Board of Directors meets at The Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.  Each meeting commences at 2.00pm and generally concludes at 6.30pm.

NOMINEES RESUMES and photographs (if submitted) will be published in the Dogs NSW September 2023 Magazine.

BALLOT PAPERS will be inserted in the September 2023 Magazine and voting will close at 12 noon on Friday 6 October 2023 (with the count on Saturday 7 October 2023 at Orchard Hills.

Dogs On Show was a wonderful introduction for members of the public to become engaged in a dog sport they can enjoy with their dog, seek advice on a breed of dog to suit their lifestyle or just to enjoy the day out with the family. Last weekend had perfect weather for the event and the crowd did not disappoint.

On behalf of the Public Relations Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for their enthusiastic entries this year for Dogs On Show. In addition, I would like to thank all the organisers and participants in every event; your support and attendance was fantastic.

We had in attendance Dances With Dogs, Trick Dogs, Scent Work, a Championship Dogs Show, Duck and Sheep Herding, Jack Russell Terrier Racing, Earthdog, Obedience, Retrieving, Junior Handlers, Agility and Drafting.

We had approximately 30 Breed Clubs all on display and as a reward to them, we presented stand awards to three of the best displays. Awards were presented by Senior Vice-President Christina Rafton to the British Bulldog Club of NSW Inc, whose stand was truly amazing and vibrant, as was 2nd and third place getters, the Australian Cattle Dog Society of NSW Inc and the Schnauzer Club of NSW Inc stands.

The Committee would like to thank the many Clubs in attendance for their brilliant efforts on the day; not only decorating your stands and making them bright and colourful but representing your breed and educating the public.

One of the many highlights of the day was the Pageant of Breeds where a record number of breeds and clubs participated, completely overflowing Ring 1, to the great delight of the many spectators. It certainly was a spectacular and colourful event and a big thank you to all those Clubs and members who took part. We really did have outstanding participation this year!

1st Place - Chow Chow Dog Club of NSW Inc
2nd Place – Irish Wolfhound Club of NSW Inc
3rd Place – Bullmastiff Club of NSW Inc
Prizes were kindly sponsored and awarded on the day by Sarah from Miss Behaviour Dog Training Services.

To the team that worked tirelessly alongside the PR Committee - Kerry Christofi, Abby Davis, Christina Rafton, Lynda Brandt, Tony Tau, John MacLean, Sylvia and Graham Brackman, Lyn Mansfield, Louise Patterson, Sue McFadden, John Bryson, our Ring Stewards, Tom Mangan and Bill McLean - please accept our sincere thanks for going that extra mile and presenting an amazing show for exhibitors and public alike.

To the DOGS NSW Grounds crew – Chris Gedzyk, Matthew Tyne and Dave Hayes, many thanks for the long hours and willingness to assist in every aspect (even packing up), the venue looked exceptional. Thanks also to Shirley Donaldson and Robyn Fitzgerald from Gayroslyn Catering who kept the show personnel well refreshed with fantastic food and service.

The Victorian Judges Robynne Spencer, Anne Maree Hearn, Joy McInnes, Mark Clarke, Michael Higgins, Julie Wills and Linda Adams were an absolute delight to host and a great 'fit' for this show. Thank you for your experience, diligence, and professionalism.

It was great to have our many sponsors including Royal Canin, Oz Grooming World and Miss Behaviour Dog Training Services present at the show. Thank you for your generosity and support.

For Members, Clubs and Exhibitors attending Dogs on Show please be mindful that there will be road closures on Luddenham Road, which will affect access to our Orchard Hills Grounds for Dogs on Show on 17 June 2023. Access will only be possible from the Mamre Road end of Luddenham Road.

Luddenham Road will be closed to general traffic between Twin Creeks Golf Club roundabout and the Science Park, making access from Elizabeth Drive very difficult. The

Road closure dates will be from 13-14 June as well as from 17- 25 June inclusive.

To avoid lengthy delays and/or redirection please access Luddenham Road via Mamre Road.

Members are advised that DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee has made submissions to the abovementioned Councils in respect of their recent Draft Policies, which can be viewed via the following links:-

Snowy Valleys Council
Hilltops Council

All members residing in these local government areas are strongly encouraged to individually write to your local members expressing your concerns should these Draft Policies be passed by Council.

Invitation to attend a Presidents & Secretaries Meeting (Metropolitan Region)

Wednesday 18 October 2023
Amenities Building, The Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, commencing at 5.30pm

The Board of Directors has resolved that a Presidents & Secretaries Meeting for Metropolitan Affiliates be arranged so that discussion can be held on any matters that may be relevant to DOGS NSW Affiliates’ administration and to DOGS NSW Regulations.

Affiliates are invited to submit items that they would like to place on the Agenda relating to their administration, DOGS NSW Regulations, and to open up discussion on issues of concern and/or interest.

Submission of items for the proposed Agenda for this meeting should be forwarded to the Office by email to [email protected] and should be received NO LATER than COB on Friday 15 September 2023 along with the names of your Club’s Representatives (limit of 2).

Proposed Agenda items should clearly identify the issue and be accompanied by a short explanation or rationale.

Subject to time constraints, as many as possible of the Agenda items received will be included on the Agenda.

Once finalised, the Agenda for this meeting will be distributed via email to all those Metropolitan Affiliates who have a current email address on file.

If you do not have a current email on file please contact the Office to provide an email contact for your Club.  This will also assist the Office to distribute any important information to your Club in the future.

Thank you.

Lynette Brown                                                                                
DOGS NSW President                                                                      

Christina Rafton
DOGS NSW Senior Vice President

Anthony Khamis                                                                                
Operations Manager     

Virginia Gagan-Wilson                                                                 
Company Secretary

At its recent meeting, the Board accepted a recommendation from DOGS NSW Disputes Assessment Panel that members be reminded that intemperate, abusive, or offensive comments made verbally at shows/events, by telephone or in person, by online posts (anonymously or otherwise) to any person, may constitute a breach of the Rules of DOGS NSW, resulting in disciplinary action against that member and their ongoing membership.