Eastern Suburbs Dog Training Club

This is my 3rd and last President’s report on another busy 12 months at the Club since the 2010 AGM:

• In September 2010, we ran what may prove to be our last Annual Obedience Trial on the Centennial Park grounds. Due to the cost and effort of setting up the marque and rings and the deteriorating condition of the grounds (not to mention the planting of 6 new trees in the Novice ring area!), our trial will be held at Erskine Park this year, in 2 weeks’ time, on Sunday 25th. Like many others, I have fond memories of our Centennial Park trials. It's where Harry and I had our 1st trial and pass. For some Club Members, Erskine Park on the 25th  will be their 1st trial and I’m sure that over time there will be similar fond memories of our trials, wherever they’re held

• In November 2010, we celebrated the 3rd anniversary of our popular Activity Classes with our 3rd Annual Activity Encouragement Jumping Trial. It was a great morning, but unfortunately, due to circumstances partly beyond the Committee's control, there has been a protracted delay in the presentation of 1st place glasses to Lisa Brown & Diggar, Charo Gomez & Linda, and Aliana Graham & Sophi. Rest assured, we do appreciate your patience and the commitment and energy that you, your fellow participants and our Activity Instructors put into Activity Classes on Sundays

• Speaking of delays, in December 2010, at our year ending Xmas Fun Day, I was pleased to announce that Paul Rheuben would be receiving a glass to commemorate 30 years of continuous membership of the Club. I had hoped to finally present Paul with the glass today, however, he could not attend the AGM. Before I move on from the 2010 the Fun Day, I would like to say thanks once again to Heather Martyn for her imagination and management of the events and prizes

• During April/May 2011, the Club revamped our website and launched Facebook and Blog Spot pages, with photos from our Xmas Fun Day. Our Facebook page is proving very popular, with topical articles and comments and a great album of our favourite Sleeping Dogs photos. My thanks to Kate Mackay for her ongoing admin of our Facebook and Blog Spot pages

• In June, the Club held a very popular Mock Obedience Trial, run and judged by founding Club Member and well known dog trainer and obedience judge, Vicki Etherington OAM. Given its popularity, it is hoped that the Club will run more Mock Trials in the coming year

• And in July, the Club fielded 2 teams in the annual NSW Interclub Obedience Challenge, with our Fetch Fidos placing 19th out of 36 teams and the Over Rovers 8th, our best result in years.

On the flip side of these highlights, I’ve sadly had to report the passing of several Club Members’ old and not so old dogs in the past 12 months. As I commented in the last PawPrints, their passing reminds us of the truth in the quote by Agnes Sligh Turnbull: “Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.”

On a brighter note, I’d like to once again thank the 30 or so volunteers who regularly give up their Sundays to help the Club hold 40 weekends of training (less a few rain cancellations), running an average of 10 Adult Dog Obedience Classes, 3 Puppy Classes and the Activity Classes, not to mention our Annual Obedience Trial, Mock and Activity Encouragement Trials, and the Xmas Fun Day. It’s a lot of work by relative few volunteers to ensure training takes place for our 650 plus Membership and their dogs.

I’d also like to thank Centennial Park for the use of the Musgrave Ponds grounds on Sundays and to acknowledge the shared purpose we have in promoting responsible dog ownership in the Park and beyond. Next year the Club celebrates 50 years of dog training in Centennial Park. Over this time we’ve helped tens of thousands of dog owners to train, look after and enjoy their dogs, responsibly. It’s a worthy achievement that would not have been possible without our wonderful volunteers and training grounds.

In closing, I’d like to thank the Club for the honour of being President. Presidents and Committee come and go, but as the past 50 years prove, the Club carries on, and when I look out on Sundays at our Members training and enjoying their dogs, I know that this is more important than any one individual.

Robert Fairhead
Club President 2009-2011