On Saturday 5th July the Dog World in general and the NT in particular lost an icon.

G.A.A.”Arthur” Lane passed away in the Hospice at the RDH. He had just recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Arthur had a long and full life, he survived the Second World War and had the right to call himself one of The Rats of Tobruk.

After the war he seriously got involved in Dog Showing and breeding, became a member of various Dog Clubs in Victoria and eventually got involved in judging Dogs and subsequently becoming an All Breeds Judge of some renown. Arthur judged all over Australia, New Zealand, Europe, America, Asia and Japan.

His passion for the Dog World was such that he worked tirelessly on the Judges Training Scheme in Victoria and has trained countless numbers of people who have gone on to be All Breeds Judges themselves.

A number of years ago he moved to Darwin and the Territory  finally had an All Breeds Judge of our own. He soon got involved in the Judges Training program here and all of the current NT Conformation Judges have benefited from his knowledge and expertise.

Arthur will be missed.

I would like to thank on behalf of Sandy Irlam, Lesley Cameron, Carol Beckett and myself, the Assessors, officials and all of the owners and exhibitors (with their dogs), who came out on Sunday morning after the NACA Shows to be part in the Judges Practical Assessments. It was a long and hot day, especially after a late night of 2 shows, and the conditions were uncomfortable for all.

I am happy to say that Sandy Irlam and myself passed the Group 2 assessment, Lesley Cameron passed the Group 4, Carol Beckett the Group 5 and Sandy Irlam also passed the single breed Dobermann assessment.

Without the support and assistance of these owners and exhibitors the Territory would not have any Champ Show judges to its name.

Lastly, most of you would know by now that it is now acceptable to use thirty (30) characters including prefix in all new litter registrations.

Cheers,
Mel

IMPORTANT NOTE TO MEMBERS
Could members please not exercise their dogs on the training grounds. Instead, we encourage members to exercise dogs in the enclosed area immediately outside the front gate, otherwise known as the members car park