The History of the A.S.D.W.A

The Australian Sheep Dog Workers' Association was formed in 1988. It was the inspiration of Mr Ted Gaby, who, to this day, remains the Patron of the Association. The inaugural office bearers were Gordon Young (President), Heather Woodhouse (Secretary & Treasurer), Nick Webb (Snr Vice President), and Pip Hudson (Jnr Vice President). Since this time there have been 4 other presidents: Doug Connop (1989-1991), Byn Dinning (1992), Pip Hudson (1993-1995), Paul Darmody (1996 to 2005), Lance Clifford (2005-2006), together with 2 other secretaries, Di Galea (1994-1997), and Lyn Topp (1998) and Denise Doherty (to 2005), Jean Eccleston (2005) and Jean Wright (2005 - Present). 

Initially, not all of the state working sheep dog associations joined the Australian body, however, in 1991 Queensland joined so that all states were now members. A constitution was drafted and ready for adoption by 1991. The granting of incorporation was finalised on 26 March 1992.

It was determined that membership of the Association would be restricted to the 6 state associations with the affiliation fee being $1 per member per state per year. The bank balance was initially kicked off by donations from members totalling $750. In 1998 the affiliation fee was raised to $5 per member per state and has since been raised to $10.

One of the objectives of the Association was to conduct its own annual championship trial. As such, the inaugural Australian Sheep Dog Workers' Association Supreme Championships were held in Deloraine in Tasmania in 1990. This auspicious event was sponsored by Uncle Bens. There was much discussion over the naming of these Championships. It was not possible to call it the Australian Championship as this name was registered for use by a trial at Mudgee. In 1992 it became known as the Supreme Australian Championship, sponsored by Friskies. Friskies, now Nestle Purina, have continued to be the major sponsor of this event, and of the Association, up to the end of 2006. It is very clear that the existence of an Australian body has given sponsors the confidence to provide support for sheep dog trialing in Australia.

In the early years there was considerable discussion as to whether the Supremes should be held in the same location and at the same time each year, culminating in the decision to rotate the event amongst the states and to endeavour to hold it at a similar time each year. A set of rules and guidelines for the conduct of Supremes was adopted in 1996. These rules have been added to and amended over the years to the point where they are now quite extensive. There has also been discussion re a Supreme course, culminating in the decision in 1998 that the Supreme course will be that of the host state. This decision was changed in 2004 when a Supreme course was adopted. 

Whether novice dogs should compete in the Supreme has been debated over the years. In March 1999 it was decided to allow a worker to enter a maximum of 2 novice dogs in the Supreme, however, in October 1999 this decision was rescinded so that novice dogs cannot enter the Supreme, excepting for Tasmania and W.A. In 2001 it was determined that, where there is a novice trial held at the same venue or at the same time as the Supreme, if a dog entered in that Novice breaks its status after closing date, it be allowed to compete in the Supreme upon payment of the additional entry fee, and that appropriate spaces will be allocated in the Supreme draw to accommodate these dogs.

The Association assumed responsibility for the Trans Tasman competition, previously conducted between Queensland and New Zealand. The first Trans Tasman Test under the banner of the Australian Association was conducted at the first Supreme in Tasmania in 1990. Lew Noble, Henry Homan, Allan Smith and Nick Webb had the honour of being the first Australian Team. This Test resulted in a draw. The years have seen the development of a Trans Tasman Test course and rules, combining both Australian and NZ components, with adoption in 1999. Slight changes have since been made.

The method of selecting the Australian Test side has undergone some refinement, from drawing 4 names from a hat containing the names of the 6 state top dogs, to that of choosing the top 4 dogs after combining the 3 runs of the Supreme Ted Gaby interstate challenge, two of which are run over the Trans Tasman course. In 1997 the Association decided to supply each member of a test team with an Australian blazer and tie, and in 2005 it was decided to also supply a hat. 

Television coverage of sheep dog trials has been an important issue. The Association played a vital role in the organisation of the Bush's Australian Sheepdog Challenge, filmed at Werribee Park in 1992, the ABC's "A Dog's Life" series in 1993, the Channel 9 Wide World of Sport's coverage of the Supreme finals at Barmera (1997) and Perth (1998), and the ABC's World Championship 2001 in Tasmania.
Insurance for the Australian and State Associations has been a theme running throughout the lifetime of the Association. Now, more than ever before, obtaining public liability cover for sheep dog trials is critical to the continuation of the sport. The Association continues to strive towards the goal of an Australia-wide insurance policy, which is now in place with each state contributing to its costs.

Since 1997 an Australia-wide trial date calendar has been produced, with the generous support of Friskies. In 2000 a stunning logo was designed, again with the assistance of Friskies, the patent for which was approved and registered in 2001. In 2002 the Association launched a twice-yearly newsletter to all members, and created its own web site which has currently been updated, courtesy of www.totalcars.com.au our website designer.