A brief history of the
SBTCV Inc by Linda Szirer
(Foundation Secretary of the SBTCV Inc)
In the early 1970's a very
small group of Stafford enthusiasts
banded together to form the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Victoria.
The first meeting to start the ball rolling was held at the home of Linda
Szirer's parents at Ormond in the suburbs of Melbourne, this being a fairly
central venue.
Those present (as far as my
memory permits), were myself Linda Szirer (Borstaff), Joan and Gerald Reed
(Intrepid), Fred and Mary Onions (Rumbato), Francis and Chris Riha
(Stonewall), Tess and George Gray (Walsall) and Jack Burgess (Repulse).
Due to our small
numbers, it was thought we could join forces with the Bull Terrier people and
have a combined Club like they had in Queensland at the time.
The KCC (Kennel
Control Council), in their wisdom at the time, decided we couldn't have a
combined club, so we had to wait another year to submit our request for the
formation of The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Victoria.
Before the Club
was actually formed, Best of Breed sashes were organised for selected shows.
Back then, we had Best In Group and Best Opposite in Group, so Best of Breed
was not a necessary award and was very rarely awarded unless a sash was
donated.
One of our first
activities was a Stafford Match, held on 3rd August 1975 at Dandenong
Showgrounds. Our judge was Mrs D Pardy. We had an excellent entry of 29
exhibits.
One of our first meetings, before our affiliation are recorded thus:
Minutes of meeting held at Nunawading Coffee Rooms on 21.7.75
Apologies:
Audrey Ripper, Gerald and Joan Reed, Dot Harrison.
Mr Fred Onions
was nominated as Acting President and voted in. The Acting Secretary and the
Acting Treasurer, Frances Riha.
A small
committee was organised and George Gray and Bill Ellson were appointed.
Discussed was the match which was planned for Sunday August 3rd. Several
people promised to donate trophies.
President
closed the meeting.
Our first
Championship Show was held at The Showgrounds, Ascot Vale on Sunday 29th
October 1978,
our judge, Mr Peter Luyten.
He had an entry of 74 exhibits with Best In Show being awarded to Swan's
Kurnpow Charity.
