Club History - The Class of 1982

If you have been inside the clubrooms and gazed at the honour boards, have you ever wondered who the people are who have contributed to the life of the club?

The club was formed in 1969, and the constitution of the club dictates life membership can only be bestowed when a minimum of ten years’ service to the club has been completed.

Life membership was confirmed for six members in 1982, some thirteen years after the club was formed. Below is a brief synopsis of each of our first life members by our current President, John Turner.

The class of 1982 share several things in common: (i) they loved dog and dog obedience (ii) they saw a need to ensure dog owners were responsible citizens and learnt to control their dogs (long before Local and State Governments saw the need) and (iii) they were passionate that Dover Dog Club grew and flourished.

Eddie was a founding member of the club; a long-serving club president who was a Confirmation Judge and was responsible for our involvement in Confirmation showing (a role we no longer undertake). Eddie showed and trialled Boxers and was successful in both the trial and show ring. Together with his wife Brenda, Eddie would bring a trailer with equipment and set up and pack away every Sunday for obedience and show training. Initially, the club was based at Crown Street Reserve Dover Gardens (hence our name) before moving to Suneden Special School land at Mitchell Park. Eddie was also a long serving and experienced obedience Instructor. Unfortunately, Eddie is no longer with us, but his legacy remains.

Vic was a proud Scot with unbounded enthusiasm and optimism and like many Scottish people when he became excited or animated one needed another Scot to interpret what he was trying to say or the message he was delivering. In all the time I knew Vic his Scottish brogue never diminished. He was indeed a proud Australian but equally proud of his Scottish heritage.

Vic successfully trialled several dogs including Terriers and was a committee person for many of the club’s formative years. Vic and his wife Maureen who was club Secretary for years contributed significantly to the establishment of the club and what it has become. I credit Vic and Dave Rumble for getting me involved in obedience and the club in 1975/76. Unfortunately, Vic is also no longer with us.

Rita was known to all and sundry as Aunty Rita (my own children thought she was a relative), her knowledge and experience in obedience was amazing. Rita gave freely of her time to trialling people and new members alike and she was the one we turned to if we had an obedience problem.

Rita and her Corgi Patty was the first Utility titled dog at the club and Patty’s photo hangs proudly in the clubrooms. I am unaware of anyone at the time or since who has trained a Corgi to that level of obedience; a monumental task indeed.

Rita spent many years on the committee and when instructing became difficult for her she managed the office and memberships for the club. Rita has also passed and is sadly missed by all who knew her.

Dave instructed at the club for many years training several dogs including a Great Dane and a Cocker Spaniel. Dave was the club handyman and fixed anything that needed fixing. Despite failing health Dave continued to instruct and be the Club Treasurer. Dave was on the committee for many years before assuming the Treasurer role. A quiet man who was always considered in his thought process and when he passed an opinion it was usually an accurate summary of all opinions and facts, was non-judgmental and usually correct.

Dave was extremely proud of his ability to train and achieve with his Great Dane and he inspired other owners of less traditional obedience breeds to strive and achieve.

Dave passed after a long battle with cancer. Throughout his battle Dave continued to be active within the club both as Treasurer and instructor.

Leiff came to Australia from Norway and ultimately returned to his home country to retire. Leiff was a wonderful instructor devoting much time to those who may have been struggling with training their dog. As with many of those mentioned above Leiff spent many years on the committee particularly while the club was establishing itself within the City of Marion.

There were many social functions held at Leiff’s home where committee and instructors gathered to talk all things dogs and enjoy each other’s company.

Leiff trained several dogs including Boxers to obedience title success. Leiff, like a few of our founding members has also passed.