Next training day - Sunday 15th March 2015

This month's WGAA training day is this Sunday 15th March.  The entry to the Melton training venue has changed.  Our usual entry  has been  fenced off  and access is now via Reserve Rd, Tullidge St and then Lakewood Blvd - see map below (Click to view in Google Maps).
 There is a small carpark on Lakewood Blvd or otherwise park in Lakeside Blvd itself.  To enter the training venue follow the rock park across the waterway. Dogs must be leashed until you reach the training site.

Training commences at 9am and concludes at approximately 12.00 with a BBQ.  Anyone with a gundog is welcome.



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DUCK OPENING WATER PRACTICE DAY

30 handlers and their dogs participated in the 2015 Duck Opening Water Practice Day. This traditional WGAA event is always extremely successful and this year’s event kept that tradition going.

The 3 runs available were designed to match real-life duck hunting scenarios. Handlers were able to give their dogs multiple runs and Wayne, Kevin and Shane were on hand to help with any problems. It was certainly encouraging to see so many new comers. The wide variety of gundogs included GSP’s pointers, labradors, brittanys, English springer spaniels, a long haired weimaraner and a curly coated retriever.

Luckily cloud cover kept the temperature down slightly for most of the day, and when the sun did come out about 2 o’clock the dogs needed no encouragement to hit the water.

Catering was superb, especially the fresh mango and ice cream. Many thanks to the property owners and the caterers.

To see more photos from the day, click here and wait for the slideshow to load.

Next training day - Sunday 15th February.

This month's WGAA training day is this Sunday 15th February.  The entry to the Melton training venue has changed.  Our usual entry  has been  fenced off  and access is now via Reserve Rd, Tullidge St and then Lakewood Blvd - see map below (Click to view in Google Maps).
 There is a small carpark on Lakewood Blvd or otherwise park in Lakeside Blvd itself.  To enter the training venue follow the rock park across the waterway. Dogs must be leashed until you reach the training site.

Training commences at 9am and concludes at approximately 12.00 with a BBQ.  Anyone with a gundog is welcome.



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SSAA Shot Expo Perth – 6&7 December 2014

The WGAA Vic Demonstration Team recently travelled over to Perth for the inaugural SSAA Shot Expo in the west. This was a first for us as the dogs had to be flown over but they all took it in their stride. Previously the dogs have performed successfully at the Melbourne and Sydney Shot Expos.

This time the team consisted of Kevin & Aussie, Shane & Angus, Angie & Farli, Steve & Meg and Barry & Kio.

SSAA WA, Exhibitions Group, SSAA National and SSAA Vic were all very generous with their help and financial support. Even the dogs had excellent accommodation in a very large dog trailer and travelled in style.

The pressure was on to put on a great show and deliver we did – the team members and their dogs were awesome, four shows in two days under the very hot West Australian sun. As well as large crowds we even had the WA Police Minister at one of our performances as well as Ron and Michelle Bryant from SSAA WA and National, Geoff Jones, National President and Kaye McIntyre, National Secretary.

The Perth Shot Expo was judged to be a huge success with heaps of exhibitors and overwhelming support from shooters in the west. The place was packed with close to 10,000 people passing through the door and was a testament to all those who had planned this event over many months.

Congratulations to everyone, even the muzzleloaders who really put the frighteners up the dogs and us as well.

Please click HERE to see a slideshow of the event.

Field Assessment Day - 5th October 2014

On a fantastic spring day WGAA Vic’s Field Assessment Day was held at the Daylesford property that has hosted the event for many years. This ideal property is perfect for the family friendly event with several members camping overnight to help set up runs.

Each of the 25 dogs was given 3 runs – a land retrieve, a water retrieve and a pigeon run and was scored in 5 categories in each run, categories that related closely to actual field work.

Certificates were awarded to all participants.

For more photos of the day, please click HERE and wait for the slideshow to load.

Training Day 16th November 2014 - Christmas break up

The next WGAA training day is Sunday 16th November. This will be the last training day for the year so we will celebrate with a free BBQ after training.  The entry to the Melton training venue has changed.  Our usual entry  has been  fenced off  and access is now via Reserve Rd, Tullidge St and then Lakewood Blvd - see map below (Click to view in Google Maps).
 There is a small carpark on Lakewood Blvd or otherwise park in Lakeside Blvd itself.  To enter the training venue follow the rock park across the waterway. Dogs must be leashed until you reach the training site - this is a Melton Council requirement.  Name tags must also be worn.
 Training commences at 9am and concludes at approximately 12.00 with the BBQ.  Anyone with a gundog is welcome.



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WGAA Vic RETRIEVING TRIAL -14th September 14

The WGAA Vic Intermediate and Advanced Retrieving trial was held at Nagambie in a picture perfect location in ideal conditions. The judges were David Blacker (Intermediate – 15 entries) and Andrew Yeomans (Advanced – 8 entries).

The trial managers were Luke Warner and Kevin Phelps with Norm Cloke handling the throwers.

We were all set for a great day – what could possibly go wrong? Well guess what, nothing went wrong and the day was a fantastic success. We even started on time, there was some excellent dog work, good camaraderie and the lunch was enjoyed by all - even those who were over charged!

It was encouraging to see a number of newcomers graduating from the Training day program into trials for the first time.

At the end of the day the judges awarded their placings and the lucky winners were:

Intermediate Stake

1^st Henry Foster’s Pointer F Ch(CS) & Nat FT Ch RIPRAP MARKSMAN NFTW(CS) CM (154)

2^nd Nick Guida’s Pointer RIPRAP ROXY (140 points)

3^rd Shane Emond’s Labrador PETITRAPPORT MCANGUS (139 points)

The Encouragement award for a very high standard retrieve went to

Sandra Lesniauskas’ Golden Retriever BELBUN DAILY COMPANY DC

The highest score for a run in the Intermediate stake went to

Sam Heyes’ Labrador CONINGSBURGH MADDIE MAY (53 points)

Advanced Stake

1^st Sam Heyes’ Labrador CONINGSBURGH TASHA GIRL (173 points)

2^nd Sam Heyes’ Labrador CONINGSBURGH MADDIE MAY (126 points)

3^rd Luc Tomasino’s Brittany BRITTNIKI GUNSMOKE GUS (124 points)

Click HERE to see a slideshow from the day.