2020 SAODC Yearbook
Please find below excerpts highlighting the achievements of 2020 as outlined in the SAODC 2020 Year Book, presented to the 66th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Committee would like to acknowledge the assistance of all Club member who helped during the year, particularly the assistance provided by the following people - THANKS TO
Debbie Reid , the Chief Instructor, took responsibility for ordering supplies and organising the display of goods for sale;
Ed Jacobs who, while not a committee member, has designed a membership database for the Club;
Julie Brown - ongoing assistance with the Website.
Julie Fieldhouse - recording results and preparing certificates for presentation to successful competitors at SAODC trials.
LIFE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN OBEDIENCE DOB CLUB INC.
1962 Harold Camm (Dec)-Founder 1987 Herman Behrendt (Dec)
1965 Doug Kemp (Dec) 1989 Jayne Smith
1965 Nelson Gare (Dec) 1992 Gwenda Baker (Dec)
1966 Barbara Horne (Dec) 1992 Donna Cox
1966 John Moroney (Dec) 1992 Jackie Horton
1966 James Turner 1992 Ron Kutzer (Dec)
1970 Robert Glastonbury (Dec) 1993 Lillian Sandison
1971 Ilva Pammenter (Dec) 1995 Ruth Johns
1971 Kevin Prior (Dec) 1997 Gary Talbot (Dec)
1972 McNeil Sloane (Dec) 2002 Gina Smith
1975 Peter Smith 2005 Bev Dodd
1980 John Senior (Dec) 2005 Ann Farndell
1980 Bert Vowels (Dec) 2005 Roger Harrington (Dec)
1980 Mary Brailey (Dec) 2005 Jessie Hughs
1980 Ivan Stacey 2005 Rose Ince
1980 Neil Frost 2005 Yve Rixon
1983 Hans Schindler (Dec) 2005 Lloyd Roberts
1983 Dorothy Toy (Dec) 2005 Bill Sandison
1984 Jack Baker 2005 Brian Scholz
1984 Alf Toy (Dec) 2005 Eileen Supple (Dec)
1985 Neil MacDonald 2005 Margaret Talbot
1985 Bon Jordan 2005 Marie Wells
1986 Joan Owens (Dec) 2014 John Farmer
2014 Chris Oerman
ANNUAL REPORTS
PRESIDENT
To say that 2020 has been an unusual year would be an understatement! While SAODC was not directly affected by the summer bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic certainly has. The Club was seven (7) weeks into training after the resumption of training in February when all training and events had to cease without knowing when or whether we would be able to return. Fortunately, training was able to resume on 9th of June and continued until 10th of November when the “Parafield Cluster”lockdown closed training again. This meant, disappointingly, that training was unable to resume prior to our normal halt training at the end of November.
Notwithstanding the extended interruption to our training, the Club increased the retention of members from the previous year and also had a very successful year with new members. Commencing at the end of August, the Club's Committee agreed to move to a monthly membership joining date. This has become necessary due to instructors retirements at the end of 2019 and to assist the Chief Instructor with organising class numbers, particularly at Level1. This change has also been beneficial in freeing those Club instructors and their previous time-intensive weekly involvement progressing new and renewing
members who joined on the last Tuesday in September. I the September
are included in the current year's numbers, the total membership for 2020 was 313, an increase of 1 on 2019 (212) and an even more significant increase on 2018 (232).
Unfortunately, the Club had to cancel its 5th April Obedience and Rally Trial due to the COVID-19 closures. With the Government's introduction of COVID Safe Plans in early June, the Club was able to not only resume training but to also conduct trials again. Although the Dogs SA Obedience Advisory Committee elected not to conduct the State Obedience and Rally Championships this year, the Club's Committee decided to continue with our last two scheduled trials on 4th and 31st of October. On 4th of October the Club successfully conducted a Trick Dog Test and double Tally Trial and on 31st of
October an Obedience and Rally Trial. As the SAODC Obedience was the only one conducted after the resumption of events in June it was very popular with the trialling community with entries to match.I extend my appreciation to the Club's Trial Secretary, Vicky Spangler, who picked up this responsibility with aplomb during a most difficult year.
Due to the severely interrupted year experienced by the Club, there have been limited opportunities for publicity and promotion. The Club had just launched its annual Entertainment Book/Card promotion when training had to cease. Consequently, the main fund raiser for the Club were the two raffles held in conjunction with the trials on the 4th and 31st of October.
I wish to express particular appreciation for the support of the Club's Committee in what can only be described as extraordinary circumstances this year. However, it was with regret that the Committee accepted the resignation in August 2020 of the Club's Secretary, Judy Zollo, who has always been a tremendous support to me in my role as President and to the whole Committee. Thank you to Committee member Viv Kitto for stepping up as Minutes Secretary for the remainder of the year. I also thank our Treasurer, Jenny Dunstan, and Vice President, Tony Scholefield, for their support this year and who have, together with one of our Instructors, Julie Brown, managed and updated our website as required.
The Club Chief Instructor, Debbie Reid, has been re-elected to this role for 2021 and I would like to thank her for having done a truly excellent job this
year under extremely difficult circumstances.
My best wishes to all our members and their families for the festival season and I hope you all have a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
I look forward to seeing everyone back at the Club in 2021, together with your dogs and puppies ready for another year fo fun and training.
Christine Koch
President
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
2020 was the first year the new curriculum and class structure were implemented. Although at times challenging over all it has been very successful. Average attendances are up, more handlers are continuing
through to the higher levels and also staying after finishing basic skills
(going into Advanced Skills), There has also been an increase in members carrying on into competition sport.
Unfortunately due to covid not as much equipment is being used, but what
is used, instructors have rallied to help with sanitizing.
August saw the commencement of monthly intakes for new members, this being the last Tuesday of each month. It is working out extremely well for all.
It leaves the rest of the month free for the few that do admin, Welcome Talk and classes aren't interrupted with new handlers.
I also started a numbered class area system which is much more organized
for handlers and enables instructors to begin classes sooner.
Unfortunately I was unable to hold instructor meetings throughout the year. They will recommence again next year on a regular basis. Last but not least a huge thank you to all instructors for your valuable time and support throughout the year, and for putting up with me and all the new chances I have made.
Stay Safe and enjoy the break.
Deb Reid
Chief Instructor
TRIAL MANAGER
We were able to host two trials in 2020 under the Covid-19 restrictions.
Both trials have been a great success especially under these circumstances. The trials could not have been completed without the dedication and hard
work of out committee members, our new Trial Secretary and Volunteers.
Big thanks to all of you for your cheerful and tireless efforts.
Barbara Richter-Winter
Trial Manager
Treasurer
Our overall financial position has improved by around 6% over the 2019/20 year.
2020 has been a challenging year for both training and trials. Our membership is only slightly down on the previous year, but sales are up and trial expenses have been less.
We are carrying an improved range of stock (collars, leads, harnesses, training toys) which we pass on to members at just above cost price. This is an attractive benefit for members.
We have also accepted credit card payments in 2020 and will continue this option going forward.
Thanks to all the committee in their support and it’s a pleasure registering new members and seeing all the fun and progress of their dogs.
Jenny Dunstan
Treasurer