ABOUT THE VICTORIAN WORKING SHEEP DOG ASSOCIATION INC.
Promoting Working Dog Sport, Stockmanship & Animal Welfare Since 1927
The Victorian Working Sheep Dog Association Inc. (VWSDA) promotes the sport of sheep dog trialling, supports the welfare and development of working dogs, and connects handlers, breeders and rural communities across Victoria.
Founded in 1927, the Association was formed by those who saw the need to foster the working and breeding of better sheep dogs. In 1930, there were 14 members and just a few trials. Today, the VWSDA supports close to 200 members and coordinates approximately 30 trials statewide each year. Read more
OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association is:
-
To promote amongst sheep breeders and the public a wide interest in the working sheep dog and its work
-
To encourage and develop the standard of our working sheep dogs
-
To promote and assist sheep dog trials, including field trials
-
To establish and maintain a Sheep Dog Register
-
To take action to promote the interests of sheep graziers and their dogs
-
To uphold excellence in stockmanship, and the welfare of working dogs and the sheep they work with
ABOUT SHEEP DOG TRIALS & REGISTRATION
Trials are held throughout regional Victoria and are run by local agricultural societies and dedicated sheep dog clubs affiliated with the VWSDA. Events include arena trials and open paddock field trials, with formats designed to reflect real-world conditions.
Major VWSDA trials include:
-
James M. McIntosh Utility (Station Dog) Trial - since 1975
-
Victorian Championship (Field Trial) - since 1956
-
Captain Payne (Field Trial) - since 1931
To participate, handlers must be financial members of their state’s sheep dog association. All competing dogs must be registered, except those in Encourage or Farmers classes. Most are from registered studs, with others eligible via merit. All registrations are formally recorded and maintained.
COUNCIL, SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS
The VWSDA is guided by a volunteer Council and supported by a strong community of trial organisers, competitors, and sponsors. Over the years, dogs and handlers from Victoria have proudly represented the state at interstate and international trials, including the Trans-Tasman competition.
Thank you to our major sponsors:
For all enquiries about sponsorship, or to contact one of our Council Members, kindly fill out our ENQUIRY FORM or send an email to secretary@vwsda.org
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2025-2026
President:
Barry Paton (Koroit) - 0409 863 561
Snr Vice President:
Conor McConnell (Warrnambool) - 0406 781 989
Treasurer:
Scott Burbridge
Secretary:
Louise Rielly - 0409 170 964
louise.rielly@outlook.com or secretary@vwsda.org.au
70 Sommers Crescent
KORUMBURRA VIC 3950
Registrar:
Kerry Dodge - 0407 449 338
j.dodge@bigpond.com
947 Smythesdale Road,
SNAKE VALLEY VIC 3351
Members:
Kerry Dodge (Snake Valley) - 0407 449 338
Ken Jelbart (Pakenham) - 0418 532 355
Adam James (Hamilton) - 0417 830 669
Grace Garner (Camperdown) - 0458 271 369
Ronelle Welton (Gisborne) - 0499 994 270
Travis Glover (Nyora) - 0419 373 878
VWSDA Trials and history
In 1927, the Victorian Working Sheep Dog Association was formed by those who saw the need to foster the working and breeding of better sheep dogs to improve their quality. The working sheepdog is a most important part of our primary industry.
As a result, there sprang up in many places around Victoria, Sheep Dog Trials. In 1930, there were 14 members in the Association and a few Trials, but over the years, great interest has been shown, and today there are close to 200 members and approximately 30 trials held annually in this state.
Some trials are arranged by local Agricultural Societies and held on Show Grounds. Other Arena Trials are arranged by various Clubs. These Societies/Clubs are affiliated with the VWSDA Inc. and comply with the Rules of the Association for the running of each Trial.
Owners of dogs competing in any Trial must be financial members of the Working Sheep Dog Association in the State in which they reside. All dogs must be registered, with the exception of dogs entered in Encourage and Farmers Classes. Most dogs are from a registered stud and have a prefix preceding their given name and a pedigree. Dogs may also be registered on ‘merit’. Strict control and records are kept.
The Association run some of the major trials in this State, including:
-
The James M. McIntosh Utility (Station Dog) Trial began in 1975, in which a drafting complex is incorporated to simulate normal farm working conditions.
-
The Victorian Championship (Field Trial) started in 1956.
-
The Captain Payne (Field Trial) has been competed for since 1931.
Field Trials are conducted in an open paddock situation and have a very long cast for the dog to pick up sheep. Some variations in obstacles are used.These Field Trials and Utility/Station Dog Trials are a good test for a working sheep dog and have done much to improve the quality and type of dog for general farm use in Victoria. There are many Icons/Legends of both workers and dogs that are well worth recalling.
Workers and their dogs from this state have very successfully competed in Interstate competition, some representing Australia in Trans-Tasman Trials.
The Association and Societies/Clubs have been fortunate over the years to have various sponsorships. This support has assured many successful Trials and is gratefully accepted.
The VWSDA Inc. has a solid beginning from many of its foundation members and continues with a hopeful and bright future.
