The English Springer Spaniel Club of Qld was first formed in the 1970's. Regular meetings and field & retrieving trials formed a large part of club activity in early days. The club disbanded in the early 1980's.
In 1992 a group of Breeders and Owners re-formed the English Springer Spaniel Association of Queensland as a social club. Following a year of excellent breed entries at Queensland shows, affiliation was applied for and granted by the Canine Control Council (Qld) with the first Open Show held at Durack in 1994.
The first championship show was conducted in July 1995 with Ms Carolyn Cederman ("Lanascol Kennels", New Zealand) officiating, and the club now conducts two shows per year - an Open Show in March , and a Championship Show in July. Further judges invited to the "Sunshine State" to officiate at our championship shows have been Mrs Betty Matchett (USA), Mr Peter Cousins (Qld), Mr Keith Brown (NZ), Mrs Jean M Taylor (UK), Mr Rex Lowe (Tasmania), and Dr Asa Mays (USA), Mrs M Skogsberg (Sweden), and Mrs Marie-Luise Doppelreiter (Austria). In 2005 Steven Warry from "Sabu" kennels in WA officiated. 2006 saw Ms Fran Glendinning "Plaiglen" UK judging our championship show, and in 2007 we welcomed Mrs Esther Benson "Tallawalla" NSW.
The club prides itself in staging an "event to remember". As a small club, we rely heavily on fund-raising in order to bring overseas judges to Queensland each year. To accomplish this, the club holds a dinner and auction of Springer collectibles every 2 years - an evening which has become an integral part of our Specialty weekend. Members and fanciers wishing to assist in this fund raising should contact the Secretary. A good source of collectible items is the on-line auction house Ebay.
Lure Coursing days are sometimes held for all members, Flyball is gaining popularity, and the club is currently planning to extend our events to Obedience, Field & Retrieving and Agility.
Club Patrons are Lee Blair, Alex McQuire, Amand & Georgina Golle
The 2008/9 Executive is:
President: Kaye McGhie
Vice-President: Val Spence
Secretary: Liz McShane
Treasurer: Margaret Whitfield
Show Secretary: Sharyn Phillips
Trophy Officer: Jo Reimer
Editor: Ruth Best
