Working dogs take over Boolarra - November 2023

The popularity of working dogs like Border collies and kelpies is on the rise. Their instinct and skill for mustering livestock is second to none. The value they bring to safe and effective farming is once again being realised. They are also fierce competitors when put to the test in competitions.

From November 17 to 19, 2023 the best working dogs from Victoria and interstate will be taking over the Boolarra Recreation Reserve to compete in the Berryden Working Sheep Dog Trial. The top performing dogs will then compete to become the Victorian Sheep Dog Arena Champion.

More than 100 dogs will be competing, accompanied by their handlers. Over the three days they will take on more than 400 sheep, each dog having to work three sheep at a time around a set course. The pressure builds as each dog has only 15 minutes to complete the course and is judged on its ability to handle the sheep through the obstacles.

Spectators will be mesmerised as dog, sheep and handler work in synergy to combine instinct, skill, and patience to find out who will be champion dog. The dogs are the stars of the show at this event. While they may seemingly look alike, each one is a character unto their own and it shows as they contend with the often-uncooperative sheep.

The sport of working sheep dog trials arose from healthy competition between farmers and their dogs and, over time, has become a worldwide sport. The purpose of the sheep dog trial is to demonstrate the skill of the handler in positioning the dog to where it is required and guiding the dog’s natural instincts while it is herding three sheep around a course consisting of three obstacles and a pen. The course is intended to show the heightened skills of the sheep dog required in a typical working environment. Sheep dog trials are used by farmers and working dog handlers to hone the instinct and skill of their dogs so they become valuable workers for herding and mustering livestock.

The Berryden Working Sheepdog Trial is a staple event in Gippsland. For many years it has been held at the property of the late Jean Moir in Berry’s Creek. This year the opportunity has been taken to bring the event to a broader audience and engage with the local community of Boolarra to stage the event over three days in November.

Support from the local community has been outstanding and there are already plans for complementary community events to coincide with the trial, including a Bush Dance on Saturday evening at the Boolarra Memorial Hall, with the highly regarded Briagalong Bush Band providing the music and dance calls. A great night guaranteed.

The Victorian Sheep Dog Arena Championship is a prestigious event that has working dogs scoring points towards The Australian Dog of the Year finals. Finalists from the Berryden trial will fight it out this year at Boolarra to become the Victorian Sheep Dog Arena Champion.

The event will be held at the Boolarra Recreation Reserve, November 17 to 19, 2023, and is a community event that welcomes all spectators to see the dogs in action. The event is being coordinated by the South Gippsland Working Dog Group.

The South Gippsland Working Dog Group is a non-profit community group dedicated to fostering the safe, efficient, and humane handling of livestock by educating stockmen, farmers, and dog owners in the effective use of working dogs. The group has been supporting the development of good working dog training and handling for nearly 20 years. It is affiliated with the Victorian and Australian Working Dog Associations and has members from all over the Gippsland region.

Colin Brick
Chair, Boolarra Community Development Group
M: 0444 121 259
E: colin.brick@hotmail.com