Hi All,
From early days in the Air Training Corp I developed a love of firearms, including competitive small bore shooting. After several years of marriage, Pam and I acquired “Rusty”, a striking yellow male Labrador, who came free and with “papers”. Well, the papers never materialised and I soon established that without them I was hamstrung as far as any level of competition. The great research project was initiated and I attended Retrieving Trials held in Invanhoe, near the Bourke Road Bridge, where I saw the great Pantherdell Panther compete. I then attended several Spaniel & Retriever trials held at Morrison’s where I met people like, Jack Montasell, Bob Maver, George Daniels, Charlie Ball, Mick Silvia and Clem Baldwyn.
Still not satisfied, I attended Pointer & Setter Field Trials and met people like, Jack Pontin, Doc Penny, Bob Buchan, Bob Beard, Bernie Sharp, Michael Starrow and Jack Thompson. Whilst on my way to my third P&S Trial, I took a wrong turn and became lost. As luck would have it, I came upon a farmer driving his tractor up the road and I stopped to ask for directions. After a brief discussion the farmer said, much to my surprise, “Are you Ernie Tawton’s son?” Cutting a long story short, the farmer had been in the Army with my Dad and they were the best of mates. It naturally followed that I had unrestricted shooting rights to his property.
The following Saturday I returned to my new found shooting spot with “Rusty” in tow. By mid-morning I had returned to my car to give Rusty a break and to drop off several rabbits. Just as I was about to finish my coffee up drove Jack Thompson, whom I recognised. Jack convinced me to leave Rusty in the car and that he would work his dogs and I could do all the shooting. Jack simultaneously worked Monty, Marx, Rika, Eva and Faye. To this day, I have yet to see anyone handle multiple dogs at the same time with anywhere the proficiency of Jack Thompson. After I had used up all my ammunition and Jack’s, I headed for home bursting to tell Pam I had found THE DOG!. On the Sunday morning Pam, Marcus (still a babe in arms), and I headed off to the local obedience club so Pam could see Michael Starrow’s dog, Arko. To say Pam was horrified by his size, remember she had grown up with a Cocker Spaniel, would be an understatement.
A part-time job followed to fund the acquisition of Dunfriu Morning Mist in 1967. A short while later I was persuaded to accept the position of Secretary of the GSP Club of Victoria and the rest is history.
RWT