West Australian Rabbit Council Inc.

Would just like to let members know that I have Chocolates available. Please let me know before the Show this coming weekend what you are able to take. These need to go before the hot weather kicks in.

SO PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR CLUB AS IT HELPS US GET INTERSTATE & OVERSEES JUDGES.

$1.00 Chocolates:- Freddo, Caramello, Strawberry, Crunchie, Cherry Ripe & Boost.

$2.50 Chocolates:- Caramello & Top Deck.

$2.50 Snakes

I can do mixed boxes up if you let me know what you want.

Please ring me on 0450923326

Chris

And now the end is the near, and so I've closed the final curtain....Within the next twelve hours we will be on our flight out of Sydney international airport back to the UK. It has been a great experience to be in Australia and judge the rabbits over here. It has been good to see what judges over here think of stock, and how our exposure to a wider range of breeds etc can develop their knowledge. The stock on the whole has been good, and each state has its own pro's and con's with certain breeds. As we have already said numerous times, the only way the Australian rabbit fancy will continue to survive is by unifying and bringing everything together under one body. The organisation that shows the most developed and closest to this is the Australian National Rabbit Council Inc (ANRCI) and is literally weeks away from voting on it's constitution, appointing its new committee from the current steering committee, finalising breed standards to go into ANRCI and the future running on the organisation with representation of equal proportions from across the Australian landscape. No other organisation has showed such development as ANRCI, and under the unbias leadership of Mark Page this will undoubtedly be a success, this man gives so much to the development of ANRCI. The important thing is as well that the BRC involvement will be there in the background until the organisation is well underway. We ourselves are going to join up as Full founder life members showing our committment to the organisation. What an endorsement is that, along with the full support of other top and leading BRC individuals in Derek Medlock, John Self, Eddie Hutchings etc. etc. We were very pleased to crown the champion of champions in Allears Guaranteed the Chinchilla buck Junior of Allan Harvey and David Lake, a surprise that Allears shows up-eared breeds most definetley. Some very good examples of stock fought for this position, closely followed by Janine Daniels who is a true inspiration to the rabbit fancy in Australia and does not realise how good she really is, the Southern Australia Rabbit fancy is well led under Janine's guidance. In Tasmania, whilst a new rabbit fancy has started in recent years after the demise of the former one, Debbie Pulford most definetley along with her team is making a fancy that is competitive across the whole of Australia. Debbie is a legend and her knowledge knows no bounds. In NSW, the network of fanciers is amazing and glad to see that the majority work together. The running of the 6* national show by President Sharon Jacobs was outstanding, and she must be praised for that, her outstanding work along with the support of Maria and Georgina Catazincous was fabulous. We only visited a very limited number of rabbitries across Australia, and hope our judging seminars in all states where received well and gave some guidance as to projects underway and how you can further your hobby and breeds. We will truly miss Australia, but really look forward to returning in the very near future. Good bye for now, you are all amazing people. Simon & Richard.

 Day 13: Well the end of the Australian tour has come and how much we have loved it. The NSW visit was great, some really good examples of stock on show in NSW.

 Best Fancy Georgina Cataciznous with a REW Netherland Dwarf; Best Lop is Allears stud with a Mini Cashmere Sooty; Best Fur & BiS was Allears with a Chinchilla and Best Rex and Ru BiS was Gucci Rex with an Otter Rex.

The overall champion of champions from the Oz tour was Allears rabbit stud with the chin, followed by Janine Daniels with a Opal Dwarf Lop from SA, 3rd was Christine Dean from WA with the Opal Satin, 4th was British Giant of Michaela Jenkins from Tasmania. Thanks to Oz for such great hospitality. The main thing is you must unify to support ANRCI which is the way forward.

Day 11: We have arrived in Tasmania. Great time so far in Tas. We visited Mona gallery and the summit of Mt Wellington. Nearing the end of our tour slowly, judging Friday in Hobart and then start judging on Saturday in Sydney.

Day 12:A nice relaxing day in Tasmania. We have visited Mt Field National park with Sarah Van Steesis and Brendan Ward, spent some time doing a short walk. Then followed by lunch at Salmon Ponds just outside New Norfolk, Tasmania. This evening, we attended a meet and greet with Rabbit Breeders Association of Tasmania members at a little Italian in Hobart. A very nice evening, discussing rabbits and life in the UK and Oz. The thought of moving to Australia is becoming greater day by day. Tomorrow we judge 144 rabbits, then Saturday morning we move on to Sydney last stop. A large entry awaits us in Sydney, can't wait.

Day 13: An exciting day in Tasmania, 144 rabbits and BiS went to Michaela Jenkins with a Brown Grey British Giant. Best Lop went to Jessica Thomas which was also best junior, Best Fancy was a Sooty Fawn u14wk Angora owned by Alicia Balzan which was also runner up BiS, Best Rex was an Orange of Debbie Pulford. We finished with a judging seminar which everybody found really useful, and some really good questions were put forward. Next stop is Sydney for the final round of our tour. Really enjoyed Tasmania & everything here

Day 4: We have arrived in WA, and good news of great entries awaiting us here in WA for both days. Can't wait to get judging underway.

Today we left our great friends behind in South Australia where hospitality had been exceptional, now we are in Western Australia where we have been made so welcome beyond belief by Mark, Toni and Ryan Page.

We had a great trip to Kings Park in Perth, with such marvelous views across Perth in such a beautiful setting. We then drove back to Mark & Toni's and settled down with a nice glass of wine. Till tomorrow.

Day 5: A great day again, weather is boiling hot in Perth.(Editors Note - about 20 degrees!)  We have been looked after very well by the Western Australians, this evening we have been for a great meal with our WA friends and then around the Casino in Perth, finished by a few drinks in the Irish Bar. A very enjoyable night and a great day.

Tomorrow night the show is put together, and then its Saturday time and ready for judging with about 270 rabbits over the two days. Yippee. Can't wait now.

Day 6: Well what a day in Perth today, an awoken day to rains and winds which was worshiped by all over here and was gorgeous to see over here. Today we were taken to Fremantle and we were amazed at the gorgeous sights of the Swan river even in the rain, we then saw the ocean and old historical buildings which gave a great insight into city and its life that it had endured. We went to one of the markets and saw some fantastic gifts and clothing that could be brought. We had a good time with Toni and Christine and really enjoyed shopping within the market and assisting Christine with her purchases. To finalise the evening it was great to meet some more exhibitors at the show hall and assist with the penning of the show ready for the weekend. Then to finish a the evening with some lovely wine brought up by Christine Blamey.

Day 7: Today is day 1 of judging in Western Australia, today was Adult stock being judged. A great entry of 157, with a few absentees. A great welcome by all at the show. Some lovely rabbits on show, the principal winners were Agouti Netherland Dwarf as Best Fancy, Mini Cashmere Lop as Best Lop, Havana Standard Rex as Best Rex and Best Fur and Best in Show was an Opal Satin. We look forward to judging the young stock tomorrow, and then delivering our judging seminar. We have some useful advice for WA, and hope that helps everybody. A great day, let's see tomorrow.

Day 8: Well Western Australia is now judged and our champion to take forward to Sydney is an Opal Satin of Dreamchaser (Christine & Michael Dean). Over the two days, we judged around 270 rabbits. A very warm welcome from many of the people in WA, and a really enjoyable fun atmosphere was experienced in the main. The quality of stock was good, with some minor improvements needed in stock which can be achieved in projects that are underway and by sharing stock from across Australia to improve each other. However, there are some really good specimens of stock in WA as well which can assist further afield we are sure.

So day 1 of judging came out with the results of Best Fancy - Chris Gibson with a Netherland Dwarf, Best Lop - Lesley Yates with a Mini Cashmere (Runner up BiS too), Best Fur was the Opal Satin of Dreamchaser Stud, Best Rex was Somerset Stud with a Havana Rex.

Day 2 of judging was young stock rabbits, (u/5 months and u/14weeks), In the fancy there were two rabbits in particular which really stood out being the Chocolate Polish of Butterfly Bunnies, young Kara who is 5 years old and handles and grooms her Polish so well she is a credit to junior exhibitors. The runner up in the fancy section was a Himalayan Netherland Dwarf. In the Lop section, Best Lop was a Chocolate Otter Cashmere Lop of Adrienne (Somerset Stud), such a stunning example of a young Cashmere with such a developed coat on such a young rabbit. The runner up in the lop section was the u/14wk Cashmere Lop of Somerset Stud also. The Fur section was led by a Smoke Pearl of Nardeenen Rabbits (Jenny Buckingham) which was eventual Runner up BiS, a very nice rabbit, just pipped by the Chocolate Polish at the end. The runner up in the Fur section was an Ivory Satin. The Rex section provided a very nice Siamese Sable u/14 week rex of Somerset Stud. Some really lovely exhibits on show, but credit has to go to young Kara who is an exceptional breeder and exhibitor.

On day 2, we took the opportunity to run a judging seminar alongside the judging as went on. Jenene, Jackie and Ryan all participated in this and we where really impressed with how well they did and made decisions. Jenene and Ryan in particular are most definetley judges that need to be ceased up on and emulated to full-judges very quickly, and Richard and I will endorse this before we leave WA. A very enjoyable time in WA, thanks in particular to the Page family for hosting us and making us feel part of the family. Tour of a few rabbitries ahead today and tomorrow, and then Tasmania next stop.

Day 9:  Today was a day of visiting rabbits. We started the morning off with visiting Adrienne (Somerset Stud) and her beautiful Angoras and Cashmere Lops, finished off with lunch and some really nice company. Then this afternoon after a break, we headed up to the home of Nardeneen Rabbits (Jenny Buckingham) and spent time in her shed having a look around. A great day, with rabbits. Tomorrow more visiting of rabbits and a social event before we fly out to Tasmania.

Day 1: South Australia Rabbit Association: A very warm welcome this morning at the Enfield Community Centre, Adelaide. A great entry of ninety rabbits, and a great quality of entry. We were anticipating some oddities and peculiar looking examples, however to say that Australia has a small gene pool we where really impressed with what you can do.

The Fancy was judged by Richard and predominantly dominated by some outstanding Jersey Woollys, the winning Jersey Woolly a Blue Eyed White of Danielleview Stud (Janine Daniels).

The Lops were judged by Simon and some fabulous Dwarf Lops and Cashmere Lops with one or two outstanding Mini Lops. The best Lop and runner up best lop came from Janine with an Opal Dwarf Lop and a kitten REW Cashmere Lop. These rabbits eventually taking BiS and runner-up BiS.

In the fur, judged by Richard, the Mini Satin of Sally Turner (Wonderland Stud) was Best fur and how outstanding was the Mini Satins overhere, they far outweigh anything that is being put on the table in the United Kingdom at present, the Australians could teach the UK a thing or two.

The rex was a small entry and judged by Simon, some really nice rabbits, but today the Himalayan rex of Bunnyrug Stud (Margaret Middendorp) was best and that a beautiful rabbit with a beautiful coat and points.

We also had a fabulous three course lunch provided with a marvellously laid-out menu printed and laminated especially for the arrival of the poms. Thanks to Adelaide for making us welcome, bring on the next stage.

Day 2: Today we visited Cleland National Park with Janine Daniels where Richard got the opportunity to fulfil his dream of hugging a koala bear and stroking a kangaroo and a emu. We then had an afternoon/evening of rabbits, some of the best Cashmere and Mini Cashmere's we have ever seen have this evening been put in front of us, great day. Tomorrow Adelaide City Centre, then Wednesday off to Perth.

Day 3: A great day not very rabbit related today. We have spent the morning and afternoon at Adelaide Zoo which was very nice, and a nice long walk along the West Beach in Adelaide. Now for a lovely roast dinner in the company of the loving family of Janine Daniel before we set off early in the morning for Perth WA. We have just had news of a bumper entry awaiting us in WA of 150 Adults and 90 Kittens and Juniors, wow Australia is really making us welcome.

Hi any news from the show in South Australia?

Trophy Winners for 2010 for both WARCI and Hills Rabbit Club have been placed online - look under the Exhibiting Rabbits section.

Congraatulations to all the winners!

Our next great event we hope will be on the 13 March! It involves rabbits, rabbitries and driving!!!

So book the date in your diary! More details soon.....

The first event we have on is our Information Rabbit Information Afternnon on the 22 February from 1pm at the Page household. Please contact us if you want the address.

We would like to welcome all our new members (and other interested non members) along to meet and greet and learn more about your rabbits. If you have any questions about colours, type or breeding (or any questions at all)  you will be able to have them answered. Bring along any bunnies you might have questions about (But please no tiny babies - leave them home with their Mums) and I am sure someone will be able to help you.

Experienced breeders will be there to help you with questions.

Please let Toni know if you are coming along - and we hope to see you there!!

Jenny