The venue of the first Non Slip Retrieving Trial was at Mr and Mrs Pat StLedgers' picturesque property at Bonna on the Burnett River - an ideal location for the setting of good runs and a great camp site. Here is where our reputation for hospitality had its beginning, and believe me, no Club turns it on like Bundaberg.

Due to the construction of the barrage on the Burnett River, we lost Bonna Road as a trialling property, but Triallers from Cairns to Casino have fond memories of this location. Who could forget Don Nicols GSP "Brie" trying desperately but unable to complete her retrieve by jumping from deep water up into a high bush. We all felt for her, and our Club member who disappeared out of sight at the same location. We had another member also who loved to "go swimming" in the middle of a Trial.

We have been fortunate that although we are small in number, our members are all totally dedicated to our sport and supportive to our Club. On 16th May, 1982, a meeting was held at Ten Mile Road, Sharon, to form the proposed WIDE BAY WORKING GUNDOG CLUB. The provisional executivewas elected as follows:

PRESIDENT: Major Arthur Everingham, VICE PRESIDENTS: Don Nicol and Bill Olds, SECRETARY: Merrilyn Walsh, TREASURER: Mike Dredge and Committee existing of Elio Colasimone, Colin Groszmann, Martin Walsh, Tina Rettke, David Olds, and Mrs Eleanor Everingham. Jim Atwell was appointed Club Patron, and at that time it was on the property "BEMRSYDE", that the majority of our N.S. Trials were held. Indeed BEMERSYDE has also been the venue of successful Utility and Spaniel Retriever Trials also.

The WIDE BAY WORKING GUNDOG CLUB was affilliated with the Canine Control Council in November, 1982.

Former member, Don Nicol was instrumental in the commencement of Field Trials in this State, and our Club was proud to be involved in the running of the first State Utility Championship Trial which incidently was judged by Don and won by member Elio Colasimone with "Sophie", (later to become NAT F T CH Bulkuru Ruby).

We have been unfortunate in losing many of our valued members to other towns and States, but on the brighter side we have many new members with dogs in training. It was a great boost to our Club to welcome Mr Jim Hook to our area from the North.

In recent years our Queens Birthday Weekend Trials, featuring the WIDE BAY CUP have been run on a very pretty property which is owned by Club member John Palu and his wife Pat. John and Pats hospitality is appreciated by all who attend these Trials, the camping site is beautifully appointed, overlooking a very large dam which is occupied by a large variety of bird life, and surrounded by cane fields .

The past couple of years have seen our successful Utility and Spaniel & Retriever Field Trials held on quail, at Bucca Station with the kind permission of Mr Doug King.

The future of this Club and success of our Trials lies with the people too often not noticed behind the scenes. There are our Bird Stewards who often feel that they are doing a thankless task, and the canteen helpers with hours of preparation before the event, and Judges' Stewards and Gunners who just about walk their feet off, just to name a few.

Catering is available at our Non Slip Trials, and a great time is assured for all.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU HERE!