HISTORY OF THE ST BERNARD BREED CLUB OF W.A. Inc





On the 18th January 1991 a group of dedicated St Bernard breeders got together and decided to form a St Bernard breed club in Western Australia. Their primary drive was to ensure that the breed was "promoted" and "protected" then and into the future.

The name proposed for the club that night was the St Bernard Breed Specialist Club and the motto "safeguarding our breed" was also chosen. That name was adopted and only changed when the club was affiliated with the Canine Association of W.A. Inc.

The unofficial committee formed at that time consisted of:

PRESIDENT ~ Mrs Joan Jensen (Sylvenus Kennels)
VICE PRESIDENT ~ Mrs Anne Oppelaar (Raalappo St Bernards)
SECRETARY ~ Ms Sue Bond (Koolandra Kennels)
TREASURER ~ Mrs Val Schroder (Chrystalpark St Bernards)

The club held three fundays per year that were usually well attended. The club was also active in promoting the breed in the public eye when the opportunity presented itself. The club raised funds to keep it going by holding the fundays which included raffles and running chocolate drives. The club also ran and still runs a rescue service as well as club advertisements in the main W.A. newspapers. The club produced a magazine every three months called "Gentle Giants Gossip" and also provided information to be included in the Saint Bernards in Australasia journal.

The clubs first Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 25th January 1992 at the home of Mr and Mrs J Shaw with only minor changes to the composition of the committee. The club colours were at that time brown and cream. The club colours underwent a review and at the 1999 Annual General Meeting the colours were changed from brown and cream to red white and blue. Since that time the club colours have undergone another change. They are now black, orange and white reflecting the colours of the breed.

The 14th June 1995 saw the club affiliated with the CAWA Inc. and its name was changed to The St Bernard Breed Club of W.A. Inc. The club underwent a probationary period of 12 months. During this time the club held its first "members competition" which was well patronised by exhibitors. The judge for the day was former CAWA Inc. President Mr H. Atkinson.



Members Competition 1995

The club held its inaugeral championship speciality show on the 11th July 1997. The judge was Mr Haverstock from Canada who himself had campaigned and bred St Bernards in the past under the Agape prefix.

Every year the club holds its Championship Show and Open Show in April on the same day to encourage participation in these annual conformation events. Breed specialist judges will be secured whenever possible.

Fundays have pretty much gone by the wayside and the club is now concentrating its efforts on an Annual Saint Event in June each year for all members and the general public to attend. Of course all members and their saints are welcome !