Hi and welcome to our "what's happening" page at Mirriyuula.

November 2nd - 4th 2008 : Melbourne Cup circuit in Sunbury. After a well earned 4 week break from showing we headed down "the highway" to Melbourne for the Sunbury circuit of shows. The three shows that form part of this circuit are second only to the Melbourne Royal and equal to the Sydney Spring Fair later this month for total entries, well in excess of 2500 exhibits on Tuesday (cup day) alone. This circuit is very special to Victorians as it is also the day that at Flemington racecourse, only minutes down the road, holds one of the richest horse races in the world and literally "stops the nation" for the 2 & 1/2 minutes it takes to run the race, the "cup" this year was valued at over $5 million, nice to win that one huh ? :-) even at the dog show we have a "bookie" on hand to take our bets. But getting along with our news, even though we didn't bring home the 5 mill, we had a very pleasant and wonderful weekend. At the Victorian Working Dog Club show on Sunday Leila, still in puppy class, was awarded a very nice reserve challenge and Bazia took out her first Best of Breed, Monday saw Sasha at her first show for well over 18 months awarded bitch challenge & Best of Breed in another strong entry of collies with Diva receiving the Best of Breed PON and then to even things out on Tuesday, Connor is awarded Best of Breed.  A very nice way to spend the Melbourne Cup circuit shows.

We also have a new member to our show team, even if it is only temporary. Anoda, who is owned by Karin in Tasmania, has come to play with us on the mainland for a few months, she may even go to some shows whilst here. Hopefully, when she is next in season, we will be able to consumate the marriage between her and Connor and have our first litter of Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppies to enjoy.

October 3rd - 6th 2008 : A four day show circuit held in the beautiful Riverina area of New South Wales saw us scoop the pool in the puppy class Best in Group awards. Friday & Saturday saw Bazia take out the honour whilst on Sunday and Monday sees our Leila not only take out the Best Puppy award but also picks up another 3 Best of Breed awards taking her over half way to her Australian Title and still only 9 months of age.

September 21st 2008 : Diva attains her Australian Championship title at Melbourne Royal, Australia's second largest All Breeds show. Congratulations to our daughter, Madison, who has handled Diva to her well deserved crown.

September 12th 2008 : Hello Adelaide. After a road trip of 1100 klms we arrived at Adelaide (South Australia) for their biggest show "The Royal". With 6 dogs in tow we eagerly anticipated the judging day and we were not to be disappointed. ALL our dogs being awarded in their respective classes. Connor wins Challenge/Best of Breed but was pushed very tightly by Bazia who was awarded Challenge/Runner Up Best of Breed and Best Puppy of Breed. Diva wins her class (Junior) and Reserve Challenge, Leila wins her class (Puppy), Daisy is placed 2nd in Junior class and Juzzy holds a very respectable 3rd in her class at the age of 8 and coming out of "semi retirement" for the trip, her first show in 18 months.

September 5th 2008 : What a show today turned out to be. Connor takes out Group 2 and Best Open in Group, Leila takes out Challenge/Best of Breed and Best Minor Puppy in Group, Daisy follows with Reserve Challenge/Runner Up Best of Breed and Best Junior in Group and to make the day even more special, Bazia, on her VERY FIRST show, is awarded Reserve Challenge and Best Puppy in Group. We look forward to a very exciting career for this gorgeous little girl.

August 23rd/24th 2008 : Diva is certainly starting to make her presence felt in the show ring. Saturday she was awarded Best Junior in Group and following it up on Sunday with Best Junior in Show. Huge thanks must go to judges, group specialist, Mrs Val Morrow (NSW) and Mrs Betty Stepkovitch (NSW) for recognising her qualities and awarding her so highly.

July 13th 2008 : We have  a new Australian Champion here at Mirriyuula. Steadwyn Dark Treasure (Imp Swd) "Treasure" acheived his final points today by taking out a 15 point Best of Breed. He aquired his last point after having to wait for 4 weeks whilst we relaxed on holiday in Thailand. A big thank-you to his fan club and especially to his breeder Anja Ejersted (Steadwyn Collies, Sweden) for allowing us to have this wonderful boy.

July 10th 2008 : After a wait of almost 18 months our two girls Anoda & Bazia finally arrive into Australia from Poland. These two girls, along with Connor & Diva who have already taken the breed to renewed interest, will certainly ensure that the PON breed flourishes and regains it's popularity in Australia as it has elsewhere throughout the world.

June 2008 : After a relaxing 10 days in Thailand Maddy & Aileen headed back to home and waiting for us was news that Justin had won Best in Show @ Working and Herding Breeds Association of the Golden Reef with an entry of 331 exhibits. The judges critique "The Akita is the "showman" but there are 1 or 2 things I would change about him but the Collie I would change nothing." Terry headed off to Poland to finally meet Barbara (Banciarni Knls) and Bazia & Anoda and to escort them back through to Australia, we eagerly await their arrival. 

May 2008 : The day finally arrived when Diva was released from quarantine. Within 48 hours she was in the show ring and was being awarded her first Australian CC/RUBOB. Not content to be happy with this award, Diva then struts her stuff in the Group lineup and is proudly awarded Best Puppy in Group (Puppy Group 1). Making the double at the same weekend Leila, proudly handled by Madison, is also awarded Best Baby Puppy in Group. Meanwhilst, over in Sth Africa, Justin is continuing in his winning ways. So far this month he has picked another 5 CC/BOB's, certainly making his was into the breed history books.

April 23rd 2008 : Diva arrives safe and sound into Australia from America. Her first day in quarantine shows she is a happy well ajusted PON. She is full of fun and personality, our greatest thanks to her "Mom" and breeder Mim Frost for allowing us to be owned by this beautiful girl. Look out for this gorgeous bundle, she will be making her debut shortly. 

April 2008: The 5th of April saw the debut into the show arena of the latest babies from Sasha & Juzzy. How proud are we as breeders that M. Shes A Devil owned, trained & handled by Elizabeth Regan to be awarded Best Baby in Group from a lineup of 8 babies. "Taz" had strong competition from her sister M. Beez Neez "Honeycomb" who will soon be residing in Queensland and half sister M. Juz Again "Leila" .  Meanwhilst, up in Darwin on the same night, "Truly" M. Juz Truly Blu, was awarded Best of Breed and Best Australian Bred in Group for Graham & Trish Fitzallen, well done guys. Truly is having a little play up north for a short spell before returning home. Truly is a full older sister to "Leila".

March 2008: Fantastic news from Poland.  Anoda, Batuta & Bazia cleared their rabies titre test so all now have clearance to fly to Australia. Anoda & Bazia are expected to arrive in Sydney in July. Batuta is Bazia's litter sister and is expected to stay in Poland with her breeder. Anoda will be residing in Tasmania with Karin Maxwell, whilst Bazia will be here in New South Wales being exhibited alongside Diva and Connor. The PON invasion has begun. Terry, Karin & I are so excited at the prospect of having 4 of the best Polish Lowland Sheepdogs being exhibited in this country.

February 2008 : Daisy has her first show on the 17th after coming back from an almost disastrous injury to her foot. After giving her 4 weeks off to recuperate I finally get her on to a lead and into the show ring.  She had a ball. Jumping around, not once having 4 feet on the ground at any given time, even the judge commented that "she was having a good time". If this little lady was to make it in the show ring some serious training had to be done. All the next week Daisy was practiced moving on the lead and pretending to go around the ring. Guess the training paid off, because the following week was the Canberra Royal, the largest show on the Canberra/Southern NSW show circuit. Daisy did us proud by being awarded Baby of Breed under Mr James Reynolds (Canada) then she followed this by being awarded Best Baby in Group against a class of 10 under Mrs Patricia Alsina (Argentina). Our little girl is again showing that spark and promise.

All our puppies from our last 2 litters have been placed in loving forever homes, you may be lucky enough to see some of them in a show ring near you. Mirriyuula will be represented in Queensland, Victoria, ACT & New South Wales.

January 2008 : Our Collie family has been further increased by safe arrival of both our planned litters. Sasha presented us on the 4th January a beautiful litter of 8; 4 sable girls, 3 tri girls and 1 tri boy. Many thanks go to our friends Kate & Chris Baker (Carluke Collies) for having Sasha and allowing her to have her new family in their home. The next day (5th January) Juzzy presented us with a healthy litter of two, again both girls, 1 tri and 1 blue.

NEWS FLASH  "Justin" has been officially awarded by KUSA as the #10 All Breeds dog for 2007, not bad for someone who has lived in the country for 11 months and only 18 months of age. A huge congratulations to Pat for the presentation and love for this handsome boy.

What a whirlwind time we have been having here at Mirriyuula over the past 3 months. Firstly we started off with an unexpected addition to our Collie family. Fame had a chance meeting with Brannigan and in early September presented us with a lovely little tri girl we have named M. Oopsa Daisy "Daisy", she will be making her ring debut late January 2008. Early December saw the last of our shows for the year as Christmas approaches and the summer heat starts to feel it's effect. News from Sth Africa that Justin has qualified for the "Supa 7's", an invitational only event where qualification requires a Best In Show win, he has qualified in both the Puppy and Open events, judging takes place 19th January 2008 so we wait with baited breath. It is hard to believe that just 12 months ago we escorted Justin over to his new home in Sth Africa. He began his show career there the next day with a Best Puppy in Show, he has not looked back since. Justin finished his first year of showing in KUSA's (Kennel Union of Sth Africa) top 10 All Breeds and #3 Herding Dog with 43 CC's and 33 Best of Breeds.

September 2007 : Spring time. What a wonderful time of year here in Australia. The birds are singing, the trees are blossoming, the daffodils are showing their golden heads and best news of all, our PON family has increased. Yes, Connor has a wife, or two ! We can formally introduce you now to our, soon to be latest arrivals from America and Poland, Diva (USA)  & Anoda and Bazia (Poland). We expect to have these girls home mid 2008.

Justin has completed the first 2 weekends of the spring show circuit in Sth Africa in fine style.  August 31st Group 3, September 1st Group 1, September 2nd Group 3. We felt this was an extremly big effort for a boy of 14 months of age but he wasn't going to rest on this.

Justin has been awarded BEST IN SHOW.

On the 8th September he was awarded the ultimate accolade, topping off a wonderful weekend where he was also awarded  Group 1 at the AM show as well as the following day (Sunday). This now gives him a total of 3 Group 1, 1 Group 2 and 2 Group 3.

July - August 2007 : Well it's been full throttle here at Mirriyuula, both locally & internationally. Firstly, on the local scene. Connor has continued to shine on in the ring, advancing on his march towards his Australian Grand Champion title, and picking up more admirers on the way.  August saw us travel south of the border into Victoria to compete at one of the States largest shows the Lillydale Pot of Gold, with total number of exhibits over the 2000 mark. Connor proudly strutted his stuff and in doing so was awarded Reserve Exhibit in Group (Group 2) behind the eventual Best in Show winner. On the International front, Justin, in South Africa, has also been flying the flag high. Continuing with his success, adding more Challenge/Best of Breed awards to his name. August also saw Justin invited to compete at "Special Dog of the Year" competition representing the Collie breed. Entry to this is strictly by invitation only and has the top winning dogs from all breeds. Justin, proudly at 14 months of age, was selected in the final 42 exhibits, an effort well and truly exceeding expectations. Justin has yet to be beaten for Dog Challenge since his arrival in Sth Africa January 2007.

June 2007 :  Justin competed at the Working & Herding Group Championship show held on the weekend of 23rd/24th  June in Johannesburg taking out yet another Best of Breed. This entitled him to be awarded the "Top Collie of the Year".  Not bad for a puppy that was only shown in the country for five months and  to have beaten all the opposition with having a full year of showing up their sleeves !!!!  This show was followed by the KUSA "Working and Herding Puppy of the Year" show for which Justin had qualified with having won Puppy in Show awards. Firstly,  all the puppies were examined and then reduced to a final cut of 15...... Justin made it through the cut. Then the final selection began. A very tense moment was to be had as the judge passed him over for 4th placing, then 3rd placing,   Pat being extremely pleased to think that Justin had even made it through the preliminaries.  Then the announcement for Reserve Supreme Puppy, the award went to Justin and with a lovely UK imported Great Dane being awarded Supreme Puppy. January 2008 will see him compete against all other #1 Puppies for the title of South African Puppy of the Year. Justin turned 12 months of age on the 14th June. An exciting "Open" career now awaits him.  

May 2007 : May has been a wonderful time for us here at Mirriyuula. Connor has continued to shine in the ring with being awarded a further 6 BOB's and 2 Intermediate in Groups and run for Best in Group on a further 2 occasions. News from South Africa tells us that Justin is now the #1 Collie (Rough) also #1 Collie Puppy and #1 Herding Puppy in the Country, he is also in the top 10 for Best Puppy All Breeds. Since being in his new home land (5 months) he has amassed 17 CC's from 17 Championship Shows. This has included 10 Best of Breed, 6 Runner up Best of Breed, 4 Runner Up in Group (Group 2), 8 Best Puppy in Group and 2 Best Puppy in Show. These wins now qualify Justin for the Super 7's Supreme Puppy Competition to be held in January 2008. In order to qualify you must have won at least 1 Best Puppy in Show (All Breeds). We look forward to Justin celebrating his first birthday in June.

January - March 2007 : After a most enjoyable 10 weeks holiday encompassing 3 continents it was with great pleasure  and relief to be finally back home on Ozzie soil and no longer living out of suitcases. Our adventure began in Sth Africa where Justin (M. Juz Outa Oz) is now comfortably residing with his owner Pat Guild and his new best, and inseperatable friend, Kola the Siberian Husky. Justin has started his show career on a high, awarded his first Best of Breed/Puppy in Show 2 days after arriving in the country. Justin has since been awarded a further 2 CC's, 2 BoB's, 2 Runner Up in Group (Group 2), 2 Puppy in Group and  1 Puppy in Show and this little boy has only just turned 9 months of age. Following Sth Africa we headed to Zurich then on to New York for Westminster where our greatest surprise was left for the breeders of our Polish Lowland Sheepdog Aust Ch/Am Ch WhiteStar's Its All In The Family "Connor", Merrilee & Geoff Cirtwell,  who had no idea we were there until Aileen walked up behind them in the benching area and said "Gidday", to say that this was a shock to them both would be an understatement, but not as great a shock when we told them that we were also going to stay with them for a few days !!!!! Then down to Florida. Another surprise for friends Jenny & Steve as we also ended up spending 2 weeks with them and what a great time we had, too much to fill in on a web site, but if any of you get the chance to go to Orlando Florida be sure you visit Lee & Ricks oyster bar, it's something out of another generation !!!!!! Onto San Fransisco and then home to Canberra, whew, what a trip. Whilst we away we were fortunate to have friends show Justin's litter sister Truly (M. Juz Truly Blu) and our Connor.  Truly is now well on her way to her Australian Champion title, also having been awarded numerous In Group & In Show awards.

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