After two years of modified events, organisers of the Casterton Kelpie Festival have high hopes of a big crowd and another national record at the 2022 event.
The value of kelpies and other working dog breeds was highlighted in the recent ABC television program, Muster Dogs.
Season-one winner, grazier Frank Finger and his prized pup Annie, will travel from Northern Queensland for the Casterton muster.
Fellow competitor Edenhope farmer Rob Tuncks was also expected to attend.
Casterton Kelpie Association president Karen Stephens said it was “fantastic” to have the pair support the festival.
“It’s going to be really exciting to have Frank and Rob back together, and to catch up with them,” she said.
Back in force after two years
Ms Stephens said there was “just so much momentum” to bring the physical events back after the festival was modified for two years due to COVID-19.
“We are expecting a huge crowd,” she said.
“We will have the physical festival on Saturday, June 11, here in Casterton, and then of course Sunday will be the working dog auction.
New record on the cards?
Last year’s Casterton working dog auction set a national record, with kelpie Hoover selling for $35,200.
“$35,200 sounds like a lot of money, but you know, you don’t have to pay super and you don’t have to pay holiday pay,” Ms Stephens said.
“They work and work and work and just want to keep working.
When asked about the chances of beating the record price, Ms Stephens laughed.
“The sky’s the limit, I suppose,” she said.
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“We’ve got some fabulous breeders from across Australia that support our working dog auction every year.
“We’ve got some really good breeds coming up through to the auction, so let’s see what happens.”
Ms Stephens said festival organisers sorted registered dogs through a ballot system.
“To ensure we’ve got the right bloodlines and the right working dogs there,” she said.
“A good mixture [of dogs], whether they be sheep working-dogs, or cattle, or a mixture of both.
“We’ll also have some pups as well, over 12 weeks old.”
‘Quintessentially’ Australian
Ms Stephens said the community had worked hard to highlight the value of working dogs.
“We promote Casterton as the birthplace of the kelpie and we proudly promote the kelpie as a really valuable working dog to our farming communities.
“Kelpies are quintessentially the Australian working dog and so close to our hearts.”
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