Bonnie’s bitch Jess (Woodvale Chloe). Arthur and Jess won
their irst trial, and that was the start of the Trewina working
dog name.
Jess became the foundation dog for Arthur and Bonnies’
breeding program of Trewina working Border Collies. Jess’s
early pairing with Rossiter Snip proved most successful; pro-
ducing Australian Open Champions across three diferent lit-
ters.
Arthur and Bonnie decided to build their own home in Bell
Queensland; with Arthur building some impressive kennels
too. hen in 1995 Arthur and his Trewina dogs took out
South Queensland Open Champion, Australian Open Cham-
pion, Qld Dog of the Year and runner-up Dog of the Year.
hese wins put Trewina kennels on the map, making them a
very sort aer working dog. During his trialling years, Arthur
became well-respected as a dog handler, with his dogs and
training services sought aer by people working cattle and
sheep on large stations, and in the trial arena. He was very
honoured (and a bit overwhelmed that he was considered
to have a ‘gi’) when irst invited to teach his own ‘school’ at
Della and Alasdair McDougall’s property in Charters Towers.
However, he truly enjoyed the experience and loved being able
to help people.
As time went on, Arthur had a temporary change of direc-
tion, when he spent three years working in Perth, managing
his son’s transport depot. However, with ‘country’ in his blood,
he and Bonnie returned to care-taking on Queensland cattle
stations, and he was soon breeding, training and working his
beloved Trewina dogs again.Over the years Arthur shared his ainity with animals, and
wisdom and advice on ‘farming’, with Bonnie’s daughters
Joanne and Penny. It is with appreciation of time spent with
Arthur, that Penny proudly took over the Trewina preix; em-
barking on her own journey in breeding and trialling dogs
with Trewina bloodlines behind them.Sadly, three years ago, Arthur was diagnosed with cancer.
Over the past 18 months, despite enduring treatment, he kept
engaged in life by pottering around the family’s hobby farm;
looking aer sheep, ducks and chickens, ixing things and rais-
ing a litter of Trewina working dogs (of course!). He also de-
lighted in his little companion-pets Polly-Pup and Puss; both
lovingly gied to him by Bonnie (see photos). Arthur passed
away peacefully in the loving care of Bonnie and his family, at
home, on 30th December 2017.Arthur was a man with an adventurous spirit who always
looked on the bright side; a jack-of-all-trades with a strong
work ethic (which he sought in his dogs too), coupled with
kindness, generosity and a love of nature. He truly made a dif-
ference to the lives of many; for that we thank him.http://www.stockdogs.com.au AWSDM 75