T
hirty nine years ago Kevin Farley approached Bill Pa-
ton to discuss running a trial at Koroit in southern
Victoria, just a few kilometres from the seaside town
of Warrnambool. A meeting was set up and Basil Quarrell was
invited to come on board. he trial was to be run in conjunc-
tion with the Agricultural and Pastoral Assoc. Kevin decided
that Bill would be in charge of running the trial and he has
continued to do so every year since, for the full 39 years.Originally the trial began as a one day event held at Koroit.
Approximately 37 years ago Bill Paton applied to establish the
title Australian Championship Sheepdog Trial, however at the
time this title was currently being used in N.S.W. he word
Commonwealth was added which led to the approval and
the trial has remained “he Commonwealth Championship
Sheepdog Trial” ever since.As the popularity of the trial increased so did the length
of duration. It went from a one day trial to a three day tri-
al for a few years, then stretched to 4 days and gradually
increased to its current duration of eight days. In 2006 the
trial relocated from Koroit to Port Fairy where it remains
today. Nestled between the river and the sea at the Gar-
dens Caravan Park Oval, it is a perfect venue for this event.Currently thereis another separate trial run at Koroit leading
up to the Commonwealth Championships which is run by
Barry Paton (Bill’s brother).he trial begins on a Sunday, early in February each year,
with a Farmers trial. his event is put on to encourage
new triallers or people wishing to have a try competing at
an easier level. he rules are more relaxed and competi-
tors are allowed to continue their run even if under nor-Story and Photos By Janice De Gennaro
COMMONWEALTHCOMMONWEALTH
CHAMPIONSHIPCHAMPIONSHIP
SHEEPDOG TRIALSHEEPDOG TRIAL
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