One hundred years of dog trialling in Tarras, Central Otago, is being celebrated this month.
The Tarras Collie Dog Club was formed in March 1923, although records show the first dog trials in the area were held at Cluden Station’s wool shed a year earlier.
Despite disruptions due to World War 2, and, more recently, covid-19, the club continues to thrive.
Club president Justin Willson of Lindis Pass said the club’s longevity was a tribute to the Tarras community present and past who have helped out, run dogs and followed the club over the past century.
The club has been based at various venues since it was formed. After a recess in 1937 for World War 2, the trials resumed in 1944 at Deep Creek and remained there until 1949, when they were taken to a new course at Malvern Downs. The final Malvern Downs trials were held in 2015 before being transferred to Lindis Downs, a 1200ha merino sheep farm.
The modest clubrooms in the Lindis Valley received a spruce-up before the centennial celebrations, which included installing a concrete floor.
Former Otago Daily Times journalist Dave Cannan, who was born in the Tarras area, has compiled and edited a centennial book, Wayleggo! 100 Years of the Tarras Collie Dog Club 1923-2023.
Willson said the book highlights the members who made up a huge part of the club over the years.
“Of course, it is also a tribute to man’s best friend. Without them, we wouldn’t be sheep farming and making a living off this stunning piece of Central Otago landscape,” Cannan said.
