Speeches
Saturday, 19 July 2025
Open the 4CYTE Working Dog Federation Australia and IGP National Championships 2025
Rod and I are delighted to be here for the 2025 4CYTE Working Dog Federation Australia and IGP National Championships, the largest national competition and trials, which are being streamed to a global audience.
We particularly welcome to Adelaide guests from interstate and overseas and hope you have some time to explore while you are here.
Today we celebrate excellence, dedication, and spirit - not only by the dogs, but also by their handlers.
On show will be their prowess in tracking, obedience and character.
Working dogs and sporting dogs exude energy, talent, and discipline, nurtured and developed through the dedication of their handlers and the bond and trusting relationship between dogs and people.
Alfie, our family’s Cavoodle - who is well known at Government House - certainly exhibits occasional bursts of energy and has undoubted natural talent, but discipline is something that is still a work in progress!
By contrast, I know that reaching today’s championships has taken years of hard work, and training several times a day in all conditions and different places.
Rod and I recently visited the Dog Operations Centre, at Gepps Cross which is collocated with the purpose-built South Australia Police Mounted Operations Unit.
We met Amber the Labrador and Duke the German Shepherd. It was inspiring to witness the pride of the handlers and the eagerness and delight the dogs took in successfully performing their tasks. A true partnership.
We are similarly appreciative of the work Guide and Assistance Dogs perform in the community and of the powerful impact this has on the lives of those who need them.
And who could fail to be impressed by the agility and precision of sporting dogs as they race around the course with gusto.
I know that many of you here are active members of your own breed and dog clubs, which thrive on your dedication.
Friends.
For the competitors, these championships are a culmination of many hours of training and teamwork between dog and owner and reflect an enduring partnership.
Thank you to all the organisers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who have made this event possible. That, too, has required many hours of teamwork. You should be proud of your contributions.
I thank members of the Adelaide Sportdog Club for their wider role in educating dog owners about their responsibilities and for upholding the club’s values of community service, dedication and excellence.
To the award winners, congratulations and thank you for your outstanding commitment and dedication.
It gives me very great pleasure to declare the 4CYTE WDFA and IGP National Championships officially open.