About the Club

Highlights of the first 20 years.

The idea of forming a Club for Charlie enthusiasts came and was discussed over a cuppa tea

between Wanda and John March and Terry and myself, Trish Lamb.

Well at first I was a bit of a wet blanket, as there were only half a dozen people in Victoria and only half ever had a litter, one lady in Brisbane and two people in NSW. No I didn’t think it would work, but Wanda being persistent pushed for the Club ever harder. "OK, then", if you can put the idea of a Club past the KCC, I’ll be in it." I reluctantly said. Well she did, the KCC approved the Club and in August 1985 the first General meeting of The King Charles Spaniel Club was held at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

I was voted in President, John March Vice President, Wanda March Secretary/Treasurer and Terry Lamb, Thelma Roscrow, Jenny Howden, Ron Wood, Pam Bagnal the Committee and David McCullough the Newsletter Editor.

In those days a new club could only hold Competitions then after the first year we could apply to have an Open Show. Then in the third year, with the Club being established it was possible to apply for permission to run a Championship Show.

The Club’s first Members Comp was very exciting. Every Charlie owner bought just about every Charlie they owned. The Lambs, Marchs, John Lynch and a few pet owners and the Committee wanted to be handlers.

Glenda Cheney (Kweznay) who was an aspiring Group 1 Judge at the time was chosen to judge the Club’s first Competition.

I don’t know how Glenda managed to judge the Charlies as they crept, crawled, pirouetted and struggled against unfamiliar faces on the end of their leads. The evening was fun and despite the protesting of some Charlies others strutted their way round the ring like old pros.

Best in Competition was a tiny Black and Tan Bitch Velbeauf Wee Duchess. Let me explain there were only four Prefixes in Victoria at the time, Velbeauf (Lamb), Kweznay (Cheney), Lenelie (Osborne), Cornish (Lynch).

Well, the first King Charles Spaniel Club Open Show was held in November 1986, the venue was The Poultry Pavilion of the Dandenong Showgrounds Melbourne feathers and all and that’s no joke either………. Twenty-eight Charlies entered in the Show and they came from everywhere. Joining the local Club members, Charlies from New South Wales, New Zealand and Queensland. The Committee was thrilled at the large attendance. The Judge was Mrs. Stephanie Rickard. Best In Show was the dog Ch Kweznay Royal Renown a lovely Tri, Runner Up was a dog again Aus Ch/NZ Ch Velbeauf Dashing Duke a cheeky little Black and Tan and Best Opposite Sex was Ch Velbeauf Miss Emma a lovely compact Blenheim.

Ron Wood was Show Manager and Mr and Mrs Dalziel were Stewart and Ticket Writer. A Commemorative Medal was given to all exhibitors. There have been many other Open Shows held by The King Charles Spaniel Club over the twenty years, but none so memorable as the first one in the Chook Pavilion……….. The Ebonite Queen Memorial --- A Best in Show Trophy was presented to Ch. Kweznay Royal Renown.

In the following year 12^th June 1987 saw the first King Charles Spaniel Club Championship Show. This was held on the basketball courts in the dog pavilion at the Royal Melbourne Showground. We were delighted when the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Victoria lent the Charlies Miss C. Gatherall (UK) to judge our first Championship Show.

Once again Charlies arrived from all over Australia (South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and from New Zealand. Best in Show went to a bubbly little tricolour bitch from New Zealand NZ Ch. Janrae Royal Maid owned by Irene Thomson (NZ). Runner Up was Terry and Trish Lamb’s A&NZ Ch Velbeauf Dashing Duke a saucy Black and Tan. The Velbeauf Perpetual Trophy (Silver Tray) was presented to NZ Ch. Janrae Royal Maid

Ron Wood again was Show Manager and Bill and Trudy Dalziel Stewart and Ticket Writer. The basketball court was decorated with potted plants and shrubs.

There have been 18 Championship Shows & 17 Open Shows every one had a special memory in particular the first.

The Club has had some wonderful Championship judges

over the last 20 years, a mixture of local and overseas.

1988 Miss C. Gatherall (UK)

1989 K. Berry (UK)

1990 Mr J Fothergill (UK)

1991 D Fry (UK)

1992 E Stringer (Vic)

1993 G Ingles (UK)

1994 A Norris (South Australia)

1995 C. Garvey-Webb (NZ)

1996 H Paloheimo (Finland)

1997 W. O'Hehir (Vic)

1998 M Manley-Smith (Western Australia)

1999 E Pearce (Vic)

2000 N Fearn (NZ)

2001 B Stepkoviich (NSW)

2002 L Matthews (Vic)

2003 S Waters (UK)

2004 T Pickering (NSW)

2005 C Jefferies Long (NZ)

Now to our Patrons…. Until 1990 The King Charles Spaniel Club Committee could not decide on an appropriate Patron, until we met Mr. John Fothergill. After the Championship Show he judged was over we couldn’t help feeling what a comfortable person he was to be with and most of all loved Charlies.

It was my task to ask John Fothergill if he would like considering being The King Charles Spaniel Club’s Patron.

"I would be delighted." was his reply. And in the following year the Club received a beautiful Silver Rose Bowl. This Perpetual Trophy called "The Zepherine Memorial Trophy" was in memory of Mrs. Joyce Birchell (the Zepherine prefix) along with this trophy a beautiful "Zepherine Drouin Rose bush" is given to the Winner as a living memory of the trophy.

Now six years after John Fothergill (UK) became our Patron, another gentleman, Blair Edgar joined our Club. Blair was besotted with the Charlies. Blair also served on the Committee, he didn’t have a Charlie, but he would like to tell Club members about his Grandmother’s little Black and Tan Charlie, and how he hoped to to get one of his own, some day……

Blair loved to help and seemed to "be there" when needed. With approval from the Committee, Blair was asked if he would share the position of Patron with John Fothergill. Blair was honoured and accepted the Co Patronage in 1997. Blair donated an elegant Glass Urn with the Charlie heads etched on the front and the Club’s name. This trophy stands almost 24" high. It is known as "The Trish Lamb Perpetual Trophy.

The Club is proud of its two Patrons. Patron, John Fothergill and Co Patron, Blair Edgar.

The beautiful Charlie heads that adorn the "Charlie Chatter", the badges, trophies, letterheads etc. etc were drawn by Dedrie Hunt, international artist. They were presented to the Club to be used exclusively by the Club. All copyrights belong to the King Charles Spaniel Club………

Now, David McCullough of Cavalier renown edited the first Charlie Chatter. David lent his pen, ‘til the Charlies could find an editor. It took the Club 17 years to find "the" editor and along the way the Charlie Chatter had many. After David there was Jenny Howden, Kim Kempe, Denis Cook and Trish Lamb then we found Toni Talbot and I believe she ‘is’ the Charlie Chatter. Toni is an owner of 6 bouncing Charlies had been a Club member for many years.

Almost 4 years ago the Charlie Club started a fund for the rescue of Charlies, after we heard of three Charlies found that found themselves wards of a lost dog’s home. The Club formed a network of people in each State to inform the Club of any runaway Charlies. Many thanks to the members who have contributed to the rescue fund, also to that wonderful Network of members.

The King Charles Spaniel Club (Vic) Inc has had a wonderful 20 years. The formation of a Club is an insurance there will always be a Charlie, although it hasn’t always easy to arrange Shows on a shoestring, trying not to up the levies and scrimp for sashes and trophies. With the help of you the members we have come through as someone once said years ago you might not have much cash, but boy have you got style….

For the records, I would like to list the past Committee Members because without their input in the administration of the Club we may not have reached our 20^th Anniversary.

John and Wanda March, Jenny Howden, Terry Lamb, Keith, Glenda & Kyla Cheney, Karen Hollingworth, David McCullough, Ron Wood, June MacKenzie, Pam Bagnal, Rodney Smith, Shane Buzzer, Frances Taylor, Kim Kempe, Denis Cook, Elizabeth Tabary Collins, Trudy and Arthur Storey, Mani and Lisa Zachary and Pam Ball (the Club’s longest serving secretary).

Present Committee of 2005 are:

President:
Trish Lamb

Vice Presidents:

Thelma Roscrow

Blair Edgar OAM

Secretary:

Assistant Sec:

Geoff Crossland

Elwyn Wride OAM, JP

Membership Officer, Public Officer
Elwyn Wride OAM, JP

Acting Treasurer

Geoff Crossland

Show Secretary

Thelma Roscrow

Committee

Alana Sharp (Trophy Officer)

Kimberly Procak (Trophy Officer)Toni Talbot (Newsletter Editor)

NSW Representative

Margaret Wride (Publisher)

Ken Ball

Over the 20 years the Charlie Club as it affectionately has always been referred to has certainly had its ups and downs, but it has always advanced forward and never backwards.

Membership has been a stable 40 overall. Now with the Club’s web site Charlie lovers from many countries are joining the Club.

In the twenty years I have been associated with The King Charles Spaniel Club (Vic) Inc. I have seen many new faces and unfortunately many disappear, but I believe The Club has been a strong hold for Charlie enthusiasts.

In the 1870’s possibly before Charlies were first seen in Australia, they disappeared between the 30’s and 60’s then emerged again in full force.

Now you have read about our Club’s first 20 years click onto The King Charles Spaniels Club’s web site:

GOD SAVE THE CHARLIES……LONG LIVE THE CLUB………

Trish Lamb

President 1985 ~ 2005

Profile: BLAIR EDGAR O.A.M. Co-Patron

of the King Charles Spaniel Club (Vic) Inc.

In 1903, Blair's grandmother was given a Charlie by Madam Weigel of the paper dressmaking pattern fame. Weigel had been to Europe and brought back a Black and Tan King Charles for his grandmother and a Pomeranian for herself. The dog named "Prince" attended Blair's grandmother's wedding in St. Stephen's Church on Richmond Hill in 1907, wearing a large white bow tied around his neck.

Dogs that have ruled Blair's life began with a Fox Terrier, a Rough Collie, an Afghan, Corgis, Cavaliers, and Charlies.

In 1969 whilst he was working at the Royal Opera House Covent garden he first met two Cavaliers who were walking their Nanny and their Baby in Kensington Gardens. Every morning they all met by the Round Pond and as Blair says, "That's where the real love affair began. Crufts was held in London in those days so it was a short step to seeing the first group of King Charles I had ever come across."

His work in the theatre and at the University of Melbourne meant a lot of travel. So dogs had to be put on hold, as he considered long absences would not be advantageous to either party. Once he settled back in Melbourne Blair acquired two Cavaliers and started to participate in the workings of the VCA. He serves on the Promotions and Education Committee, and has served on Publications, Marketing, and Membership Committees. Blair also sat on the State Government Responsible Dog and Cat Ownership Steering Committee which introduced Responsible Pet Ownership into the Education system.

He has had a long career in the theatre and in Education and was in part, responsible for introducing many TAFE and University courses into the Prisons. In recent years, he has been very involved in The Melba Conservatorium, The Victorian College of the Arts, The Chapel of Chapel Arts Centre and in staging operas in major city theatres, as well as giving Master Classes in Paris, Amsterdam, London, and New York. He was awarded the OAM in 1992 "For services to Education and The Performing Arts."

In October and November 2002 his old Cavaliers died. On January 19 2003 Velbeauf Duponti [Rudolf] was born and has proceeded in classical Charlie fashion to take over Blair's life, the house, every spare minute and has strutted into the Show ring, winning his first Challenge Certificate on the day he turned six months of age. "There are times", Blair says, "When I grind my teeth and say - Why did Trish call me and say ' I've got a good one for you.' " That's usually after he has thrown himself off the highest point he can climb to, roared at intruders on the footpath on the other side of the road, done battle with the birds in the back garden or dragged half a gum tree into the lounge room or for no reason at all other than bloody mindedness decided that what is there to eat is not what he wants.

When he is having his nightly grooming session or is curled up innocently rebuilding energy for the next eruption or being very well mannered at a show, then he is lovable, perfect, a source of pride and joy. Until the next "I am dominant male" performance.

As Co-Patron of the Club, Blair has served on our committee and at shows and as well as being a great advocate for the breed.

Now in his sixty fourth year, Blair still works in the world of music and opera and radio. He spends a lot of time for the VCA in their public outreach programs and presentations and of course is back in the ring "Following behind Rudolf, who of course knows what it's all about because he's a King Charles. And I wouldn't have it any other way."

Would I ever become a judge? "No way. You think I'm crazy? You try living with a Charlie who knows everything about everything. He tells me I get enough things wrong now without that!"

PRESIDENT Trish Lamb.

Hello I’m Patricia Lamb, (Trish to my friends). I have been a member of the VCA approx 36 years .

My prefix ~ Velbeauf (it’s a combination of 2 of our dog’s names. The breeds I have been associated with are G.S.P. (briefly), Danes, Miniature Poodles, Cavaliers, Charlies, Griffons, Pugs and a very sooky French Bulldog.

On the "human side" Mum to five children and Gran to thirteen and I reside with my brother Terry Lamb.

During the past twenty- six years, Terry and I have shown and bred all four colours in King Charles and Cavaliers (the latter we do not have today). Griffons have been a part of our menagerie for about 12 years. These dogs we also breed and show. Pugs are passion too, have bred some nice ones. The Frenchy, well she is really Terry’s. We both show her. Our dogs really do get along together. In all sincerity, my first love is and always will be our Charlies.

I am proud to tell, our Charlies have been the starter of many kennels in Australia and overseas. We have exported and imported.

We have had many Champions (I have never counted them all), both overseas and Australia. Even a Grand Champion, Gr. Ch Velbeauf Cory John (Ruby). Cory lived with Mary and Chas Hamm till after his title. Then he came home to breed, but he never did. A&NZ Ch Velbeauf Dashing Duke, some will reme3mber was shown to his dual title by Irene Thomson. Duke’s name is behind many whole and parti-colours in New Zealand and Australia. Duke was shown until he was 8 years old as was Cory.

Ch Velbeauf Gerard was a lovely tricolour. I will never forget, Gerard was the 1st King Charles Spaniel to win Puppy in Group 1, in the Royal Melbourne Show’s history. His sister Ch Velbeauf Delphine too a puppy to Challenge Bitch over older exhibits. There were over 6000 exhibits at the Royal that year. Enough of my babies……..

I have been on many Breed Club Committees ~ Poodle Club, Cavalier Club, Griffon Club and West Gippsland Kennel Club. I am presently on the Bunyip Agricultural Show Committee dog section and The Charlie Club.

The Ebonite Queen Memorial Trophy for Best in Open Show was named after our first beautiful Charlie who died after giving birth to six puppies. "Yetalla Ebonite Queen B&T" Ebony’s photo is at the top of the page.

I can never imagine life without a Charlie and I am honoured to be President of a Club dedicated to this beautiful breed……..

CHARLIES FOREVER….

Trish Lamb

Ken Ball

(New South Wales Representative)

The Beauclerks ~~ Breeder owner Ken Ball, Sydney

In 1979 I purchased a single storey late Victorian terrace in Stanmore, Sydney & thought, good I must get a dog or two. King Charles Spaniels were what I wanted, as a child we had Cocker Spaniels, bred by my Aunt Nancy Miller of Shirling Cockers in Brisbane, however on making inquiries I learnt that the breed was not available for sale in NSW. The Killigrew’s owner the Fieldhouse family were kept at Invergowrie in Exeter NSW. So I acquired the Cavaliers. I found them a most attractive breed, but just a little sporting for my needs. I enjoyed learning their interesting history from 1926.I joined the Cavalier Club here in Sydney & went to shows & soon learnt where the King Charles were, I learnt King Charles were imported from New Zealand in the early 70’s & to Melbourne in the late 70’s. I made inquiries & put in an order. I waited 4 years for my first dogs.

My foundation stock was as follows Janrae Royal Debutante (Imp. NZ) Blen. "Effie" (Ch Kumbia Royal Applause (B/T) x Ch Sharena of Sharalee), Bred by Jan Williams, Omaru NZ.

A/NZ Ch Kumbia Highway Wench (Imp. NZ) B/T "Dells" (Ch Kumbia Lord Winston Blen x Yetalla First Lady B/T) bred by Irene Thomson, Wellington, NZ. Effie & Dells arrived in 1983

Note my Cavaliers were actually taken over by Chris & Michelle Tomby. Two show dogs Ch Beauclerk Ansgar Blen & Ch Beauclerk Dafrosa R.

Early in 1984 Mrs Joyce Birchnall (Zepherine UK) exported to me Zepherine Florizel (Imp. NZ) Tri (Ch Graslon Adonis of Zepherine Tri x Zepherine Fidelia Tri).

Carol Gatheral in England, Jeanie Mountford Elvenhome Cavakiers in Sydney & Denis Mountford Braganzar Cavaliers each played a part in this exercise for which I am ever grateful.

During 1985 NZ Ch Kumbia Royal Velvet B/T m, (NZ Ch Hasty O Glow of Kumbia R x Yetalla First Lady B} was exported by Irene. Then in 1988 Irene exported A/NZ Ch Kumbia Passing Fling (Imp NZ) B (NZ Ch Beauclerk Firmin R x Ch Kamavero Royal Jewel (d).

Other imports were Rocquencourt Émigré (Imp UK) Tri (Exquisanne Gerald Tri x Rocquencourt Robinette Tri), "Rollo" bred by Rex Parks of London, England arrived in 1994.

Then in 1999 Miss Lois Croome of Bath, England exported Clovercourt Jolyon B (Rocquencourt Padre Giorgio B x Clovercourt Silk Bow B).

All these males from England were in tailer made line direct to the famous Zepherines. I have kept this direct link with my youngsters, which include Beauclerk Barnabas, Beauclerk Ernest, Beauclerk Faerrleah all in direct line to my imports.

Since 1983 I have continually exhibited & bred this charming rare breed, building up my bloodlines has not been easy with plenty of heartbreaks & disappointments along the way, but the good dogs are indeed good & in actual fact really do breed to type.

I have bred several "characters" too numerous to mention here. The Beauclerks have had their share of winning in the Show ring. Among the Toy Group winners and "In Show" placements Include:

Ch Beauclerk Oswald (Tri M) (Zepherine Florizel x Ch Beauclerk Ivy)

A/NZ Ch Eadgar (Tri) (Zepherine Florizel x Janrae Royal Debutante)

Ch Beauclerk Ivy (Bl F) (Ch Beauclerk Fiacre R x Beauclerk Eadwina Tri)

Oswald & Eadgar both classic examples of the breed. Lovely natural show dogs. Ivy an exquisite bitch.

Ch Beauclerk Brigid (Tri) (Ch Velbeauf Tudor Squire B x Beauclerk Nancy Tri)

Beauclerk De Paul (Tri) (Beauclerk Haraleah x Ch Beauclerk Vanity Fair B)

De Paul also a classic of the breed.

Ch Beauclerk Zachary (Tri) (Ch Beauclerk Oswald x Ch Beauclerk Unity Tri)

Both Zachary & Unity, lovely dogs, beautiful heads.

Ch Beauclerk Gilbert (Tri) Ch Beauclerk Josaphat Tri x Dennford Crushed Ice Tri)

Gilbert my top winning Show dog. Multi In Group & In Show Award.

Other King Charles Spaniels of Beauclerk have also proved themselves in the ring & also as my beloved lap dogs, which of course their real purpose in life.

Ken Ball

Beauclerk King Charles Spaniels

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