There are some references that in 1904 the RAS ran special Sheep Dog Trials at Guildford, the year before staging their first annual Royal Shows at Claremont, trials were held at the Royal Show every year thereafter, except during the war. However the West Australian Working Sheep Dog Association was not formed until October 1936, when John Bushell,(Member of the RAS executive council),approached two successful competitors at the Royal Show,Dave Harwood - winner and R.Wallace of Tootra Station - runner up, to form a Working Sheep Dog Association. After 1936 the State Championships were held in different country towns and the top eight dogs completed the second part of the Championships at the Perth Royal Show, the highest combined score being the winner. One of our joint Patrons,(Now deceased) Mr F.V.Knapp recalls that his father ,Jack Knapp, owned a dog competing in trials before the war and that it was worked in these trials by one of the top workers at this time - Ernie Riley of GinGin. After the war, exact date uncertain, a trial was organised by W.E.Fowler at Wongan Hills and Frank Knapp was invited to compete, also working at this time were J.C.Bushell, H.Child, E.G.Riley, L.Ball, F.Walker, F.P.Atwell, E.Jones. K.J.Martin,A.Glover,
J.J.Ashman and T.J.Barnett,to mention a few only. Len Ball of Wagin recounted recently that he won his first Maiden trial in 1941 aged seventeen years and went on to win the State Championship with Teddy in 1952 and again with Moss in 1953. Individual sports in Western Australia have always suffered from the problems of distance and access to similar events held in other States, especially at this time when large sections of the road across the Nullabor were still unsealed. However this did not deter the W.A. Association from inviting the first interstate judge,Byn Dinning (SA) who judged the State Championships held at Wongan Hills in 1956,where Fred Walker and Hemp were declared the winner. The 1961 State Championships moved to Kellerberrin and Alan Miller (Vic) was invited to judge, and placed J.C..Bushell's Trelawney Betty,worked by the always controversial but highly skilled sheep dog handler,Lance Barnett, this combination had been successful in 1959 and again in 1960. In 1962 the trials were again held in Kellerberrin and Alan Miller returned as a competitor accompanied by Eric Morris and Charlie Campbell, these experienced competitors lifted the standard of local competition to new hieghts,but did not prevnent Lance Barnett from winning with Dick. Alan Gray from Kojonup was a new worker at this trial,and went on to become one of the State's top workers and largely responsible for the flourishing State Association we see today. In 1964 George Westcott arranged a generous sponsorship arrangement in Canberra with T.A.A. to fly the W.A. Champion each year to compete in the National Trials, and the National Champion to fly to Western Australia to compete in the W.A. Championships, and Lance Barnett with the 1963 Champion,Coolie Silver were the first local winners to gain this award. The 1964 State Championships were held in Katanning and Alan Gray with Herdsmans Donnie was the eventual winner and represented Western Australia at the National Trial;s in 1965,and whilst there invited Ernie Toynton (NSW) to judge the W.A. Championships to be held later that year..

The 1965 State Championships - still the only trial to be held that year, produced thirty two entries including the National Winner Harry Harris with his dog Lucky flown in from New Zealand.The event was won by Alan Gray with Herdsmans Sambo, a litter brother to the previous year's champion and was the author's introduction to sheep dog trialling. 1966 saw the fomation of the first two working sheep dog clubs in Western Australia, Northern Districts and Great Southern Clubs both of which held inaugural trials during the year, thus trebling the number of trials in the State. The 1966 National Winner,Geoff Jolly brought a team of four comprising ;- Strathhern Connie,Bellvue Laddie, Moroko Spark and Austral Blaze to compete in the State Championships,this year judged by Byn Dinning and the winner was Austral Blaze with Herdsmans Donnie runner up. Bellvue Laddie was later sold to Howard Wilson of Albany and competed locally for several years. 1967 saw the re-emergence of the W.A. Sheep dog Register,initially started in the early 1950's but defunct by 1958, and the appointment of ten W.A. workers to form a judges panel to provide a pool of experienced judges for major events. the State Championships were held at Moora, judged by Kevin Batchelor (Vic) saw John Haig's Mirk emerge victorious. 1968 State at Merredin judged by Curly O'Kane (Vic) saw Eddie Sage with National Champion Herdsmans Kenny, and Sages Toby competing but Alan Gray again the Winner with Bonny Doon Toy. 1969 saw the formation of another club and therefore another trial, - Central Districts. The State Champioships held on the Perth Royal Showgrounds, judged by Bill Marshall (Vic) and won by Geoff Jolly - Cammins Cactus. 1970 Stirling Club granted affiliation, State Championships again held on the showgrounds, judged by Kevin Batchelor and won by Charlie Campbell (Vic) wih Dalry Meg. Unfortunately the sponsorship arrangement with T.A.A. would not be available, the State Championships again held on the showgrounds judged by local judge Frank Knapp and John Charlick with Fairbrook Tam declared the winner. The competition from top Australian handlers and judging standards set down by a succession of experienced judges had set a firm foundation for W.A. to now be able to handle it's own organisation. A new constitution had been introduced and the West Australian Working Sheep Dog Association was now organised by affiliated clubs,each of which provided two delegates to form the W.A.W.S.D.A. committee and the President was to be elected at the A.G.M. for a maximum three year term only. As from 1972 the W.A.W.S.D.A. ceased to run the State Championships as this event would now be rotated between each of the affiliated clubs, starting with Northern Districts at Northam,judged by George Noble (SA) the winner Peter Gorman With Del. Stirling ran the 1973 State Championships at Kendenup judged by Frank Knapp and won by Jim Ferguson with Ambleside Moss. The W.A.W.S.D.A. secretarial work had been carried out by R.A.S. staff since it's inception in 1936, but owing to increasing costs these arrangements ceased in February 1974 and the Association members would now be responsible for all secretarial. financial and registration duties. The State Champion that year was once again Peter Gorman with Del.

The Great Southern Club ran the State trials at Albany in 1975,judged by Alan Gray ,Winner Max Cussons - Blackwatch Mandy. In 1976 a scale of points to be used for the Dog of the Year competition was introduced, all selections for Royal Show,interState events etc were made from this table and this has been largely responsible for encouraging competition at club and state trials. Some competitors in Western Australia regularly travel < 1000kms to compete in club trials, and some of the more remote club trials were poorly supported until this system was introduced. 1976 saw the first of many winners for Phil Slade - Tippys Sweep. Phil was again successful in 1977 with Tippys Glyde. The 1978 State trials were run at Kojonup,judge Murray Fowler winner John Charlick with Fairbrook Kenny. A special interState trial was organised to celebrate Western Australia's 150th anniversary, one representative from each State was flown to Perth and would also compete in W.A. State Championships, W.A. representative John Charlick with Blackwatch Magpie. Other competitors :- Don Smith (Qld), Gordon McMaster (NSW),Jack Hiscock (Vic),Wes Singline (Tas) and Neil Page (SA). The 150th Anniversary event was won by Jack Hiscock. The 1979 State Championships were run at Albany by the Great Southern Club, there were fourteen interState dogs competing and Arther Dwyer (Tas) with Lyster Glenelg declared the winner. In November that year the judges training scheme was introduced:- Any worker scoring 1000pts in recognised trials was eligible for nomination to the judges panel, after nomination each candidate must attend a judges panel meeting and will then join the novice event judge's roster. 1980 State Championships held at Northam, winner Phil Slade - Tippys Queen. As the number of entries continued to rise and some workers were running teams of eight to twelve dogs causing problems for trial organisers, the draw system was revised to handle this situation, multiple entries were distributed evenly throughout the programme although not necessarily as listed by the competitor, only the first two entries in each class were randomly selected. 1981 Saw Mayanup Club applying for affiliation and running their first trial in 1982, the 1981 State Champion was Wally Baxter - Karralea Rose. Several members of this new club were interested in yard trialling and ran a utility type field trial in conjunction with their three sheep trial,Doug Connop with Ivanhoe Toby was the winner of the field trial and Wally Baxter with Howregan Jack declared the winner of the arena trial, an unofficial yard type trial was started at Condinup and created sufficient local interest to become an annual event,Northern Districts ran a farmers trial on the first day of their trial at Toodyay in an effort to encourage local participation and this became an annual feature until the advent of the encourage worker some ten years later. The State Championships were held in Kojonup run by Central Districts resulted in a win for Ray Sutherland and Swagman Ben. In 1983 Mayanup Club invited Lance Clifford (Tas) to judge their field trial resulting in a win for Colin Cosh - Doughty Sam, again this trial was held in conjunction with the three sheep trial. The State Championships were held in Albany and in spite of some late wintery weather was eventually won by John Charlick - Blackwatch Ben.

The 1984 State Championships were held at Boyup Brook and won by the 1981 combination of Wally Baxter and Karralea Rose, this year saw the initiation of a yard/utility trial organised by Don Robertson at the Muresk Institute of Agriculture,an annual event for the next ten years which became the State Yard /Utility Championships,Steve Gray with Willy took both titles in this inaugural year. The 1985 State Championships were held in Quairading judged by Phil Johnson,Phil Slade - Evandale Lassie the winners.The judges panel now fully operative and providing a constant flow of judges for Novice and Improver events, as well as maintaining a panel of senior judges for open events.Mayanup held their first yard and utility trials,resulting in wins in both sections for Ray Sutherland and Swagman Ben (1962 State Champion). Steve Gray - Willie State Yard and Nick Webb - Carters Nellie State Utility Champions. 1986 State Championships at Kendenup winner Doug Connop -Strathblane Sasha and the same worker winning both State Yard and State Utility with Peejay Sadie. Initial proposals that W.A.W.S.D.A. take steps to invite the bodies running yard trials to affiliate with W.A.W.S.D.A. 1987 State Championships at Kojonup won by Ray Sutherland - Singlines Candy,State Yard Ken Atherton -Glenview Cobba, State Utility won by Don Robertson - Booroola Joey. 1988 State Championship won by Ray Sutherland - Singlines Candy for the second year in sucession,State Yard Doug Connop - Strathblane Sasha (1986 State Champion) and State Utility John Charlick with Lochsloy Glen. 1989 State Championships returned to Mayanup,winner Doug Connop - Peejay Sadie (1986 State Yard/Utility)and the State Yard was won at Muresk by Don Robertson - Scoriochre Lady and State Utility by Doug Connop - Glenromian Dinny. 1990 State Champion Doug Connop - Glenromian Dinny (1989 State Utility), State Yard Ken Atherton Glenview Toby and State Utility Steve Gray, Craig Pete. 1991 was an important year for West Australian Sheep Dog Workers,the State hosted the SKIPPA AUSTRALIAN SHEEP DOG CHAMPIONSHIPS on the Esplanade,Perth with teams from every Australian State and New Zealand. The second round of the Championships were completed at the Perth Royal Show and resulted in a win for Lou Noble - Sorrego Joe. During the week prior to the Skippa Championships the W.A. State Championships were held at Mount Barker and included eighteen workers from other States and New Zealand working Fifty eight dogs out of a total entry of 142, judged by Ray Sutherland the winner Lou Noble - Sorrego Bicie. Ken Atherton - Glenview Toby won both State Yard and Utility. Stirling Club arranged an unofficial yard /utility trial and Esperance Districts sucessfully conducted their second yard/utility event. 1992 A new departure, the State Championships were held at Woolorama in March (At the beginning of the W.A. trial season) winner for the second time, Doug Connop - Peejay Sadie.State Yard at Muresk won By Eric Atherton -Elfinvale Gemma and State Utility Tony Boyle - Glenview Spotty.

1993 Affiliation of the Chittering Valley Sheepdog Club was accepted, this club had held trials at John Torren's property for several years prior to this. the trials were known as Paddock Trials and were based on U.K. trials and involved a 300 -400m cast up a steep hill to collect 5 - 7 sheep,a cross drive through obstacles near the bottom of the hill.moving sheep over a narrow bridge spanning a steep sided gully and then a further drive away before penning. Unfortunately these trials were discontinued after 1994 as the property was sold and John Torrens moved to another district. 1993 Australian Yard Trials held at Muresk in conjunction with the National Kelpie Trials included eight handlers from other States with thirty two dogs,the events held over five days,winner Australian Yard Champion Chris Stapleton - Capree Watch, Australasian Utility Champion Chris Stapleton - Joes Pride. The W.A. State Championships were held in November in Albany winner Tony Boyle - Glenview Spotty (1992 State Utility),Esperance and Districts held their three sheep inaugural trial on the Esperance Showgrounds. 1994 Esperance and Districts affiliated with W.A.W.S.D.A.,now W.A. competitors have six club trials and W.A.State Championships each year. W.A. State won by Doug Connop at Mayanup with Dodges Blake. Northern Districts inaugural yard/utility trial held on Gordon Curtis's property Binnaburra,Kellerberrin making a total of four club yard/utility trials and State Yard/Utility Trial.State Yard winner Peter Gorman - Princes Johnny and State Utility Doug Connop - Glenromian Dinny. In Addition to the yard trials started at Condinup in 1982, unofficial trials were held at the Pingelly Show,Ongerup Shears and the Carnamah Show. 1995 State Championships held at the Esperance Show run by the local Club Winner Tony Boyle - Glenview Properdog. W.A. state Yard and Utility Championships were hosted by the Mayanup Club at Tarwonga this signifies the start of the same system as three sheep trials,i.e. State Championships to be organised by a different Club each year. State Yard Champion Nigel Armstrong - Badgingarra Gina,State Utility Jenny Parsons - Sherwood Adios, both workers new to trialling in the past few years. In addition to visiting judges and workers, there are a number of W.A. competitors,some well known outside W.A.,who have contributed their experience toward the success of sheep dog trialling in this State.They include Alan Gray,Lance Barnett,Phil Slade, Doug Connop, Nick Webb, Jim Ferguson, John & Pat Charlick, Ray Sutherland, Don Robertson, Ken Atherton, Charlie Staniforth-Smith,Tony Boyle, Peter Gorman. Dave Lacey, Peter & Carolyn Christie. The number of dogs competing in Open events in W.A. has risen from thirty two in 1965 (one trial only per year), to over one hundred in 1966,over two hundred in 1977,over three hundred in 1983,over four hundred in 1993,and is a fair indication to the strength of these trials. Similarly recognised yard/utility trials have risen from two in 1984/85 to five in 1995,as well as the recognised yard trials there are some well established unofficial trials,strongly supported by local workers.
 

In the accompanying article the growth of the Association since it’s inception in 1936 has been set out.

The WAWSDA secretarial work had been carried out by RAS staff since it’s inception in 1936, but owing to increasing costs these arrangements ceased in February 1974, and the Association’s members would now be responsible for all secretarial, financial, and registration duties.  In 1976 a scale of points to be used for the Dog Of The year Competition was introduced, all selections for Royal Show, Interstate events were to be made from this table, and this has been largely  responsible for encouraging competition at Club and State trials. Some competitors in Western Australia regularly travel thousands of kilometres to compete in Club trials, and some of the more remote Club trials were poorly supported until this system was introduced.
It is obvious that the Association’s growth has accelerated in recent years and several facters contribue towards this growth:- 1. The unstinting support by our main Sponsor `Purina Pet Care’,( producers of `Working Dog’) (Change of namein both arena and yard events at the Perth Royal Show, and the majority of affiliated Club trials. 2. The Dog of the Year event and subsequent finals of twelve or more, encourages competition at all levels. 3. The extensive public interest stimulated by the TV series in 1991/92 which unfortunately was not continued. 4. In the late 1960s, as a result of judging and competion from other States, and over recent years, increasing participation by local handlers in major sheep dog events throughout Australia, the WAWSDA has maintained steady progress.

Compiled from the minutes books and member's recollections by P Charlick.
 

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