Judge Profile

Enthusiastic dog fancier together with his wife Margaret, commencing with the purchase of the foundation stock for their’ Notabena Kennels with their first Beagle in 1973. Since then they have owned, bred and successfully exhibited Beagles, Whippets, Cairn Terriers and Border Terriers. Their dogs have won at All Breeds, Group and Specialty levels with Best in Show in Border Terriers at Breed Club Shows under American Breed Specialist Mrs. Pat Quinn and from Finland, and Terrier Specialist Ms Pirjo Hjelm. They have recently purchased an Italian Greyhound (Luigi) and Toy Poodle (Bijou) as companion dogs.

Michael has been an active member of both Breed Clubs and All Breed Clubs and been an office bearer on the Judges Committee. He is a Field Representative for DogsNSW is an active member of the Members Education Committee, a past Chairman of the Ethics Committee of which he is still a member. He was a stewards at Sydney Royal Easter Show for 24 years.. He has also been Show Manager of the Royal NSW Canine Council’s Spring Fair Dog Show for a period of five years

Within the framework of the Canine Council Judges’ Training Scheme, he has completed a term as Hound group Co-ordinator, has frequently assisted the group coordinators and assessed practical examinations in the Hound, Terrier, Toy and Working Groups in New South Wales and the Australian Capitol Territory.

Michael commenced judging Hounds in 1985, gained his Terrier licence in 1993 his Working Dog licence in 1996, his Toy licence in the 2000 scheme his Utility licence in the 2004 scheme and his Gundog licence in the 2008 scheme He gained his All Breeds licence with his Non Sporting group licence in the 2010 scheme.

Exhibiting, breeding and judging Hounds Terriers, Working Dogs, Toys, Utility and Gundogs has given both Michael and his wife Margaret the opportunity to travel extensively both in Australia and overseas. His International appointments have included judging Sighthounds, Scenthounds and Terriers at several shows in Sweden in 1994 and 1997, and at several shows in New Zealand. He judged in Eire (Irish Munster Circuit), in August 2005, where he judged several breeds in four groups.

Judging Appointments (Australia and NZ Only)

Appointments are based on shows entered in our system since 2012. Please inform us of any errors.