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GSDCV Sniffs Out Funds for Bluey Day

The German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria Inc. (GSDCV) joined together with the Rottweiler Club of Victoria Inc. (RCV) and the Victoria Police Dog Squad by participating in the Bluey Day Police Dog Challenge. This event helped raise both funds and profile for this year’s Bluey Day appeal. The Bluey Day Police Dog Challenge was officially launched on Monday 23 July 2001 at the Victoria Police Dog Squad Complex at Attwood Victoria. The President of the GSDCV, Mr David HYND, and the President of the RCV, Ms Nikki ABELL, were on hand to represent both breed clubs in relation to the event. A media contingent covered the launch and Police Dogs Salem and Rip put on a demonstration for those present.

Bluey Day is held annually and involves members of the police and emergency services from around Australia. Volunteers have to raise at least $1000 to be eligible to have their heads shaved for charity. The money raised from this event helps children dealing with childhood cancer by financing the purchase of specialised equipment used in their treatment. The event also helps create public awareness of the difficult issues involved when dealing with childhood cancer. The Headshave campaign originated in Horsham in 1995 under the name Crop-a-Cop. Senior Constable Karl DAVID wanted to raise money for children living with cancer and, as children often lose their hair during chemotherapy, he thought it might boost their morale to see bald police officers.

The Bluey Day Police Dog Challenge came about when the RCV accepted a good natured sporting challenge from the GSDCV to compete against each other in raising funds for this year’s Bluey Day appeal. The GSDCV and the RCV both had to raise a minimum of $1000 each to sponsor their own Police Dog Team. The GSDCV successfully sponsored TEAM SALEM and the RCV successfully sponsored TEAM RIP.

TEAM SALEM comprised Senior Constable Wayne McNAMARA and Police Dog Salem, a two-year-old male German Shepherd Dog. Senior CONSTABLE Andrew ADAMS and Police Dog Rip, a seven-year-old male Rottweiler, made up TEAM RIP. Both Police Dogs are General Purpose Dogs that are trained to track and search for people, search for property, and to subdue offenders on command. The Victoria Police Dog Squad only utilises two breeds of dogs for this exacting type of work and they are the German Shepherd Dog and the Rottweiler.

When asked to comment on the event, Senior Constable Wayne McNAMARA stated; "I was elated to learn that the German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria Inc was willing to assist me and to partake in the raising of money for this year’s Bluey Day. This is the fifth year that I have participated in this most meaningful charity fundraiser. As we are all aware, Bluey Day greatly enhances the quality of life of those less fortunate than ourselves.

As for Wayne’s thoughts on which breed makes a better Police Dog; "I prefer the German Shepherd Dog as a Police Dog, his temperament is excellent, as is his willingness to work and please the handler."

The memberships of both the GSDCV and RCV were also strongly committed to this very worthy cause. Members from both clubs were hard at work planning and organising various fundraising events. This commitment was reflected in the views of both club presidents.

The President of the GSDCV David HYND was quoted as stating; "The members of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria Inc, are very proud to be associated with the Rottweiler Club of Victoria Inc, in supporting the members of the Victoria Police Dog Squad in their special efforts to raise money for Bluey Day. It emphasises the continued support the German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria has, not only to the Victoria Police Dog Squad, but to the community by promoting responsible dog ownership."

The President of the RCV Nikki ABELL was quoted as stating; "The Rottweiler Club of Victoria Inc accepts this great challenge and will work hard towards a very worthy cause for needy children. We also recognise the Professionalism of the Victoria Police Dog Squad, and applaud their involvement in Bluey Day."

The highlight of the TEAM SALEM Campaign occurred on Wednesday 25 July 2001 at the Eastern Branch clubrooms. The ‘old silver fox’, Senior Constable Robert Burton APM, gave a great talk on the activities of the Dog Squad. The talk was really appreciated by the large number of club members that attended from a number of different GSDCV branches. TEAM SALEM was the guest of honour and the crowd also heard about the background of this dynamic crime-fighting duo.

Wayne explained that he had been a member of the Victoria Police Force for the past 14 years, stationed previously at various suburban Police Stations, before he was selected for the Victoria Police Dog Squad in 1995. He now has six years experience as a Police Dog Handler. He currently handles Police Dog Salem, who is a two-year-old German Shepherd Dog. Salem is a product of the intensive-breeding program at the Dog Squad, which after a lot of hard work is now enjoying success. Police Dog Salem is trained to track and search for people, search for property, and to subdue offenders on command.

Wayne and Salem have only been on the road for some six months, and in that time they have been actively involved in many arrests from armed robbery, burglary and other allied offences. Wayne believes that Salem is in fact becoming a fine Police Dog, and a credit to this wonderful breed, the German Shepherd Dog.

The event concluded on Wednesday 8 August 2001 with a hand over ceremony at the Victoria Police Dog Squad Complex. The Officer in Charge of the Dog Squad, Senior Sergeant Russell MOORE, was presented with a combined cheque for $3560 by both dog club Presidents. After confirmation that both teams had qualified in raising at least $1000, both handlers were presented with an engraved medal to be placed around the neck of both Police Dogs to acknowledge the fund raising efforts of both teams. For the record TEAM RIP finished with their muzzle in front, but the real winner was the Bluey Day Appeal!

Wayne and Andrew then joined hundreds of other police and emergency service officers from around Australia and lost their locks during a mass Headshave conducted at the Crown Casino Melbourne on Saturday 11 August 2001. Apart from raising funds for a very worthy cause it was hoped that the Bluey Day Police Dog Challenge also helped to highlight the important work done for the community by the German Shepherd Dog.

German Shepherds are also trained for the detection of illicit drugs, hidden explosive devices and accelerant used in arson. They can also be trained to detect human remains. Police Dogs and their handlers perform their duties in a very time efficient manner that also helps to free up other valuable police resources. The Victoria Police Dog Squad is always on the lookout for new recruits. They are looking for German Shepherds and Rottweilers aged between 9 months to 36 months. The dogs need to have excellent temperament and be very keen retrievers. For further details please contact the Victoria Police Dog squad on 03 9333 1300.

Peter COMATAS
Publicity Officer
GSDCV

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