I founded Tahee kennels in 1968 and have bred many Australian and overseas champions. I love all animals and from a small child have always had a dog, cat, or bird etc. for a pet. As a teenager I became interested in horses and competed successfully at hacking (giving horses commands without the judge noticing; not computer hacking), winning at the Sydney Royal. However, the hobby of horse competition became too expensive when my husband and I eventually had three children to raise. To retain a hobby in showing animals I began an interest in Australian Terriers which included my whole family. Although I love to show the Aussies it has always been a special thrill when one, bred by myself, but owned by others, have won in the showring. The greatest and most emotional win was the Royal Brisbane National in 1989 when Ch Tahee Dirty Harry owned by Frank and Lee Pieterse took the highest award, Best in Show for the second time. I couldn't stop the tears of happiness and pride. For myself the ultimate was handling Ch Tahee Red Adair to Best in Show at an all breeds show of 1,264 entries at Fairfield in 1986. This was important for me as he was a red and as the owners of red Aussies know, they have to be very special to go so far in the breed ring. At the height of breeding and showing Tahee Kennels kept as many as 70 Aussies, although the average was about 35-40, of course this included the aged pensioners and the puppies. I had a very good friend in the late Mr Jack O'Donoghue, who did not want to breed but was fiercely competative in the show ring. He would choose the pick of each litter, run it on and if it made the grade, campaign it until its title was gained. If it was a bitch it would then come back to the kennel for breeding, a male would be kept at his home until a super male puppy arrived to take its place. He usually had six or seven Aussies that were always in top show condition and shown on a rotating basis most week-ends. Sadly he died of a heart attack in 1987 and in 1988 my husband also suddenly died of a heart attack. With this double loss my interest in the kennels wained, although I must say the Aussies gave me a reason to get out of bed and face each sad day. I finally passed the kennel over to my good friend Ern Fuller however there is a happy ending to the story. After leaving the dog world for five years I accidently met a gentleman, a Keeshond breeder, who I had known for the past twenty five years and now I am the extremely happy Mrs Gordon Douglas and have two red Aussie bitches to show and love.