Chairman's Report to AGM

PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2006

I am pleased to present this report to you today.
The Association continues to grow in all categories. This in itself creates challenges for Council and members alike that are exacerbated by record drought conditions across Australia. This is a very stressful time that hopefully can be alleviated by good rains in the near future.
Our Secretary Rob Martin continues to manage our administration in an efficient and timely manner. I thank Rob for his professional approach to the position.

The Eastern States Producer of the Year Carcase Competition is continuing to grow. Congratulations to Eric and Marion Barras for winning the award. Strong input from Southern Meats, Eastern States Committee and all Dohne prime lamb producers involved has assured an ongoing high profile for this event.

‘Dohne Down Under’ continues to be produced from our secretary Rob Martin’s office. Funding has been secured from sponsors which will ensure an  expansion of information flow in this area.

Discussions on many issues are continuing with the Dohne Merino Breeders Society of South Africa. These include collaboration in research, breed programmes, transfer of performance and pedigree data and compatibility of performance results etc.

A very successful ram breeders workshop was held at Far Valley, Western Australia. Approximately twenty (20) members participated including two (2) from overseas and all successfully completed their evaluation of written and sheep assessments. Due to reduced numbers, only one course was run across Australia. This proved to be very successful and cost effective.
David Green once again organised the course very efficiently. Council is under no illusions as to the workload this creates and we sincerely thank David.
Thank you to David Kain, ‘Far Valley’ for the venue and for providing the sheep and Allen Casey and Cameron McMaster for running the course.
At the conclusion of the course a dinner was held and I on behalf of the Australian Dohne Breeders Association, presented Cameron with a Certificate of Appreciation for his commitment to the breed in Australia.

WEBSITE
Over the past year the Association website provider, due to personal circumstances, stopped supporting us and the website became inaccessible.
After a great deal of work and effort the performance date base was made available. We are now in a position, after negotiations with several providers to establish a new bigger and better website.  Special thanks to Peter Conn for the huge effort in getting us through this very difficult situation.

I have enjoyed this year as President of this very active and positive Association. As you all know we live in a very competitive world and we as Councillors and Members need to continually strive to promote and improve the profile of this outstanding Breed.

I would like to thank Vice President Darryl Carpenter and Sally Coddington.
Peter Conn, Website
David Green, workshops
Don Mills and Ian Hanna, trials and anomalies.
Allen Casey for his expertise and advice throughout the year.
The ABS team
And last but not least the ADBA members for their continued support and enthusiasm and wish everyone a great Dohne year in 2007 with lots of rain.

Geoffrey Beeck