Behind every kennel prefix are stories of dedication, learning, friendship, triumphs and heartache, and a lifelong love of the breed. The Welsh Corgi Club of NSW is proud to shine a light on the members who have helped shape our Welsh Corgi community. We invite selected members to share the history of their kennels, their experiences in the dog world, and their involvement with the breed across the years.
By looking back at these journeys, we gain valuable insight for the path ahead. The lessons learned, the dogs remembered, the mentors, the mateship, and the determination and belief all form part of the living history of our breeds. These personal histories are treasured within our Club, not only as a testament to the breeders themselves, but for the knowledge passed from one generation of corgi enthusiasts to the next. Without these histories, our Club would have no foundation, and we are deeply grateful for each member’s contribution to the heritage of our breeds.
At the same time, we recognise that fledgling kennels and new exhibitors play an equally important role in our future. Without this ‘new blood’, our Club — and our Corgis — may one day fade away. Their enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and commitment ensure the continuation of the passion that has sustained our breeds for generations.
Our Member Spotlights celebrate the passion and commitment within our membership — preserving the past, supporting the present, and inspiring the future of our Welsh Corgis.
For over six decades, the Coondarby prefix has been part of the fabric of the Welsh Pembroke Corgi story in New South Wales. In this heartfelt reflection, Gai Lewis shares the journey she and husband Allan began in 1965 — a journey filled with memorable dogs, lifelong friendships, show ring triumphs, and a deep belief in breeding true to type.
From Mini Van adventures with family and corgis packed inside, to influential English bloodlines, Best in Show winners, and a lifetime of dedication recognised by Dogs NSW, this is a story that beautifully captures the spirit of an era in our breed’s history.
Read Gai’s full Member Spotlight below and take a walk through the memories that shaped the Coondarby prefix and added value to the Welsh Corgi community we know today.
I’m Gai Lewis, and together with my husband Allan, I can honestly say that life with Corgis has been a wonderful ride — one that began way back in 1965. That was the year we stepped into the captivating world of the Welsh Pembroke Corgi, and we have been hooked ever since.
We began with a corgi bred by Allan’s mother — not the greatest specimen, I must admit! On one occasion when we showed her, an exhibitor told us she was “no good” … and funnily enough, the only other corgi we managed to beat that day belonged to her.
Not long after, we met the wonderful Fran Turner of Norbyn fame and purchased Norbyn Rob Roy. We eventually managed to get his title, although my handling, I think, left a lot to be desired. Along the way, however, he went Best in Show under Corgi Specialist Peter Thompson, which was incredibly exciting for us.
Showing the dogs meant travelling near and far, which allowed us to see so much of our wonderful state. Allan loved stewarding and I loved showing, so we were always busy.
Then we upgraded to a Mini Van, and along came our daughter Sandra. My goodness, the adventures we had! Somehow, we managed to pack people, dogs, crates, luggage and life itself into that little van.
Over the years, we bred 68 champions, and 11 of those won Best in Show, some of them multiple times. We loved the challenge of juggling showing and stewarding, and the dogs kept us well and truly on our toes. We held firmly to the belief in line breeding, something we still believe in today.
The road was long, but it was a wonderful one — strewn with so many delightful Pembroke characters — and our interest in the breed was very much alive.
There were many notable dogs along the way. Fergwyn Frith, our treasured ‘Lisa’, bred by Barbara Ludowici, was one you never forgot. Frith was beautifully bred, by Crowleythorn Maccasonout of Braxentra Quite Contrary of Camcounty — strong English lines that were highly admired at the time and which produced true Pembroke type.
Crowleythorn was a very well-known English kennel, and dogs from this line were noted for exceptional breed type, correct Pembroke outline and balance, strong head properties and expression, and sound movement. Crowleythorn dogs were highly sought-after imports and went on to influence many Australian bloodlines throughout the 1960s to 1980s.
On the dam’s side, the Braxentra and Camcounty lines were also highly respected, known for beautiful heads, true Pembroke character, and strong maternal lines that bred on consistently. So Frith wasn’t just a nice dog — she was beautifully bred from influential English stock at a time when those lines were shaping Pembrokes in Australia.
To breeders of my generation, that pedigree simply said, “This is a dog bred exactly how a Pembroke should be bred.” And that is why Frith was so memorable. She represented correct imported English type, lines that bred true, and the kind of dog breeders admired, remembered, and talked about for decades. Today, it is wonderful to see the Fergwyn prefix continuing under Michelle Young, carrying forward the breeding legacy established by Barbara Ludowici.
One photograph I have included from those years tells a story that words can hardly do justice. It was a very special and very sad time for us. We lost our Gracie — CH Sarlaine True Colours — while she was giving birth. At the same time, our wonderful Champion Kelpie had just lost her only pup.
Not knowing what would happen, I gently placed one of Gracie’s puppies beside her. When I reached to take the puppy back, she calmly put her paw across my hand, as if to say, “No, leave it with me.” From that moment on, she accepted those puppies as her own and reared them all.
I have always felt incredibly blessed to have witnessed such a poignant and instinctive act of motherhood.
I must also make special mention of CH Kydor Cossack Dusky (Imp UK). He was a dog I had long admired and had been honoured to judge before he came to live with us in his latter days, so having him in our home was a real privilege. Dusky came from a well-established English bloodline that had been significant in Welsh Pembroke Corgi breeding both in the UK and in Australia. English lines such as Crowleythorn, Kathla, Blands and Kydor were widely admired in the mid-20th century for producing correct type, balanced structure and sound temperament — all traits highly valued in the breed standard.
The inclusion of Dusky in our world reflected not only his quality, but also the influence of those classic UK lines on the development of Australian Welsh Pembroke Corgis. His pedigree places him among dogs that contributed significantly to breed conformation and type during a formative era for Pembrokes both here and overseas.
CH Coondarby Shane also holds a very special place in our hearts. Shane was sired by Bob and Joan Hutton’s Seth — CH Rudgecombe of Rivona (Imp UK) — out of our own CH Coondarby Magical Mist. He was a lesson in patience — such a slow maturer. You could say he was a beautiful mover, but his true beauty was yet to come. And when it did — wow! Shane went on to win many Best in Shows and produced 19 Champions, some of whom also went on to win Best in Show themselves.
Our list of corgis that have achieved the ultimate award of Best in Show now stands at 11 Best In Shows from 68 Champions, and I sincerely thank the wonderful judges who helped us achieve these honours — many of whom I was so honoured to win under, including several working dog specialists.
When we lived in Picton, the illustrious Frith decided to go walkabout in the hills for three days. I was heavily pregnant at the time, and it was summer. Allan was working at the Picton Court House and mentioned our missing dog to the police. I received a phone call from him saying, “Don’t say I don’t try everything for you — go outside and look up.” One of the police had contacted an acquaintance in the army. At the time, bushfires in Victoria meant planes were already flying overhead, and they were asked to keep an eye out as they passed. I stood there watching planes slowly combing the hills.
Frith eventually staggered home, a little sore and sorry for herself, after three days.
I was fortunate to gain my judging licence for both Pembrokes and Cardigans and judged specialist shows around the country, and twice in the USA. At one of those shows, my Best in Show and Runner Up in Show were father and daughter — a very special memory.
Showing and handling became very much a family affair in later years. My son Stephen and my daughter-in-law Sharryn proved to be wonderful handlers and showed a number of my corgis brilliantly. Mia also showed my beautiful Meg — Grand Ch Coondarby Give Me Your Heart — to Best in Show, which was a very proud moment for us all.
I have been very fortunate to have Sharryn as my daughter-in-law. Over the years, together with Stephen, she showed many of my corgis beautifully, always with patience, skill, and a genuine love for the dogs. As a devoted mother, she made the difficult decision to step back from the show ring, as child-rearing and family dreams quite rightly took precedence. In more recent times, it has been lovely to see Sharryn return to the ring again and once more handle our corgis with the same care and dedication she has always shown.
Allan and I were both honoured to receive Distinguished Service Certificates from Dogs NSW, something we are very proud of.
As I went through old photos to put this brief reminiscence together for the Club, I found myself fondly remembering so many friends and dogs. It has been a joy to relive such wonderful memories.
The photographs I have shared throughout this story say as much as my words ever could. Each image captures a moment in time — beloved dogs, proud achievements, and the quiet joy of a life lived alongside corgis. As I have often said, a picture is worth a thousand words, and these photos speak more eloquently than I ever could about the love, dedication, and memories that have shaped my journey with the breed.
For those of you whose journey has intertwined with ours, thank you for being part of something so personal and so precious to both Allan and me. And to the members and friends reading this, I wish you all the very best with your own doggy dreams.
I can clearly remember our little group back then, all about the same age, competing week after week with some lovely dogs — the Athertons, the Fields, and the Morrises. We were great friends. An old stalwart of the breed once remarked that he couldn’t understand how we could compete so often against each other and still remain such good friends. But we managed to find that balance between competition and breed advocacy, and along the way we formed friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It makes me very happy to remember those days.
The people I have met and the friendships I have made through my association with the Pembroke breed have been truly amazing, and I am so very thankful to you all.
Today, the numbers have sadly diminished from the times when we would see over 300 entries at specialties, but I still see very dedicated breeders presenting beautiful Pembrokes. I wish them every success and sincerely hope to see this continue into the future.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to relive our wonderful ride.
God bless, GAI LEWIS
The Welsh Corgi Club of NSW would like to acknowledge a significant honour mentioned by Gai in her reflections.
Both Gai and Allan Lewis were awarded Distinguished Service Certificates by Dogs NSW in recognition of their many decades of contribution to the dog world in New South Wales.
This is a very meaningful recognition within the NSW dog world, though not one that is often spoken about publicly.
The Distinguished Service Certificate from Dogs NSW is awarded to people who have given long, sustained, practical service to the dog world in NSW — contributing quietly over decades.
It is not an award for a single achievement, but recognition for a lifetime of involvement.
This award is not given lightly. It recognises longevity and perseverance to multiple facets of the canine community — through showing, breeding, stewarding, mentoring, supporting clubs, and the countless hours of behind-the-scenes work that are more than often volunteered freely, that help dog shows and breed communities continue to thrive. It is a mark of deep respect from peers for a lifetime of involvement.
For those who know Gai and Allan’s long history in Pembrokes, their dedication to the breed, their support of fellow exhibitors, and their commitment to the wider dog community, this recognition is both fitting and well deserved.
Final Words from our Editor
It is also wonderful to see this passion continuing into the next generation. I was fortunate to see their daughter-in-law Sharryn recently take a 10-point Best of Breed at the DOGS NSW Grounds Development Committee All Breeds Championship Show on Saturday evening, 24 January 2026, with CH Coondarby My Heart Sings, sired by Coondarby Party Time out of Grand CH Coondarby Give Me Your Heart — a lovely reminder that the Coondarby legacy is still very much alive in today’s show rings.
