The strength of the Welsh Corgi Club of NSW lies in its volunteers — experienced breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts who freely give their time and expertise to promote our breeds and guide new generations of handlers.
President
I have always felt extremely lucky that I was born into the world of showing and breeding as my Nana, Jean Johnson, enjoyed great success and dedicated many decades to our wonderful Pembrokes under her Jodiwyn prefix. I spent all my spare time and many school holidays poring over her collection of handbooks and boxes of pedigrees, and of course, playing with dogs! I began exhibiting with her at dog shows at the age of ten and whilst that was toward the end of her time in dogs, I always feel fortunate to have had such a sound foundation of learning.
I purchased my first show dog in 1998 and titled him, and in 1999, I was extremely fortunate to purchase my foundation bitch, she was CH Dawco Golden Glory. In 2003, I bred my first litter under my Aziah prefix out of which came my first Specialty Best In Show winner. All of my current Pembrokes trace back to this beginning.
I have been blessed with many homebred Pembroke Champions, Specialty Best In Show and All Breeds Best In Show winners, the 2012 National Specialty Best In Show winner and several generations on, the 2025 National Specialty Best In Show winner. As well as this, I have made many cherished friends through our amazing breed.
I enjoyed the position of Secretary for many years with The Newcastle & Northerb NSW Welsh Corgi Club before its closure in the early 2000’s and then with The Welsh Corgi Club of NSW for a number of years and recently, accepted the position of President. I have also served as previous President of the Australian National Welsh Corgi Council.
I thoroughly enjoy and continue to work with our committee, to help preserve our truly enchanting and special breeds.
I began my formal judging training in 2016; I felt that the time was right, and it was a natural progression following my passion of purebred dogs and am licensed to judge Group 5.
Vice President and Publicity Officer
My curiosity for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi began in childhood after watching “Tucker,” the charming Pembroke Corgi in the 1990s Disney movie Murder She Purred, starring Ricki Lake. That early fascination grew into a lifelong passion with the purchase of my first purebred dog, a 2yr old Pembroke named “Lucia” – Aust. Champion Bojojamile Bon Appetite. This experience changed the course of my life. With the guidance of my breeder and mentor, Mrs Valerie Joan Hutton (Bojojamile), I discovered the sport of conformational dog showing and quickly became immersed in the world of purebred dogs. That initial connection sparked a deep appreciation for the breed and its rich history, which continues to grow through every show, litter, and club initiative I’m involved in.
In 2022, I established my breeding prefix, HUDDYLU, with a focus on quality, health, and breed standard preservation. I welcomed my foundation litter in October 2023 and have recently titled the young girl I retained from that litter. The aim of my breeding program is thoughtful pairings that produce genetically sound dogs with excellent temperaments, raised in a loving, well-rounded environment. I’m passionate about preserving the integrity of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and contributing to its future in Australia.
Outside of breeding, I actively contribute to the dog community through various roles. I manage the Dog Section of the Yass Show Society, where I organise the annual all-breeds Championship show. I also serve as Handbook Editor for the National Welsh Corgi Council and recently completed the DogsNSW stewards training program to support the sport of conformation more broadly.
Treasurer, Property and Public Officer
I have been passionate about Corgis for almost my entire life — I was just two years old when my first Corgi came into our family, so that’s over 60 years of love for the breed!
After my first corgi passed, we visited breeder Ruth Hutchinson (TwoBee & Dythru Kennels), who first introduced me to the world of showing and she became a wonderful mentor to me. My mum also bred Corgis under Holloway Kennels, and I began showing and had a few litters myself about 30 years ago.
When I started my own family, I kept Corgis as pets but stepped back from showing and breeding to focus on raising my children. About 15 years ago, I returned to the show world and became a registered breeder under the Nesbo prefix.
Alongside showing, I’ve competed in Agility, Obedience, and Rally with my Corgis, enjoying their intelligence, versatility, and playful personalities. I currently own four Corgis: Whitney (Ch. Neut Ch. Anwyl Just One Kiss JD), her granddaughter Xyra (Ch. Neut Ch. Nesbo Xyra A Lite Kiss), Xyra’s son Casey (Ch. Nesbo A Kiss From Heaven), and Rose (Anwyl Sweeter Than Wine). Each of them brings joy, energy, and character to our home and the ring.
Secretary & Show Secretary
Funnily enough, my first introduction to Pembroke Welsh Corgis wasn’t exactly love at first sight — when I was six years old, a little Corgi named Toffee gave me a bite!
My very first dog was actually a Collie Rough named Charlotte, a beautiful rescue who joined our family when I was almost three. She became my partner in crime, keeping me company in the sandpit and teaching me what it meant to have a true four-legged friend.
Growing up, I developed a real passion for working with large animals, thanks to strong family ties to the dairy, beef, and equine industries. My grandmother gave me the joy of riding horses, while my grandfather taught me the practical side of things — including every marketable cut of meat from a beast! Alongside this, I showed cattle and horses, and it was during these years that I also found myself wandering across to the dog rings at shows, where my interest in the world of purebred dogs began to grow.
In 2014, I met Louise Shipman showing her beautiful Collie “Paris,” and she and her husband Wayne kindly took me under their wing. They gave me my first real lessons in ringcraft and the world of dog showing. A few years later, while studying at university, I was able to reconnect with them at shows in Gunnedah. Then came June 2019 — a turning point. At a dog show, we were set up next to a lovely family with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Witch (CH Aziah Winter Solstice). Watching her go around the ring, I was completely smitten. That was the day I met Liana of Aziah Kennels, and the day my Corgi journey truly began.
At first, I was enquiring about a puppy for a friend — but fate had other plans. At the start of 2020, I welcomed my first Pembroke, Callie (CH Aziah Too Many Faeries AI), Witch’s half-sister. Despite the disruption of COVID, we quickly found our rhythm, and Callie earned her title with a RBIG to her name.
With Liana’s mentorship, I have since bred my first homebred Champions and am excited about the young stock we are bringing up together.
Life has also taken a new turn recently, with the arrival of my first child at the end of 2024. Balancing motherhood with the show world has its challenges, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Looking forward, I plan to continue deepening my knowledge of the breed while working towards my dream of starting my judges training.
We wish to acknowledge with deep gratitude the members who have served our Club so generously throughout the years. Their contributions have been invaluable to the strength and success of our community.
30 Years of Service
Michelle Pratley, was the cornerstone of our club for over 30 years. Michelle generously gave her time, energy, and expertise across many roles, always with dedication and passion for our breed and community. The Club sincerely thanks Michelle for her dedication, expertise and knowledge freely given and shared during her time on the Committee. The club is deeply grateful for everything she has contributed over the decades — her commitment has left a lasting mark on our members and our dogs.
A Lifetime of Service
When I was given a 7 month old little bitch in 1960 - who quickly stole my heart (and probably my slippers!) - my journey with Corgis began.
In 1961, I purchased my foundation bitch and registered the Anwyl prefix — the start of what would become a legacy of champions. Some 60 years later (I've stopped counting!), we have produced multiple generations of champions descended from that foundation bitch.
I am a founding member, Life Member, and Vice Patron of the Central Welsh Corgi Club in New Zealand, where I have supported the Club’s growth and activities over many years. After moving from New Zealand (don't ask me when!), I joined the Welsh Corgi Club of NSW and have been a continuous member ever since.
Over the years, I have served the Club in various capacities, contributing in a variety of roles to promote the breed and support the Club’s events and community including roles as Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and more recently Vice President. This year however, I have stepped back to my current role as 2025 Committee Member.
Through all these years, my main aims for the Pembroke breed has remained the same: to breed and own the perfect all-round Corgi — sound, healthy, intelligent, trainable, full of personality, and, of course, lovely to look at. Their energy, charm, and enthusiasm make every day brighter, and watching them grow and excel — both at home and in the ring — reminds me why I fell in love with this breed all those years ago.
Robin G Robertson
Members enjoy discounted specialty show entry fees, as well as many other benefits.
