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About The Organisation
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The Feather Clubs Association of QLD Incorporated was formed in 1959, then
adopting the title "All Feathered Clubs Advisory Council (AFCAC) (QLD). As
reported in the November 2, 1959 issue of the Poultry Newspaper, 'Queensland
would now have an All Feathered Clubs Advisory Council on Similar lines to that
already operating in NSW and at the previous Brisbane Royal Show, a conference
of representatives of showing bodies and feather clubs was held under the
auspices of the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies'.
An Interim Committee elected at the time, drew up a constitution based on that
of the All Feathered Advisory Council of NSW. The Suggested Constitution
was discussed and approved by the majority at a special meeting held in the No.2
Council Room at the Exhibition Grounds on Saturday December 5th, 1959.
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Mr Cliff Edwards of Kingaroy, one of Queensland's better known fanciers at the
time, was elected as foundation President, with Mr Bill Clark filling the Senior
Vice President position and Bill Hughes appointed to the Junior Vice President
Role. The Important position of Secretary was filled by the RNS'a Mr Don
Mountcastle, then Honorary Secretary for the QLD Chamber of Agricultural
Societies. The appointment was intended to be a temporary one only - as
set out under the adopted constitution and rules item 19.
The Edwards Presidency period lasted for most of the ensuing decade.
Cliff's contribution during those formative years was never appreciated by
fanciers generally, not realising the diplomacy and application of effort to get
this new organisation established on a sound footing. Cliff lived in
Kingaroy and the meetings in those early days were held in Brisbane. To
fulfill what he considered his duty as President, he would drive as far as
Rosewood the day previous, after completing a days work on his property, and
stay overnight with Roy and Merge Kerle.
The journey to Brisbane was completed the following day in Roy Kerle's vehicle,
picking up Ipswich poultry club delegates en route. During Mr Edward's
term in office the AFCAC QLD held 3 annual socials, all at a Brisbane venue, and
at a time to suit fanciers, who would be visiting the Royal Show on the first
Saturday. |
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Mr Merv Shannon became AFCAC (QLD) second president and Mrs Nola McCullough
succeeded Mr Don Mountcastle as Secretary. Merv was affectionately
referred to by fanciers as 'The Potato Chip Man' because of his plying of that
trade at shows. The Shannon term of Presidency was relatively brief as
compared to his predecessor, rumoured to have been bought to a conclusion as a
result of functional incompatibility between President and Secretary.
Whatever the reason for Merv's short term occupancy, his relinguishing of the
position led to the election of the AFCAC (QLD)'s longest serving President, Mr
Eric Dowdle, often referred to as Queensland's 'Mr Poultry'. Eric became
the council's first direct link between AFCAC (QLD) and the Royal National
Agricultural and Industrial Association of QLD. At that time he was
Honorary Chief Steward in the Poultry Section at the Royal National Show,
subsequently being appointed Honorary Council Steward in 1982. |
The first judges panel came into existence in 1961 and was reported on in the
Poultry Newspaper of April 8, 1961 where it was stated 'At a recent meeting of
the All Feathered Clubs Advisory Council (QLD), a judges panel and breeders
directory in booklet form was finalised. Copies of the booklet may be
obtained from the Secretary of the Council, Royal National Association, Creek
St, Brisbane. The meeting decided to seek information concerning an
insurance cover for judges, while employed by showing bodies which, it was
stated, could be arranged.'
The position of Judges Registrar was established in later years in the early
1970's with Mr George Glover performing that function and holding that position
until his untimely passing in 1992. During the Eric Dowdle - Nola
McCullough era of administration, an attempt was made to establish a 'post
royal' judges forum by way of holding a social at the home of the then Secretary
after the conclusion of the Annual Meeting. The venture however did not
achieve the success hoped for and no further attempt was made at holding a
social event for fanciers and judges during the course of the Royal until the
very successful event in 1999. |
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Mr Noel Mathews of Toowoomba took over the reigns as Secretary from Mrs Nola
McCullough forming a very innovative partnership with Mr Eric Dowdie as
President, overseeing a new direction for the organisation. The poultry
fancy in Queensland saw a further move away from the centralised approach
previously asopted by the Council and meetings were now held in various country
centres around the state. Under the previous administration we saw a
couple of meetings held in country centres closely located to Brisbane.
This initiative proved, very inspirational and recieved considerable support for
the organisation. In those days many of the committee including Messrs
Eric Dowdle, George Glover, Bill Mayer, Dempsey Bailey and Sid Wynn would travel
to these country centres. They would be met by other committee members
from the Downs region, namely Messrs Noel Mathews, Ernie Jannusch, Jim Lucht,
Vince Voll and Ron Philbey.
Noel Mathews was the brains thrust behind the organisation of several Annual
Shows held in conjunction with the AFCAC (QLD) General Meetings with some very
successful ventures held at Monto, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville. It
was during this period of time that publicity officer Mr W.E.(Dempsey) Bailey
moved a motion at a meeting at Maryborough whereby, the judges nominations from
affiliated clubs for the ensuing years's Royal Show would be carefully
considered by AFCAC (QLD) committee, with the final submission of three names
for each section forwarded to the Royal. |
This proved to be successful and provided the Royal Poultry Committee with a
respected list of judges for their consideration. That system has been
used ever since and is still in existence, currently working very successfully.
In those days the annual meetings were held each year on the first Sunday of the
Brisbane Royal Show in the CWA meeting rooms in Gregory Terrace, not far from
the Royal Show Grounds. Just prior to the passing of Noel Mathews, the
council saw fit to present an award to both Noel and Eric Dowdle, for their
untiring services and contributions to the organisation.
With the sad passing of Noel Mathews, the Secretarial reins were takenon by Tony
Wonka of the Brisbane suburb of Pullenvale. Tony provided a very business
like approach to the position and during his brief term in office, the
organisation saw the move away from an advisory body to an association that has
since that time provided a more regulated approach to the administration of
poultry in the state of QLD.
This was bought about to a large extent by the famous 'Fine Cotton' affair,
where certain parties were prosecuted through the courts for the stealing of
fowls at shows. At the time, the organisation had an inability to legally
instigate positive action against any person found guilty in a Court of Law
because of the 'Advisory' restrictions of the organisational name. This
bought about a change of name to the Feather Clubs Association of Queensland and
was incorporated with the relevant government regulatory authority.
Some opposition to the name and function change, considering it opened the
way to interference in club matters by the FCAQ. Strangely though those
same protestors in the main, were those most vocal in criticising the AFCAC
(QLD) for lack of positive action against the 'Fine Cotton' culprit. |
It was during Tony Wonka's term in office that the poultry fancy in QLD, saw the
introduction of an exhibitors registration system to help offset the cost of a
public liability insurance scheme for all affiliated clubs. This
user pay module has proved a very successful revenue earner for the association
allowing them to fulfill their commitment to exhibitors here in QLD. The
fanciers have accepted this scheme in the main and it is now promoted by most of
the poultry club shows in the state.
With the stepping down of Tony Wonka from the Secretarial position, Mr Dudley
Monement of Ormeau took on the position for a few years in the early 1990's.
In late 1990 the association lost one of it's greatest supporters, Mr Eric
Dowdle and so with him passed an era in poultry administration in the state of
QLD. The following year also saw the passing of Mr George Glover and in
the space of 4 years the association lost three great supporters namely Noel
Mathews, Eric Dowdle and George Glover.
The Association under the leadership of Bill Gow as President and Dudley
Monement as Secretary, saw fit to award life membership to George Glover, Bill
Mayor and posthumously to Eric Dowdle in 1991. Sadly Noel Mathews was
never provided with this worthy recognition for his services to the association.
Under the Bill Gow - Dudley Monement term of office the association continued to
hold meetings in the country areas of the state, encouraging support from those
outlying centres. The FCAQ continued to support the Brisbane Royal Show
and with the passing of Eric Dowdle generously donated the trophy to be awarded
to the Grand Champion Fowl of Show and it became known as the 'Eric Dowdle
Memorial Award'. |
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When George Glover passed away in 1992 a similar award known as the 'George
Glover Memorial Award' was first awarded at the 1993 Royal Show to the recipient
of the Reserve Champion Fowl of Show. Irony had it that George Glover was
the innaugural winner of the Eric Dowdle Memorial Award in 1991. Both of
these awards have been presented ever since, a tribute to two men, who devoted
so much to this organisation and to Queensland poultry in general. In
1993, Rod Lucht of Maryborough, took on the position as President of the
association with the Secretary position performed by Mr Geoff Reimers of
Toowoomba. Rod's father Jim Lucht of Toowoomba was a committee member of the
AFCAC (Qld) for many years.
Under that administration the association instigated and organised two very
successful poultry seminars that were held, firstly in Maryborough in 1995, and
the following year in Townsville. They proved very educational and a great
social gathering for all those fanciers who were in attendance. Another seminar
was held at Greenbank in 1997, which proved to be arguably the most successful
to date. In 1997, the association went through a difficult period of time, not
having an appropriately audited set of financial records in existence. To the
new Secretary/Tresurer's credit this situation has since been rectified and the
association under John Lingard's term of office has steadily grown and drawn
back support, lost during the difficult times previously experienced.
Owen Glover took on the position as President of the association in November of
1998, after the mid term resignation of Mr Rod Lucht. With Owen also holding the
position of Honorary Council Steward at the Brisbane Royal, the poultry fancy in
this state, have seen the link between the two organisations further developed.
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n May, 1998 the association awarded Life Membership to Mr W.E. (Dempsey) Bailey
for his services to the organisation in various positions including Publicity
Officer and State Representative on the Australian Poultry Standards Project
Committee, who met in that historic meeting in Melbourne in February of 1998.
The FCAQ played and instrumental role in the development of the standard and its
eventual acceptance by the poulty clubs and fanciers of Queensland. The
association received a significant rebate from the sales of the book of
standards. That dividend was accepted by President, Owen Glover (in the presence
of Mr W.E. Bailey) at the Annual Victorian Poultry Fanciers Dinner at the 1999
Melbourne Royal Show.
There are many financially
affiliated
member clubs throughout Queensland, with (2) of that number from northern
New South Wales and a list of member clubs can be viewed by clicking
here. The
Feather Clubs Association Inc. is served by a very enthusiastic and innovative
committee who is focussed on serving the needs of the poultry fanciers in
Queensland and is pleased to be working very closely with the Royal National
Association in promoting our Royal Queensland Show. The full committee can
be seen on the 'Our Executive' page of this site by
clicking here. |
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