Merit award presented to CHB dog trialist

Graeme Chapman, manager at Orua Wharo Station, was recently presented with the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association Merit Award at a Hawke’s Bay Sheep Dog Trial Association function in Hastings.

Merit awards are awarded to people involved with dog trials who put a large amount of effort back into the sport, something which largely goes unrecognised.

Orua Wharo Station has made a commitment to host Takapau SDTC over many years, but Graeme’s involvement goes far beyond his role as station manager, welcoming competitors to the station and providing the sheep.

Graeme is considered the backbone of the club, progressing from vice president to president in 2011, and involved in every aspect of running the annual trial, from ensuring the sheep are presented in great order, overseeing the maintenance of the club rooms and extra work on the property to improve the courses, over and above the work at working bees. Not content with just providing the sheep, he is always there to work the sheep alongside club members.

Club members say a large part of Graeme’s leadership comes from his approach to communication — he has always personally phoned every club member before meetings and working bees and makes a particular point of liaising with all the sponsors.

Graeme has a top team of dogs and does compete at Takapau but that is the extent of his trialing, preferring to organise and support.

Graeme’s involvement in trialing is not limited to Takapau SDTC, he is also a stalwart worker for the Waipukurau Tux Yarding competition — again working sheep, setting up the course, liberating and sweeping, and when help is needed for Island or New Zealand SDT championships he will be there again. The Takapau SDTC members say they appreciate the countless hours and endeavours that Graeme and his partner Huia have contributed.