Melbourne Royal All Breeds Championship Show Judges 2024

SYLVIE DESSERNE (FRANCE) 

Group 1 & Group 1 Specials
Group 2A (German Hunting Terrier, Tenterfield Terrier)
Group 3A (Cocker Spaniels (American)
Group 4A (Basset Fauve de Bretagne, Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Portuguese Podengo (All)
Group 5A (German Shepherd Dogs, German Shepherd Dogs (LSC) White Swiss Shepherd Dogs)
Group 6A (Pyrenean Mountain Dogs)
Group 7A (British Bulldogs, Chow Chow, Dalmatians, Great Danes)

BEST IN SHOW

Sylvie Desserne was born into a family where animals took pride of place. From an early age she was always surrounded by four-legged friends and mostly by the family's pet Pointers and Poodles.

When finances permitted, Sylvie bought her first show dog and was quickly smitten by the idea of starting a small kennel. This was the beginning of the “Vilfloraine” prefix. Shih Tzu, then King Charles Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels became Sylvie’s life. She bred many Champions, mainly in King Charles and Cavaliers. This was the start of a consuming passion which would influence Sylvie’s entire life and whole existence – not always with the family’s approval!

Sylvie’s passion has taken her around the world, firstly as an exhibitor, and then as a judge. Although Sylvie’s original interest for the King Charles remains, and this breed will always hold a special place in her heart, she has developed a passion for all breeds, and loves the thrill she feels when standing in front of an outstanding exhibit, whatever the breed.

Beginning her judging career in the early 90’s, Sylvie became an All Rounder in 2010. Sylvie has judged widely across the world, on most continents at many of the most well documented shows, including World Dog Shows and European Dog Shows. Sylvie is so often complimented about her ring manner and friendliness and respect towards exhibitors and their dogs.

Sylvie’s last trip to Australia was in 2015 to judge Perth Royal Show. Sylvie Desserne is a wonderful dog person passionate about her breeds and judging. We look forward to welcoming Sylvie to her first Melbourne Royal Show. 

PAMELA BRUCE (CANADA)

Group 2C (Balance of Breeds) & Group 2 Specials
Group 4C (Balance of Breeds) & Group 4 Specials

PUPPY IN SHOW

Pamela is a fourth generation ‘dog person’ with deep Hound and Terrier experience. She completed her first champion at age four, alongside her parents who bred Maltese and Lhasa Apsos. Pam has handled and appreciates a wide variety of breeds in various groups. Her expertise is in coated breeds, having conditioned and presented numerous top Hounds, Terriers and Toys, including all varieties of Poodles and also Bearded Collies. Pamela has also bred and exhibited top winning Weimaraners.

For over forty years Pamela specialised in the breed she is best known for – Afghans. She piloted many ‘Grandeur’ Afghans into the top ten both in Canada and the USA. Pamela’s first Airedale Terrier was obtained when she was still a child. Her Terrier mentors included Peter Green, Susan Rogers and Ernesto Lara. She has bred Airedale Terriers under the ‘Accolade’ prefix for the past 20 years, being highly competitive within the breed as an owner handler and presenting her own dogs.

Pamela is an CKC/AKC All Breeds Judge. Her judging journey began in 2000 and her assignments have taken Pamela around the world over the past twenty years. She has judged in Canada, USA, Chile, Colombia, Korea, Mexico, Australia and Japan. Memorable shows include Westminster Kennel Club, AKC at Orlando, Hatboro KC and Woofstock.

Pamela is a Life Member of the Canadian Kennel Club, having served three terms on the Discipline Committee. She is a valued supporter of judges training, being in charge of the organisation and running of Judges Training in Canada.

Pamela is a retired investigator with the Toronto Police Service Sex Crimes Unit – declared an expert, specialising in DNA ‘cold cases’, dangerous offenders and sexual assault child abuse investigations.

It is more than nine years since Pamela was last in Australia. We are delighted to welcome Pamela, an outstanding judge and ‘dog person’ with so many years of wonderful experience, to our 2024 Melbourne Royal Show judging panel.

ZEFERINO SILVA (PORTUGAL)

Group 2B (American Hairless Terrier)
Group 3B (Balance of Breeds) & Group 3 Specials
Group 4B (Cirneco Dell’Etna. Porcelaine, Sloughi)
Group 6B (Balance of Breeds) & Group 6 Specials
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BABY PUPPY IN SHOW

Zeferino Silva is an All Rounder judge residing outside Porto in Portugal.

More than 45 years ago he began his career in purebred dogs exhibiting and breeding English Cocker Spaniels.

After 1982, under the prefix “Temple’s Knight”, he commenced breeding and showing American Cocker Spaniels. With some success he bred and presented many American Cockers in competitions, gaining Championship titles with more than 50 dogs.

Zeferino also bred and exhibited Afghans and Whippets for some years. 

Currently, in partnership with Rui Oliveira, he breeds and exhibits English Pointers under the prefix “Vale Carvoeiro”. This kennel has achieved outstanding results and many dogs carrying this prefix have won well across the globe.

In 1989, with some other breeders, he founded the Portuguese Spaniel Club, where he stayed as President for a number of years. During the same period he was also involved in foundation and direction of the Portuguese Sighthound Club. Zeferino was also Vice President of Portuguese Kennel Club.

Zeferino began his judging career in 1995. He is now an all rounder, having judged widely across the globe, renowned for his fair, honest and well considered decisions. He has judged at National, International and Breed Speciality Shows, in many European countries, together with countries across six continents including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Equador, India, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Peru, México, South Africa, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and South Korea. Zeferino has been honoured to be invited to judge at both the European Dog Show and the World Dog Show.

Zeferino was last in Australia six years ago, and this will be his first trip to Melbourne. He is a successful breeder and widely experienced judge and Melbourne Royal is thrilled to welcome another excellent Portuguese judge to the 2024 Judging Panel.

JADRANKA MIJATOVIC (CROATIA)

Group 5B (Balance of Breeds) & Group 5 Specials
Group 7B (Balance of Breeds) & Group 7 Specials

Jadranka was born in 1966 into a non-doggy family. She was the only child in the family and always felt a dog would be the perfect companion. Her first dog ever came when she was almost 17 years old and that was not a pure-bred dog but was Jadranka’s first companion. Later came the first pure bred, a Dalmatian female. Three years later she was introduced by a mutual friend to a very successful Rough Collie breeder and pretty soon she was the new owner a Rough Collie female and co-owner of a male.

The breeder, Denis, became Jadranka’s mentor, her friend and later her partner. Now Denis and Jadranka have been breeding Collies and living together for 30 years with seven dogs and their twin boys, Filip and Aleksandar.  During the years they have bred and/or owned over 100 Champions in all three colours, including International, World and Euro Champions. Their Collies have been Top Dogs 22 times, 18 years in a row. 

Denis and Jadranka were the first handlers in the country and a part of a small international group of 4 professional handlers who were pioneers in that profession in Europe. For 7 years Jadranka showed dogs professionally with the great success, winning numerous Top Dogs awards in their breeds and winning Groups and BIS all over the Europe.

Jadranka was one of the founders of the British Sheepdog Club of Zagreb and a member of the Board for five years, and President of the Breeding Committee. Today she is on the Board of the local Kennel Club near Zagreb. Both Denis and Jadranka are holders of GOLDEN MEDAL, the highest award in Croatian Kennel Club for breeding and showing achievements and their contribution to Croatian Cynology. 

Jadranka began judging dogs in the early 1990s. Her first licensed breeds were British Sheepdogs. Ten years later Jadranka gained FCI Group I and FCI Group V. Jadranka has judged in 32 countries, including an Australian Collie National, which was a great honour for her as a breeder. Jadranka has officiated at World Dog Shows, and a number of other prestigious European events.

Photography is Jadranka’s other passion and over 23 years Deya Photography has become world known, and synonymous for excellent dog and cat photography.

Jadranka Mijatovic is a passionate and experienced judge who without doubt seeks breed type and excellence in her judging. She has judged widely and will prove a great asset to the 2024 panel. This will be her first return to Australia since judging the Collie National in 2012.

MICHAEL CAMAC (SA)

SWEEPSTAKES CLASSES

Michael Camac has been involved in the Dog World since 1968 as a successful breeder, exhibitor and exporter of Australian Silky Terriers under the "Dulcannina" prefix and as an exhibitor of all three varieties of Poodles, Pharaoh Hounds and Lhasa Apso.

From the age of ten he handled his family's dogs in the show ring and later became a partner in the kennel. The kennel made up approximately 100 Champions and Dulcannina bred and owned the first Silky Terrier to win Best Exhibit in Show at a Royal Show within Australia (Melbourne Royal 1972).

In addition to his involvement with Silky Terriers, Michael co-owned and handled the white Standard Poodle Australian Champion Leander White Blazer (Imp. South Africa) to Best Exhibit in Show at Sydney Royal Easter Show 1988.

Since 1997 Michael has been involved with Lhasa Apsos with great success as a partner in the “Amesen” prefix including winning multiple Best in Group and Group placements at Royal shows within Australia, Multiple Best in Shows (All Breeds) and Multiple Speciality Best in Shows. Amesen has bred approximately 100 Champions, including the first Australian Bred Lhasa Apso to gain an English Show Title.

Michael was first approved to judge Toy Breeds in 1978 and achieved ALL BREEDS status in 1989. He has officiated at shows in all States of Australia, together with international appointments in Sweden, Norway, Finland, New Zealand, India, Canada, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, China and Japan. One highlight was judging at the 2008 World Dog Show in Sweden.

He has been invited twice to lecture on Silky Terriers to the Terrier Judges at the Terrier Derby Conferences in Sweden. He judged the Pedigree Chum Junior Showmanship Final at Crufts in 1994.

He was the Group Seven (Non Sporting Group) co-ordinator for many years and is currently an Examiner, Assessor and Breed Lecturer with Dogs SA Judges Training.

Michael served as an elected council member of the South Australian Canine Association for four years and is currently a member of the Adelaide Royal Dog Section Committee.

Melbourne Royal welcomes Michael to the 2024 Judging Panel.

DAWN AYTON (VIC)
RALLY TRIAL 1

Dawn’s involvement with Obedience started with the family’s “oh so naughty” pet gaining a CD title in 1978. From there she progressed to owning Dobermanns and later Rottweilers and titling them in multiple disciplines.

Dawn has travelled overseas and interstate to attend Shows, Trials and numerous seminars. She used her knowledge and experience to assist the National Dobermann Council to set up their Working Aptitude Evaluation and also helped the National Rottweiler Council improve the temperament testing section of their Breed Survey Scheme.

Dawn is a Life Member of the Rottweiler Club, the Dobermann Club and a Life Fellow of the Canine Museum, a member of Dogs Victoria Management Committee, Performance sub committees and also an assessor and mentor for trainee Obedience, Rally and Endurance Test Judges. Dawn has judged Rally and Obedience in most States of Australia including at the ANKC National Obedience Trial, Sydney Royal, Victorian Rally Dog of the Year and several Breed Specialty National Events.

Dawn would like to thank Melbourne Royal for the invitation to Judge Rally in 2024. To the competitors  -  have fun and huge congratulations for just being out there competing with your dogs.

GAYE TODD (VIC)
RALLY TRIAL 2

“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is greatly increased. It is no small gift” - Mary Oliver (American Poet)

How true this is, and Gaye is certainly grateful for the “gift” her own dogs have brought her!!

Gaye’s love for dog training began in the early eighties when she joined Southern Obedience Dog Club with her Weimaraner, Jessie.

Dalmatians Rommy and Rebel later joined the family with Rommy achieving her Australian Obedience Champion Title in 2005. German Shorthaired Pointer Ringo was also very successful in the obedience ring  - winning many High in Trials, gaining his UD Title, Rally Champion Title and also being in the Top 10 Victorian Obedience Dog of the Year 3 times.

Always wanting to learn and improve her skills, in 2010 Gaye enrolled in and successfully completed the National Dog Trainers Federation Certificate 3 in Dog Behaviour and Training.

Gaye has titled 5 Weimaraners and a Tibetan Terrier in Conformation and Weimaraner Eli is a Triple Champion having his Conformation, Rally, and Tracking Champion Titles.

Kody, the Aussie Shepherd is her next exciting project!!

Wanting to give back to the sport she loves, Gaye joined the OTEC Judges training scheme in 2019, achieving her Rally license in 2022 and Full Panel Obedience license in 2023.

Gaye truly understands how challenging, frustrating but incredibly rewarding training dogs can be and loves nothing more than seeing a wonderful dog and handler team working together and enjoying themselves in the trial rings.

Gaye wishes to thank Melbourne Royal for this prestigious appointment and looks forward to sharing the day with our wonderful trialling community.

CLIVE MAKEPEACE (VIC)
OBEDIENCE TRIAL

Clive started in the Dog World in 1972 with a Dalmatian at the Croydon and District Dog Obedience Club in Victoria. Obedience trialling beckoned but because of an injury to the dog, trialling was put on hold for a few years.  In the early 1980s he started stewarding at Obedience Trials in Melbourne.  In the mid 1980s Clive started in the ANKC Judging program and is now licensed to judge all levels of Obedience.  By the early 1990s he was also licensed to judge all levels of Agility, Tracking and Endurance tests. Clive has judged Agility and Obedience extensively in all States in Australia and in Singapore.

Clive is still a member of Croydon and District Dog Obedience Club and when his judging/competing commitments allow, he assists with the Trial class. During his time at the club he has held various positions including President and Chief Instructor. Clive was made a Life member in 1984 and received a 50 year service award in 2022 from CDODC. He is also a Life Member of Dogs Victoria. He has trained a Golden Retriever to its Utility title and another to its CDX title. 

Clive has been very involved in the training and testing of Agility and Obedience Judges in Victoria. During the 1990s and 2000s for some 18 years Clive with his wife Pam managed the Obedience trials for their club CDODC. Until early 2023 he was also a part of the Melbourne Royal Dog Committee having been a Steward and Committee member for some 25 consecutive Melbourne Royal Shows.

Clive is extremely pleased to be invited to judge Obedience at the 2024 Melbourne Royal. He would like to wish everybody the best of luck for a successful Royal.

TENIELLE THWAITES (NSW)
AGILITY/JUMPING AND GAMES TRIAL

Tenielle lives in Orange in Central Western New South Wales with her husband, 13 year old son and two dogs - Celti (Border Collie, 13 years) and Rippa (Australian Kelpie, 5 years). 

Tenielle was introduced to Dog Sports in 2007 when she took her puppy to the local Dog Training Club to teach her basic manners and obedience. She has trained and trialled dogs in Obedience, Rally and Dances With Dogs, but it is Agility where her passion lies, having trialled dogs up to Masters level in Agility, Jumping and Games.

Tenielle wanted to give back to the sport that she loved so she became a judge at the end of 2015. She has judged in every State in Australia including several State Championships in NSW, SA, VIC and QLD and more recently the 2023 Agility Nationals in Perth. Tenielle is also a member of the NSW Agility Judges Training Committee and finds it rewarding to mentor and train aspiring judges. She enjoys designing courses that are challenging, fast and flowing. She finds it exciting to watch dog and handler teams attack her courses and the different handling options that they choose.

Tenielle was thrilled to be invited to judge at Melbourne Royal in 2024. She is looking forward to seeing the teams compete and wishes them the very best of luck.