CATS AND THE CAT FANCY IN AUSTRALIA (1880S TO THE EARLY 1900s)
IN THE BEGINNING: GOVERNING COUNCILS AND ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES
Abbreviations: WA – Western Australia; NSW – New South Wales, SA – South Australia; Tas – Tasmania; NT – Northern Territory; NZ – New Zealand; Vic – Victoria; Qld – Queensland.
While the early days of the British and North American cat fancies are well documented, no complete history of the Australian cat fancy have yet been compiled. As well as scouring various sources, I am indebted to Lesley Morgan who continues to collate and publish a comprehensive history of fancy cats in Australia. Note to non-Australian readers: In these notes on the Australian scene, "Victorian" refers to a state and not to an era.
Each State had a main Agricultural Society, generally called the “Royal Agricultural Society” (RAS), larger versions of the County Shows in England. Their annual shows exhibited the State’s riches and resources and the activities of its people, including livestock and pet-stock breeding. The day of the Show was a public holiday and it was widely publicised and covered in the media.
In general, before 1900 and during the early years of the 20th Century, cat shows in each state were run in conjunction with dog shows, bird shows or rabbit shows, with the main show being at the RAS annual show. This remained the case until the formation of the first Cat Control Body. Later, small Cat Clubs were formed but these did not survive long. In 1919 Australia's first proper Cat Club was formed and others followed. Although there were cat owners throughout Australia, cat fancy activity at that time was centred in Victoria and NSW. They remained the only States with an organized Cat Fancy until the 1950s.
By 1928 the numbers of cat owners and breeders had increased sufficiently that a central Governing Body was needed. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) was formed to co-ordinate registrations and administration and to ensure the welfare and growth of the Cat Fancy. In NSW, registrations were initially under the control of a cat club but later, by mutual arrangement, the NSW RAS took over this role.
The Cat Fancy grew steadily in Victoria and NSW, but in the 1930s it was hit by the economic depression. The wealthier income group that would normally form the core of the Cat Fancy struggled to get anything but the barest necessities, let alone indulge hobbies and luxuries. When World War II broke out, the survival of the Cat Fancy fell to a few dedicated owners who managed to keep cat fancying alive even though progress was impossible. After the war, breeders were anxious to import quality breeding stock from England (which was also hit hard by wartime restrictions) but priority was given to essential post-war cargo. Private air-shipping was theoretically possible, but the government made it clear that all livestock would be destroyed at the port of entry.
Unable to import cats, breeders spent the following years selecting breeding stock from England ready for when regulations permitted importation. This did not happen until 1950 when two breeding cats arrived in Australia, one being Australia’s first Blue Point Siamese.
In the mid-1950s, a group of fanciers from South Australia approached the Governing Council (GC) for help and advice on organising shows and training judges. Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania soon followed. Finally, Northern Territory established its Cat Fancy in 1968. The States did not have identical set-ups, but had a policy of co-operation with other states. In South Australia, the GCCF of SA was the sole governing body and co-operated with the inter-state cat associations and clubs as well as having an excellent working association with the RAS of SA. Their cat show was held at the RAS Show. In Tasmania, a committee, known as the Cat Control Council (CCC), comprising Cat Club elected delegates and appointees of the RAS, administered the affairs of the Cat Fancy, with the RAS handling Registrations. They co-operated with other inter-state cat fancies. The CCC was the single control in Tasmania.
In Queensland, not only was there a GCCF of Queensland, there were dissident groups who set up their own Cat Control (registry). This meant resolving differences between the groups so that they co-operated, however, one of the dissident groups allied itself to another state’s Cat Fancy and would not co-operate with Queensland’s GCCF. Unlike most other states, there was no association between Queensland’s Cat Fancy and its agricultural society, and cat shows were not held at the State’s main Agricultural Show. Despite this, Queensland’s cat fancy co-operated with other states. In Western Australia, the Cat Fancy agreed to come under their state’s RAS. Their rules and procedures were much the same as the other States, allowing co-operation. In NSW, the cat fancy came under the RAS. Cat Club elected delegates and RAS appointees formed a Council that worked for the Cat Fancy. NSW also worked co-operatively with other States.
In Victoria, there was disunity. The GC was the sole governing body until 1962 when the RAS set up its own Cat Section and appointed its own Cat Control body without advising the GC or suggesting any co-operation between the two. RAS Cat Control rulings prevented their members from exhibiting at GC-affiliated shows and barred GC members from exhibiting at RAS Cat Control shows. Further restrictions forbade RAS Cat Control members from buying cats or kittens from non-RAS members, or using stud cats not registered with the RAS Cat Control. Meanwhile, the GC had a policy of complete co-operative activity with other cat fancies.
The Australian Cat fancy, as a country-wide entity began in 1968 when the Northern Territory set up an official Cat Fancy, the last of the seven Australian States to do so. Each of the seven States had its own autonomous Cat Fancy that co-operated with other States. Australian cat shows were frequently held to benefit charities. Awards were in the form of trophies rather than money, with trophies – apart from the silver cups – often bearing the organising club’s predominant colour.
FORMATION OF A NATIONAL BODY
With thanks to Lesley Morgan for this information.
Abbreviations: WA – Western Australia; NSW – New South Wales, SA – South Australia; Tas – Tasmania; NT – Northern Territory; NZ – New Zealand; Vic – Victoria; Qld – Queensland.
The next logical step was to form a national body to govern the region cat control councils and registries. At the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Victoria and Australia (GCCFV) Annual General Meeting on 27th November 1969, it was suggested that a National Controlling Body should be formed. The Council resolved to contact the major Governing/Control Councils in Australia regarding the formation of a National Body. At a Feline Control Council of Western Australia (FCCWA) meeting on 19 February 1970 it was resolved that the proposed affiliation between the Victoria and Queensland bodies would be the foundation of a National Body. On 22nd June 1972, the FCCWA recorded the following resolution: “National Feline Council: Resolved that the FCCWA is in favour of the formation of a National Council. The Committee emphasised that it would only be fair to have one vote per one State, as in some States there was more than one representative”.
On the 21st October 1972, the inaugural meeting, sponsored by Uncle Ben’s (Whiskas), was held in Melbourne, chaired by Mrs J E White. Attendees included Coordinator, Dr M J Tait (GCCFV); delegates from Queensland Mrs M Dougan (Cat Fanciers Association and independent clubs), Mr R Shead (Feline Council of Queensland), and Mrs M Haas (Governing Council of Queensland); delegates from Victoria Mr D J C Chandler (GCCFV) and Mr V Bumak (DCCV); Miss M Horne (GCCF of South Australia [GCCFSA]), Mr K Dobbie (CCCT), Mrs D Oaten (Cat Association of the Northern Territory (CANT)), Mrs B T Sparkes (Murray Valley Cat Authority), and Mr H Klopper (FCCWA). Observers included Mrs Mary Hinchcliffe (Feline Control Council of Victoria [FCCV]), Mrs M Oliver, as well as representatives of Uncle Ben’s Australia Pty Ltd (Whiskas). There was sufficient national representation present to form a steering committee which would a draft constitution for presentation. Those councils not present would be kept up-to-date so they could join at a later date. It was planned to hold the first National Show in South Australia, because of its central location.
The ANCF (Australian National Cat Federation officially came into being on 10th March 1973. At its first conference, Harold Klopper was elected President. The ANCF’s name was changed to Australian Cat Federation (ACF) when it was formally incorporated. The initial meeting of the new national body was organised in Melbourne by Clyde and Beryl Chandler of the GCCFV among others and the inaugural ANCF show was held in Adelaide on the 5th of August 1973 with Margaret Horne as the show manager and Shirley White as her assistant. The show committee were : June Vogel (Richardson) and Trixie Pettman (South Australia). Judges included: FIFe Secretary, Brita Kastengren-Remborg, Sonia Dowty (New South Wales), Gwen Jenkins (Victori), Mrs E Chan (New Zealand), Jack Caird (Victoria), Chris Selby (Western Australia), Mrs N Shead (Queensland), Mrs M Oliver, Mrs N Russack and Mrs D Meyers (South Australia) and Mrs G Litchfield (Queensland) plus two newcomers: Julian Schuller (Northern Territory) and Rossy Faulkner (Roberts-Thomson) of Tasmania on her first interstate assignment. Sponsored by Uncle Ben’s, the inaugural “Whiskas International” show attracted nearly 700 exhibits from all over Australia and from New Zealand and 3,500 visitors.
At the 1973 Annual General Meeting, Harold Klopper (WA) was re-elected President. It was resolved that ANCF would apply for reciprocal affiliation with the European-based Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) so long as restrictive clauses were not placed on such affiliation. At that time, FIFe comprised 22 countries. The ABCF also decided to produce a bimonthly “National Cat” Magazine; this publication continued until 1977 in one form or another.
The 1974 National Show had been scheduled for Brisbane on 3 and 4 August, but flooding meant the show had to be relocated. The first ANCF Judges’ seminar was held. Visiting judges/speakers were the FIFe President, Mme Ravel, and Terry Hiroaka of America’s CFA. Nearly 800 cats were entered in the National Show. In 1974, the Murray Valley Cat Authority withdrew from the ANCF when GCCFV decided not to join. In addition, Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin on Christmas Day 1974 and many Northern Territory breeders and their cats were evacuated to other States. Despite these setbacks, the Cat Association of the Northern Territory (CANT) survived.
In 1975, the ANCF was registered, and the body incorporated, as the ACF. Its register of prefixes was initiated, to avoid the then common duplication of prefixes around Australia, and the Australian National Champion title was instituted. The 1975 National Show was run by the Feline Control Council of Victoria (FCCV) at the Royal Showgrounds and attracted 950 exhibits. Ruth McDonald from New Zealand officiated, with 26 Australian colleagues.
1976. The 1976 National Show returned to Adelaide, and attracted over 900.
The 1977 National Show was held in Tasmania. Dr Bill Groom (Chairman of the GCCF of Great Britain, GCCFGB) was a guest judge. The show attracted around 800 exhibits.
1977 saw the first ACF Judges’ and breeders’ tour of Europe; 35 people participated, paying their own way, and many of them gained FIFe national or international accreditation. There would be further groups in 1980 and 1982 which saw more stringent FIFe requirements. Participants included: Margaret Horne, June Richardson, Judith Russack, Julian Schuller, Dianne Dolman, Lesley Morgan, and Trixie Pettman-South.
1978. Brisbane hosted the 1978 National Show weekend. By 1978 the Queensland bodies had amalgamated into the Queensland Feline Association (QFA). Overseas judges were Dorrie Brice-Webb and Shirley Bullock (UK). The ACF Yearbook began publication.
1979. The National Show was held at Perth.and attracted 658 exhibits Eight European judges began their tour of Australia at this show, along with Lucy Koh of Singapore. This was the first show to really use panel judging. The number of FIFe judges meant that, Mr Terry Dever (Qld) was examined and awarded FIFe National status for Shorthairs – without the need for him to leave Australia!
1980. The 1980 AGM was held in Darwin. Founding President, Harold Klopper, handed over the reins to fellow West Australian, Jack Howson who had previously been Secretary. The new Secretary was Faye Schipperheijn. It was decided that anACF Judges Association was needed. International Liaison Officer (ILO), Mrs Oliver, reported that a World Federation of Cat Fanciers had been mooted, incorporating the FIFe, GCCFGB and the Cat Fanciers Association [CFA] in the United States (it was hoped that this would occur with 2 years, but actually took 15 years and the ACF a core participant). At the 1980 National show, Belgian judge, Peter Scholer, was joined by others from all affiliates.
1981. The 1981 National Show returned to Melbourne. Visiting judges were Jean Crockart (UK) and Will Thompson (CFA). Jean Crockart became patron of the ACF Judges Guild and the inaugural meeting was held. The ACF Yearbook advertised its rates at $75 for a full page, $45 for a half page, and $30 for a quarter page. Judging ran over schedule, resulting in some confusion over who won Best Exhibit.
1982. The 1982 National Show was held in Adelaide with Vaughan Barber (CFA) as guest judge. The Somali breed was recognised, Balinese were discussed, and chocolate and lilac Persians gained breed numbers. Judge and ACF history researcher Lesley Morgan has been unable to find Best in Show details for 1982.
1983. The first Guild seminar was held, featuring semi-longhair breeds. ACF President Jack Howson retired. Vice-President, Nita Russack acted in his stead for a while. The 1983 National weekend in Queensland attracted around 500 entries and several overseas observers, including 3 members of the Malaysian Cat Club and Singapore’s Lucy Koh. Don Swanson (CFA) was the overseas judge.
1984. Bjorn Christie Johnstone (director, RAST) became ACF President, but it would be a short tenure. Johnstone chaired his only AGM at Whyalla (SA) during National Show weekend. Johnstone’s presidency was conditional on moving towards an amalgamated cat fancy in Australia, combining the 5-year-old Coordinating Cat Council of Australia (CCCA) and the ACF. When this did not occur, Johnstone stood down. The 1984 Guild seminar topic was blue cats (all breeds). It also discussed whom should judge Balinese and Somalis (then part of a FIFe-style semi-longhair group) with the consensus that they be handled by appropriate shorthair judges for Abyssinian and Siamese respectively. The ACF adopted FIFe breed standards and it was suggested that ACF might do away with breed numbers in favour of acronyms. The 1984 Whyalla (SA) National Show was the first hosted outside a capital city. Swiss judge, Alfred Wittich, was present as overseas judge.
1985. The National Show, AGM and Seminar were held in Perth. At the 1985 AGM, the Balinese was recognised (Group 2). Judith Russack was ACF Secretary and. Nita Russack was Acting President for AGM. During the AGM, Eileen Eckblom (Mayor of Whyalla) was elected President. Mrs Oliver (International Liaison Officer since 1973, but now in Europe and Vice-President of FIFe) was succeeded by Julian Schuller. The Guild seminar topic was Abyssinians and Somalis, and five International Champion titles were granted.
1986. The 1986 National Show weekend returned to Adelaide. Russian Whites were assessed for recognition. The Seminar topic was Rex breeds. The visiting judge, Will Thompson (CFA), gave a presentation on CFA cats. This was a fraught and eventful year for the ACF. The Hon. Lance Barnard A.O. became ACF President, having been assured that all that all he needed to do was attend ACF National weekends and keep in touch with the Secretary. However, later in 1986, FIFe notified the ACF that it intended to take disciplinary action against it for breaching various FIFe protocols following complaints by Mrs Oliver. The breaches were petty e.g. publishing genetic articles by a non-FIFe, Dutch breeder–geneticist (it seemed that FIFe had to sanction everything, rather than welcoming views from qualified, but non-FIFe, specialists). When the ACF became affiliated to FIFe, there had been written acknowledgement from the then General Secretary that Australia would not be expected to adapt all its rules to European conditions. The Executive defended the ACF position (in three languages), but in vain. It later transpired that not all of the FIFe board nor disciplinary commission were fully informed on the matter and many were as much in the dark as the ACF was. The ACF was suspended rather than expelled (on the suggestion of Alva Uddin who later became FIFe President) at the 1987 General Assembly. ACF representatives at the General Assembly were frustrated in their attempts to present the ACF’s case. ACF representative Mrs Thomas was present, but was not allowed to sit as ACF delegate at the FIFe General Assembly. She made a despondent in her report to the 1987 ACF AGM.
1987. At the AGM, Lorna Thomas of Western Australia took over from Judith Russack as Secretary. At the Guild AGM it was suggested that open judging (in front of exhibitors) should be compulsory and individual judges were to decide whether or not they spoke to exhibitors. Policy changes included Supplementary Register (SR) cats being eligible for competition against full register cats so long as a certificate was endorsed showing the cat as SR. Exotic Shorthairs were recognised in all Persian colours; “longhaired Exotics” could be registered as Longhairs provided that their registration indicated their Exotic ancestry. Due to their overall conformation, Exotics would be judged by All-breed or Longhair judges. This decision led to the suggestion to “type-group” (now common throughout Australia). At the AGM, delegates decided to pursue an “association” with FIFe, rather than to continuing to defending ACF affiliation to FIFe. The ACF executive resigned from FIFe, this being preferable to suspension on dubious grounds. Mrs Oliver, who had initiated the disciplinary action, had become Acting President of FIFe, so there was little point continuing the fight. Liaison with CCCA was endorsed and 2 ACF observers would attend the next CCCA meeting; this was a step towards a unified cat fancy in Australia. Hobart hosted the National Show weekend for the second time with visiting English judge, Joy Foster, as guest.
1988. The Australian Bicentennial National Show was held at Darwin. All Show personnel, (including judges and stewards, wore “colonial” costume. Guest judge was Alison Ashford from the UK.
1989. The 1989 National Show weekend was held on the Gold Coast. Kim Everett (CFA) and Bambi Edwards (CCCA judge, NSW) addressed the Guild Seminar; the Seminar included “Siamese head type” and “Influencing standards” (Jane Horstman). The 1989 show was the first open-style National, and the “talk show” format proved very popular. Julian Schuller became ACF Secretary Lesley Morgan became International Liaison Officer (ILO). The AGM decided that cadet judges could have financial assistance undertake their interstate assignment (part of ACF training). More than one affiliate per state would be allowed, and the ACF–CCCA were to formulate a common policy on acceptance of new affiliates. From 24 July 1989, ACF would accept only registrations from its own, CCCA or overseas bodies, and there was to be on-going dialogue about unifying ACF and CCCA into a single body. Scottish Folds were accepted. The red/tortie series Birman colours were accepted. Russian Whites and Russian Blacks gained full recognition. Smoke-point Siamese and Smoke Orientals gained full recognition. Golden and Colourpoint British Shorthairs gained full recognition.
1990. The ACF Show weekend returned to Perth. The AGM was dominated by a constitutional tidy-up. The Judges Guild was endorsed as a recommendatory body to the ACF and a joint policy on recognition of new breeds was initiated. Qualifying for ACF National titles was clarified. Three challenges(or Awards of Merit) must be obtained at three National shows, with at least 20 months between the first and the last show. Alternatively, two certificates must be obtained at two National shows plus three others issued by international or overseas judges (again with a 20-month minimum period). Various show rules were discussed; it was decided that, when panel judging was used at an ACF show to decide the Supreme Exhibit, it should be by secret ballot. Ragdolls gained provisional recognition. Pewter Persians and tabby-point Birmans were accepted. Guidelines for allowable outcrosses in Scottish Folds were established. A tour of European shows was undertaken in 1990 by Australian judges seeking FIFe qualifications made a tour of European shows and 1980 ACF panel judge Margaret Bush gained her FIFe national longhair qualification.
1991. The ACF weekend returned to Adelaide. The AGM decided that breed names and colours to be written, rather than using breed numbers (breed numbers varied across Australian cat fancies). Silver tabby-points were accepted. The placement of Persian noses was discussed and “or intermingled” was added to tortoiseshell standard. Ragdolls (seal, blue, chocolate and lavender in three patterns) gained recognition. Truda Straede’s home-grown Spotted Mists gained provisional recognition. Judges were to be trained in the three Group categories. Cheryle Ross (CCCA) spoke of her visions for unity and a combined ACF–CCCA show. The Guild seminar featured red cats (all breeds). >At the ACF National Show, the visiting judge was Janet Kneebone from New Zealand.
1992. DCC hosted the 1992 ACF weekend in Melbourne. Guest judge was Pat Hogan (New Zealand). The Guild Seminar attracted a number of non-ACF judges, some of whom became associate members. The Seminar topic was “new breeds” and discussed Ocicats, Tonkinese and Maine Coons. The AGM decided to list cattery prefixes on the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales computer to avoid duplication by non-ACF bodies. There were also substantial changes to show rules.
1993. The ACF weekend and Show were hosted in Launceston, Tasmania and attracted several overseas judges: Alva Uddin (Sweden; FIFe President) , Tom Herbst (USA) and Lotte Borch (Denmark). The 1993 show used the “Australian open-style” format where cats were housed in home cages in bays and the judges moved around the bays to the cats. This “cat-friendly” format attracted a great deal of press coverage as well as preventing exhibits from becoming stressed. The show attracted almost 400 exhibits. British Shorthairs gained many top awards. Dr Harry Cooper (Tasmanian breeder–exhibitor), Alva Uddin (on Norwegian Forests) Lotte Borch (Scandinavian- versus “UK”-style Russians) and Tom Herbstspoke (US breeds including American Wirehairs) spoke at the Seminar . At the AGM, the ACF National title requirement changed to a minimum of 21 months. Fawn and cinnamon were recognised in Group 2. Tortie and black were recognised in Turkish Vans. Spotted Mists gained full recognition. Alva Uddin spoke about the accord mooted at the recent FIFe General Assembly; this was based on mutual recognition of judges, registrations and prefixes and agreement to judge by the others’ standards when “guest-judging”. FIFe’s philosophy had changed dramatically under Alva Uddin’ presidency and now encouraged co-operation even with non-FIFe members. The International Liaison Officer proposed an accord between ACF and FIFe and a similar accord with the NZ Cat Fancy. Mr Richings (CCCA Secretary) recommended three-way discussions at the next CCCA meeting and mentioned that the new Cat Owners Association of Western Australia, (COAWA) had not applied to join CCCA. The AGM also discussed anti-cat legislation and decided to confront this issue as a united voice. The Education and Management Committee was formed.The proposed joint ACF–CCCA show (in Adelaide) was discussed.
1994. The ACF weekend returned to Darwin and Tom Herbst returned from the USA. The Guild Seminar covered Ragdolls, judging British Shorthairs, and the issue of cosmetic surgery (there were concerns about unscrupulous breeders modifying the ears of Persians). The AGM reported that the accord with FIFe was in place and that the ACF was officially recognised as an entity in its own right by FIFe. Tom Herbst suggested a similar agreement with the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA). The idea of an ACF Yearbook was resurrected. The Cymric was accepted provided exhibits did not carry colourpoint. The ACF Award of Excellence (AoE) was instituted.
1995. The ACF weekend returned to the Gold Coast. The International Liaison Officer was unable to attend as she was representing ACF at the first World Congress of Cat Organisations (FIFe, World Cat Federation [WCF], CFA and ACF) meeting in Holland which meant significant recognition for ACF. Wain Harding of the USA was the guest judge. The AGM refined the Award of Excellence (AOE). Ocicats gained acceptance, using the CFA standard. Ragdolls “with white” were allows to have one spot on the hocks. A “breakaway” association in Tasmania (seeking CCCA affiliation) was discussed; the ACF supported its long-term affiliate, Cat Association of Tasmania Inc (CAT). Unity with CCCA was again discussed!
1996. The ACF weekend was held in Adelaide. Visiting judges were Joyce Irwin (USA), Penny Bydlinski (UK), and Waltraud Sattler (Germany). At the Guild Seminar, Penny Bydlinski (Burmilla breeder–judge) discussed Burmillas. Waltraud Sattler discussed Ocicats and Barbara Fougere from Whiskas talked about health and breeding issues. The AGM discussed the need to help South Australian Ocicat breeders, Joe and Edna Frittum’s,whose home had been destroyed by fire. The ACF contributed to the appeal initiated by GCCFSA. The idea of a national register was discussed. Bengals gained provisional recognition, with full recognitiion depending on judges’ reports on temperament to be reviewed in 1997. A register was set up for variant Korats (i.e. non self-blue). Judgies would be allowed to display their vote for Supreme Exhibit to the audience. The ACF judge training scheme would be revised. The forthcoming Silver Anniversary was discussed.
1997. The 25th anniversary ACF Yearbook contained a potted history of the ACF. A spectacular “Silver Anniversary” show was held at Perth’s Fremantle International Terminal and visiting judges were Sandra Perry and Chris McNeil from New Zealand. Waratah State Cat Alliance joined the ACF. New breeds and colours recognised were: Japanese Bobtail, Scottish Fold Longhair, Singapura and Tonkinese (Mink pattern only). The Scottish Shorthair (straight-eared progeny of Folds) gained provisional recognition along with the Burmilla and Bombay. Cinnamon and Apricot were accepted as colours in Group 2. Shaded/tipped Orientals, smoke bicolour Persian, tortie smoke and white Persians, and shaded/tipped bicolour/tortie and white Persians were recognised. The Bengal gained full recognition. Honorary Secretary, Julian Schuller (NT) retired and Nell Evans (SA) became Secretary. Haidee Lowe (NT) stepped down as Treasurer and was replaced by Margaret Bush (WA). Lesley Morgan Blythe retired as Secretary of the Judges Guild and was replaced by Sandi Gemmell. Helen Farmer (Tasmania) remained President of the Judges Guild. Within a couple of months, ACF lost its President (The Hon. Lance Barnard AO, died August 1997) and Vice-President (Paul Doody, WA, resigned). Lesley Morgan Blythe (Tasmania) became Acting President and Keryn Rivett (Victoria) became Acting Vice-President.
1998. The ACF weekend went to Melbourne and was hosted by the Cat Association of Victoria. Lesley Morgan Blythe stepped down as Acting President and resumed as International Liaison Officer. Dr Jan Hills (NT) became President. The AGM accepted a new constitution reflecting changes made over the previous six years. The Presidents of World Cat Organisations (FIFe, CFA, WCF, ACF and TICA) had become the World Cat Congress (WCC). Marbled Australian Mists were recognised. Nita Russack, a key figure in the early years, died. At the National Show, guest judges were Louis Coste (France), Flavia Capra (Italy), and Stephe Bruin (Holland).
1999. Tasmania hosted the ACF weekend held at Wrest Point Hotel Casino. At the AGM, the Queensland Independent Cat Council (QICC) Inc. joined the ACF. John Blythe (Tasmania) was elected President of ACF. Kathie Scallan (Queensland Feline Association) became Vice-President. Helen Farmer, Geoffrey Dumigan and Margaret Saal officiated at FIFe shows in Denmark, Finland, the UK and Austria. ACF judge Helen Ferres (SA) died that year. The Burmilla was gained full recognition using the FIFe standard. The Korat standard was amended. The Sphynx was accepted with its original standard. Norwegian Forest Cat standard was updated to reflect changes made by FIFe. It was decided that if a breed standard was significantly altered, it could not be further changed for 3 years (amended in 2004 to allow a change to resolve a health issue.) The show was extremely popular with visitors, partly due to publicity surrounding the Sphynx. Visiting judges were Aline and Phillipe Noel (France) and Wayne Trevathan (USA).
On 1 January 1999, the ACF’s Distinguished Merit (DM) Award was instituted, and the first four DM titles were issued to GC Jezreel Jackpot (Imp. UK blue British Shorthair male), GC Redwyton Wetheby James (blue British Shorthair male) both owned by the Jowett of Tasmania. The other winners were SR GC Comyn Jellyroll (black Exotic) and Comyn Lola Montez (blue Exotic) both owned and bred by Lesley Morgan Blythe (Tasmania.)
2000. Waratah State Cat Association hosgted the National Show’s first visit to New South Wales at Penrith and a new show format was adopted, comprising six rings. Highest Scoring Exhibit (over six rings): Maskad Zulu (black spotted tabby Persian) owned by Debbie Moreno, New South Wales. The Guild meeting accepted golden in Orientals, red/tortie series Ragdolls and caramel Australian Mists. “Gold” and “peach” Australian Mists became cinnamon and fawn respectively. The Turkish Van standard was revised and a wider range of colours and pattern approved. The Persian–Exotic standard was revised to state that the nose leather must be “broad, with open nostril apertures”. At the AGM, it was ruled that any judge found guilty in a court of law of an act injurious or prejudicial to the aims, objectives or reputation of the cat fancy would be excluded from the panel.
2001. The National Weekend was hosted by the Queensland Feline Association in Brisbane. There was no Supreme Exhibit, because QFA’s top awards are “Best of Group”. The overseas judges were Rachel Anger and Gary Veach (USA) and Johan Lamprecht (South Africa). The Guild recognised the Selkirk Rex (longhair and shorthair), tortie tabby-point Birmans and the marbled pattern in tabby Orientals, The caramel and apricot point Siamese standards were revised. At the AGM, Geoffrey Dumigan was elected Vice-President of ACF. The World Cat Congress was hosted in NSW (its first time outside of Europe) with the show run by the Waratah State Cat Association at Homebush in March; ACF’s and CFA (USA) nominated the New Zealand Cat Fancy for associate membership.
2002. On 22 May 2002 representatives of ACF and the CCCA Inc met. As a result, CCCA opened its CCCA titles to ACF-registered cats in order to become consistent with established ACF practice. The national Show and AGM were hosted by GCCFSA at Morphettville Racecourse with judging over three rings.. The visiting judges were Kitty Angell (USA),Phillipe Noel (France), Jan van Rooyen (South Africa), and Yuki Hattori (Japan). At the AGM, Michael Figwer (SA) was elected President. Keryn Rivett became Secretary. Barbara La Rocca (Qld) became Vice-President. Recognition was granted to the Oriental bicolour and red/tortie series Tonkinese. The Javanese was re-named “Oriental Longhair” in line with other countries. Selkirk Rex cats were allowed outcrossing until 2016. Recommended Practices on Breeding were clarified: rumpy Manxes were not to be bred together; fold-eared Scottish Folds were not to be bred together. The inaugural ACF Distinguished Service Award was presented to Lesley Morgan Blythe for 20 years service in many different ACF roles.
2003. The National Show returned to Darwin. The show format was different, calculating Best of Group differently. The visiting judges were Olga Abramova (Russia–Israel) and Ken Lawrence (USA). Olga was badly bitten and Reserve judge Ian Rivett stepped in. Siberians gained recognition. Apricot, caramel and silver tabby-point were recognised in Birmans and Ragdolls. Caramel and apricot were accepted in Burmillas. The ticked tabby pattern was permitted in Persian–Exotic, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Scottish Shorthair and Rex breeds. John Blythe remained President and Allan Raymond became International Liaison Officer.
2004. The National show weekend returned to Perth and was hosted by FCCWA. Overseas judges were Aline Noel (now living in Canada), Nurit Pahl (Austria–Israel), Clare Coutinho (South Africa) and Stephe Bruin (Netherlands). Julian Schuller (NT) was elected President, Nell Evans (SA) Secretary and Keryn Rivett Vice-President was Keryn Rivett. The incoming President of the Judges Guild was Margo’t Maddicks, replacing Helen Farmer. Lesley Morgan Blythe stepped down as Editor ofthe “ACF Year Book 2005” and was replaced by Jane van Dyk. The Distinguished Service Award was presented, for the second time, to Margaret Bush (WA). The AGM decided not to change its constitution, but reverted to the Western Australian Fair Trading Model Rules (with slight variations). The ACF By-laws document remained a work in progress. Until ACF completed its constitutional overhaul, progress towards a single national body (amalgamating ACF-CCCA) went on hold. A further seven levels were added to the ACF Award of Excellence (AoE) scheme. The Ragdoll profile description was modified. The Foreign White Longhair was recognised. Bicolour Siamese and Balinese were recognised. The Burmilla Longhair was recognised. Testing of Persian-Exotics and derived breeds for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) was encouraged and would be recorded for registration purposes. Geoffrey Dumigan and Diana Arnold judged at shows in the UK and Czech Republic.
2005. The National show weekend was hosted by the Queensland Independent Cat Council at Marburg (near Ipswich, Qld) on Marburg Estate. There were several visiting overseas judges, namely Pam DelaBar (United States), Edith-Mary Smith (Canada), Kaai Du Plessis (South Africa), Eric Reijers (Czech Republic), and Penny Bydlinski (UK) as they had attended the WCC and NZCF National a week earlier. A Special General Meeting was convened to admit the Feline Control Council of Queensland (FCCQ) Inc as a new member body. The AGM contained many proposals for changing and overhauling the constitution and including the by laws. The proposed new constitution was rejected, and the exisitng constitution was amended. Lesley Morgan Blyth resumed as ACF Yearbook Editor. “Skeletal deformities’ (formerly a withholding fault) became a “Disqualification” in the standards. The term “and white” was reserved for bicolours or vans of breeds where any degree of white was permitted. Rex and hairless breeds (where no points were awarded for colour or pattern) were now to be exhibited as Agouti, Agouti and White, Non-Agouti, and Non-Agouti and White. Bicolour colourpoints were accepted. Smoke points were accepted in all breeds that had both smoke and pointed patterns. Apricot,red and cream cats were no longer penalised for freckles. Other motions addressed Persian–Exotic skull structure. Caramel and apricot, as well as the silver series, were allowed in Persian–Exotic, British and Scottish breeds. A bump on the nose of Abyssinians became “undesirable.” Cinnamon and fawnwere accepted in Tonkinese. Breeds that allowed golden now permitted colours other than black. The Bombay became the “Australian Bombay” to distinguish it from the US version. QICC proposed that ACF should take actions to address the south-east Asian pet trade problems (that topic was subsequently taken to the World Cat Congress and, in April 2007, action was taken to assist ACF-CCCA in its approaches to the Australian Government) .
2006. The Feline Association of NewSouth Wales join the ACF. The 2006 National Show weekend was hosted at Geelong by the Cat Association of Victoria. The visiting judges were Louis Coste (France) and Kim Cutter (South Africa) and Lynel Du Toit (South Africa) who was passing through Geelong on her way home from the NZCF the previous week. At the AGM, W.M. (Bill) Griffiths (Tasmania) was elected President and Lesley Morgan Blythe returned to her role of International Liaison Officer. Key decision included that, to be eligible for AoE awards, an exhibit must be placed in the Top Five at a given show and a subcommittee to be appointed to review the constitution. It became optional for Groups 2 and 3 training to be combined. The AGM approved the formation of a welfare subcommittee with particular reference to the pet trade to south-east Asia. Vitiligo (depigmentation of skin) became a “Disqualification.” Mink pattern was accepted in Scottish Folds and Scottish Straights. Silver Bengals were recognised. The Egyptian Mau was recognise and the CFA standard adopted.
2007. The National Show returned to Hobart, Tasmania and saw record-breaking crowds again. The third ACF Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Secretary Nell Evans. Judge training rules were amended to allow already-licensed ACF panel judges to officiate interstate as a junior judge for their new group, under the supervision of a local tutor judge. The Siberian standard was amended in line with the FIFe standard. The Scottish Longhair was recognised. Pointed and “solid” Tonkinese were recognised.
2008. The Queensland Feline Association hosted the National weekend in Gympie, Queensland. The AGM decided that to be an ACF Panel Judge, the judge must be normally domiciled in Australia. In addition, cats registered with WNCA may be registered by ACF affiliates (subject to stringent conditions). Provisional membership of the ACF was introduced. There were slight changes to the Turkish Van standard, clarification of “faults” in the Ragdoll standard; and changes to the head type standard for Cornish Rex. The LaPerm was recognised under The International Cat Association (TICA) standard.
2009. The National show and AGM were held in Adelaide, South Australia. At the AGM, it was decided that the ACF Judges Training Scheme would be reviewed and updated. Aworking party was set up to investigate anomalies and inconsistencies in terminology throughout the breed standards. Standards for breeds with no points for colour or pattern (mainly Rex and hairless breeds) were changed to include five points for those attributes. Smoke-point and silver tabby-point standards were updated for all breeds. Caramel and apricot were fine-tune across all applicable breeds. Cinnamon and Fawn were recognised in British Shorthairs. All Abyssinian- and Burmese-derived breeds now also reflect that a bump in the nose was “undesirable.”
2010. The National weekend was hosted in Perth FCCWA. Visiting judges came from FIFe, TICA and CFA (USA). At the AGM, Professor Diana Davis succeeded Bill Griffiths as President. Sandi Gemmell (Acting Vice-President following the resignation of Margo’t Maddicks) became Vice-President. Dr Isobel Johnstone became President of the Judges Guild. AGM decision included acceptance of classic tabby Ocicats without challenge status as Ocicat “Any other Variety.” “Hybridisation” colours and patterns were accepted in Manx. Amber was recognised in Norwegian Forest Cats. White Orientals were recognised in blue-, green- and odd-eyed forms. Ocicats were removed from the list of breeds where a bump on the nose was undesirable. For ACF awards was, the exhibit must be worthy of 95 points rather than just placed in the Top 5.
2011. QICC hosted the 2011 National weekend, with meetings taking place at Virginia Palms Hotel. Visiting judges included Carlos Lopez (TICA, Argentina) who addressed the Guild Seminar on Bengals, Don Finger (ACFA, USA) whose subject was Selkirk Rex, Monica Dany (TICA,Austria), and Karen Peplar and Lynel Du Toit (South Africa). The AGM agreed to replace the standards book with an annual, complete edition in A4 size. It also retained the original registration numbers when cats were transferred between councils and allowed reclassification of dilute colours based on DNA results. Caramel and Apricot in three base colours were recognised in tabby and smoke (including “with white”) in the British Shorthair, Exotic, Persian and Scottish breeds. Silver tabby-point was recognised in Persian, Exotic, and British Shorthair. The Maine Coon standard was updated to reflect coat texture. The Australian Bombay gained full championship status. Cats Victoria Incorporated (CVI) became full members of ACF.
2012. The 40th ACF National Show was held in Melbourne over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June. Instead of being hosted by a single cat council, it was organised by a committee of ACF members around Australia. Show Coordinator was Lesley Morgan Hobart, Tas), Assistant Show Manager was Matthew Wood (SA). Joint Show Secretary–Treasurer was Robbie Walker (Gold Coast, Qld). Chief Steward was as Scoot Andresen (Alice Springs, NT). Sponsorship and the website were organised by Carole Galli and Pamela Lanigan (WA). The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Victoria and Australia (GCCFV) was welcomed back to the AGM as an ACF member body after 39 years. GCCFV is the oldest cat body in Australia (founded 1926) and in 1972 and 1973 participated in the first Australian National Cat Federation (ANCF) meetings. The AGM approved amendments to allow more frequent meetings of ACF and amended some Show Rules. A competency-based Judges Training Scheme was adopted. Bernadette Roberts became co-editor the ACF Yearbook with Lesley Morgan. Julian Schuller became International Liaison Officer. The Peterbald, American Shorthair, American Curl and Pixiebob were recognised. Bombay and Peterbald standards were finalised. The Bengal Standard was amended in line with the TICA standard (country of origin).
