( 02 ) 9672 6188 SERVING ALL SUBURBS www . etsy . com / shop / GBK23 www . familyfuneralservices . com . au
LOCAL LIFE
BLACKTOWN ’ S FINEST ...
by John McDonald
If you could say anyone was bred in the purple for her life ahead , that person would be Maggie Campbell .
It ’ s been a life devoted to animals and specifically dogs , and more specifically her beloved Lowchen and Chinese speckled breeds .
That life has taken her all over Australia as a winning exhibitor and judge , and over the world as a judge of canines . The thoroughbred breeding ? ‘’ I ’ ve got a country background ,’’ said Campbell , now long of Mt Druitt . Well , yes .
‘’ I grew up on property at Albury and Tumbarumba among the kangaroos , wombats and snakes , and dogs . ‘’ Then we moved to Wyong .’’ With that background , the obvious move was into animal welfare .
‘’ I worked as a veterinarian ’ s assistant for more than 50 years , which included 27 years at my last posting in Kogarah ,’’ said the 74-year-old .
“ It was quite the commute from out west , but when it ’ s a labour of love it doesn ’ t seem as far .
“ When I started as a veterinarian assistant there were no courses , you learned on the
job , and my country background with animals helped a lot .”
Back in the 70 ’ s when Maggie lived in Campsie she developed another canine side interest and became a greyhound trainer for herself and others .
‘’ Dogs were trained near Canterbury racecourse and a blind eye was turned ,’’ she said .
‘’ That ’ s until it was noticed chickens were being used as live kills .’’ Not by Campbell , of course .
‘’ I had a couple of starters at Wentworth Park , my dogs ran at places like Appin and Moss Vale , and I won a few races .’’
Maggie confirmed the perception that Greyhounds make great pets .
‘’ They ’ re really good , they love being on the couch ,’’ she said .
But all this was just preparation for her real life with canines , and life changed when she became aware of Lowchens through her veterinary assistance work .
‘’ As background , the breed had almost been wiped out during the second world war but a few were rescued by a woman in Belgium .’’
Intrigued by the breed , Maggie bought a brother and sister and started a litter .
From there it was off to
AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED
ORDER ONLINE NOW
Compassionate , Personalised Funeral Services in Sydney
Rely on us to :
• Gently guide you through all planning and arrangements
• Assist in obtaining all necessary certificates and registering documents
• Answer all of your questions
• Carry out your requests
• Be there to provide support through this emotional time
Pre Paid and Pre Arranged Funerals Available
Australian Owned & Operated
( 02 ) 9672 6188 SERVING ALL SUBURBS www . etsy . com / shop / GBK23 www . familyfuneralservices . com . au
6 ISSUE 34 // JANUARY 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT