LOCAL LIFE
Doggone ! Maggie ’ s
an absolute marvel
by John McDonald
Ask Maggie Campbell whether she rates being chosen for a recent Blacktown ’ s Finest profile or receiving an annual Sydney Royal Easter Show award ; I am pretty sure what she would rate as top dog !
For Maggie has devoted much of her life to breeding , exhibiting , and judging her beloved canines .
That devotion and her successes were recognised at the recent Sydney Show , when she and her friend , Colleen Khoury , were awarded a plaque , certificate and badge for 25 years of service as exhibitors . ‘’ And a bunch of flowers ,’’ she added . ‘’ It ’ s actually 50 years ! “ Twenty-five at the new showground and twenty five at the old one in Moore Park .”
“ I preferred the old one , it was much better ,’’ she said of the original Sydney Showground , of fond memory to those of a certain vintage .
‘’ You used to get the choice of a jacket or umbrella if you won .’’
But her memories don ’ t stretch back to childhood visits , rides and showbags . The only local show was at Albury .
The country girl lived far away , and her first visit as an Easter Show exhibitor was when she moved to Campsie .
‘’ I exhibited a chihuahua ,’’ she said , but since then she ’ s taken her beloved lowchen breed , one of the two breeds that form the 20 dogs she keeps on her Mt Druitt property . And her nine sphynx cats ! ‘’ I grew up on properties at Albury and Tumbarumba , among the kangaroos , wombats , snakes and dogs . Then we moved to Wyong .’’
This lovely lady told me of her 50 years working as a vet ’ s assistant , breeding dogs and travelling all over Australia .
She spoke of winning competitions everywhere , including New Zealand , having 11 national grand champions , most of which she bred herself .
Altogether , Maggie has produced more than 200 show champions .
Maggie recounted a first visit to Westminster in New York – a competition that attracts 20,000 entrants and is the biggest in the US .
‘’ One day I ’ ll be a judge there ,’’ Maggie said .
She is also a highly respected judge and last September went to Sweden to officiate over 71 entrants for the Swedish Lowchen Club . She is the first Australian to be asked to go to Finland in 2026 to judge at another major dog show .
“ For many years I have been hoping to receive an invitation to judge in England in 2026 ,’’ she said .
‘’ New York ’ s got 20,000 entrants , but England ’ s Crufts is the biggest with 30,000 .’’
Well , it ’ s happened , Maggie ’ s dream has come true .
‘’ I ’ ve been nominated as a reserve judge ,’’ she said . ‘’ I ’ ll find out at Christmas whether I ’ ll be going as a full judge .’’
Her dogs might be barking with excitement sniffing there ’ s something big in the wind .
When Maggie ’ s away , her dogs and cats are housed at a friend , Sandra ’ s property in Mudgee .
The Crufts dog show , held near Birmingham , is the largest of its kind in the world , and there is more on the Campbell agenda .
‘’ I plan to go to New York in July and August and stay with my former boss in Minnesota , then meet a friend in New York and visit some dog shows .’’
The cost ? ‘’ It ’ s only the children ’ s inheritance ,’’ she laughed .
Maggie is working on another project . She ’ s learning carpentry at Telopea Men ’ s Shed .
‘’ I ’ ve started using a bandsaw and sanding ,’’ she said , and the apprentice carpenter is perfecting her skills by finishing a large clock .
Maggie ’ s granddaughter saw a picture of the clock , showed it to her father , Michael , who said to his mother , ‘’ That ’ s awesome . You didn ’ t do that .’’
She replied , ‘’ Yes , I did , and I ’ ve still got all my fingers .’’
‘’ You must make me one ,” Michael said , so Maggie is making one for his 50th birthday .
Some might think all this is enough experiences and travel for one lifetime , but Maggie says , ‘’ there ’ s more to do before I spend hours in a rocking chair .’’ Well , yes ! Her former veterinarian boss has lived in the US with his family for years , but plans to return home at the end of this year to his former practice in Kogarah and Maggie plans to go back to work part-time with him .
After all , she ’ s still a spring chook at 75 !
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 39 // JUNE 2024 11