I purchased my first show dog, a Great Dane in 1974.  I continued showing Danes with moderate success until 1984 when I could no longer resist the desire for a Standard Poodle. She was Ch Chatain We’ve Got It Made, who was a multi best in show winner and puppy in show at the Adelaide Royal.  
I continued to own and show Standard Poodles until 25 years ago when I became involved with Miniature and Toy Poodles. I breed in partnership under the Funtosy prefix.  I still live in a household with three Miniature and to many Toy Poodles that rule my life.

I began my career as a groomer in 1986 working for Lyn Edmonds at her salon in Belair, South Australia.  I worked for Lyn for several years before the salon was purchased by a Bichon breeder.  These were the days before there were so many poodle blends and we trimmed show and pet poodles, Bichons and Old English along with many other pure and cross bred dogs. Lyn was one of my mentors along with Carol Richardson and Lynne Aitkin who were all masters of their trade.  Lynne Aitkin was very innovative and well in front of the current trimming styles.  I would send photos to her and they would come back covered in red pen pointing out how I could improve. I had several Chatain dogs and she was always supportive and continually helped me to develop my skills. 

I moved to Queensland in 1990 and began grooming at Nerang on the Gold Coast.  In 2000 I purchased an established salon at Broadbeach Waters, Snappy Snoopy.  For the next ten years I worked very hard to build this salon into one of the busiest on the Gold Coast, grooming in excess of 200 dogs every week.  I sold the salon and retired my tired arms and since then have only groomed my own show poodles.

I have won Best in Show at two specialty shows in Queensland as well as several runner up awards.  I continue to learn and observe trends in grooming and I hope never to stop learning. 

I am an FCI All Breeds Judge having attained that status in 2017.  I am also an accredited assessor and am on the judges training board and co-ordinator for judges training for the Non-Sporting Group in Queensland.   I have been very privileged to judge in many places in the world and have seen some wonderful dogs.