COMMITTEE 2025 

President

I started mushing in 2016. I entered my very first race at the Canberra Classic with our dearly missed and beloved Luna, competing in the Bikejoring Class. We did great that weekend and were both hooked on the sport. From that moment on we were very eager to learn more about dryland sled sports. The following years, we welcomed two new puppies. In 2019 I was honoured with the position of President for the Canberra Sled Dog Club committee. Helping the sledding community and anyone new into the sport is a very exciting journey. The bond that we are able to have and share with our best friends is a unique thing that needs to be cherished as many times as possible. I have been running in the 2-dog class with my boys Onyx and Phinn for the past couple of years and I couldn’t be prouder of what we are achieving together as a team. To many more years of fun, fellow mushing friendship and amazing adventures out there!

Secretary

I started dog sledding in 2015 and joined Canberra Sled dog Club the same year. At the time I was living on the South Coast and would leave at 4am in the morning to get to Kowen forest for 7am training. I started with 1 Siberian husky and 10 years later i have 4 Siberian Huskies and 2 Kelpies. Safe to say I am well and truy hooked. Around 5 years ago I was on a training run and got a bit lost, too busy enjoying myself! Long story short it was my lead dog Nakkita that kept trying to show me the right way back, moral of the story for me is to never take your dogs for granted and listen to their body language and what they are trying to teach us, they are way smarter than us and their happy place is on the trails. Dog sledding is the best sport there is no better way to enjoy an early morning than standing on a scooter/rig or sled and listening to your dogs feet hitting the ground see the beautiful scenery and having an adventure with your dog. My Goal for the future is to continue to have fun with my dogs doing the best we can do on the trails and to hang out with like minded mushers and friends.

Treasurer, Media/PR Public Officer

I rescued my first Husky in 2004 and joined the club in 2006. I have been part of the committee in various roles since 2012. The sledding community is a varied bunch of people from all walks of life but we all share the passion for our dogs and giving them the best life they can have. Running in the forest and seeing how much they love being on the trail is the best high you can get, a friend that has never even been involved in the sport once said to me “your bond must have that extra level of trust”, she was 100% correct. They just know what they need to do and it is a privilege to be the passenger along for the ride. Keeping a club going takes alot of effort, especially these days with costs increasing. We have a small but dedicated group of people that work really hard to put on the Classic each year and it’s a pleasure to contribute what I can to ensure everyone enjoys coming back to Canberra each year.

Committee Member

My husband Andrew and I have had Alaskan Malamutes for more than 25 years and have been part of this crazy sport since then. Dogs and sledding is part of my DNA. Our first Malamute, Mistaya was a handsome boy, but very cunning, only working hard when there were witnesses, slacking off the rest of the time. Since then we have welcomed 8 malamutes into our lives and made true and lasting friendships through this sport. With our 2 kids in tow we have raced our way around the ACT, NSW and Victoria. I run 1-dog and sometimes 2-dog and we are usually one of the slowest teams across the finish line but with the biggest smiles. Our dogs are family first, and sleddogs second, and the enjoyment they show when running the trails makes it all worthwhile.

Committee Member

I’ve shared my life with huskies and husky-crosses for the last 17 years, but it wasn’t until 2024 that I had the chance to try dry land mushing after a friend gifted me an old scooter bike. As soon as we hit the track it was clear Fenris had found his calling. He’s always loved running but without a sled I simply can’t run as fast as he wants! So it’s great to have a sport we both enjoy and in 2025 we look forward to debuting our new baby Asti alongside her uncle Fenris and training them together. In 2024 I was honoured to share the rookie of the year award for our club with two other amazing women who joined at the same time as me. The club members have been so welcoming and full of useful advice for newbies and it’s great to see the variety of dog breeds which participate. I look forward to being able to promote this awesome sport and helping newcomers find joy in sledding with their dogs.

Committee Member

I was first introduced to to the sledding sport when my partner Max entered the CSDC race in 2016 with our beloved Luna for the very first time. I remember feeling like I was in heaven when we drove up to the campsite, hearing all of the huskies howling and being surrounded by so many dogs. Our team grew as our boys Onyx and Phinn joined our family. Our first husky Luna has paved the way for our boys and she kept them in line. Our boys have been such a strong addition to the team and they still amaze me of how beautiful they are on the tracks and having that special connection with Max when they are running. Luna is dearly missed and was taken from us too soon. Our family will forever be grateful to her. I am not out there on the tracks but I love handling our team and being a handler for other mushers. We have 2 beautiful children who are now following their dad’s footsteps and participating in mini mushers. The CSDC has always been a great community and I have made a lot of life long friends through this sport. I look forward to holding another great Classic with the crew and to see everyone back out there in the forest!

Committee Member

I have been involved in sledding and a member of the CSDC since 2013. My partner and I got into the sport after we got our first Sibe. We went along to a come and try day and have been hooked ever since. We started with one Sibe and now we have a whole lot more. Over the years I have raced in pretty much every class up through 4 dog. I love being out on the trails, it's so serene and you get to enjoy time with the dogs in their happy place. I look forward to running with everyone for another year. See you all on the trails.

Committee Member

I started sledding last year with my Kelpie, Baloo. He absolutely loved it and we were instantly hooked! I have always owned working dogs and I have taken on another two rescues in the last six months. A Koolie, Nala and a Border Collie cross Koolie, Bernard. I enjoy including the pack in all my adventures! We are always out doing something, whether it’s sledding, canicross, bikejoring, hiking or camping. We explore the local trails every day in one form or another. This year I look forward to attending more sledding events, meeting more like minded individuals and learning as much as possible!

Committee Member

I have been part of the Canberra Sled Dog Club since I was born. My parents got their first malamute over 20 years ago from some of the club's founding members who suggested they come try sledding. My Mum and I are still active in the sport, with three Alaskan Malamutes - Blaze, Amara and our puppy Alkina. There is something so special about being able to enjoy these experiences with my dogs, it builds a level of connection that you don't get elsewhere. You become a team, and I love every second of it! Although the cold, early starts can be tough at first, the feeling when you get out to the forest, seeing and hearing the excitement in my dogs is worth everything.

Committee Member

I’ve been involved with dogs my whole life. As a young man, I focused on pig dogs, but maturity taught me that I preferred the training aspect over the actual hunting. The course I took with hunting dogs led me to working gun dogs, which are a more biddable style of dog and most recently, German Shorthaired Pointers. While looking for a way to keep my working dogs fit, I came across the Canberra Sled Dog Club. Around 2018, I attended a “try sledding” day and decided it was great fun and something I should pursue. Unfortunately, later that year, I lost my ‘Big Girl’ to a brain tumor. Fast forward to 2023—I’ve got a yard full of dogs again and need to burn off some energy. I did some racing in the 2024 season and am very much looking forward to getting back into racing this year in two-dog and potentially three-dog classes.