Celebrating 30 years of Australia’s favourite working dog festival

THE 30th Australian Kelpie Muster and Australia’s Premier Working Dog Auction will welcome two respected national voices of the Australian working dog world this June, with acclaimed rural author Rachael Treasure and ABC Muster Dogs breeder Joe Spicer confirmed as special guests.

Held across the King’s Birthday long weekend from 6–8 June in Casterton, the milestone event will celebrate three decades of recognising the Australian Kelpie, its history, and the people who continue to shape the working dog industry.

Well known for her bestselling novel The Stockmen and her long connection to the Kelpie community, Rachael Treasure said returning to Casterton for the 30th celebrations held special significance.

“There’s something very special about Casterton and the 30-year milestone. It shows a cohesive community spirit and a strong love of the Kelpie dog,” Ms Treasure said.

Ms Treasure, who has worked Kelpies throughout her life and previously sold dogs through the Casterton auction, said the event remained one of Australia’s most important gatherings for working dog people.

“It’s important Casterton continues to display high level skills of stockmanship and to support and celebrate the people working in the livestock industry,” she said.

She also reflected on the unique qualities that have made the Kelpie one of Australia’s most respected working breeds.

“The Kelpie is like breath, abundance and laughter – in other words from my farmer point of view they are essential to health, wealth and happiness,” Ms Treasure said.

Joining the celebrations will be Joe Spicer of GoGetta Kelpie Stud, recognised nationally through the ABC television series Muster Dogs for his work breeding and training working Kelpies.

Mr Spicer has become widely respected for his practical and relationship-focused approach to working dogs and livestock handling.

“Probably the biggest thing that came across was actually the connection that we saw between landowners and their stock and of course their dogs,” Mr Spicer said.

He believes the success of a working dog begins with understanding communication and connection.

“It’s about the trainer really … and about how we interact with the dog,” he said.

The Working Dog School component of the weekend, led by Joe Spicer, continues to attract handlers from across Australia, reinforcing the role of the festival in promoting education, stockmanship and strong working bloodlines.

Casterton Kelpie Association President Karen Stephens said the involvement of both guests reflected the national significance of the event and the many ways people contribute to the Kelpie story.

“We all have a role to play in recognising the importance of the Kelpie, whether that is through writing novels, breeding and training dogs, sharing their stories on television screens across the nation, or volunteering to keep events like this alive,” Mrs Stephens said.

“Rachael and Joe both represent different but equally important parts of the Kelpie story — the history, the breeding, the training, the rural communities and the future of the working dog industry,” she said.

“To welcome them both for the 30th year is significant for our community and for everyone who values the role of the Australian Kelpie.”

The 2026 Australian Kelpie Muster and Australia’s Premier Working Dog Auction will feature the Working Dog Auction, Working Dog School, demonstrations, competitions, live entertainment, children’s activities and celebrations recognising 30 years of the event.

To volunteer or find out more visit the website or social media pages.