Kelpie Festival organisers muster a true star

THE Australian Kelpie Muster is thrilled to welcome Kim Dodson and her beloved Kelpie, Banjo, stars of ABC TV’s Muster Dogs Season 3, as special guests at this year’s 29th annual event in Casterton this June long weekend.

Kim, who lives on a mixed cropping and sheep property near Kaniva in Western Victoria with her husband Shane and their two sons, rose to national recognition as one of the five trainers featured on the hit ABC series.

Her instant connection with Banjo, delivered to her sight unseen on the first day of filming, quickly made them fan favourites.

Kim said she had no idea what breed she was getting, but when Helen McDonald turned around with a Kelpie pup, she was over the moon.

“Our connection was immediate,” she said.

While the camera crew and media spotlight presented their challenges, Kim said the real reward was Banjo himself.

“I wanted to win—we all did—but I was already a winner, getting a dog like Banjo,” Kim said. “He’s my absolute best mate.”

Kim affectionately described Banjo as a ‘big doofus’ and a ‘legend at work’.

Banjo continues to thrive on the family farm and has even started his journey into yard dog trials.

“He’s had his first couple of trials, and I’m super impressed,” Kim said. “He’s taking a bit of a back seat for now, but he’s still coming to work. I can see he’s going to be top dog before long.”

Kim and Banjo will join other Muster Dogs contestants and breeders at the 29th Australian Kelpie Muster, which will celebrate the iconic Australian working dog.

“It’s such a privilege to be part of the Muster,” she said. “I’ve been before and loved it—it’s such a fun festival full of people who share the same passion for the breed. Banjo’s looking forward to all the pats and probably licking everyone too—he still hasn’t grown out of that!”

The pair will participate in meet-and-greets and discussions throughout the weekend, bringing Muster Dogs’ spirit to life for fans of the show and Kelpie enthusiasts alike.

“The Muster is such an important gathering for the working dog community,” Kim said. “It allows us all to connect, especially in a season like this. And let’s be honest—we can talk dogs as much as we want and no one gets sick of listening!”

Kim and Banjo aren’t the only guests with a Muster Dogs connection heading to this year’s event with long time volunteer and vendor Joe Spicer also set to be front and centre at the June Long Weekend festival & auction.

Joe was a key player in the inaugural season of Muster Dogs.

The auction currently has 54 dogs registered.

Casterton Kelpie Association president Karen Stephens said the excitement around the town as the countdown to Casterton’s premier community event continues was palpable.

“It is the opportunity for some genuine family fun and it’s free to come down and enjoy,” Mrs Stephens said. “We want people to be able to come off the farm and just have fun.”

The president was also complimentary of the way the town, in many cases still working through recovery from the damaging hail storms last October, was putting its best foot forward to ensure the almost three decade event is again a highlight of the year.