Kelpies take centre stage

THE 30th Australian Kelpie Muster has delivered a milestone celebration worthy of three decades of community pride, working dog tradition and national recognition, with fine weather, fantastic crowd numbers and a strong mix of new and returning entrants across both the Australian Kelpie Muster and Australia’s Premier Working Dog Auction.

Held in Casterton over the King’s Birthday Long Weekend, the anniversary event brought together locals, visitors, competitors, vendors, volunteers and working dog enthusiasts from across Australia to celebrate the birthplace of the Kelpie and the enduring importance of the breed to rural life.

After last year’s rain-soaked display of resilience, the 2026 event was greeted with fine conditions, setting the stage for a vibrant weekend of competition, connection and celebration.

Casterton Kelpie Association President Karen Stephens said the 30th year of the Australian Kelpie Muster was everything we hoped it would be.

“To see such fantastic crowd numbers, so many familiar faces return, and new entrants join us across both the Muster and the Auction is incredibly special,” the president said. “This event belongs to the community, the competitors, the volunteers, the vendors, the visitors and, of course, the Kelpies.”

Saturday’s Muster program once again brought Casterton to life, with the street parade setting the tone for a vibrant day of celebration. The Combined Schools float, themed ‘Celebrating 30 Years’, took out first place, proudly honouring three decades of working dogs auctions and high sale prices on the back of their float.

Second place was awarded to the Casterton Sandford Football Netball Club, while third place went to the combined performance of Casterton’s Vice Regal Band and the Portland Citizens Band.

Participants then made their way through the parade before entertaining the crowd with an outstanding showcase of skill, athleticism and the unmistakable character of the Australian Kelpie across the day’s events.

In the NSC Advisory Kelpie Dash, Shane Beauglehall and Boof claimed first place with a time of 5.05 seconds, narrowly ahead of Gordon Hicks and Finn on 5.06 seconds, with Nerissa Gee and Hunny close behind in third on 5.07 seconds.

The Vickery Brothers Kelpie High Jump saw Brooke Van der Meede and Dusty soar to victory, clearing an impressive 2.52 metres. Kathleen Smith and Walker placed second with 2.44 metres, followed by Matt Haines and Charlie in third with 2.37 metres.

In the TDC Kelpie Hill Climb, with the top three succeeding through the gates for the five second time advantage – Ayden Ferrari and Nellie took top honours with a time of 33.50 seconds, followed by Kathleen Smith and Walker in second on 35.00 seconds, and Rob Wekenborg and Jet in third on 35.80 seconds.

With strong performances across the Dash, Hill Climb and High Jump, Matt Haines and Charlie were crowned winners of the 2026 Bendigo Bank Kelpie Triathlon, further cementing their place in Kelpie Muster history. Kathleen Smith and Walker placed second, with Rob Wekenborg and Jet rounding out the top three.

Returning to the history of Jack Gleeson, with Elanco, Nutrien Ag Stockman’s Challenge with Sarah Lee taking out the overall win, following an outstanding dog run, seeing a win in the dog section, followed by Sharon Barry placing second and Damon Peacock in third, who also secured the Horse Section win.

“The standard of competition was exceptional,” Stephens said. “Whether people were here for the first time or returning after many years, there was a real sense that everyone wanted to be part of this milestone weekend.”

The atmosphere continued into Saturday evening, with the Kelpie Gala celebrating 30 years of the Australian Kelpie Muster and bringing the pack back together for a special anniversary gathering of life members, supporters, sponsors, competitors and community members.

Sunday’s Australia’s Premier Working Dog Auction again reinforced Casterton’s national reputation as a leading sale for working Kelpies, with strong interest in the auction arena and online.

The 2026 Auction saw 62 lots offered, with 52 sold, seven passed in and three withdrawn, achieving an 88.1 per cent clearance rate. Total auction takings reached $475,500, with an average of $9,144 and a top price of $23,500 for Lot 7, Stella, sold by Beloka Kelpies, Paul McPhail, Welshpool, highest priced pup Flea also by MacPhail sold for $20,000.

“The Auction is such an important part of the weekend,” Stephens said. “It reflects the real working value of the Kelpie and the role these dogs continue to play on farms, in stock work and across rural Australia.”

Auction results highlighted the continued demand for well-bred, well-trained working Kelpies, with buyers and vendors taking part from across the country and strong engagement from both ringside and online bidders.

The 30th Australian Kelpie Muster was also a celebration of the many people who have helped shape the event over three decades — from founding members and long-serving volunteers to stall holders, sponsors, local businesses, competitors, vendors and visitors who continue to return year after year.

“This event does not happen because of one person or one committee,” Stephens said. “It happens because a whole community gets behind it. Our volunteers, sponsors, supporters, local businesses and visitors all play a part in keeping the Muster strong.”

As Casterton reflected on 30 years of Kelpie history, the weekend also looked firmly to the future, with strong participation, fantastic crowds and renewed energy across the event.

“The Australian Kelpie Muster has always been about more than competition,” Stephens said. “It is about recognising the working dog, supporting the town, sharing stories, welcoming visitors and celebrating something that is truly part of Casterton’s identity.”

With fine weather, full streets, strong entries and a proud 30-year milestone, the 2026 Australian Kelpie Muster once again proved why Casterton remains the home of the Kelpie and the heart of this much-loved national celebration.