By Carolyn Webb
A gathering of over 1000 golden retrievers was held in dry, fine conditions on Sunday, but somehow two of them, Bear and Gus, found some mud, and soaked their paws in it.
They proceeded to jump all over co-owner Jonny Ellis, but Ellis only laughed.
It’s all good: Jonny Ellis and his muddy footed dog, Bear, at the Gold Rush golden retriever gathering.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“They’re silly clown dogs,” said Ellis, noting how at home, Bear and Gus like lying on each other’s heads. “I don’t care if they get muddy. We have towels in the car.”
The laid-back vibe gelled completely with the event, the Gold Rush, held exclusively for goldies and their devotees at St Anne’s Winery at Myrniong, near Bacchus Marsh.
The slogan could have been “blonds have more fun”.
Smiles all round: over 1000 golden retrievers and their owners pose for a photo at Gold Rush, including Lok Lok in his pram with owner Ryan Mok.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Humans set aside cynicism and worldly cares to mingle with these smiling, flaxen-haired fidos and raise money for the charity Rescuing Golden Retrievers in Victoria.
It was the fifth Gold Rush since 2018 but the first for Kate and Thomas Prostamo, of Keilor, and their one-year-old goldie, Murphy.
“When I die, this is where I want to go,” Kate said, observing the peaceful tableau of people and dogs, ringed by stalls selling goldie-themed merchandise.
“I love goldens, and I couldn’t imagine anything better than being surrounded by them 24/7,” Kate says.
“They’re happy, they’re fun, they’re loyal. This little guy, he brings a smile to our faces all day, every day.”
Kate’s husband, Thomas Prostamo, grew up with German shepherds as pets, but he bought Murphy as a puppy for Kate’s birthday, knowing she loved the breed.
Thomas says he is now “a convert” to golden retrievers. Kate said Murphy had broken Thomas’ rules, from “he doesn’t come inside the house” to “he’s not allowed on the bed”.
Among the crowd that posed for a mass photograph was Ryan Mok, who pushed a pram ferrying 15-year-old goldie Lok Lok, who was dressed in clothes and a hat.
Mok, from Officer in Melbourne’s south-east, said the dog, whose name means “happy” in Cantonese, has suffered a brain tumour and can’t walk far, hence the pram.
When Mok and his wife, Carina Fung, migrated from Hong Kong, they could never have left Lok Lok behind.
“He’s part of the family. He means everything.”
Kathy Walker said she and her dog, Douglas D, drove eight hours from their home in Macclesfield in the Adelaide Hills to join the Gold Rush and be among people “who love the same things that you love”.
Kathy Walker (right), who drove with dog Douglas D from South Australia, is pictured with Vicki Jans, a volunteer from Rescuing Golden Retrievers in Victoria.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Walker adopted Doug at age four after he was rescued. He was reactive around other dogs, but with some training has become a happy, placid dog, who stole her heart.
The event’s volunteer organiser, Carly Fitzgerald, said it’s the biggest annual fundraiser for Rescuing Golden Retrievers in Victoria. Entry was $25 per dog and a gold coin for humans and the winery didn’t charge a fee or bond.
Funds went towards the rehoming and rehabilitation of relinquished golden retrievers. Proceeds of the $5 per car parking fee went to Myrniong fire brigade.