Kelpies sell to $15,000 at Casterton muster
In the 23 years since starting with an auction on the back of a ute at the local saleyards, Casterton’s annual Australian Kelpie Muster has seen 1225 working dogs sell for a total of almost $3 million.
IN THE 23 years since starting with an auction on the back of a ute at the local saleyards, Casterton’s annual Australian Kelpie Muster has seen 1225 working dogs sell for a total of almost $3 million.
This year’s event last weekend added to the tally with 57 kelpies sold from 66 offered, averaging $4908 and a top of $15,000.
Although that top did not match last year’s $22,200 peak, Casterton Kelpie Association president Karen Stephens, whose committee co-ordinates 250 volunteers who make the community event happen, said crowd numbers and festival event competitors were the highest recorded in the Western District event.
“The crowds were amazing, probably 8,000-10,000 on Saturday and 3000 Sunday. It has been so exciting,” she said.
Last year’s event marked the opening of the Australian Kelpie Centre, boosting tourism visits to the town “by 50 per cent”, Ms Stephens said.
“We have our strong agricultural base here, but work to promote Casterton too, to have a strong retail sector so people call in, have a cup of coffee, buy some clothes — this event has been essential for putting us on the map.”
The top price kelpie was a bitch named Whiskey, sold by Melville Forest’s Jack Leonard, to Trent Bettess, Keith, South Australia; while the best pup, Princess, made $3250, sold by Henty’s Daniel Lutz to a Kangaroos Island buyer via AuctionsPlus.
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