My involvement in cats and the cat world dates from the age of seven years, at a time when my mother, who was an ardent fancier, and a breeder of Persians and later Exotic shorthairs. She was also an active Longhair Judge, who trained with the NZCF. Consequently, from the age of twelve years I was involved in shows and multiple clubs, and served as a Steward, Handler, Scribe, Chief Scribe and Entry Clerk for numerous Shows. I then moved to positions within Clubs and Committees, beginning with the Longhair Cat Club, and the Takapuna Cat Club around 1987, and then the Auckland Cat Club in 2001. During this time, I was active in breeding jointly under my mothers Prefix of Tinkerbell, producing solid and bi-colour Persians, also Cameos, and later, Himalayans, producing numerous Grand Champions and National Winners, including a Cat of the Year. I took out my own Prefix Shadowland in 2002 with Catz Inc, breeding Smokes and Silvers in Persians and Exotics.
In 2001 I applied for the Judges Training program and was tutored by John Smithson, completing my Longhair course in 2002. From there I extended my training to include Shorthairs, qualifying in 2007 and then to All-Breed status in 2012; and finally attaining All-Breed Tutor status in 2017. During this period, I served as Secretary, Director-At-Large, Vice Chairman, Show Co-Ordinator, Director of Judges, and as National Scorer with responsibility for running the Annual Awards Night.
I have had the privilege of Judging overseas, throughout Australia, including at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and at numerous Shows for Ancats.
I grew up on the North Shore of Auckland, which is where I still live today. In my professional life I am engaged as a Support Worker for the Disabled and Elderly, a job I have done for the last 22 years. I have served on the Beach Haven Birkdale Community Project committee for over 10 years, and on the fund-raising committee for the Birkdale North Primary School for 10+ years. I am the proud mother of two, and step-mother to two and step-grandmother to two.
The Cat Fancy is where my heart is, and I have a passion for all breeds, colours and patterns of cats and kittens; and particularly enjoy sharing this passion at shows with other like-minded lovers and admirers of cats
Hamilton Cat Club Inc 