IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE ACCESS GATE AT THE CANBERRA ROYAL OPEN PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL REQUESTING SAME TO
[email protected]
To Whom it May Concern,
I would like to congratulate the organisers of the 2014 Canberra Royal Dog Show. The event appeared to run smoothly and the grounds were in great condition. Most competitors I spoke to were full of praise with the exception of one thing which was spoken about by numerous local and interstate exhibitors. I heard a number of exhibitors indicate that unless the matter was addressed then they would not be returning.
The access gate from the car park into the grounds was locked for the duration of the show. This being the access gate nearest to the main road. I show dogs at the grounds all year round and this the only time that it is closed. It is also the busiest show of the year. Whilst I understand the reason for the gate being closed in that it would require more personnel to man the gate which is an added cost to your organisation, I feel that perhaps personnel could be sourced from somewhere else at the show. I noted that at times there were four or five personal (mainly young girls) on the main entrance to the dog section. Perhaps one or two of these staff could be utilized at the other gate. As it is only dog exhibitors that utilize this gate and the hoodlum element is not an issue I am sure that one person could easily man the entrance to check exhibitors stamps upon entering.
Please be mindful of the large amount of equipment that dog exhibitors are required to bring onto the grounds. This includes such things as, gazebos, trolleys, eskys, grooming boxes and dog cages. I would also like to point out the problem when having to leave the dog section by the main gate back into the car park. The severe slope that exhibitors have to go up. I witnessed a number of elderly exhibitors having difficulty in going up that slope and well as going down it when arriving. It is safety issue which cannot be overlooked. I witnessed exhibitors getting a run up and having to push their trolleys with some effort to make it to the top. As I was leaving I had to assist four separate people to enable them to get their trolleys up the ramp to exit the grounds. I also had to support one exhibitor who nearly fell over in attempting to negotiate the incline. If the access gate referred to was open then this would alleviate the problem.
Please feel free to contact me by telephone to discuss the matter further.
I look forward to your reply.
Kerry Hopkins
Ph. 0418-572627
[email protected]
