IN THE BEGINNING ... The History of The ACF (Inc) - the Nineties  

1990
And so, to Perth and into the Nineties.  A constitutional tidy-up dominated the AGM, and the Judges' Guild was endorsed as a recommendatory body to the ACF.  A joint policy on recognition of new breeds was initiated, pewter in Persians, Exotics and British and tabby point Birman were accepted, and tight guidelines for allowable outcross in Scottish Folds were established.  Qualifying for ACF National titles was clarified: 3 challenges (AoM) at 3 National shows (at least 20 months between first and last) - OR - 2 certificates at 2 Nationals, plus 3 others issued by International or overseas judges (still 20 month minimum period).  Ragdolls were given provisional recognition without challenge.

1991
1991 - and back to Adelaide.  Janet Kneebone from New Zealand was the guest international judge.  At the AGM, it became compulsory for breed names and colours to be written, rather than using breed numbers (which varied so much around Australian controls).  Silver tabby points were accepted, and it was decided to reprint the standard book.  There was spirited discussion on the placement of Persian noses, "or intermingled" was added to tortoiseshell colour description, and Ragdolls (in the four colours and three patterns) were given full recognition.  Spotted Mist was given provisional recognition, and judges were to be trained in the three Group categories.  Mrs. Cheryle Ross (CCCA observer/speaker) addressed the meeting on her visions for unity and a combined ACF/CCCA show.

1992
DCC (later to become CAV) hosted the 1992 show in Melbourne and for the first time the Guild Seminar attracted a number of judges from non-ACF groups, various of whom were delighted to join as associate members.  Topics were generally about "new" breeds; Ocicats, Tonkinese and Maine Coons (the first in the country were presented to the seminar).  Initiatives of the ACF AGM included the listing of prefixes on the RAS NSW computer to avoid duplication by non-ACF bodies, and substantial changes to the show rules.  The guest international judge was Pat Hogan from New Zealand.

1993
Just a hop across Bass Strait when Launceston was 'home' to the National.  Alva Uddin (Sweden, and President of FIFe), Tom Herbst (USA) and Lotte Borch (Denmark) each judged a full group, at the show which first utilised the method now known as "Australian open-style judging" (i.e. cats housed in home cages in bays, and the judges are the ones to move about, rather than the cats).  A huge press coverage over the week preceding the show ensured a huge press of public all day, and of the almost 400 cats present, not one was UTH (unable to be handled), despite the bustle.

At the AGM, the ACF National title requirement was changed to a minimum of 21 months from start to finish, fawn and cinnamon were recognised in Group 2, tortie and black were allowed in Turkish Van, and the Spotted Mist was given full recognition.  As Mrs Uddin was present, she was able to speak on an accord with ACF/FIFe which had been mooted at the recent FIFe General Assembly; this was based on mutual recognition of judges, registrations, prefixes and agreement to judge by the others' standards when "guesting".  The meeting endorsed the ILO's motion of an accord between ACF and FIFe.  It was also suggested that a similar accord be sought with The New Zealand Cat Fancy.

This was the meeting at which anti-cat legislation reared its ugly head, and it was felt that we should (as a national body) confront such issues as a united voice.  Thus, the Education and Management committee evolved.  The proposed joint ACF/CCCA show (to be held in Adelaide) was once again raised.

1994
As has become tradition, the "bring your thermals" National was followed in 1994 by a tropical National, in Darwin.  At the AGM, the ILO reported that the accord with FIFe was in place, and ACF was thus officially recognised as an entity in its own right by FIFe.  Mr. Tom Herbst (visiting judge from the USA) raised the possibility of a similar agreement with his body, ACFA.  The idea of once again producing an ACF Yearbook was accepted.  Cymric was accepted so long as not derived from colourpoints nor carriers, and the ACF Award of Excellence (AoE) was instituted.

1995
Back to the Gold Coast and the guest international judge this year was Wain Harding from the USA.  The ILO sent apologies, as she was representing ACF at the World Congress of Cat Organisations meeting in Holland.  To be invited to this meeting was a real feather in ACF's cap, and her apology gladly received.  At the AGM the Award of Excellence details were refined, Ocicats were accepted with the CFA standard, "and white" Ragdolls were allowed "a spot you can sit on" (i.e. one spot on hock).  The Education and Management report detailed the progress for the year, and the breakaway in Tasmania (seeking CCCA affiliation) was discussed, the ACF giving full support to its long-term Tasmanian affiliate, Cat Association of Tasmania Inc (CAT).  It was decided that the initiative for further liaison with CCCA might best come from that body.

1996
Adelaide again was the scene of the National weekend.  Guest international judges this year were Joyce Irwin (USA), Penny Bydlinski (UK) and Waltraud Sattler (Germany).  At the AGM, time was given to the necessity of the involvement of the "grassroots" members.  Again, the idea of a national register was discussed, Bengals were given provisional recognition, with ACF judges to submit reports on temperament to the Secretary for review in 1997, and it was agreed to keep a register of all kittens other than self blue deriving from Korat matings.  Style of ballot on ACF Supreme panels was changed to allow judges to display their vote to the audience.  The ACF judge training scheme was scheduled for an update, sub-committees of the ACF to have (non-voting) delegation to ACF committee, and consideration was given to the nature of the up-coming silver anniversary.

1997
Twenty-five years of ACF and Perth put on a spectacular show in the silver theme.  Guest international judges were Sandra Perry and Sue Barr from New Zealand.  1997 also saw the acceptance of many "new" breeds and colours; the Japanese Bobtail, Scottish Fold Longhair, Singapura and Tonkinese (to be shown in only Minks pattern).  The Scottish Shorthair (pert or straight eared) were given provisional recognition as were the Burmilla and Bombay.  New colours accepted were the Cinnamon and Apricot in Groups 2, Shaded/tipped Orientals, smoke bi-colour Persian, Tortie Smoke and White Persians, and shaded/tipped bi-colour/tortie and white Persians.  And having received nothing but excellent reports on Bengal temperament (ref 1996) ACF was pleased to put the Bengal onto full register. It was a busy year for the ACF Judges Guild!

This year also saw the retirement of long-standing Secretary Mrs. Julie Schuller (NT) and the appointment of our present Secretary Mrs. Nell Evans (SA).  We also saw the resignation of Mrs. Haidee Lowe (NT) as Treasurer, who was replaced by Mrs. Margaret Bush (WA).

Nobody could have foretold the tumultuous twelve months that would follow this meeting when, within a couple of months, ACF would be without its President and Vice President.  Great despair and sorrow followed the death of our esteemed President The Hon. Mr. Lance Barnard AO, closely followed by the resignation of the Vice President, Paul Doody (WA).  As a result, ACF appointed Mrs. Lesley Morgan-Blythe (Tas) as Acting President and Mrs. Keryn Rivett (Vic) as Acting Vice President.  With the new Secretary and Treasurer as well, ACF would head into a new chapter.

1998
Back to Melbourne with the members of CAV staging their show in the foothills of the Dandenongs.  The guest international judges were Louis Coste (France), Flavia Capra (Italy) and Stephe Bruin (Holland).  This year saw some more tidying up of the standards and the ILO reported that the March meeting of Presidents of World Cat Organisations (FIFe, CFA, WCF, ACF, TICA) had formally adopted a name for this forum: the World Cat Congress (WCC).  Mrs. Morgan-Blythe stepped down as Acting President to resume her duties as the International Liaison Officer and the new President Dr. Jan Hills from the Northern Territory took her place in the chair.  No other positions changed on the committee.

Later on in the year the Cat Fancy were saddened to hear of the death of Mrs. Nita Russack, who served the cat fancy for over 40 years.
  

1999
In February, the cat fancy lost a stalwart of the Siamese breed; breeder/judge Miss Helen Ferres, of South Australia. Her "Chiton" cats have long distinguished themselves at home and abroad.

The 27th ACF Inc National weekend was hosted by Cat Association of Tasmania, in Hobart, (pop. 200,000) from June 11 - 14th. All activities; Guild meeting, show, AGM and social functions, were held at Wrest Point Hotel Casino, which proved a wonderful venue. The weekend began with a vice-regal reception at historic Government House for judges, ACF executive, delegates and the local organising committee.

Saturday was, as ever, ACF Judges' Guild day, and about 50 members and observers attended the meeting and seminar. One of only 3 Sphynx in the country was present as "live talent" to support CAT's submission for full recognition, which was granted. Long-term breeder/judges of Sphynx, Aline and Philippe Noel, presented the breed to the workshop, as did Wayne Trevathan with Japanese Bobtails and Ocicats. Burmillas were present and recommended for full championship status, and the meeting voted to adopt as ACF's the newly approved FIFe standard for Norwegian Forest.

The show, held on Sunday, was an enormous success, the enormity matched by that of the public's interest! Thousands streamed in to see the Sphynx as well as 332 cats of other breeds, and to be entertained by the judges (overseas panel: A & P Noel, W Trevathan). The Hobart Cat Centre was invited to exhibit mature "adoptees" and all six had been claimed by early afternoon. One - Murphy - was adopted during the morning and went on to take Supreme Group 4 exhibit!

Supreme Grp 1 exhibit was GP Skybank Hampuss (owners D & R Smith, Tas), a blue classic tabby exotic, Supreme Grp 2 and Supreme Exhibit was Rama Road to Mandalay (o/b Jenny Luyten, Vic), a black oriental, while Group 3 Supreme Exhibit was a British blue kitten, Redwyton Magic Moment, owned and bred by Tops Jowett (Tas).

At Monday's AGM Mr John Blythe of Tasmania was elected President, and Mrs Kathie Scallan (Qld) was voted into the Vice Presidency. Perhaps the most significant issue debated was that of acceptance of an application for affiliation by Queensland Independent Cat Council. Affiliates voted unanimously in favour, subject to written ratification.
 

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Page design: Keryn Rivett