Lowburn’s Jack Davis received a Lifetime Legacy Award at the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards for his lifelong dedication, achievements, and influence in sheepdog trials and curling recently.

83-year-old Jack has been competing in dog trials since he was 11 and has held multiple ‘’Top Dog” titles. Along with his contribution to sheepdog trials as a mentor, leader and judge he has also been a champion for New Zealand Curling. 

Jack’s son, Terry Davis said his dad was “genuinely surprised and absolutely chuffed” with the recognition.

“One of his [9] grandchildren Lara Brinsdon (24) was at the ceremony, along with wife Claire which made it even more special.”

The trio enjoyed the whole experience of the awards evening and getting to watch the rural sports the next day in Palmerston North.

Jack’s first win was back in 1952 at Waipahi with dog Ned and he netted ten shillings. 

He has been a Lowburn Collie Dog Club member since 1976 and has won multiple Otago Centre Championship titles. His dogs held both heading and huntaway discipline top dog titles for a five year period (1980 -1985). 

Along with being a top competitor he has held executive roles at both club and centre levels, including president, secretary, and centre delegate. He has also served on the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association Council for over twenty years.

For curling he has been Lowburn club secretary for 25 years and in 2009 he was named ‘My Lord’ of New Zealand curling; a title responsible for maintaining the sports traditions, organising tournaments and bonspiels when conditions permit. 

Terry said his dad still curled as much as he could along with running the annual Lowburn collie trials.

“He helps out at my events too, sitting on a quad bike for hours at Mt Difficulty and managing the communications desk with mum, keeping an eye on runners through the night at Northburn… doing Lucerne hay in Central for all those years prepared them well for that.”

“Between him and mum they’ve been president or secretary or involved in most clubs and groups. They’re good, keen community minded people, they get involved and make things happen.”

As a youngster Jack played representative cricket for Vincent County, along with playing rugby and boxing during his high school years.  

Two other lifetime legacy awards went to 86-year-old Te Awamutu retired farmer Alan Wallace for ploughing and Sir Mervyn Tutuiri Church (75) for rodeo.

The 10th NZ Rural Games were held in Palmerston North from March 6 - March 9 and featured special guests including Olympians Erica Dawson and Dylan Schmidt, Paralympian Cameron Leslie MNZM, former All Black Coach Sir Wayne Smith, Shearing legends Sir David Fagan and World Champion shearer Rowland Smith and agricultural educator and entertainer Tangaroa Walker.

Read more: Community Champion - Ginger Woodhouse.

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