This tribute was shared by Wayne’s daughter Kasey, on behalf of herself, her brothers Blue and Rex, her sister Hayley and their families.

Wayne Carney was a stockman, campdrafter and lifelong working dog man. You might even have spotted him in a few appearances on Keepin’ Up with the Jones’s.

Carney won and placed in several working dog trials over the years, including Gympie and Widgee. During the 1980s and 1990s, he was heavily involved in organising and supporting trials in south-east Queensland, particularly at Gympie and Widgee, helping the sport grow.

His working “trick dogs” entertained crowds in the main arena at the Gympie and Goomeri Shows, along with many other country shows and events. Passionate about learning everything he could about working dogs and passing that knowledge on, Carney was always a good man to call about a dog.

His approach to working dogs and horses was to develop their natural talent and intuition, supporting them to work by instinct with guidance and a good stop.

Despite failing health in his later years, he continued setting goals to improve his handling skills and return to working dog trials. When he no longer had the lung capacity to walk far or call and whistle to his dogs, he sent them to Andrew Daniels of LeafCreek Working Stock Dogs to sharpen them up.

Carney was glad to have met Andrew. He believed in him and encouraged his passion for training dogs and further developing the sport, eventually leaving Chip, Tough and Bandy in his hands.

His belief and encouragement had a lasting impact on Andrew. The two had planned to tackle the trialling circuit together, but sadly Carney’s declining health meant they never had the chance to fulfil those plans.

Riverside Chip, the last dog Andrew trained for Carney, remains at LeafCreek today—a special reminder of Wayne and the friendship they shared.

The Carney family are honoured by Andrew’s idea to remember Wayne’s legacy and contributions through the Wayne Carney Memorial Open in the Fassifern Valley, where Wayne chose to spend his twilight years.

The Wayne Carney Memorial Open is proudly sponsored by Blue and Benita of Carney’s Feedstore Murgon & Gympie.

For the second time, the Open carries Wayne’s name. We know he would have been right behind this trial, and it means a great deal to honour him in this way.

Our thanks to Blue, Benita and the whole Carney family for supporting this tribute, and to Kasey for sharing these memories and photographs.