Marion Forester
In Loving Memory of Marion Forester
Founder • Life Member • President • Patron
Marion and Dick Forester emigrated from England in 1949. They bought an orchard in the Hawkes Bay and settled there. Marion had been a schoolteacher in England and continued to teach in New Zealand for some time. They bought two Staffords with them "George The Rip" and "Moti". Sadly George met with a fatal accident, but in 1950 "Goth of Bandits" was sent out to New Zealand by John Gordon. From the subsequent litter (Goth of Bandits/Moti), Marion kept a bitch she called Loggerheads Luckpenny, who became the first Stafford in New Zealand to get a group win. "Loggerheads" from that time was starting on a long and successful journey.
Marion was a mentor in the Staffordshire Bull Terrier World. She was an unforgettable character. An academic, yet very down to earth. Her rich vocabulary and use of words to neatly describe any situation stands out in people's memories. She certainly didn't suffer fools gladly, but had a very kind and generous side, which may have been overlooked at times. Her knowledge of Stafford history, especially pedigrees, was superb.
Most New Zealand and Australian dogs today will more than likely have a Loggerheads prefix somewhere in their background. Marion bred many winning dogs, both here and those exported to Australia, America and beyond. Marion gave a huge amount of time to the Society, which of course she got off the ground. Marion was for many years the Society's driving force that saw it's first Open Show held in Hastings in 1977 with the late Ron Servat (UK) as judge. It was a memorable day; the friendly atmosphere and excitement of a Society landmark made it one of the best shows. Then in 1978 the Society held it's first Championship Show.
Marion was founder, life member and Patron of the Society and also patron and life member of Hawkes Bay K.A., Life member of the Terrier Club, and Patron of Canterbury Combined Terrier Club. She was a well-known judge; her first appointment was in 1954. She also judged in America and Australia where she was made a life member of the New South Wales Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club. Marion resigned from the Judging panel in 1984 due to ill health. She died at home in Havelock North on the 10th January 1985.
A fellow committee member, Ruth Wearing, said that Marion told her a story once which just underlines how much better the breed is known and respected these days… Marion and a friend were at a show in the early days of Staffords in New Zealand. When they were in the ring the judge told them both quite firmly that their dog's heads were all wrong, the ears, the judge said, should stand up straight, their eyes should be smaller and the head should have no stop!! Marion and her friend were advised to "go home and work on it"…. They simply went home. We imagine that judge was given a very suitably withering look!!
Marion and Dick Forester
With profound gratitude, we honour Marion for her commitment to the breed and her foundational role in establishing The Southern Cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue Trust in 1980. As one of the original trustees, Marion committed herself to a mission of compassion for our beloved breed.
The Society is the guardian of the Marion Forester Memorial trophy. The trophy is presented annually to the Best of Breed winner at the National Dog Show held under the auspices of DogsNZ. Marion's legacy will always be part of our Society.