For those who don’t know me you are probably wondering what my credentials are so here is a little personal background.

Throughout my childhood my European immigrant parents kept lots of animals, and of them all, the bunnies were my favourite.

Thankfully, I was not aware that some of our pet lambs, chickens and rabbits residing in the backyard provided food for the table. All I knew was that rabbits appealed to me and I took to their quiet undemanding ways. The rabbits were not aloof and selfish like our cats or subservient and constantly begging attention like our dog. I know I am unusual when people tell me that when they (for example) smell horse manure they remember fond childhood experiences of their pony or staying on a farm. I on the other hand, enjoy the odour of rabbit poo! Strange isn’t it?

Even though it feels like it, I am unable to say I have had an entire lifetime experience with rabbits. During my teenage years, as with most young women, my youth was distracted with other important issues such as joining the work force. I then graduated to changing and washing nappies — thousands of them!

Recollecting my childhood fondness for bunnies I decided to keep a few crossbred pets for my children’s (and my) enjoyment. In 1987, while buying a hutch from a breeder, (wow, that's 23 years ago!) my eyes first set upon an amazing breed called the English Angora. I was besotted and gladly paid $200 for a breeding pair named Charlie and Chinchin. I didn’t find out until later that they were a bit overpriced and not suitable for showing however, as their type and coat were quite average.

At the time we moved (bunnies and all) from the coastal town of Kiama to Canberra, you had to obtain a licence in order to keep rabbits and each licence was restricted to a maximum of ten rabbits. I still have the old discoloured piece of paper somewhere – although  government regulations of a ‘rabbit permit’ no longer applies.

I searched thoroughly for local breeders but found only a few that bred Netherland Dwarfs, the most popular breed in those days. Before long I travelled across the border, driving for three long hours (one way) just to enter my bunnies in the closest and only NSW club at the time, the Rabbit Breeders Association in Sydney. Since then the interest in keeping and showing fancy rabbits has grown and subsequently additional clubs have formed and branched out to various other parts of the country.

It was in Sydney that I fell ‘hook, line and sinker’ in love with the dopey looking Dwarf Lops and then the Cashmere Lops soon after they were imported. The bunnies I brought back from Sydney were the foundation stock that helped launch the lovable Lop’s popularity in Canberra. Even though I adore the English Angora’s docile and placid nature, they are a specialist breed and not suitable for the average pet owner.

Currently I only show and breed Mini Lops and Mini Cashmere Lops. I have been tempted to add some of the other gorgeous (established or new) breeds but must admit a certain bias towards a Lop’s podgy face, cheeky personality and docile, curious nature. Now you know why there are so many ‘Lop’ photos throughout my book!

I chose the name of my rabbit stud ‘Bonreiki’ after my in-laws kiwi fruit orchard in New Zealand. Their home and orchard was serene and beautiful and on a clear day you could even see an active volcano on an offshore island. I have very fond memories of the idealistic times we had when we stayed there. Although it was sad when Mum and Dad sold the orchard, I wanted the name Bonreiki to somehow continue as a family tradition and was especially won over after finding out that the Polynesian interpretation means ‘to grow’. How perfectly apt when you see tiny newborn kits and watch their amazing growth rate from one day to the next.

In 1990 I was encouraged to form a Canberra based sub-show committee of the Rabbit Breeders Association. Later in the same year I started training as a judge, eventually qualifying a few years later.

With a small band of enthusiasts, we managed to successfully organise shows and display bunnies for the first time in the ACT. After five years of gaining experience, confidence and a strong desire to go it alone, the Canberra Rabbit Club emerged. Today, thanks to the dedicated, reliable, efficient, hard working (and grossly underpaid) committee our club continues to flourish.

Apart from holding rabbit shows we continue to promote and display at school fetes, agricultural shows, pet expos and so on. The annual Canberra Royal Show is the biggest (and most tiring) event. It is held over three days and we end up talking to hundreds of people — giving advice and showing off our rabbits. Apart from the business of working for the club, my motivation has always been the pleasure of promoting bunnies as delightful pets.

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