Meet the 2009 Groom Team

Christine Speerin

Christine Speerin first started grooming dogs on the family kitchen table when she was 14 years old. Thirty odd years later Christine is one of the most instrumental and leading groomers in the Australian Pet Industry. Christine is a CMG and Certifier for the American based IPG inc and is a founding member of the recently formed Groom Team Australia. Christine has had numerous successes in grooming contests and has been responsible for setting the benchmark in the creative contests in Australia .Head instructor at “The Grooming School “ Christine has mentored many local and International students to develop their own styles and successful careers . Christine constantly promotes grooming at Pet Expos and Trade Fairs globally and is always willing to pass on her experiences to others. Christine has also judged grooming contests in the USA and is highly respected amongst her peers. A proud mother and grandmother Christine is a dedicated family person and is always willing to share her knowledge to all that she meets. Although no longer breeding Christine was also responsible for bringing the champion “Likren “ Brittany lines to Australia which are still winning today.

Annett Whitelum

Annett grew up in Northern Australia and has been involved with various pets all her life. Not gaining the marks she would have liked to qualify to study as a Veterinarian, Annett started a Hairdressing apprenticeship after leaving High School. Hairdressing allowed Annett to work in many cities around Australia before settling on the NSW Central Coast. A career change to Dental Nursing lasted for a few years before marrying and starting a family. It was during this time of staying at home with young children that Annett started grooming by chance. A friend informed her that the local Pet Store needed a dog groomer and that she had organised an interview for her the very next day!! Initially panicked, Annett thought she’d give it a shot- after all she could already cut hair, so how hard was it? She learnt very quickly how to groom the various dogs that came into the shop and attended all the seminars available to perfect her skills and knowledge. She took over the business 2 years later in 2003.

Entering her first competition in 2004 Annett won her Novice Poodle class and came 2nd in the Creative Styling. Hooked on competing, she came 1st in the Open Poodle, 1st in the Novice Terrier and 1st in the Creative Styling in 2005. In 2006 she came 1st in the Master Terrier class and 2nd in the Master Poodle. At the same time she became one of Australia’s first Certified Master Groomers. 2007 saw her taking out a 1st in the Master Poodle class and another 1st in the Master Terrier Class as well as the Best in Show Groomer. In 2008 she placed 1st in the Master Poodle Class, 1st in the Creative Styling and 2nd in the Master Terrier Class as well as Runner up to the Best In show Groomer. Never missing an opportunity to learn more Annett attended all the Australian Grooming seminars as well as travelling to the USA 4 years consecutively to attend seminars. In 2009 in the USA Annett entered her first international competition and came 3rd in the Level 2 Poodle class and 1st in the Crazy Model Dog class. Chosen to be a member of Groom Team Australia is a dream come true and an achievement she is proud of.

Annett lives in Lisarow NSW with her husband Mick and sons Corby 11 and Dustin 9. In spare time apart from grooming Annett enjoys hanging out at skate parks watching her boys skateboarding and riding BMX, football games, family dinners and picnics. They share their home 3 Poodles and a Chihuahua.

Nicky Renwood

Nicky Renwood is a certifier for the International Professional Groomers Inc (IPG), a grooming judge and a licensed dog show judge being a member of Dogs Victoria, NSW and SA for over 30 years showing and handling all breeds, taking many to Best in Show level. Her skills and experience developed from being a second generation in the dog industry along with 15 years of owning her own grooming salon and in 2004 opened Australian Dog Grooming School.
In October 2006 Nicky became a Certified Master Groomer then in 2008 she obtained her certification to become a certifier for CMG. Her passion and dedication through her involvement with the dog world has led her to be committed to the high level of study necessary to gain these qualifications. Nicky is a team member of groom team Australia (GTA) who will compete in Germany in 2009 World Team Championship against 14 other country’s of the world’s best groomers.

Sharon Hall

Sharon is the proprietor of Snuggle Pup and Cuddle Pooch Dog Grooming Salon, a business she started in 2001 that now employs seven people and services over 3500 customers.

Sharon sussessfully shown many dogs including Saint Bernard, Aussie Shepherd, Poodle (Standard, Mini, and Toy), Shih Tzu, Bichon, and Laggotto Romagnolo.

Sharon has been competing in grooming competitions since 2002 with many places the most recent 2 first places at the Victorian state competition, and 1st and 2nd place to the Pet Expo 2008.

Sharon is also proud to be a Certified Master Groomer and level one Certifier for IPG (International Professional Groomer Inc.) as well as a Companion Animal Hygienist.
Sharon is the current Grooming Director for the Pet Industry of Australia and was a guest speaker at the 2009 Ausgroom.
In her spare time Sharon instructs obedience at the local dog club, competes in obedience trials and Doggie Dancing competitions.

Tamara James

I was born in to the dog world with both my parents beening involved in breeding Airedale and Manchester Terriers under the Foxwood prefix, to which today my sister and i have continued these line under the Foxtam prefix and I also exhibit Poodles (standards and Toys) and breed Toy Poodles. I have handled many breeds to Best in Show level and have had the honnor to work with and know some of “the greats” of the Australian and New Zealand dog world . I have also held the Australian title for Australian Groomer of the Year twice, and have competed and placed at Intergroom. This will be the second time i have represented Australia in grooming, and i hope to do it proud.

Venessa Parsons

Vanessa Parsons (CMG) the owner and proprietor Country Canines Grooming & Clipping Salon located in Currumbin Valley on the Gold Coast, is a stylist with over 19 years experience in the grooming industry. Beginning her grooming career after school at 13, then owning her first salon at the age of 16.After 4 yrs she sold this salon and tried her hand at mobile grooming for 12 years, this business being one of the most successful long standing mobile services on the Gold Coast.After hanging up her car keys she decided to go back to the salon life.
Vanessa Parsons Certified Master Groomer also a level 1 Certifier for International Professional Groomers INC. for the Certified Master Groomer program, Vanessa has judged internationally at the Pro-Team 2008 Dog Grooming Competition held in Singapore at West Coast Park. Vanessa is a Certified Companion Animal Hygenist,she has a Cert IV in training and assesment, and was very proud to be representing groomers as a director for the Pet Industry Association of Australia for over 2 years. She recently was a speaker at 2009 WA Pet Expo on Grooming Techniques and styles. Her latest acheivment was being asked to be on Groom Team Australia a true honour for any groomer!

™ Groom Team Australia 2010