Michele fell in love with Westies when she read Mary Dennis's The West Highland White Terrier book when she was 13. She was lucky enough to get her first Westie at 18. Michele lived in the UK for 15 years and started her "Kittiroa" kennels in 1990. Now living on her little piece of paradise at Owhango in the Central North Island with Westies, horses and very long suffering cat - Claude de Pussy, she is living the dream.

I live on a lifestyle block in West Melton with my partner Bob, our two Westies—Bonnie and Monty—and a small menagerie including Arabian horses and Nubian goats. I’ve shared my life with six Westies over the past 20 years and can’t imagine having any other breed. I work full time for St John NZ, leading ambulance station design and construction, and enjoy the perk of working from home with a Westie under my desk. I’ve served on several boards and am currently Treasurer of the NZ Arabian Horse Society, Vice-President of the Canterbury Arabian Horse Club, and a Trustee of The Cathedral Grammar School Board. I’ve loved being involved with the Club over the past year and am excited to continue helping our members enjoy everything that makes Westies and Scotties so special.

I live in Broadmeadows with my husband, Cr Rayward Chung, and currently share our home with two Westies—Hollee and Radlee. I work part-time for Pet Angels Inc. and enjoy daily dog walks with the neighbourhood group, weekly adult ballet classes, and plenty of fiction reading on my tablet. My love for Westies began with a photo in a Neiman Marcus catalogue—and grew into a lifelong passion. Over the years I’ve been lucky to have five Westies, starting with Dinky and Leesa from Golspey Kennels. I have fond memories of bonding with Dinky during his first weeks, even sneaking him to the office in a tote bag. Leesa later became a Canine Friends therapy dog. Each of my Westies has had a unique personality, and they’ve all brought joy, mischief, and loyal companionship into our lives. I’m delighted to serve as Treasurer and give back to this wonderful community.