In 2001 I was approached by Gaye Ah Quay who was a Compliance Officer for the Hervey Bay City Council to see if I was interested in being part of their program on Responsible Dog Ownership. At the time I was retiring 'Lacey' Aus Ch Kislev Cagney and thought she would be ideal for the program, so the process began.
Lacey soon fell into her work with gusto she enjoyed outings in the 'truck' wether it was going to pick up a 'problem child' (dog) or going to visit a school, shopping centre or nursing home. Lacey was soon the talk of the Wide Bay region appearing in the papers and on TV promoting 'Responsible Dog Ownership'. She had her own business cards, website & column in The Observer newspaper in Hervey Bay and was often the feature of many articles in local papers. She also had her own Calendar. One very public feature was in 2005 when Lacey featured in a weight loss program, promoting healthy weight, seen walking on a tread mill being weighed, even a cartoon article at the time was headed 'Ranger Lacey's motivation for joining the Get it Off Campaign' with a cartoon photo of Lacey standing in front of a mirror saying 'Does this collar make my bum look big'
A favourite part of the day was morning tea at the Council Chambers checking out what may have been thrown in the waste paper bins and especially checking out the MAYOR'S. She was a cherished member of the Hervey Bay City Council and was sadly missed when she passed away mainly due to old age.
One of the highlights of her career was 2004 when Hervey Bay was named Wide Bay-Burnett's Tidiest Town, 'We just love Ranger Lacey' judge Jan Inch said 'Hervey Bay's imaginative use of Ranger Lacey is a great success story'. The head line on one of the story's in the local Independent Paper was RANGER LACEY SWAYS THE JUDGES.
Before Lacey retired fully 'Jay' Kislev Jacque O Hearts her nephew, joined her to take over her role in November 2005, Jay or JJ as he was and is sometimes known didn't like the show ring and the role of Ranger suited him well. Again he has been an integral part of the now amalgamated Hervey Bay Council and now headed Fraser Coast Regional Council. He worked alongside his handler Gaye Ah Quay (a huge fan of the Beagle). He has also starred in the local papers and TV with too many to include on this website.
In 2010 Gaye Ah Quay after her numerous years working for Council resigned for a career change. As such it was a combined decision in the best interests of JJ as his beloved handler was no longer available for Council, to retire JJ also. He was given a Mayoral send off on 9th July 2010 and among other things received a Certificate of Appreciation for his many years of Community Service. Gaye remains a special part of JJ's life.
The Council's annual Pet Walk named in Ranger Lacey's honour and continued with JJ (held also to raise funds for the Guide Dogs Association), will on 29th August 2010 be Gaye's and JJ's last official Council Ranger duty to lead the posse of dogs (often hundreds) on the walk. There will also be a memorial tree planting for Lacey's ashes.