The Milburn Stud has been a major force in Utility and Yard Sheepdog Trials for over a decade. Michael was a good stockman and working a lot of sheep in hard country when he bought his first Stud Kelpie in 1989. That dog was Noonbarra Butch.

He went into his first sheepdog trial in September 1990. By early 1991, Michael working Butch, won the NSW State Yard Dog Championships held at Bathurst. He was thought to be foolish to enter his Kelpie in the Open event of the biggest Yard Trial in the state. Michael reasoned that Butch could work thousands of sheep so just a few dozen shouldn't be too much of a problem. To everyone's surprise he was right and Noonbarra Butch won both the Improvers and the Open event. He was under two years old at the time.

He then went on to win the 1992 Australian National Yard Title held in South Australia. Butch's bloodline went back through Noonbarra Gabe and Noonbarra Tim to Liscannor Pace. Pace was probably the biggest trial winning Kelpie of the last 30 or 40 years. Noonbarra Butch won and placed in many trials for Michael over the next few years. Later Michael started his own Kelpie Stud. At first he called it Bubalalah but later changed it to Milburn, after 'Milburn Park', his new property near Cowra in NSW. He soon got a name as a good handler and breeder and starting running in trials with a Kelpie of his own breeding, Milburn Basil. Basil was also an outstanding Kelpie and went on like Butch to again win the big double - The NSW State Championship and the Austraalian National Open. These days he has a number of outstanding dogs and any one of them is capable of winning major trials.

NOONBARRA BUTCH

Noonbarra Gabe X Rockybar Valerie

Born: 15th April 1989

Michael put a lot of time and effort into training Noonbarra Butch and it wasn't long before they turned into a top working team. Michael started him in trials at a very young age. He placed 3rd in his very first trial at Burraga in 1990. A few months later he won first place in the Encourage section of the Southern NSW Yard Championships at Wagga. He then won the Novice Trial at Taralga in 1990. During the early and mid 1990's he was regarded as the best yard dog in Australia. This is even more amazing as he was bred mainly as a paddock dog and had a strong leaning to this work.

Michael had a good understanding of animals and was a person who could read what his stock was going to do. He of course, had the same puppy problems with Noonbarra Butch as all handlers have but he put the time into properly teaching the dog and reaped the rewards.

His first big win was the 1991 NSW Yard Dog Championships. The trial featured over $10,000 in prizes, making it at the time the richest Yard Trial in Australia. Some of the best dogs in the country attended. Handlers like Jim Luce, Chris Stapelton, Kevin Howell, Robert Cox, Steve Weyman, Peter Moore, etc. Michael and Noonbarra Butch were not really considered. Most were expected the renowned Capree Watch to win. Chobi Mindy, Phils Creek Ben (Sam) and Capree Shep were also all strong contenders and all ended up getting placed. However Michael with Noonbarra Butch romped home 5 points ahead of Chris Stapleton with Capree Watch.

He had to trial three separate times to win the event as there was first round, second round and then the finals. He was up against over 75 other dogs. He also won the separate Improver Trial (for dogs that have not won an Open event). He won a number of prizes including cash, a large stock-trailer, dog food and products etc. He was even photographed with the Bathurst showgirl and interviewed by newspapers.

Even as an older dog in 1998 he showed he could still win big trials. Michael had really retired him but when another dog got hurt just before the Southern NSW Yard Championships, he decided to use Noonbarra Butch as a replacement. To everyone's surprise, including Michaels, Butch won the event and qualifed for the 1999 NSW Yard Championship.

Butch was the last pup in the litter to be sold. We originally called him 'Roger', and ended up taking him with us to the 1989 National Kelpie Trial in Bairnsdale, Victoria. We were asked to put him up for sale in the dog auction but we felt as his leaning was more to paddock work he may not be good enough at yard work. This was before we knew how good Noonbarra Gabe was at yard work. We later bought back Noonbarra Boss II. Boss was a full litter brother to Butch. He was a tall, good looking red & tan and he was a lovely smooth worker . We used him as a sire over a few bitches and got some excellent pups. Two were retained in the Stud. - Breederss M.& S. Bilson

NOONBARRA BUTCH - TRIAL RESULTS - (Not Yet Completed) 

1990	3rd	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Novice	Burraga Yard Trial
1990	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Encourage	Wagga Yard Championship	81
1991	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Novice	Taralga Yard Trial
1991	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Improver	NSW State Yard Championship
1991	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Yard Championship	85/82
1991	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Central Tablelands Yard Champion	?
1992	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Australian National Yard Title
1993	2nd	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Monaro Yard Championship
1993	2nd	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Dubbo Yard Trial	85/93
1994	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Woodstock Yard Trial	98/96
1994	4th	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW Yard Championship Bathurst	72/73
1994	4th	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Canowindra Yard Trial	86/82
1994	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	West Wyalong Yard Trial	96/89
1994	4th	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Canowindra Yard Trial	86/82
1996	6th	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Southern NSW Champion Wagga	177. 5
1996	3rd	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Yard Championship	90. 5/85
1996	2nd	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Australian National Yard Titles	92. 5/97
1996	2nd	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Lucindale Yard Trial South Aust.	96/92
1996	2nd	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Central Tablelands Championship	82. 5/88. 5
1997	17th	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Henty Yard Championship	?
1998	1st	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Southern NSW Yard Champion	?
1999	3rd	Noonbarra Butch	Michael Johnston	Open	Southern NSW Yard Championship

Article in Western Advocate - Bathurst April 15th 1991

Butch is State's Top Yard Dog Taralga grazier, Michael Johnstone's yard dog 'Butch' is the best in the state! Mr. Johnston and Butch on Saturday took out the pretigious NSW Yard Dog Championship at the Bathurst Show. Mr. Johnston and Butch won the Championship with scores of 85 and 82, which have been described by officials as "Excellent scores for a course of this type". Mr Johnston also took out the Improver trophy with the same dog. One of the judges at the sheepdog trials said he "regarded Mr Johnston as an excellent stockman".

Article in Southern Magazine - May 1991

Up against the best sheepdog handlers in the country, most scrutineers did not rate Taralga's Michael Johnston much of a chance in the NSW Championships. Despite only a year's competition, he proved them wrong.

Despite being the underdog, Taralga's Michael Johnston and his red and tan Kelpie, Noonbarra Butch dominated the NSW Yard Dog Championships at Bathurst, taking out both the Improvers and Open titles. The pair were only considered an outside chance for the title as Michael had only been involved in sheep dog trials for 12 months and the dog was under two years old.

Noonbarra Butch was bred by Stephen and Mary Bilson of Noonbarra stud at Manildra and sold to Michael as a pup, mainly for paddock work on his property. But in his first yard trial at Burraga last year, Butch took out third place in the novice, following that up with a win in the encourage at Wagga and a win in the novice event at Taralga earlier this year.

The championships was the biggest yet, with 150 entries, competing for the richest prize ever offered in a yard dog trial, including a total of $10,000 in money and prizes. Major sponsors were Uncle Ben's, the makers of Meaty-Bites dog food.

In second place at Bathurst were the favourites for the event, Chris Stapleton and Capree Watch of Burraga. Chris, who was two points behind the winner, took out first, second and fourth places at last year's NSW Championships while Capree Watch has been a major placegetter in recent years. Steve Weyman, who took third place with Capree Shep, was also tipped by many to take the title having previously won the National Kelpie trial. Capree Shep is a full brother to Capree Watch and was bred by Chris Stapleton.

MILBURN BASIL

Phils Creek Sam X Capree Misty II

Born: 10th May 1992

Michael worked a number of other Kelpies over the next few years and did well with them but his next really exceptional Kelpie was one he bred himself, Milburn Basil. In 1997, Michael Johnston working Basil won the big NSW State Yard Championship Trial. The same year he went and won the National title as well, just like he did a few years earlier with Noonbarra Butch.

Milburn Basil has shown he is an outstanding Kelpie in the popular yard trials and is still winning new titles as you read this. In 1998, Milburn Basil placed 3rd in the Australian National Kelpie Trial. Back in 1996, Milburn Basil won the Scanlon Award at the National Kelpie Trial for best Cast, lift and draw. This year he has also won the National field Days Utility Trial at Orange as well as the Central Western Championships.

MILBURN BASIL - Trial results (Not yet completed) 

1994	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	West Wyalong Yard Trial	92/85
1994	4th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Woodstock Yard Trial	94/88
1994	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Canowindra Yard Trial	95/91
1994	6th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Monaro Yard Champ - Crookwell	81/75
1994	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Western NSW Championship
1995	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	SouthernNSW Yard Championship	194. 5
1995	3rd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Parkes Yard Trial	96/86
1995	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Canberra Yard Trial	92/94
1995	4th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Boorowa yard trial	92/91
1995	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Western NSW Championship - Nyngan
1995	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Yard Championship
1995	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Forbes Yard Trial
1996	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Southern NSW Yard Championship	185
1996	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Forbes Yard Trial
1996	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Yard Championship
1996	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Henty Championship
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Eugowra Yard Trial
1997	4th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	West Wyalong Yard Championship
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Nyngan Classic	162
1997	4th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Nyngan Yard Trial	92/92
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Eugowra Yard Trial	95/94
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	West Wyalong Yard Trial	91/94
1997	9th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Henty Yard Championship	167
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Australian Yard Championship - Vic	94. 5/94
1997	5th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Elmore Vic. Yard Trial	189. 5
1997	6th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Millamolong Utility	?
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Young Yard Trial	91. 5/91. 5
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Forbes Yard Trial
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Western NSW Champion - Nyngan
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Canberra Championship
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Title - Cowra
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Dubbo Show Yard Trial	193
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Central West Yard Championship
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	National Field Days Utility Trial
1998	3rd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Cootamundra Yard Trial	172
1998	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Carcoar Yard Trial	192
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Young Yard Trial	91. 5/ 91. 5
1998	3rd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	National Kelpie Trial	80/76
1998	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Nyngan Yard	170
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW Yard Championship	92/84. 5
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Central Tablelands Championship
1999	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Championship - Canberra

In September 1998, Milburn Basil won the Central West Championship Yard Trial with a great final score of 97 points. The Milburn stud also won the Improver Title with Bonorong Rex, 4 points ahead of his nearest rival.

"The biggest highlight of my career was winning my first Open class Yard Dog Title, which was the NSW State Championship - competing with the best dogs in the country and then going on to win the Australian Yard Dog Championship with noonbarra Butch."

"I consider Milburn Basil and Noonbarra Butch to be my best dogs so far. .. A good temperament in a dog is very important. The dog has to have natural ability, stamina and a good presence on his stock, with a williness to please his handler. He should have a good amount of eye with the ability to force when required and good casting ability."

BONORONG REX

Milburn Basil X Reedycreek Lucy

Born: 15th Feb 1997

In 1998, Michael has started working a new Kelpie, Bonorong Rex. This dog is doing some very impressive work and looks likely to be Michael's next big winner.

Rex has already won the Improver trial at the Central West Championships and put up an excellent performance at the National Field Days Utility Trial at Orange.

His pedigree is also very impressive and features nearly every major winner of utility or Yard trials. He is by Milburn Basil and out of Reedycreek Lucy. Lucy is by Noonbarra Butch and on the other side Lucy goes back to Capree Zap, Barambogie Mack and the 1985 National Kelpie Champion, Capree Jag.

Milburn Basil is by the excellent Yard Trial winner, Phils Creek Sam and on his dams side goes back to Capree Watch, Glenlogie Lucky and Barambogie Mack.

Mary and Stephen Bilson Noonbarra Kelpie Stud