Our Story

The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine has been part of the Australian working dog community for more than 30 years, documenting the dogs, handlers and stories that shape livestock work across the country.

The magazine was first established in the early 1990s by Gary and Angie White, shortly after the birth of their first child. Originally titled The Working Stock Dog Magazine, it was created as a way to share knowledge, experiences and stories within the working dog world at a time when few platforms existed.

In 2013, the magazine was revived by Wayne and Mandy Flintham and renamed the The Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine. During this time, it continued to grow and evolve, reaching a broader national audience while remaining grounded in the realities of everyday stock work and trialling.

In 2021, the magazine entered its next chapter when it was purchased by Laura McKillop.

Today, AWSDM remains proudly Australian-owned and independently run, with a strong focus on real dogs, real handlers and real-life experiences. The magazine features in-depth stories, practical training articles, trial and event coverage, and celebrates the people who keep the working dog industry moving forward.

Alongside the print magazine, the brand has grown to include an online store offering quality working dog gear, helping support handlers both on and off the paddock.

  • Meet Laura

    I’m Laura McKillop, the owner, editor and day-to-day operator of Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine.

    Since purchasing the magazine in 2021, I’ve focused on growing it into a modern, relevant platform for the Australian working dog industry while protecting the legacy built over the past 30+ years. Today, I oversee every aspect of the business, from editorial direction and feature interviews through to magazine design, marketing, partnerships and fulfilment.

    Away from the desk, I’m actively involved in the working dog community. I train and compete with my own team of Kelpies and Border Collies, travelling to trials across Australia and competing in 3-sheep, yard, utility and cattle disciplines. I also regularly volunteer at events and remain closely connected to handlers, judges and trial committees around the country, which keeps the magazine grounded in what’s actually happening in the sport.

    In 2026, I am a RAS Rural Achiever State Finalist, using this platform to help represent and promote working dogs, rural industries and the people behind them to a broader audience.

    The magazine has expanded beyond print to include an online store supplying quality working dog gear, alongside digital content and collaborations that support handlers both on and off the paddock. My approach is practical, honest and community-driven, shaped by growing up in rural Australia and working within family-run businesses.

    At its core, Australian Working Stock Dog Magazine exists to serve the people who live and breathe working dogs. I see my role not as reinventing the wheel, but as continuing a long-standing publication with care, relevance and respect for the industry while helping it evolve for the next generation of handlers.