Once-Upon-a-Time
Madeleine scowled. ‘This is not good enough,’ she thought.
It was the late 1990s, and Maddy had just picked up her beloved dogs from a kennel. It was clear her two besties weren’t happy. This caused her heart to ache. She scratched their ears affectionately and asked them, ‘Why don’t they see you as social creatures, rather than locking you in solitary confinement?’ They looked at her (a little accusingly) with their sad, wise eyes, panting in agreement.
Maddy is a ‘fixer’ by nature and never shirks a challenge. She made up her mind instantly (as she is known to do) to cure this problem. This is why, with a steely glint of determination, Maddy took her first few steps to create her boarding establishment.
Maddy’s vision? For dogs to mix and play together for most of the day. Plenty of fun, exercise and social interactions. A place of happiness. And happy and grateful customers. Maddy dubbed her envisaged play system: ‘Open Plan Socialisation’.
Location
Notably, the first step was to find the perfect property. Maybe the farmhouse and its surrounding machinery sheds spoke loudly to Maddy of ‘potential’. To Maddy’s discerning eye, this little gem was perfect for her new business. There is plenty of space (3 acres) – tick! The pretty Broken Creek runs nearby – tick! It is a mere 4 km east of Nathalia. Perfection!
Maddy rolls up her sleeves, ready for the unknown challenges and obstacles ahead.
Tentative Beginnings
After many negotiations and permits, Maddy launched her business (2000). This consists of two yards, a handful of boarders and the obligatory bottle of sparkling. There is still hard, physical work that requires long hours of labour; however, inimitable Maddy is up for the challenge. Over time, many trees take root, and fences appear as if by magic. The property transforms into one of the prettiest in the Moira Shire. The kennel’s reputation spreads quickly, attracting boarders from Geelong, Melbourne, southern NSW, and every town in between.
After many years, there are 28 yards. Each yard gets a name from a particular and regular four-legged friend. Madeleine nods her approval at the excited hounds trotting into her office and heart.
Numerous local teens entered the working world via the Kennels; all will recall, with great fondness, scooping poop and tussling with the water device (of the time) to clean the kennels.
Ode to all previous Poop Scoopers
Madeleine, mother-hen and mentor, scurries around, ensuring her young charges meet her exacting standards.
Jacinda
Jacinda was one such local teen. Work experience (2005) turns into part-time work. That part-time work turned into a school-based traineeship. In 2006, she became an award-winning regional trainee. From 2007 onwards, Jacinda gained qualifications in ‘Companion Animal Studies’ and ‘Grooming’. Our highly experienced young lady is ready to accept the baton as manager & proprietor of Nathalia Boarding Kennels & Cattery (2011-2016). With Jacinda at the helm & wing-man Vanessa by her side, the Moira Shire recognises and rewards their outstanding customer service. The girls nail the ‘2015 Business Excellence Award’ to the office wall and grin delightedly
Madeleine continues to guide and mentor but takes a ‘back seat’ in daily physical tasks.
Vanessa
Vanessa begins NBKC life similarly to Jacinda’s – via work experience (2005), and while she explores other career options post-school (e.g. a gap year in the Army), the kennels are her ‘go-to’ between times. Her ‘social media savvy’ is an asset to the business.
Relinquishing
In 2016, Madeleine concluded that it is time to relinquish the reins. Maddy offers her two best girls the opportunity to purchase the business from her. Jacinda, after much thought, declines the offer. Vanessa, with support from her parents, jumps at the chance. In October 2016, the Scadden trio leased Maddy’s business. The purchase occurred in April 2017. Maddy, easing into ‘retirement’, continues to drive (pet taxi) and mentor as the Scaddens settle into the business. Maddy has no clear or defining day to hang her retirement hat. ‘Driving duties’ cease at the end of 2018. Her ‘mentoring role’ is ongoing.
Scadden Family – Keeping the Beat
To this day (2025), the Scadden partnership maintains Maddy’s ‘open plan socialisation’ vision, where dogs socialise and play together in a safe, happy, stimulating and sensory environment. They annexed a block of land on the west side, doubling the land size and inheriting the old dairy. Spacious running yards were designed, and many more trees were planted. Large cement tunnels provide hours of entertainment for the dogs, who race through and over them. A training ground is established, and an old caravan is converted into a comfortable and eclectic staff room, perfect for lunch breaks. Improvements are ongoing.
Today
Today, Madeleine confidently waves goodbye as her current four-legged pals bound into the van for a play date at Nathalia Boarding Kennels & Cattery.
Madeleine smiles. ‘This is perfect!’
Cedric
Or, our Factotum… ‘the man who does everything’. Every day for 13 years, rain, hail or shine, you would find Cedric washing dog and cat bowls in the Kennel kitchen. A true-blue supporter of the business, he always took a genuine interest in the employees’ lives. Taciturn teenagers found themselves engaging in lively conversations with him. He developed an excellent rapport with all. Our Factotum started volunteering at the kennels in 2005 (the same year as Jacinda & Vanessa) and departed in 2017. Jacinda started a new chapter, and our ‘nish-nosher’ (aka dishwasher) concluded his story.
RIP Cedric – we miss your booming voice.
Current Staff
Heather Harrison, Emily Tymensen, Haley Knight, Jess Klippel, JC Scadden, Dani Guthrie, Abbey Tustain, Holly Cottingham, Courtney Andrew (casual), Kylah Kopsidas, Indee Hopkins (casual), Taylah Hutchins, Jay Roberts and Adele Mapletoft (Casual)
- Ad hoc Photographer/Driver: Rachel Scadden
- Advertising – Proofreading Guru: JC Scadden
- Guest Handyman: Alec Scadden
- Gardener: Andrew Carey (AC Mowing)
Past Workers
Our Kennels would not be as amazing as they are today without the contributions of past workers.
Mikala Brown, Kody Lee (briefly), Shrimpy (aka Marnie Sholz), Maria Villani, Andrea Johnson, Kane Stray, Claire Mason, Caitrin Harrison (helpful fill-in), Hayley Coonan, Chelsea Hicks, Charlotte Hunt (briefly), Tracey Cotton (briefly), Ashley Keir, Ned Bramwell, Caitlin Evans, Amelia Vaughan, Abbey Bell, Jemma Bell, Mia Bell, Emily Bright, Teagan Peterson, Kate Biesiekierski, Abbey Cleeland, Sophie Barnes, Michelle Temme, Cadisyn Villani, Helen McKeown – Groomer Extraordinaire (RIP), Emily Fitzgerald, Cassie Brooks, Josh Gemmill, Jade Philips, Laura Harvey-Hawkins, Chantal Germon, Jake Hindmarsh, Clancy Congues, Helena Bakogianis, Evelyn Scott, Lyn Mitchell, Kellie Begley, Cheryl, Rebecca Ford, Dana Ford, Jenny Trotter, Kelsey Walker, Denise & Nathan Butler, Paul & Alison Maloney, Michaela Cottingham, Xav & Grant Bell, Di Gemmill, Daniel Keil, Imogen Dixon, Stormy Guthrie, Leah Bridges, Emma (Flo) Rendell, Clinton, Elvie & Stuart Barnes, Daisy Ing, Kirah Turri, Ashley Henze, Ann Mooney, Monty Keil (meet and greet boy for 13 of his 15 years), Camilla Wilson, Stacey & Tanya Fitzgibbon & Harrison Hawks.
Please let us know if you worked for us and your name is not on this list!