Mount Isa Race Club president, Dan Ballard is confident his club is on track to realise its full potential following last week’s Annual General Meeting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Club members elected a nine-person committee, with four new faces and a new executive treasurer in experienced businesswoman, Norma-Jean Caldwell.
Mr Ballard said the new-look committee hoped to build on the strong foundations laid in 2016/17 – a year in which the club managed a significant turnaround.
“We now have the perfect mix of experienced campaigners and new faces from a variety of backgrounds to continue building on the work started in the financial year 2016/17,” Mr Ballard said. “Every decision the committee makes aims to improve our core product, which is racing.”
Mr Ballard said the long-term view was to increase capacity to comfortably cater to large race day audiences.
“Last financial year the club applied to Racing Queensland, and were successful in obtaining funding from the Country and Regional Capital Works Program,” he said. “The grant will allow the club purchase new starting gates, construct a new inside and outside running rail, and a new shed to store machinery.”
Mr Ballard said the club had met all Racing Queensland compliance requirements and would streamline the process in coming months.
“Racing Queensland has been very helpful and patient with the club’s committee as we worked with them to address the backlog of non-compliance that needed to be resolved following last year’s AGM” he said.
Mr Ballard said Ms Caldwell’s business acumen made her an ideal treasurer.
“The club is very fortunate to have someone with NJ’s business and banking background acting as its treasurer, and I look forward to working together to achieve continued growth,” he said.
The club is now gearing up for its Melbourne Cup celebrations.
Mr Ballard invited everyone trackside on Tuesday to celebrate the “race that stops a nation”.
“We have five action-packed local races, a jumping castle for the kids, and the public is welcome to book a table on the patio to enjoy the running of the Melbourne Cup and watch some great country racing” he said.
The luncheon has sold out.