Community
26 September, 2024
Terang Harness Racing welcomes new president
TERANG Harness Racing Club has welcomed a new president to lead local racing into the future.
The club has officially welcomed Terang’s Chris O’Connor to the top job, taking the reins from Evan Savage after nine years.
Over the years, Mr Savage has had the unenviable role of guiding the club through a tumultuous period with four chief executive officers, two state governments, two federal governments and a global pandemic.
Despite the challenges during this time, Mr Savage also oversaw the $2.2 million stable upgrades which has transformed Dalvui Racecourse in to one of Victoria’s premier venues.
“It’s been a challenging period but the stable complex was one of the biggest things we tried to do,” Mr Savage said.
“Having new people come on and off the committee was also a challenge, but we finally got there in the end.
“With changes to government we had to try and jump through hoops to keep our grants, and as everything started going up during the building phase, so too was the cost of everything.
“It’s been a challenge, but it’s a wonderful facility to have.”
Mr Savage is widely credited as a driving force behind the whirlwind developments, but he said the committee and the Terang Harness Owners, Trainers and Supporters Group were the reason for such a successful development under his tenure.
“We had so much support from our committee and owners and trainers’ group, with everyone having so much input in to it,” he said.
“Some people agreed and some didn’t with the things we did, but we pushed forward.
“It has probably future proofed the Terang Harness Racing Club at a time when a lot of other clubs are struggling.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s definitely secured the future of Terang Harness Racing Club.”
Mr Savage said he plans to continue being active around the trots but will not continue on with the committee as he redirects his attention to other causes, with full confidence the current committee and Mr O’Connor will continue to guide the club in the right direction.
“I do things in 10-year blocks,” he said.
“I sort of fell into the position as president, I didn’t go chasing it.
“But I’ve raced a lot of horses and, as with football and netball clubs, I believe you should put in what you take out.
“We’ve got quite a few young people wanting to get involved in the committee, which is the best thing for the Terang Harness Racing Club – they’re flat out, they’re so keen.
“I’ve got another little project I plan on donating time to – South Purrumbete Reserve has some projects in the works, with a young girl out there who is quite keen, and it reminds me a bit of myself, so I’ll be helping out there.”
Mr Savage said he will, however, remain close with the club and continue to be around the track.
“My favourite saying is it’s not keeping people on the committee, it’s keeping people around after the committee,” he said.
Mr O’Connor said other responsibilities in life had directed him away from harness racing, but he was excited for the opportunity to help guide the club into the future.
“I haven’t been able to put much time into harness racing at an industry level,” he said.
“I’ve raced horses and been a beneficiary of harness racing, so at a time when Evan needed someone to take over I’m happy to do a few years.
“This committee is very strong, with some good young people who are very enthusiastic about the industry and keeping it going.
“That’s attractive – and I’ve got a few ideas to bring to the club.”
After a period of investment for the club, Mr O’Connor said a focus of moving forward is self-sufficiency and surety as harness racing, like many industries, traverses uncertain times.
“The industry is struggling and we need to be a bit more self-sufficient - it’s the way the industry is going,” he said.
“I have some ideas to raise some funds outside normal club activities, but with such a good facility and reserve we’ll cast our eye towards being open to new ideas and keeping the place running.
“It has a proud past, and we hope it has a very successful future too.”
Part of the focus for the club will be reconnecting with the wider community after years of struggles through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The opportunity to do so is just around the corner, with Terang Harness Racing Club to host a Family Race Day next week on Wednesday, October 2.
The event will be free entry with a wide range of family fun including the pony trots races, a guest appearance from Australian bronze medallist Penny Smith, giveaways, face painting, and a bookmaker on course under a new initiative.
Gates open at 12pm.
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