Dear Member,
Regrettably, the aborted attempt to appoint Mr Jim Rundle to the new Racing Queensland Board as the thoroughbred industry representative continues the public battering that the image and reputation of racing in Queensland has experienced over recent months.
We trust the subsequent attempt by the Racing Minister, Grace Grace, produces an outcome that is not only handled with far greater diligence, but results in an appointee who will be embraced by all thoroughbred racing industry participants. At such an important juncture for racing in Queensland, we need an appointee with the ability to work across all participant bodies, who can rebuild confidence, and most importantly, will deliver results for an industry that demands certainty for the longer term.
The same could also be said for the position of CEO at Racing Queensland. This role, which is such an important link between the participant bodies and the authority, has also been neglected from any urgency in being filled. Strong leadership is a critical factor in any successful organisation, and Racing Queensland has been devoid of it at both the Board and administration level now for over 12 months.
Against this backdrop the show must nevertheless, go on. On the Queensland front, the ATA committee has continued to work closely with Racing Queensland to achieve positive outcomes with dual acceptances, apprentice jockey arrangements, race information and programming and prizemoney restructuring. At the National level, the ATA has been busy working with the network of PRA’s and Racing Australia as the Security for Training Fees model is readied for release in the second half of 2016, we have reviewed and signed off on a number of new and modified Rules of Racing earmarked for 30 June release, and the dialogue continues on the development of the new riding helmet.
Lastly, John Alducci and I will visit Queensland later in the year to coincide with the presentation of the Wayne Wilson Medal, which since its inception in 2011 has become one of the most prestigious and respected awards in Queensland racing. During this visit, we are also looking forward catching up with as many members as we can from our 200 strong base from across the state. We will also take the opportunity to catch up with Racing Queensland, the Brisbane Racing Club, and hopefully, the Racing Minister’s Office, to discuss a myriad of subjects, ranging from rules of racing, to the Eagle Farm track, the security for training fees model, through to a number of marketing initiatives the ATA want to role out in Queensland in the latter half of 2016.
Should you wish to provide your feedback in writing in relation to this matter, please do so by CLICKING HERE
Alternatively, contact the office on (03) 9372-1688 should any one wish to discuss this matter with myself.
Kind Regards
ANDREW NICHOLL
Chief Executive
