If you've ever been to a day out at the Benalla Races, it's likely you've come across Gwen Turner.
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For 26 years, Turner has worked tirelessly behind the scenes serving on Benalla Racing Club's committee, including stints as its president and vice president.
On Saturday, Turner's time as a committee member came to an end, with the club hosting a farewell luncheon to send the beloved figure off in style.
But that's not to say Turner will be going anywhere soon. She's practically part of the furniture now.
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“It was time, I'm a life member, and as (president) Greg (McNulty) said ‘nothing's going to change Gwen’," Turner said.
“I said yes it will, I won't have to come to meetings anymore,” she added with a laugh.
“So, I'll still be around, I'm not not coming back and if they ask me to do something, I'll do it with pleasure.”
After moving to Benalla 34-years ago, a place her grandparents and father once lived, Turner was soon roped into committee work - though she's never looked back once.
“One of the previous committee members, another lady, kept saying ‘we need another lady’," Turner said.
“I said I was too busy, but I must have been in a weak moment, and I said yes.
“I arrived and loved it, whether it was in the garden, doing the shopping, whether it was introducing winning owners into the committee room.
“Whatever role they wanted me to do, I did it and loved it.”
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Over her time at the club, Turner has seen it all, from merging off clubs, botched track works, to watching the funding model for racing wholly restructure the industry.
“The spread of money has altered,” she said.
“People come on the committee and have great ideas, and things like our deck happen.
“When I first started, the dollar wasn't round so it was always working bees. That's the difference, it's more professionally run because there is finance there, and it's coming back to the clubs.”
But where Turner will perhaps leave her most significant impact, is being one of the pioneering females in a once-male dominated industry.
“It was very male-dominated when I first started, but everyone was really lovely,” Turner said.
“There was a few old guys who thought ‘oh’, but 90 per cent of the guys were lovely.
“You hear people being intimated by guys, but not in my experience.
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“During my time as president, there was a couple other female presidents. There wasn't any female jockeys, there are more female trainers and jockeys now. The industry has grown and it's an equal playing field for females.
“There probably isn't as many females on committees that the industry would like, and that's a shame, because females look at things differently.
“That's the balance the committee needs.”
Though her time in an official capacity comes to an end, Turner said she hoped the club would continue to grow well in the future.
“Just to continue the growth it's doing, and continually be improving facilities,” she said.
“We were known as the friendly club, and I'd love to see that continue, and for us to be known in the industry as that.”
As to one of the biggest lessons Turner has learned from her time on the committee, she said this: "To women out there, just don't be scared of going on a committee, it opens up your world.
“If you're just a racegoer, you have no idea what goes on behind the scenes and how hard clubs have to work.
“But if you have the right attitude, you get it all back in tenfold, by the friendships you make, not just in your own club, but in other clubs.”
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Club president Greg McNulty said Turner's contribution to the Benalla Racing Club could not be overstated.
“As with most presidents, Gwen's seen both good and difficult times and led the club throughout these times in a professional and steady manner,” McNulty said.
“During this time the club saw some big changes and tremendous improvements in our facilities and crowd attendances.
“During my interaction with other racing industry participants, I grew to understand the high regard Gwen was held in by the industry and the respect she had from both Country Racing personnel and other race clubs.
“I observe the affection our members and regular racegoers have for Gwen and she for them, but this is far outweighed when grandson (and trainer) Dwayne (Reid) has a starter or leads in a winner at Benalla. I am so pleased for Gwen when I see the joy this brings to her and how proud she is of his achievements in racing.
“We look forward to Gwen continuing to be involved on race days in more of an ambassador's role which will enable her to enjoy race days in a way she so richly deserves.”
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