The Brereton family was out in full force at the race meet to honour the late Roger Brereton at his tribute day. Photo: Aidan Briggs.
It was a great day of racing and for the community, with the Gunbower Harness Racing Club hosting its Roger Brereton memorial race meeting at the weekend.
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The meet was held in honour of the club’s much loved and well-respected president, who passed away suddenly in October.
Weather conditions were spot on as the crowd was treated to a full race card.
The free children’s activities including water slide and face painting were a huge hit, along with the visit from Santa via horse and cart.
Committee secretary Peter O’shea said the day was a great success and Roger would have been very proud of how it all came together.
“We haven’t received a bad remark about the day and everything went very well,” he said.
“Roger would have been tickled pink with the crowd and you could feel him looking down on us and saying you did an impressive job.”
Roger’s son Kurt said his dad loved the Gunbower club and he would have been pleased with the day.
State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, Harness Racing Victoria’s Bernard Saundry and Aldebaran Park principal Duncan McPherson at the meeting. Photo: Sophie Baldwin.
Photo by
Sophie Baldwin
“Dad always thought there was no better family day than a day out at the Gunbower trots,” Kurt said.
Harness Racing Victoria chairman Bernard Saundry said the meet was a perfect opportunity to engage with people of all ages across the wider community.
“Race days are an important social event for communities like Gunbower and a fantastic form of entertainment. They show what can be achieved with the co-operation of hard-working club committees, council and tourism,” Saundry said.
To support the day, Aldebaran Park principal Duncan McPherson donated a standing service fee with Skyvalley NZ, the number one colonial stallion in Australia and New Zealand.
He believes it is important to support local clubs and give back to the community.
“Country races are fundamental for grassroots racing, particularly when you have a club like Gunbower who recently celebrated their centenary,” McPherson said.
“Every regional club should have at least one race meeting a year for longevity. There are so many volunteers here today and that’s what a great club is built upon.
“I have a great passion for trotters all around the world and the main focus of our stud is to continue to improve the genetic pool for trotters across the Southern Hemisphere.”
McPherson was also instrumental in setting up Team Teal, a cervical cancer fundraiser in honour of his wife Lyn, who passed away from the disease in 2010.
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