Racing in Warwick is big business, giving rise to a great deal of economic onflow in the community. This business is largely run by a voluntary committee, following in the footsteps of a long line of voluntary workers who have kept the Warwick Turf Club going for around 150 years.

Being on the committee of the Warwick Turf Club is a love job. It’s about having a commitment to, and love of racing. However, ensuring that the Warwick races eventuate and are run according to the stringent professional requirements of Queensland Racing, means that voluntary committee members are totally focussed on their spare-time job of running the race club.

During this process, a spirit of camaraderie and good humour binds the Turf Club committee into a working unit which keeps the Club running successfully. Being President is demanding, as Ted Donegan well knows. He follows Mick Grew, the immediate past president, as a dedicated president who always finds time to oversee and assist with management issues.

Maintaining the track is essential to the safety of racing. The turf needs to be kept watered and mown, the running rails in good condition, the grounds clean and tidy, and the gardens attractive. As well, the sand training track which is used by 20 or more trainers every weekday has to be maintained in a safe condition, with potholes attended to and the surface kept relatively smooth.

Ken Bryant, Len Bryant and Bevan Ryan put in hours of their own time supporting groundsman Keith Lewis with these tasks. Regular working bees are held at which all the committee members throw their weight and expertise into repairing running rails, keeping the grass under control and whatever other maintenance tasks need attention.

As the club’s honorary treasurer, Peter Campbell finds many of his evenings taken up with financial reports, while Jim Costello sits on the Downs and South West racing committee to represent Warwick’s interests at a regional level. Garry Adcock, Roger Cavanagh, Len Doyle, Ray Lyons and Peter Fraser have responsibilities which reflect their commitment and dedication, likewise Graeme Garde who has served more time than most in the chair.

All the committee members are so busy running race days that one wonders where their initial willingness to keep their Club running smoothly has left them in terms of simply enjoying a day at the races. There is no doubt, however, that they do.
- ends -