grc.com.au #geelongcup #mycupmytown Almoonqith Winner 2015 William Hill Geelong Cup 151ST ANNUAL REPORT For year ending 31st July 2016
GRC Committee 2015/16 James Wilson President Mark Ewing Vice President Michael Daly Treasurer William McFarlane Committee Natalie McLean Committee Michael Coghlan Committee Warick Brown Committee 1961 - W.H Bailey 1963 -J. Roydhouse 1967 - R.R Gibbs 1969 - D.B Payne 1970 - V.Napthine 1974 - G.G Gargan 1988 - G.T Pyle 1989 - E.E Knight Dean Harvey Committee Laura van Stekelenburg Committee Life Members 2015/16 1993 - T.P Callan 1993 - W.E Mc Farlane 1993 - A.L Lewis 2000 - N.G Ross 2005 - B.E Dougherty 2005 - D.R.L Borrack 2014 - E. Faulkner 2014 - M. Jennings PURPOSE - A racing and entertainment organisation that engages and rewards our community and our stakeholders VISION - To be a leader in racing and entertainment in regional Australia Page 2 151 st Annual Report - for year ending 31 July 2016 151 st Annual Report - for year ending 31 July 2016 Page 3
Committee Report CEO Report James Wilson - President Daniel Salter - CEO Dear Geelong Racing Club Members, The 2016 bet365geelong Cup is fast approaching and it s time to reflect upon the year that was. The GRC has been operating at a frenetic pace over the last year with a considerable amount of work still to be completed prior to the Cup. On reflection it s been a really pleasing year, and as we forge our way to financial independence it s important to look at the key measures that have been undertaken to ensure the financial future of the GRC, for its members and the Geelong community alike. There has been a deliberate focus from the CEO and the Committee to further understand the business of racing at Geelong and try to determine which race days, allocated by the industry, genuinely work for the club and Geelong s keen racegoers. Knowing how to prepare for a Tuesday mid-winter meeting versus a Sunday meeting in late Winter, for example, is vital for the over-all profitability of the club and allows for accurate race day budgeting. The clubs financial visibility has become a great deal clearer around what works and what doesn t when it comes to dissecting the racing year. We will continue to lobby the industry to secure the right race days that are financially advantageous for the club and that produce some great racing too. I m excited about the capital works due to be completed in regards to the training complex, member and public facilities. We are only too aware that the GRC s facilities require constant upgrading and with the support of the State Government, Industry, Cotton On and a contribution from the GRC, these upgrades will soon become a reality and will be mutually beneficial for those that patronise the club as well as trainers and industry participants. I would like to thank all the staff for their efforts this past year lead by CEO Daniel Salter. It s never easy when there is a relentless financial focus but everyone s efforts, from all departments, have been much appreciated by the Committee and have directly resulted in a more profitable year and a platform for growth in the year to come. Thankyou also to all Members for their continuing patronage and their feedback throughout the year. I know that we have some fantastic Member benefits to come. From all reports the bet365 Geelong Cup hospitality packages are selling out and it would be great for everyone to be rewarded with a beautiful day in which to showcase our club and the time honoured bet365 Geelong Cup. Please understand that the Committee is here to represent and listen to its Members and feel free to contact the club anytime with queries that you may have. See you all on course. JAMES WILSON PRESIDENT The last twelve months have seen the Club continue to make significant changes and at the same time consolidate its financial position. The Club will continue to develop its strategic plan with the focus on our people, customers, racing and engagement with the community. I m confident the Club is in a strong position moving forward with the ability to continue to improve facilities for members, participants and all stakeholders. After a few difficult years it was encouraging to see the Club record a sound result for the 2015/16 financial year. Considering the disappointment of a wet Geelong Cup and Boxing Day, followed by a very dry summer that resulted in a large water bill, the end of year result was positive. Following the 2015 Geelong Cup, William Hill decided not to renew their agreement. The nature of their business certainly changed during the term as we saw with name changes from Centrebet, to Sportingbet, to Sportingbet Powered by William Hill and finally William Hill over five years. The Club is very thankful for their involvement and we wish them well in the future. The Club moved quickly to find a new major partner and we are thrilled to join forces for the next two years with international corporate bookmaker bet365. The facility is now referred to as bet365 Geelong and we look forward to working with the bet365 team for this year s bet365 Geelong Cup on 19 October. The Club is continually looking to make improvements to its facilities. Over the past year we have updated the female jockey rooms, the female toilets in the Dual Choice Bar and have just announced major upgrades to the training complex and public bars. Improvements are already underway at the training complex after significant financial support was approved from the industry and State Government. These improvements to current facilities are the start of the Club s aim to have a first class facility for a growing local training population. These upgrades will include the stripping stalls, swimming pool, toilets, waste management, fencing and beautification works. Next year the Club will upgrade the sand track. The Club understands the importance of making the facilities one that trainers can be proud of and one that owners are happy to have their horses trained at. Cotton On in the lead up to this year s Cup and has had approval from the industry and State Government to upgrade the Dual Choice Bar, with the addition of outdoor decking, a kitchen refurbishment and new entrances. There will also be improvements to the Bookmakers ring and Flying Scud Bar under the Briseis Grandstand. Haworth Court has been sold and plans are underway to build new stables on course. These new stables will enable the Club to grow horse numbers on course and provide better facilities for our current trainers. The Club held 38 meetings in 2015/16 across both the synthetic and grass tracks. The Pro Ride surface will continue to be a significant asset to the industry and Club, but it will need to be upgraded in the coming years. The Club s ground staff worked tirelessly over recent months preparing the track for regular racing and daily track work. The turf is in excellent condition given the cold and wet winter and we have scheduled more meetings on the grass than in previous years. I would like to thank all Club partners, with a particular mention to William Hill, our Cup Day partners, our Members, the Briseis Club and the Thoroughbred Club of Geelong, the Ballan Racing Club and St. Patricks Racing Club, our local trainers and everyone else who continues to support the Club. Finally I would like to thank the President James Wilson and the Committee for their dedication and support, the senior management and all staff past and present for their commitment to making improvements to all aspects of the Geelong Racing Club. I m very excited about the year ahead, particularly with what is lined up for the bet365 Geelong Cup and the plans for facility improvements. I look forward to working with everyone to make sure the year ahead is an enjoyable one. Yours sincerely DANIEL SALTER CEO The Club has also been working closely with local business Page 4 151 st Annual Report - for year ending 31 July 2016 151 st Annual Report - for year ending 31 July 2016 Page 5
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2016 Wednesday 19th October 2016 Book your hospitality today www.grc.com.au Page 28 151 st Annual Report - for year ending 31 July 2016 Phone: 03 5229 4414 hello@geelong.countryracing.com.au
The track celebrates the wonderful venue and catering options available at the beautiful and iconic Geelong Racing Club on non - race days. Weddings Conferences Corporate Events Club Functions Fundraisers Christmas Parties Parties Presentation Nights Wakes Book your event today! Phone: 03 5229 4414 hello@geelong.countryracing.com.au www.grc.com.au
The Geelong Racing Club gratefully acknowledges the wonderful support given by the following partners through the season: ACE Hygiene, APCO Service Stations, Buxton Real Estate, Bendigo Bank, Briseis Club, Big Group, Charles Rose Jewellers, Carlton and United Breweries, Connect Tel, Executive Travel, Geelong Broadcasters, Geelong Advertiser, Rex Gorell Family Group, Hygain, Hyland Race Colours, IGA Liquor, J.B Scott, J.T Dixon, Jim s Mowing, Market Square Shopping Centre, Mercure Hotel, P & R Foods, Pro Ride Racing, Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Royal Geelong Yacht Club, The Sporting Globe, TAC, Viatek, Wilsons Real Estate, Thoroughbred Club of Geelong. 2015 CUP DAY SPONSORS B & B ALUMINIUM 151 st Annual Report - for year ending 31 July 2016 Page 32