Celebrating our volunteers
Gaye Price (Rangiora RC), NZTR CEO Bernard Saundry, CJC CEO Tim Mills, and Anthony Gray (Banks Peninsula RC) at Saturday's presentation. Photo: Ajay Berry, Race Images
Saturday marked the end of National Volunteers week and, to commemorate the occasion, NZTR made service award presentations at both venues which held meetings.
At Tauranga NZTR chairman Alan Jackson was on hand to present an award to Don Grayling, a long-time volunteer at the club, whose contribution was also acknowledged with the running of the Don Grayling Appreciation 3YO Premier. Don joined the Bay of Plenty Racing Club more than 20 years ago, spending seven years as a race day steward and 13 years on the committee, where his involvement was "hands-on" when it came to race day set-up. His wife Daryan has also been an active supporter of the club.
Meanwhile, at Riccarton three individuals had their lengthy involvement with South Island racing recognised. NZTR CEO Bernard Saundry made the presentation to Rangiora RC's Gaye Price and Anthony Gray from Banks Peninsula RC. The third recipient, Ashburton RC stalwart Greg Jones, was unable to get away from his commitments on the day to receive his award, although he was acknowledged in the racebook along with Gaye and Anthony.
Gaye Price was described as having a great passion for North Canterbury and that venue, committing countless hours to the staffing and organisation of trials and jump outs at the Rangiora track. The backbone of the Rangiora Supporters club, Gaye has also assisted with funding for projects at the racecourse into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Anthony Gray, the current Banks Peninsula Racing Club chair, has held that position since 2007 and his service on the committee goes back decades. A true country racing club volunteer, in every sense of the word, Anthony's tasks include moving the running rail; taking penetrometer readings; among the usual raft of race day preparations.
Greg Jones has, since August 2017, acted as honorary Secretary/Racing Manager of the Ashburton Racing Club where he has fulfilled all the usual responsibilities undertaken by a paid secretary but doing it voluntarily due to the financial state of his club. He is also a current committee member and life member of the club.
"National Volunteer week was a wonderful opportunity for NZTR to celebrate some of the 4763 volunteers who are involved in our racing clubs around the country," NZTR CEO Bernard Saundry said.
"They are unique individuals who don't see anything unusual in the amount of time and energy they devote to our clubs and who tend to shun the limelight. Saturday was a great chance for us and the wider racing community to express thanks for their contribution."
