Volunteer Service Award

The “Volunteer Service Award” (formerly known as the Volunteer of The Year Award) is presented annually by our Association on Gordon Rothacker Medal Night at Tabcorp Park, Melton.

Volunteers play a significant role in the Victorian Harness Racing industry particularly throughout our club network.  Their work takes many forms from race and trial meeting operations, to grounds maintenance, to fundraising. This award aims to recognise not just the successful recipient, but the work undertaken by all volunteers in our industry and ensures their contribution is recognised annually.  Nominations for the award are made annually in accordance with the following criteria:

The following criteria should be considered in assessing each of the nominations:

  • Each member Club can make a maximum of one application.
  • Award to be presented for service over a sustained period. Clubs to specify length of service and duties performed in the attached nomination form.
  • Previous winners are ineligible.
  • Full time employees of Clubs are ineligible.
  • Part Time/Casual employees of Clubs are eligible.
    Please specify on the attached nomination form the duties the person received remuneration for and what volunteer services were undertaken.
  • Previous nominations who were unsuccessful may be nominated again.
  • Applications must be made and lodged by a member club

 

Volunteer Service Award Honour Roll

Year Name Club Service and Roll
2008 John Byrne Boort  
2009 Barry Bottams Mildura  
2010 Michael Carey Wangaratta  
2011 Bob Collins Ararat Over 40 years involvement including a range of administrative (including President) and track/venue maintenance roles.
2012 Rod Booker Shepparton/Mooroopna Over 30 years undertaking a range of roles including Oncourse MC, Host on local radio programs, trials racecaller
2013 Reg Cooper Stawell Involved with the Stawell Club since 1956, Reg is a past president of the Club and was integral to the Club developing of the Club in particular the Westside Tabaret.  
2014 Kevin Pymer Horsham Kevin has dedicated over 40 years to the industry through his involvement at Horsham.  He has contributed in many ways including the development of the Horsham Racing Centre which now incorporates the West Side Gaming venue, providing significant revenue for the clubs racing operation.
2015 Vera Miller Warragul Volunteer of the Warragul Light Harness Racing Club for over 20 years.  Her roles have included time in the canteen, treasurer and Committee Of Management representative.  
2016 Mavis Collison Bendigo

Mavis has been the face of the Bendigo Club for the past 25 years in the Clubs owners and trainers room at race meetings serving many cakes and cups of tea and coffee.
2017 Ian Mercer Boort Ian (Badger) Mercer has been involved with the Boort Trotting Club and/or Boort Park for over  50 years. As Boort Trotting Club Committeeman from 1962 to present there is pretty much not a job or a role that at some stage Badger has not held or completed.