WERRIBEE RACING CLUB – MEMBERSHIP AND UPDATE

I am writing to all members and former members that are recorded on the Club’s database. I want to update all of our racing members past and present on what is happening at the Club.

Background to racing ceasing at Werribee

In November 2007, racing at Werribee ceased. The track was declared by Racing Victoria as unfit for racing. The track, which was constructed more than 20 years ago, was no longer coping. The drought conditions exacerbated its deterioration.

In the previous year, the Club opened its new grandstand and dining facility. With hindsight, the Club would not have survived had it not been for the development of the grandstand. It has been the Werribee Function Centre that has provided the necessary income for the Club to keep its head above water.

The Club and its patrons are very fortunate to have been the recipient of the significant contribution made by Alan Harvey, former Chairman and now an active committee member. Alan Harvey chaired the Club through an important phase and secured the position of the Club in the racing industry, particularly through its association with the Victoria Racing Club. (The Club is now a significant beneficiary of this relationship with the VRC). Further, many of you will remember the deteriorating conditions of the old grandstand and track facilities. The new grandstand has won over all who attended, and for some time, we were also able to enjoy the races from this terrific modern facility.

Through no fault of anyone, the ageing track deteriorated exponentially in 2007, and in November 2007 racing ceased.

From 2008, the Club commenced negotiations with the Racing Industry and the State Government for funding a new track. It takes a significant investment of time to negotiate for millions to be spent on our Club in circumstances where financial resources are limited. This has occupied much of my time, particularly in 2009. I might add, that the modern grandstand was a key selling point for the Club in its negotiations with Racing Victoria to host the new International Horse Centre.

Negotiation for new track and International Horse Centre

I appreciate that for many people, most updates about progress has been via the media, the updates on the Club’s website and a letter to members earlier in the year. However, please understand that whilst I have attended many one on one meetings with persons at Racing Victoria, Country Racing Victoria and others, such discussions were on a confidential basis. Nevertheless, at all times I have publicly stated that racing would return to the Werribee Racing Club, as I was always optimistic and confident that my dealings with those with the “cheque book” were progressing well.

The next chapter for the Club is to secure its long term future by its association with Racing Victoria Ltd. Racing Victoria (with the aid of the State Government) has agreed to invest $1.4million in establishing an International Horse Centre (IHC) at the Club. For those who love their racing, I don’t need to explain the significance of having our Club as the location for the IHC. It secures the backing and investment of Racing Victoria at Werribee Racing Club. It also means racing fans will have the best staying horses in the world training at the Club in September – November each year. I can’t wait!

Negotiations for a new track, to be fully funded by Racing Victoria, were also successful. I expect that an investment of about $4million will be made by Racing Victoria.

The new track will fix the camber issues that plagued the old track. It will provide for terrific racing with the new surface and make the punt even more enjoyable.

You will also see a beautification of the Club premises in association with the works.

All this is terrific news for those that have patiently waited to see racing back at the Club.

Silver Lining in every cloud

So after having a break from racing, the Club is to emerge with the following:

1. A new state of the art racetrack (approx. $4million).
2. Host of the International Horse Centre (approx $1.4million).
3. Modern grandstand and Function Centre to enjoy the racing.
4. A strong association with Racing Victoria Ltd (security for the Club’s future).
5. Racing back at the Club.

When will racing commence

Construction of the new track will commence in September 2009. The site will become a construction site and also Racing Victoria will soon be commencing works for the International Horse Centre. The Werribee Function Centre will continue to operate, but otherwise access to the Club is for Racing Victoria and other racing entities and contractors.

The completion date for the track must be prior to August 2010, as the international horses arrive in September 2010. It is unlikely that the Club can fit in a race meeting prior to September 2010. However, we certainly expect to return to racing from December 2010, with a racing fixture of about 8 or 9 meetings. In the near future, I will be meeting with Leigh Jordan of Racing Victoria to secure the best possible dates for the Club (e.g. Fridays, weekends, public and picnic holidays).

The key date is of course the Werribee Cup. We will run this each year as a Friday twilight meeting (during daylight savings). The Club is also working with the committee of the Weerama festival, which will be hosted at the Club (but not on the actual new track). The distance of the Cup will also increase to 2400m.

Other changes happening at the Club

I have made a new website for the Club – which should be up in a few days: www.werribeeracingclub.com.au One of the key reasons I did this was so that everyone with an email address can join up online for a monthly newsletter. The newsletter will provide you with updates and special offers.

The website will also allow me to put online any “Latest News” so that keen race goers know what is happening at the Club.

Club Membership

One issue the Club has at present is the integrity of its membership list. Accordingly, this letter has been sent to all persons on the Club’s database (former and current members).

I apologise in advance if this letter has been sent to some-one deceased or other unfortunate circumstance. I know from personal experience that this can be upsetting. However, the only way the Club can move forward is to write to all current and former members that are recorded on the Club’s database this one time. Future letters will be to financial members.

For those of you that wish to be financial members for the 2009/10 season, you need to contact the Club by the end of the month (30 September 2009), and pay a membership fee of $25. Your application will then be tabled at the next meeting of the Committee. Membership cards will be posted from 5 October 2009, and can be used at other Clubs where reciprocal rights exist. (I have attached an Application for Membership form).

If you want to wait until next season when racing resumes, you can telephone, email or send the attached Registration of your personal details to the Club and let us know that you would like us to keep you on our database and contact you next June about 2010/11 membership.

Alternatively, if you choose not to be a financial member this season, you can still sign up online for the Club’s email newsletters, and you will be kept up to date. Also visit the Club’s website for the latest news.

Ticketing for the 2010/11 season will available in July next year. Even if you choose to wait on the sidelines, the Club will actively promote its return to racing when it has a 2010/11 racing fixture – so you won’t miss out.

On behalf of the Club, I have arranged for a range of reciprocal rights at other Clubs in Australia and overseas. This includes the right to purchase guest tickets for the members’ enclosure during spring carnival at Flemington (contact the Club for details). It also includes a number of VRC meetings. I have attached the current reciprocal rights. Please check the website for more as I am continuing to seek for the Club as broad a range of reciprocal rights as possible.

Thank you for your patience and I look forward to racing again at the Werribee Racing Club.

Kind regards,
Patrick Wheelahan
Chairman