Leigh-Ann Shields has Emerald Jockey Club thriving

By Darren Cartwright

Emerald Jockey Club president Leigh-Ann Shields has only been in the role a few months, but her appointment has raised “some” eyebrows in the Central Highland’s town.

And, it's not because she is not qualified for the position, far from it.

Shields was secretary for four years and vice president for several months when the then-president resigned.

She took on the role in an acting capacity before being elected in her own right in April, while also remaining as the club’s secretary.

“The committee has been most helpful, supportive and back me, and they know I am doing two roles,” Shields told Racing Queensland.

“But, there are some in the community, who do mind that I am president, although it’s not until someone says it to your face that you realise that some think it should be a male in the role.”

Undeterred by the few knockers, Shields has been determined, along with her hardworking committee, to keep Emerald Jockey Club a vibrant and viable club well into the future.

Emerald, located about 245km west of Rockhampton - as-the-crow-flies - has a population of more than 14,000, according to the ABS 2016 Census.

Of the club’s nine race days each season, three are TAB meetings, although a recent heat wave, followed by heavy rains, made it an enormous challenge for the committee to stage each day.

“We’ve got the same people doing the work, unfortunately, and we wish for more volunteers which would be great,” she said.

“With regards to the committee, there doesn’t seem to be that many racing people in town.”

Despite a relatively large community and quite a few race days for a regional track, the club does struggle to attract volunteers, members, and even new committee colleagues.

It belies the club’s appeal given people from “far and wide” attend the races, which attracts crowds of up to several hundred per meeting.

“We just don’t have as many trainers or owners in town anymore, but we have people who come to our race meetings who travel from far and wide, some travel hours to get to the races,” she said.

One of the biggest days in recent history was during the pandemic, in February 2021, and well before restrictions on unvaccinated patrons were brought in.

With international and interstate travel ruled out and sporting events rare because of intermittent lockdowns, young locals flocked to the track in search of entertainment, she said.

“We are trying to get people interested in becoming members or volunteers, at our next three race days, we are trying to target the younger age group.” Shields said.

“COVID has been helpful because young people did have not much to do, and in February last year, we had a great day and people didn’t have to be double vaxxed to come in.

“Earlier this year was not as good, as people had to be double vaxxed and our numbers dropped.

“Now that the double vaccination requirement to attend has been lifted, we hope our patron numbers will sharply improve.”

Racing is now in Shields’ blood despite never having anything to do with the sport other than a flutter every Melbourne Cup day.

She was introduced to racing by a former boss who was also president at the time and needed “a few things” done.

“My old boss, who was president of the Emerald Jockey Club, asked me to come along and do a few things, and I was a single mum who needed a second income,” she said.

“I became passionate about it and enjoyed the role, but I left for a couple of years as I was working full-time and had two children to raise.

"They have grown up and I am an empty nester, I have roped my new husband in as well, and he is on the committee and is also the judge.”

* Emerald Jockey Club's next meeting: Saturday, October 8, 2022