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Clubs work together to grow racing in the regions

24 July 2018

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In a sign of working together to help grow racing in the regions, the Toowoomba Turf Club has generously donated furniture to the Lockyer Valley Race Club and Warwick Turf Club. 

TTC Chief Executive Officer Blair Odgers said it was important to "give back" to the racing industry - in particular, country clubs. 

“We (TTC) have been fortunate enough to be able update of all our club’s furniture items – tables, chairs, stools. What we had is still in good nick so, in the interest of ‘giving back’, the furniture was offered to local country clubs.

“Some of these smaller clubs – with only a handful of race meetings each year – just don’t have the money to update their facilities. If we, as a provincial TAB club, can lend a hand to them, then that’s great for the industry.”

Warwick Turf Club President Phil Grant was excited that club volunteers made several trips to Toowoomba last week to collect the furniture.

“The Warwick Turf Club appreciates the thoughtfulness in Toowoomba Turf Club kindly donating the furniture to us. We made several trips over to pick up dry bars, tables, stools and chairs. As we now have our trackside pavilion, this furniture will come in handy on our big race days,” Mr Grant said.

WTC Vice President Peter Doyle agreed.

“We thank the Toowoomba Turf Club for their kind and generous donation!  It’s great working with them and having them donate all this furniture has saved us some dollars in hiring for our bigger race meetings,” Mr Doyle said.

Lockyer Valley Race Club President Terry Kirkwood said his club has been on a slow rebuilding journey.

“This very generous donation has come at a great time. The club will use the furniture to enhance the Members’ room and the rest will be located in the new marquee area that can seat 140,” Mr Kirkwood said.

Mr Odgers said the TTC was thrilled with the fresh, modern look the new furniture has made to the club’s facilities.

“The Clive Berghofer Grande Atrium was the catalyst. We invested heavily in fitting out that space after Mr Berghofer’s incredible donation – new cross-back chairs, state-of-the-art AV system, private toilet amenities and the Audi Centre Toowoomba Terraces. It was long overdue.

“The feedback on the Atrium was so positive, the club decided to invest further and update the furniture for the entire venue. Our Members’ Weetwood room, bistro and main bar areas each have a new lease on life.”

Visit Clifford Park racecourse during Winter and admission to racing events is free.

“If you haven’t visited Clifford Park in a while, now is the time to return – a new look, a first-class track and quality racing,” Mr Odgers said.

Events coming up at Clifford Park include:

  • Parklife Live: featuring British India – Friday, August 10
  • Allan Border Sportsman’s Lunch – Friday, September 14
  • UBET Toowoomba Turf Club annual Racing Awards – Saturday, September 15
  • Pat O’Shea Plate & Mad Hatter’s Race Event – Sunday, September 23
  • Melbourne Cup – Tuesday, November 6
  • Fletch & Hindy Sportsman’s Lunch – Friday, November 16

To attend any of the above events, visit www.cliffordpark.com.au for details and ticket pricing.