Long-time Gatton turf boss honoured

By Jordan Gerrans

Described as the ‘heart’ of the Lockyer Valley Turf Club, long-time track boss and president Terry Kirkwood has been recognised for his tireless efforts with a national prize.

The 61-year-old was presented with the Regional Racecourse Manager of the Year Award at the Australian Racecourse Managers Association conference last month. 

It was the fourth national conference Kirkwood had attended in the 13 years he has been preparing the Gatton track and was completely blindsided to be honoured by his peers.

ARMA Chairman Lindsay Murphy says Kirkwood was a deserving winner after ARMA Secretary Warren Williams put his name in contention after keeping a close eye on his work in recent years. 

“This award is for someone who goes above and beyond in their job,” Murphy said.

“Terry looks after the track pretty much single-handedly there as well as being the president of the club.

“They are doing things to develop the track, as well, just the amount of effort he puts in is quite amazing.”

While Kirkwood is proud of the condition he presents his racing surface in on a consistent basis, he did not think his beloved Lockyer Valley Turf Club would be up for such a major honour.

“It was totally unexpected and it was really overwhelming when my name came out,” Kirkwood said.

“I still get a bit emotional about it now.

“I would like to congratulate all the award winners and nominees for the rest of the awards; it is great that everyone was recognised for their hard work.”

The 2025 ARMA Conference in Melbourne brought together racecourse managers, turf professionals, club executives and industry partners for the biggest and most successful event in ARMA’s history.

Over four days, more than 200 delegates representing 55 racing clubs and associations engaged in presentations, trade shows, racetrack tours and networking events across six racecourses.

“Warren and the other people involved in Queensland, that get around to regional areas, they see the efforts that these people put in,” Murphy said.

“It is great that we are able to recognise them at our conference and dinner.

“We are all about trying to improve all our members from right around the country.

“They need to keep their standards high, we are stressing that, and Terry is doing that, for sure.”

Kirkwood said it was an eye-opening experience to be able to view Melbourne tracks such as Flemington, Pakenham and Cranbourne and he believes he can bring some of his learnings to his local Queensland facility.

Kirkwood is born-and-bred in the Gatton area and was involved with the club around three decades ago before stepping away. 

He has been back hands on with the club on a regular basis for the last decade or so.

He has also taken on the role of president while also looking after the track. 

“For all Terry’s efforts, he is really the heart of the club,” Lockyer Valley Turf Club Secretary Rebecca Donaldson said.

When Kirkwood got back involved with the club a touch over a decade ago, they were lacking the relevant equipment required to keep their racing surface performing at a high level consistently. 

Fast forward to the 2025-26 season and they are regularly hosting country TAB meetings, with their next program to be on the last Thursday of this month and broadcast across the globe via Sky Thoroughbred Central.  

“We have come a long way since back then,” Kirkwood said.

“We have got all the machinery and tractors we need to keep going.

“I am the man at the front and I get the award but there has been a lot of people on the committee over the years who have helped me to get the club to where it is today, a lot of volunteers.

“If you don’t have a solid committee, then you are in trouble – but we have always had a great team here."

The Lockyer Valley Turf Club are in the process of developing a concept plan for their facilities which they hope will lead to redevelopments including on-course stabling and improved training conditions for their local conditioners.

They are also advertising for an assistant track manager position to assist Kirkwood and the existing team.

Kirkwood was not the only Queenslander honoured at the recent awards. 

The revered Jim Roberts from the Brisbane Racing Club was the recipient of the industry service award.

The long-time turf boss at the BRC officially called time on his tenure at the club earlier this year after nearly four decades of service. 

Also, from the BRC, Shane Lister received a Victoria Racing Club spring racing experience award.