The Goldfields Cluster meeting last week was well chaired by ADG Graeme and we got through a lot. All clubs doing well with only the Flat struggling with Zoom.

We arranged for a sub committee of the Presidents and Community Service Directors to discuss, analyse and hopefully agreed on a project for 100 years of Rotary Downunder. Yarraville Rotary Club and Bendigo South have both been undertaking and recording “Acts of Kindness” as a suitable project that involves Community Service at little cost in these times of frugality.

Two District events coming up include a District Conference in late Sept and a Rotary Foundation celebration possibly in late October. More information to follow.

PDG Peter Frueh made a presentation to cluster attendees as he is the District Membership Chair and we may include his expertise in a future presentation once Barb and the Membership sub committee finalise our Membership Strategy.

My special thanks to members suggesting ideas to make our Club continue to run smoothly and create more opportunities for member involvement. Really enjoyed reading Pauls “Behind the Badge” piece in the Bulletin so come on we need more people picking up the pen.

Great to see Ned on board, and congrats to Stan on clocking up 28 years of Rotary service come 25 Aug.

  

The guest speaker for the meeting was Michael Browell, the CEO of Moonee Valley Race Club. Michael grew up in Bendigo and was educated at Holy Rosary White Hills, Marist Brothers College and Catholic College. Michael was part of the initial transition to Co-Ed in Catholic Education in Bendigo. He went on to LaTrobe University completing a Business Degree and took up a position in administration at the Bendigo Jockey Club at the age of twenty three. In 2001 he was appointed the CEO of Mornington Race Club and took up his current position in 2008.

 

Michael highlighted some of the outstanding winners of the Cox Plate which is the premier race hosted by Moonee Valley. These included Kingston Town and recent three time winner, Winx.

When Michael took up his position the Race Club had income streams from Harness Racing and Catering as well as the Gallops. He inherited an enterprise which was asset rich but cash poor. Unlike most racecourses which are located on crown land the Moonee Valley Race Club has the freehold on a generous parcel of land close to the city. Soon after commencing in the role Michael commenced work on his dream to transform the precinct into a multipurpose venue with many additional sources of income.

The concept of creating a "Live, Work and Play" environment required a review of how the operation would continue as a racecourse. This involved changing the location of the winning post and main grandstand. The development is planned with only minor reductions to the course itself. Other uses of the land include the provision of residential, commercial and lifestyle facilities with even a school a possibility in the future. The plan has been developed in consultation with the local community with consideration always given on the impact of parking and the staging of night racing.

The plan represents a very creative response to an emerging need and makes much better use of a large parcel of land which up until now apart from racing has stood vacant for much of the year. Michael has been responsible for leading a major mindshift of how the racecourse can be sustainable in the future and ways many more people can enjoy life so close to the city. All of this has been achieved in the early stages of his career. He nominated a number of Bendigo Identities who have mentored and guided him. Michael you do Bendigo proud, members thank you for the giving of your time and your very engaging presentation. We wish you well with the "Live, Work and Play" plan.