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By Mark Brassel

A 43-year-old dream comes of age this Sunday when Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club presents its first Newhaven Park Country Championships.

The race club was formed back in 1980 by Norm Roberts, John Darcy and Don Creighton and four years later they were joined by Les Dunk and Rusty Begg.

Get set for a fantastic day's racing at Tuncurry-Forster this Sunday. Image by Steve Hart Photographics

In 1985 Norm Roberts arrived at a meeting and said he’d found some land that was suitable to become their racetrack.

During the next 15 years these men worked tirelessly to organise the sale of the sand dredged from the lake and used the funds to build the now picturesque racecourse.

The club was granted a licence to conduct races in 2008 and the rest is history – current president Garry McQuillan declared: “I believe this meeting will be the making of our racetrack and we intend to make the day better than any that we have ever held.

“We’re selling entry tickets online as we are having an express lane entry gate for quicker access for our patrons.

“We’re also aiming at the 18 to 35-year-olds with DJ music and extra bars and food vans.

“Of course, we will be selling the now famous prawn rolls and Wallis Lake Barclay Oysters.”

Feature race is the $150,000 Newhaven Park Mid North Coast Country Championships (1400m) with the first two home securing a place in the $500,000 Final at Royal Randwick on April 1.

Also on Sunday is Shoalhaven City Turf Club’s Variety Club Raceday at Nowra that makes a welcome return, raising funds for the 47yo children’s charity.

“This is the first time that we have held the Variety Club Day since pre-COVID and it’s usually a great day, raising money for a wonderful cause,” said SCTC’s CEO Paul Weekes.

“We’ll have plenty of entertainment for whole family including a free jumping castle and train rides for the kids.

“We also have a TAB and bookmakers with hospitality options including the punters’ lunch and umbrella packages on our spacious lawn.”

Murrumbidgee Turf Club will recognise Rodney Parsons OAM on Thursday with a race in his honour.

“Rodney Parsons is a former MTC and Southern Districts Racing Association treasurer and was first elected to the MTC board in 1989,” said MTC’s CEO, Jason Ferrario.

“He served as honorary treasurer for more than 20 years and was also treasurer of the SDRA for a similar period.

“Mr Parsons was involved in a number of major projects during his tenure with the MTC including the construction of a new track, grandstand and big screen.”

In 2006 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to the Wagga community and accountancy.

Rodney’s outstanding contribution to the racing industry was recognised in 2014 when he received the prestigious Simon Nivison Award from Racing NSW.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Bathurst, Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Lismore
Thursday: Wagga
Friday: Grafton, Tamworth
Saturday: Orange, Tumut, Bedgerabong picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Tuncurry, Nowra