The Woolamai and District Racing Club is this season celebrating its 25th anniversary following the amalgamation of the Woolamai Racing Club, Phillip Island Racing Club and the Wonthaggi Racing Club in 1996.
All clubs formerly made use of the track, with the bringing together of the three entities showcasing the very best that all three clubs had to offer.
To help celebrate the wonderful history of racing in the region, the Woolamai and District Racing Club acknowledged some of the great contributors to racing by presenting them with life memberships at its cup-day meeting on Saturday 5 February.
Here’s a brief look at just some of the work put in by the five worthy recipients.
Bev Carmichael
This familiar face at Woolamai has devoted hours to the running of the club as secretary for 18 of the past 25 seasons. Bev was largely responsible for the growth of the club during the 2000’s and oversaw the clubs biggest capital project – the redevelopment of the administration building and jockeys rooms. Bev was the last secretary of the Wonthaggi Racing Club prior to the amalgamation of the club in 1996.
Robert Carmichael
A huge contributor to the club who has been involved since a young boy and has followed in the footsteps of his father Alan who was a leading figure in racing at Woolamai. Carmichael has been president for the last 14 years, and was the last president of Wonthaggi Racing Club prior to the amalgamation in 1996. As a horse trainer he has prepared scores of winners at the Woolamai track including Just Jordie, who holds the record for most wins at Woolamai.
Don Matheson
Another wonderful contributor to Woolamai racing who has been involved at the club for 50 years. Matheson bought a farm nearby in 1972 and has been on the committee for the best part of four decades. He has worked in numerous roles in the racing industry including barrier attendant and judge. Now in his 80’s, he continues to provide a watchful eye over the racecourse and reserve with daily patrols.
Helen Matheson
Helen has been involved with Woolamai since moving to the town in 1972. She has been the assistant secretary of the Woolamai and District Racing Club for the last 25 years. Helen was the last secretary of the Woolamai Racing Club before the amalgamation in 1996. The long-time contributor to the club continues to provide valuable assistance with banking, cleaning of clubrooms and pavilions, gardening and washing of saddle cloth‘s after each meeting.
Cefn Price
Price is a legendary trainer in the region who has won a remarkable 30 trainer’s premierships at Woolamai, and has also trained more winners at Woolamai than any other trainer. Price had horses that won on every track in Gippsland and Melbourne over the years and was president of the Phillip Island Racing Club from 1969 to 1977.
