HARNESS Racing New South Wales Chairman Mr Chris Edwards believes the sport in the state is strong as he steps down from his role.
Due to Mr Edwards fulfilling his maximum eight-year term, it is a legislative requirement that he stands down from the HRNSW Board.
Mr Edwards first joined the HRNSW Board in 2009 and was honoured to end his term as Chairman.
“It was an honour to be respected enough to be elected as Chairman,” Mr Edwards said.
“It has been an even greater honour to have served with the Chairmen that I have in Graeme Campbell, Rex Horne and Graham Kelly.
“It is amazing the people you meet along the way and I wouldn’t have met so many wonderful harness racing participants if it wasn’t for the role on the Board.”
During Mr Edwards’ time on the Board harness racing in the state went through many facets.
“When I was first appointed to the Board of HRNSW it was during the time of the GHRRA (Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority) and I was part of the Commercial Board and the first major task I was involved in was amalgamating the two Boards,” Mr Edwards recalled.
“We then won the ‘Racefields’ case which helped the industry and the State Government introduced Tax Parity keeping NSW on a level playing field with other states which will also help significantly when it is fully realised.
“John Dumesny through his sheer persistence was able to convince Government to waive a cost of $1million incurred by the GHRRA which was significant to the industry finances also.
“There were dark days as well with the ‘Green Light Scandal’ but from this Reid Sanders joined HRNSW and through Sam Nati’s leadership and a strong-willed Board I’m proud to say we now have the best integrity department.
“We have been able to develop regional centres in the country . . . we built the Menangle Park Training Centre, we built a new track at Bathurst and a soon-to-be training complex, we purchased the Tamworth Showground and in the last week of my term they began working on the new site at Wagga which is very satisfying.
“The HRNSW Board has safeguarded the industry all over the state and the future looks strong under the guidance of new Chairman Rod Smith.”
The incoming HRNSW Chairman Mr Rod Smith has been intrinsically involved in the sport having been an owner/breeder for more than two decades as well as serving on the HRNSW Board since 2012.
Mr Smith has more than 25 years’ experience in the corporate finance sector and business ownership in the motor retail sector.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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