2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
Racing Victoria Limited & Agri-Foods Industry Skills Council
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
By Gaye Gauci- Co-Ordinator of Racing
National Centre of Equine Education (a business unit of GOATE)- Wangaratta
As Bruce Clarke, the well known on course host for TVN commanded the attention of the crowd, he gave me a wink and a smile then announced, ‘Tonight is a special night for the racing industry as we present the finals of the first ever Thoroughbred Employee Awards……’
I don’t think you can ever truly go ahead with any plan unless you see the end result in your mind to begin with. I dreamt of this night way back in May and the seed was planted. It was time to put in place a process of trying to lift the self esteem and profile of our industries most dedicated workers….before we lose them. It would be no use crying when the workers have gone!
My heart skipped a beat as I glanced over at the 10 finalists so proudly standing with their heads held high in the Winners Circle at MooneeValley where so many Cox Plate Champions had stood over the years.
Racing Victoria Limited and the Agri-Food Industry Skills Council announced the inaugural winners of the ‘2006 Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards’ at the MooneeValley night race meeting on Friday 1st December 2006.
The presentations took centre stage in the Winners Circleafter both races 2 and race 3 hosted by Bruce Clarke with full coverage of the awards shown on TVN throughout Australia and Asia.
The Awards were to encourage excellence and promote career paths in the racing industry. Nominations were sought from Trainers, Owners and Stud managers throughout the state to nominate employees who they felt deserved recognition for their contribution to the stable and the industry.
The quality of nominations was outstanding, so impressive that it was announced that next year they will be National.
The selection panel was made up of:
Rod Thirkell-Johnston – Australian Racing Board,
John Alducci- Australian Trainers Association
John Paul Blandthorn – Australian Workers Union
Chris Watson – RVL Education & Training
Sharni Officer- Licensing RVL
Geoff Bloom- AFISC
John Baker- AFISC
Collette Smedile- TROA
Steve Moran- Sport927
The five categories were, Full-time Stable Employee, Part-time Stable Employee, New Staff Member, Stud Hand and Trackrider.
The overall winner was chosen out of the five category winners to be the 2006 Thoroughbred Employee of the Year.
Every registered stable employee in Victoria was sent an invitation to attend the night and were given members tickets, drink vouchers and a racebook to support the 10 finalists, 300 took up the offer to enjoy the night.
The 10 finalists, their families and friends joined the organisers, Chris Watson (RVL), Sharni Officer, Rhiannon McLeod, myselfand special guests such as, Mark Ewing (Board of Directors Racing Victoria Limited), John Baker (Chairman of AFISC and NSW Harness Racing), Rod Thirkell-Johnston (Director of RISA and Board Member of the Australian Racing Board), Geoff Bloom (Chairman of Canberra Race Club) and Kate Bryce, (Executive Officer PICMM)at a function in the elegant Saintly Suite.
Chris Watson, Racing Industry Steering Committee & General Manager of RVL Education and Training Centre, opened the night by introducing all the finalists and their profiles. It was a great night that received an excellent reception from both the industry and the public.
(Bruce Clark introduces Brian to the crowd.)
Brian Baldwin – Outstanding Achievement-
(2006 Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards)
Employer– Aquanita Racing. (Caulfield)
Time in Industry: 45 years
Achievements: 16 years with Tony Vasil, assisted with 10 Group 1 winners including Elvstroem and he swears his next will be his latest charge, Haradasun.
Brian impressed the judging panel so much at the interviews that they made a special award for him as he has contributed so much to the industry over the years. Brian was nominated by Adrian Fox from Net Promotions who is a part-owner of Elvstroem. Adrian praised Brian for his attention to detail when caring for his horses, his loyalty to trainer, Tony Vasil, and his kind manner. As an owner Adrian is convinced his horses are in excellent hands with Brian.
He is a great role model for all staff.
Brian received a framed certificate and a cheque for $1000.
These are our National Centre of Equine Educationstudents who won:
Dwayne Reid – Spring Lodge Racing – (Benalla)
Dwayne completed his Certificate II in Racing (Stablehand) with us last year working for trainerWayne Nicholsas a School Based Apprentice while studying his VCE. He was so dedicated to his goal of making a mark in the racing industry. His ambition is to get into the business administration side of the industry. Dwayne rides up to10 horse’s work every morning before school so he’s not shy of hard work. Dwayne won the 2006 Thoroughbred Track Rider of the Year and at the end of the night was also awarded the 2006 Thoroughbred Employee of the Year. I also nominated Dwayne for a ASVP in July as he was such an out standing student. His mum & Dad, sister, aunty & uncle and school mates all came to MooneeValley with Dwayne. (lots of tears!!) Dwayne is now armed fresh out of school with his VCE, Level 11 first aid cert, Cert II in Racing, 2006 Trackrider & 2006 T/Bred Employee of the year Award. Not a bad start to his resume…He’s now armed for success.
Dwayne received 2 cheques of $1,000 and the framed certificates.
Monica Croston, (Cranbourne) completed her Certificate III in Racing (Advanced Stablehand) with us as a trainee in 2005 and in 2006 completed her Certificate IV in Racing (Owner-Trainer) as a Profile student. She is foreman for Michael Kent at Cranbourne who nominated Monica as a vital part of his stables success. Monica spent 7 years as travelling foremen for Gai Waterhouse in Sydney and was responsible for the welfare and training of many group horses when interstate. Monica has mentored 7 other trainees for me through their certificates at Michael Kent’s and is a great ambassador for the industry. Her long term goal is to train a team of quality horses and continue to gather as much knowledge as she can.
Monica was awarded 2006 Thoroughbred Full-Time Employee of the Year. She received a cheque for $1,000 and her framed certificate.
Jacob Rule(Wangaratta)is currently employed by Owen Daviesat Wangaratta as a trainee working through his Certificate III in Racing (Trackrider) with us. He has just turned 16 and has a very bright future ahead of him. Jacob impressed many important people on Friday night with his old fashioned manners and clear love of horses. He strodeup to the microphoneeven though he has a freshly broken knee from a horse injury (like a true horseman!!!). Jacob improved his skills so rapidly in a few months that he is now riding trackwork for Owen and several other local trainers. Jacob is very popular at the track; he is always happy, willing, dedicated and focused on his dream to be a major player in the industry. He is a kid going somewhere!! Jacob hopes to ride as an apprentice jockeys next season and at the rate he is improving he will be in demand. So if you see J. Rule (a.4) beside a horses name in the form guide rest assured the boy can steer.
He was awarded the 2006 Thoroughbred New Staff Member Award. He received a cheque for $1,000 and his framed certificate.
Tahnee Griffiths –Astute stud manager and breeder,Phillip Campbell from Blue Gum Farm (Euroa) nominated Tahnee for the stud hand category. Tahnee was a scholarship winner at NMIT on completing her Diploma of Horse Studies (Breeding) in 2004. In his nomination Phil praised Tahnee for her exceptionalwork as broodmare manager and emphasised the important role she plays in the day to day running of their stud. Blue Gum Farm handles millions of dollars of elite thoroughbreds each year soTahnee’s position a very responsible one.
Tahnee was presented as 2006 Thoroughbred Stud Hand Employee of the Year and received her certificate and a cheque for $1000.
Wendy Jones–(Benalla) Wendy has worked part-time for Anne Taylor for 21 years. Wendy won Gold at the Special Olympics in Equestrian and has now topped won Gold in racing. Anne stated that she has always been the most popular and reliable staff member she has had and that she lives for her work at the stables. Wendy claimed this was one the best rewards she couldreceive in racing as she was presented the 2006 Thoroughbred Part-Time Employee of the Yearaward. Her elation said it all, much to the delight and cheers of her large support team who attended.
Wendy received a certificate and a cheque for $1000.
It was a fabulous night and the first real step to addressing the profile of our most worthy workers who are the heartbeat of the racing industry and its future.
To Bernard Saundry, Chris Watson, Arthur Blewitt, and Rod Thirkell-Johnston I know you had nightmares about me.Congratulations for taking the punt.
Mission accomplished!!!
Proud MUM
Gaye
Back row: l to r
Geoff Bloom (AFISC), Rod Thirkell-Johnston(ARB), Monica Croston (M.C.Kent Racing), Tahnee Griffiths (Blue Gum Farm), Jessica Cook (Tolka Stud), Rebecca Thornton (Eliza Park Stud), Tanya Munro (Durden Racing), Chris Watson (RVL)
Front Row: l to r
Rhiannon McLeod (RVL), Gaye Gauci (NCEE), Anna Skinner (MC Kent Racing), Brian Baldwin (Aquanita Racing), Jacob Rule (Owen Davies), Wendy Jones (Anne Taylor), Dwayne Reid (Spring Lodge Racing Stables), John Baker (AFISC)
L to r:
Wendy Jones, Tanya Munro, Jacob Rule, Gaye Gauci, Jessica Cook, Tahnee Griffiths, Rebecca Thornton
MooneeValley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006