2014 ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
Phil Micallef – President
GOTBA COMMITTEE
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Phil Micallef – President
Sandra Reed - Vice-President /Treasurer
Karen Leek - Vice-President
Lisa Delbridge - Membership Coordinator
Ashlee Terry
John Reid
Jim Absalom
John Cheeseman
Patti Ladd - Honorary Secretary
GOTBA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
PRESIDENT Phil
Micallef
SECRETARY
Patti Ladd
TREASURER
Sandra Reed
MEMBERSHIPS
Lisa Delbridge
MARKETING &
PROMOTIONS
Ashley Terry
GOTBA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
PRESIDENT
Phil Micallef
RACING
Jim Absalom
BREEDERS
John Reid
OWNERS
John
Cheeseman
GOTBA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
PRESIDENT
Phil Micallef
INTEGRITY
Phil Micallef
RULES &
REGULATIONS
Jim Absalom
OTB GENERAL
Karen Leek
Jim Absalom
GOTBA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
PRESIDENT
Phil Micallef
ANIMAL WELFARE
Sandra Reed
REPRESENTATION
Brendan Smith
Jim Absalom
COURSING
Lisa Delbridge
OBJECTIVES FOR 2014
In 2014, the GOTBA prioritised the following areas:
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Grading,
Track preparation and safety,
Chasing, and
4.
Animal Welfare.
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MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2014
1. Grading
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Worked with GRV to make Grading fairer (Grandstand Grading) and will
conduct an audit of Stage 1 with GRV in December 2014.
- Associated Rule
- Grade 6 and 7
Metro Non Penalty meetings
Tier 3 Racing – reduction in no. of ‘outs’ 1 <.100 to 4 >.300
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2014
2. Track preparation and safety
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Provided set of recommendations on Track Safety and Surfaces
As a result, Clubs now notify participants about the harrowing of tracks
GRV conducting a Track Surface Study to determine optimal racing
surface and best preparation procedures for racetracks to minimise
injuries
Recommended to GRV to initiate metrics to measure track surfaces
which GRV have acknowledged and invited the GOTBA to assist.
GRV now studying current racetracks to determine best designs for the
safety of the dog (camber, rail, fence, box placement, lure etc.)
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2014
3. Chasing
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Stopped changes to the interpretation of the POCTA (Prevention of
Cruelty To Animals) Act and changes to the live bait animal cruelty rule
GRV committed to consult and reach agreement with GOTBA to
formulate a new rule
GOTBA are developing a draft Policy which will be distributed to all
members and published on our website for member feedback
Trial of Hoop Lure
Track Curator’s Forum declared demonstration trial of Hoop Lure as
successful
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2014
4. Animal Welfare
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Working with GRV on Animal Welfare policies and feedback on the
implementation of Policies
Proposed a range of Greyhound Studies the GOTBA could conduct
Hairline Fractures
Racing and Chasing
Greyhound Injury register
Box Draw
Warm Up areas – making sure warm up areas exist for greyhound
trainers. Traralgon redevelopment to include warm up area.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2014
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Provided “Right of Use” proposal directly to State Government i.e. 5
greyhounds per acre etc.
Established regional partnerships with coursing clubs and
establishment of regional branches of the GOTBA – Geelong and
encouraging members in other regional areas to become involved.
Re-established the GOTBA as the influential voice for participants
Modernised and improved communications with our members
Launched new website October 2014
Facebook
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2014
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Met with GRV in the development phase of their Strategic Plan
to represent GOTBA’s interests in the future of Victorian
Greyhound Racing
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Achieved a commitment from GRV to consult with the GOTBA
on industry matters
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Negotiated 4 submissions to The Informer to assist
recruitment and notify industry of tasks and achievements
PRIORITIES FOR 2015
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Increase GOTBA authority level – recruitment drive to increase
membership to 1,000 members
Grading
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Continuously reviewing grading so that it meets the litmus test
Welfare
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Expand GAP program to increase intake
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Assist GRV to develop pathways for young greyhounds that aren’t up
to Victorian standards
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Ensure Balance in animal welfare argument
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Increase No of average race starts from 11 to 50 for Victorian
greyhounds
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Tack designs and Safety
PRIORITIES FOR 2015
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Integrity
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Representation to commence 2015
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Box Draw Audit
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Testaprop guidelines
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Drug detection
Chasing
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POCTA – draft policy
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Lure types
Communication
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The Informer, Website, Radio, National Greyhound Form
THE GOTBA CHARTER
The GOTBA Charter has been documented to ensure there is no mystery as to the GOTBA values
and management style.
Our values are all about openness, honesty, group decision making, commitment and a drive for
continuous improvement. Our way of doing things is characterised by energy, drive and a sense of
urgency.
The following values are the cornerstone of “The GOTBA Charter” and so our personal behaviour
must reflect them:
1. We are committed to providing a voice for members, to satisfying member needs and to
treating every member with respect and without bias.
2. We promote animal welfare and respect for the Greyhound.
3. Key issues will involve consultation and discussion.
4. Everyone has a right to be heard in a non-threatening environment, and there is an
expectation that the truth will be told.
5. Our word is our bond. We will demonstrate a high level of personal integrity.
6. We promote all forms of greyhound racing / coursing.
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We encourage behaviour that reflects the pursuit of quality and continual improvement on all
our activities.
8. We show respect for one another and for those with whom we deal.
BUSINESS PLAN – GROWTH 2015 - 2019
Vision
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A professional organisation that represents the interests of
members and the welfare of greyhounds alike and shape the
future of greyhound racing in Victoria for the benefit of our
sport.
Mission
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Proactively manage and represent the interests of
members during the development and implementation of
rules and matters affecting Greyhound Racing, Breeding,
Training and Ownership in Victoria
BUSINESS PLAN – GROWTH 2015 - 2019
Goals
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Increase membership to include 90% of GOTB by 2019
Move from consultation to being an integral part of decision making by end
of 2016
Represent the interests of members from 2015 at GRV hearings
Protect and build integrity across the industry in Victoria Promote Animal
Welfare with a balanced outcome
Continue to improve industry standards across all facets of the sport for the
benefit of members
Develop policies to promote better chasing
Help select greyhound representative on the GRV Board by end of 2015
Growth Strategy
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Become a professional body by January 2019