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 Moonee Valley
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 Moonee Valley night race meeting on Friday 1st December
2006.
The presentations took centre stage in the Winners Circle after 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.
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
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, myself and 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.
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
(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.
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
These are our National Centre of Equine Education students who won:
Dwayne Reid – Spring Lodge Racing – (Benalla)
Dwayne completed his Certificate II in Racing (Stablehand) with us last year
working for trainer Wayne Nichols as 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 Moonee Valley 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.
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
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 (OwnerTrainer) 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.
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
Jacob Rule (Wangaratta) is
currently employed by Owen Davies at 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 strode up to the microphone even 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.
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
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 exceptional work 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 so Tahnee’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.
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
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 could receive in racing as she was presented
the 2006 Thoroughbred Part-Time Employee of the Year award. 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
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
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
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006
2006 Victorian Thoroughbred Employee of the Year Awards
Moonee Valley night meeting Friday 1st December 2006