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Quilty 2020 News by Amanda Rayner

 

The Tom Quilty Gold Cup committee comprises 25 WAERA members that are experienced at their respective portfolios and are dedicated to making the event a success. Many of the members have experience at previously hosting this National event.

Formal meetings of the committee commenced in November 2018 and continue monthly to plan the event.

Several of the members live in Collie or close proximity to the town allowing local knowledge of the countryside and townsfolk to be extremely beneficial in the organisation.

 

Improvements to infrastructure and facilities at the Collie Racetrack venue have been a work in progress. Water pipes were laid to the centre of the race track prior to the State Championships for camping and a fully automated reticulated sprinkler system established in the vetting area.

The vet ring has been top dressed,levelled and seeded with kikuyu since the State ride in September. The person in charge of the vetting area was a golf course green keeper so we will be hoping for a golf green surface come Quilty time.

Further improvements to the race track include re surfacing of the wash bays ,a new swab box and new toilet block with floodlighting.

Extensive advertising of the event has already begun with the event facebook page operational ,website launched, local newspaper articles distributed and a team of advertising crew ready to promote all sponsors and supporters of the event.

An extensive budget has been made and is updated as work progresses.

The sponsorship team have been exceedingly busy applying for community and local grants before the end of the year and their hard work is paying off.

Merchandise is also now available for purchase on the website.

Now that the ride season is over it’s been time for a bit of relaxation .

The annual spring race day Collie Freo Cup was run from the Collie race

Quilty committee members watching the action on the rail at the Collie Cup

Photo credit Verna Blackburne

course on the 26th of October. Held on the same day as the Cox Plate the six meeting card even featured The Tom Quilty Collie handicap over 1100 metres.

Racing dates back to 1901 when the track was situated on the banks of the Collie river. The present site held its first meeting in 1983 to celebrate the Centenary of Collie Coal. The attendance was 4000 strong , nowadays the crowd is around 2000 people with everyone still enjoying a good day out with very much the feeling of a picnic race meet.

Members of the Quilty committee attended the Collie show on November 16 manning a promotional tent on a stifling 40c day , a record in the 100 year history of record taking in the town.

L to R Quilty committee members Amanda Rayner, Rebecca Radny, Jane Radny,Verna Blackburne manning the promotional display at the Collie Show

The stall looked very colourful displaying photos, WAERA merchandise and

information regarding our great sport.Committee members had an engaging day with the local dignitaries and the local community.

Over the summer months the Quilty committee will continue to beaver on with its many diverse job descriptions.

Please remember to check the Quilty webpage and facebook page for updates.

www.tomquilty2020.com