By Samantha Williams, Club Secretary, 2014
On Saturday, 24 May 2014 the Harvey District Trotting Club held its last meeting and the Club was wound up. To acknowledge 10 Club stalwarts, the last eight races ever run were named in their honour.
RACE 1 – ARTHUR JEFFERIES
Arthur Henry Jefferies (1890-1977) has the honour of being Harvey District Trotting Club’s first President – a position he held for 36 years from 1936. Arthur, who had lived in New Zealand and Victoria, moved to Harvey to be a director of the Harvey Condensed Milk Factory in 1931, and became a well-known and successful local identity. He also was President of the football club and the local boxing clubs. At a trot meeting held in March 1950, horses owned by him gained placings in all the six races held that night. He was bestowed Life Member in 1949.
GEORGE FLETCHER
George Fletcher (1930-2002) was a Patron and Sponsor of the Harvey District Trotting Club when he passed away on 10 August 2002. George and his wife Kathy (nee Zucal) had been publicans of the Harvey Hotel since 1974. The historic hotel has been one of the best kept old style hotels in WA for many years. George Fletcher was considered a pillar of the town of Harvey due to his generous support of any worthy cause including sport, tourism and the arts. Kathy has helped him achieve all his goals and with the help of their son, Christiaan, has continued to run the Harvey Hotel/Motel with the same dedication following the death of George. Kathy later became a Patron of Harvey District Trotting Club.
RACE 2 – MAL GREEN
Malcolm Ernest (Mal) Green (1914-1983) of the company EG Green & Sons was the first Secretary when the Club became incorporated in 1936, while his father, Ernest George Green, was the Club’s inaugural Vice President for several years. Mal was a generous supporter of many sporting and community organisations in Harvey and to his employees and their families. He was the part owner of a successful horse named Traffic Charge and through his association with EG Green & Sons was a wonderful supporter and sponsor of the Harvey Cup for many years. In 1966 the Harvey District Trotting Club bestowed on him Life Membership in recognition of his unstinting support and service over the years.
RACE 3 – TREVOR STRANGER
Trevor John Thomas Stranger (1935-2007) moved to Harvey around 1997 (and later Cookernup), when his wife Marjorie took up the position of Anglican Minister. He joined the Committee of Harvey District Trotting Club and despite illness, contributed whenever possible by painting and utilising his handyman skills while at the same time always having a joke to entertain. Trevor’s interest in horse racing began when he and his father leased a pacer, Hector Willwyn, and it won four races in the city in 1963. After moving to Vasse in 1974, Trevor bred several pacers, but the best only raced at country venues. Trevor was delighted when a filly named Sheza Clout bought for $4,290 on behalf of a family syndicate in 2004, proved to be a great investment. In 2005/06 Sheza Clout was a nine times winner from 14 starts, and then continued on to further wins for the Syndicate, including the Champagne Classic, Western Crown, Golden Bracelet and Diamond Classic.
RACE 4 – WF & A JONES
William Frederick (Billy) Jones (1905-1974), a Life Member of the Harvey District Trotting Club was a successful hobby trainer around the South West for many years. His best pacer was the talented Roland King and other handy team members included Prince Carido, Loudall and Collette’s Gift. Bill was always well supported by his wife Alice, and family members have continued an involvement in harness racing over the years – including sons, Alan and (late) Mervyn (owners) and grandson Bill Jones who is a driver.
RACE 5 – DICK HAWKINS MEMORIAL
Christopher Richard (Dick or Spot) Hawkins (1939-2009) was born and bred in Harvey and worked for many years for Sunnywest Dairies in Harvey. He enjoyed going to the trot meetings in Harvey when he lived close to the recreation ground and often took his wife Gloria and family to the meetings. He continued to attend Harvey trots after the track shifted to King-Lethbridge Park, where he enjoyed the company of his friends to watch the races (and have a few bets). After moving to Brunswick, Dick still continued to follow harness racing until he passed away. Harvey Harness Racing Club thanks the family of Dick Hawkins for their support and are pleased to be able to be able to name this race in honour of their late husband and father.
RACE 6 – ERIC PENNY
Eric Hawkins Penny (1934-1999) began his association with Harvey District Trotting Club in 1980 as Secretary, Treasurer and Manager. Over the years, Eric was also Secretary and President of WA Country Trotting Association (WACTA), President of the South West District Trotting Council and Secretary/Manager of the WA Spider Fund. For his services to harness racing, Eric was awarded Life Memberships of WACTA and Harvey District Trotting Club. The Eric Penny Memorial is testimony to Eric’s dedication, determination and hard work during the 1980s for the survival of harness racing in Harvey. Eric’s wife, Joy and his family gave him great support in his involvement in harness racing and have been proud to be sponsors each year.
RACE 7 – WALLY BRANDLI
Walter Emil Brandli (1915-2001) was born in Dwellingup and when the family later moved to the Roelands-Waterloo area, Wally’s father’s hobby was harness racing. Wally enjoyed success as an owner, trainer and driver and with his pacer Alto Bar by winning the Bridgetown, Donnybrook and Manjimup Cups in 1936. His lifelong interest in the sport continued when Wally and his wife May moved to Yarloop in 1947. Wally then dedicated much of his spare time to the Harvey District Trotting Club taking on roles such as Judge, Steward and Committee Member and his services were recognised with a Life Membership. Wally and May enjoyed retirement at Augusta and he passed away in 2001. Their son, Geoff and his wife Sara have continued the family interest in harness racing as well as his grand-daughter, Lana.
RACE 8 – CHRIS KING-LETHBRIDGE
Christopher George King-Lethbridge (1910-2003) was a local Harvey farmer who enjoyed a major interest in harness racing and regularly attended local meetings. When the Club had severe financial problems in the late 1980s, Chris, together with the Panetta brothers, put up sufficient funds to buy the track complex. The confidence they had in the Club has been rewarded by some outstanding contributions by the committee, staff and club volunteers and seen the club become one of WA’s more successful country harness clubs. Chris, who became a committee member, was later honoured for his efforts when the Club named the complex King-Lethbridge Park and bestowed Life Membership. In the late 1990s, he had much enjoyment racing Latin Double with the Panetta brothers and the gelding won many races. In 2003 a new post and rail entrance, incorporating a magnificent wrought iron double gates displaying King-Lethbridge Park was constructed and paid for by Chris. He also bequeathed his half share of the complex to Jim Panetta and one of his last wishes before passing away at 92 was for the Club to keep racing at the venue that gave him so much enjoyment.
Sunset at Warrawarrup trotting track, 15 December 2009. Photo courtesy of Haydn Jones.
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