THERE has been a changing of the guard at the Werribee Racing Club with the club’s chairman announcing his resignation.
Mr Patrick Wheelahan announced last week that he would be resigning with Leon Koch named as his immediate replacement.
General Manager of the Club, Ross Kendell, said Mr Wheelahan had served Wyndham well during his time on the board.
“Mr Wheelahan’s stewardship of the club was critical to racing continuing at Werribee. His persistence in advocating for the club to be funded for a new track, and then working with the industry to not only fund a new track but also to have Werribee Racecourse take over quarantine facilities from Sandown racecourse, ensured the very survival of racing at Werribee for many years to come,” Mr Kendell said.
“To be a committee member of a community based sporting club or association often requires a preparedness to sacrifice precious work and family time for the betterment of the general community. This has been more than amply demonstrated by Patrick during his involvement with the Werribee Racing Club where he has served as a committee member and chairman through a major rebuilding phase for the club.”
Mr Wheelahan said the club had a bright future ahead of it.
“We’ve secured the industry’s ongoing support for the club, and implemented the investment in a new track. We’ve got world class quarantine facilities, and a restructured club with industry management on board. Now is the time for the club to move forward, and for me to move on,” Mr Wheelahan said.
Mr Kendell said he had worked with Mr Koch previously and he had a wealth of experience within the thoroughbred racing industry having been a long standing Metropolitan and Country Steward.
Mr Koch officially took over as Chairman on 5 March.
