Monday, 18 December 2017

In the spirit of giving, Warragul Harness Racing Club is providing a fully subsided luncheon package for up to 200 disadvantaged people from the local Warragul community as part of its inaugural Christmas Eve Luncheon race day on Sunday, 24 December.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced the Labor Government is contributing more than $7,700 through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support the event. The Government is also providing more than $9,000 for a new head-on camera at the Logan Park racecourse.

As well as giving back to the community, the family-friendly Christmas Eve race day is also shaping up to be a hit with children, thanks to a special visit from Santa Claus.

The new head-on camera in the home straight at Logan Park will assist stewards’ in their deliberations on race days and is expected to be installed early next year.

The club is contributing more than $8,000 towards the Christmas Eve event, and $1,150 is being provided through in-kind labour from club members. Harness Racing Victoria is providing more than $9,000 towards the infrastructure upgrade.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has contributed more than $43,000 to support two harness racing events and the infrastructure upgrade at Warragul.

The racing industry in the Gippsland region generates more than $59 million for the Victorian economy annually and helps sustain more than 590 full-time equivalent jobs in the region.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“It brings us great pleasure to support the Warragul Harness Racing Club’s inaugural Christmas Eve Luncheon.”

“This is a great example of how racing clubs give back to the community by bringing people together to share in the spirit of giving.”

Quotes attributable to Warragul Harness Racing Club President Greg Witty:

“We are very grateful to the Victorian Government for its support of our very first Christmas Eve Luncheon and the important addition of a head-on camera for the track’s home straight.”

“This is a time of year to support the Warragul community and we look forward to welcoming everyone on Christmas Eve for a fun-filled day of giving and harness racing.”