THIS week Tasmania farewelled a champion of the local racing industry and a great contributor to business and community life in Hobart in Brian Speers.
The chair of Tasracing passed away on Wednesday 26th August 2015.
His life was celebrated at a service in Hobart yesterday with the huge gathering at St Marys Cathedral testimony to the impact he had on the lives of so many.
Brian was involved in the racing industry for more than 40 years as a participant and an administrator. He was a founding member of the Tasracing board, and took up the Chair in November 2009.
“In his six years as Chair, he oversaw a period of rapid change in the racing industry, navigating the local industry through many changes,” said Racing Minister Jeremy Rockliff.
Some of those changes included:
- Introduction of night thoroughbred racing;
- International expansion of Tasmanian racing to France, Singapore, South Africa and New Zealand;
- Redevelopment of the Spreyton racecourse and the introduction of Australia’s first Tapeta synthetic race track; and
- Managing the company through a period of dramatic change in national wagering markets, during which time Tasmanian wagering increased by over $130 million or 32 per cent in the last four years.
“I am grateful for the sound advice and strong support he provided to me as Minister over the last 18 months, and the mutual trust we built as we moved towards a sustainable business model for Tasracing,” The Minister said.
“Our thoughts are with Brian’s wife Di and the rest of his loving family,” he said.
31 August 2015
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Racing