This will be my final message following my resignation as the Tasracing CEO as announced In May.
My final day with the organisation is today (Friday 20 July).
To begin, I would like to thank everyone in the racing industry for their assistance in my time at Tasracing. I would particularly like to thank the Tasracing Board for giving me the opportunity in the first place and all Tasracing staff for their collective fantastic work ethic.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Tasmania and am very proud of the joint achievements the organisation and the industry have made since my appointment.
They include:
- While the final result will be confirmed in the Annual Report to be tabled in Parliament towards the end of this year, Tasracing made more than $13 million in Racefield Fees in FY18, which was an increase of approximately 25 per cent on last financial year, and up nine per cent on the original budget.
- Following an initial six per cent code funding increase earlier in 2017/18, a further $1.24 million funding increase was distributed across all three codes of racing in the second half of 2017/18. These funding increases were possible thanks to the improved turnover on Tasmanian racing through the commercial decisions taken by Tasracing and the support of the entire industry.
- Increases in participation numbers in the major thoroughbred cups, particularly in Hobart. Tasracing hosted a Hobart Cup Eve cocktail party in partnership with Wrest Point and the TRC which was highly successful and will hopefully become an annual event.
- The return of the trotting gait to the Tasmanian Standardbred racing industry.
- Hosting the very first Australian Female Jockey Championship and the Australian Female Drivers Championship within a week of each other.
- Working closely with the Tasmanian greyhound industry as it continued to improve its performance.
While the decision to leave Tasracing and Tasmania was obviously a difficult one to take, I am confident that I am leaving the organisation in very good hands with Dr Alicia Fuller acting as Interim CEO while the search for a permanent replacement is undertaken.
Dr Fuller joined Tasracing as the Operations Manager-Racing after spending more than 12-months with the Office of Racing Integrity as the Regulatory Vet, with time spent acting in the role of General Manager.
Dr Fuller’s appointment will ensure the day-to-day operation of the business are appropriately focused.
Of course, I will continue to support Dr Fuller, Tasracing and the entire industry, in any way I can in the future.
Thank you again for your support.
Vaughn Lynch
CEO
Tasracing