Items filtered by date: August 2020

Sunday, 30 August 2020 16:46

Rod Ward - where his greyhound days began

Meet our Ballarat Club Manager - Rod Ward

We all know that football and greyhound racing are a great match, nobody understands that better than our Ballarat club manager Rod Ward. Rod grew up in Queenscliff and Wedderburn but spent most of my life in Bacchus Marsh.  With his father working in the Commonwealth Bank, he saw a lot of Victoria with several relocations as a child.  For as long as Rod can remember he always followed the greyhounds.  If you are on the good side of your 50s, like Rod, you will know take away food was a huge treat.  So, it’s not surprising that Rod’s fondest memory involves take away food and a winning greyhound.  He recalls visiting the old Olympic Park track with his dad and uncle, and yes, the dog had a good win but more importantly he had KFC on the way home. In the past he enjoyed backpacking and travelling. He still enjoys travelling but has stepped it up from backpacking.  Rod loves the outdoors and enjoys nothing more than arriving in a new city and exploring it on foot. After 16 years working for Telstra in finance & administration, Rod has spent the past 18 years working for the AFL managing, supporting, and growing participation across community football. We are very pleased to have Rod and his family as part of our Ballarat Club, but Rod is another self-professed unsuccessful punter.

Read the full history of the Ballarat Club https://gcv.org.au/locations/ballarat

Published in News
Friday, 14 August 2020 18:27

The Assistant Track Curator - Healesville

Assistant Track Curator - Healesville

 

Assistant Track Curator - Full time

Healesville Greyhound Association 

About the business

The Healesville Greyhound Association conducts three race meets per week (140+ per year) and one mid-week trial session. The facility is situated in the Healesville Sporting Complex on Don Road, Healesville in the picturesque Yarra Valley. 

About the role

The Assistant Track Curator supports the Track Manager & Grounds Facilities Manager in the preparation and presentation, maintenance of the facilities, and surrounds at the club.  The role is to provide safe racing facilities for the greyhounds and participants, attractive environment for all stakeholders, race day patrons and visitors in line with the Clubs & Greyhound Racing Victoria standards.

The Assistant Track Curator plays an integral role in the ensuring the upkeep of the equipment and cleanliness of the racing workplace facility.

This is a full-time role.  The hours of work may require flexibility to cope with the racing calendar.   The roles requires regular weekend work and the successful applicant may be required to work outside of the normal weekly hours and in line with business demand and the racing schedule.

Skills and experience

There are various elements to this role.

It requires someone who can multi task and prioritise to business needs.  Essentially the main elements of the role are, but not limited to:

  • Adherence to strict OH&S procedures and an understanding of Occupational Health & Safety regulations
  • Ability to drive a tractor and heavy vehicle
  • Previous experience in the use of hydraulic equipment
  • Preferred electrical, mechanical trade or turf or recreational surface management background
  • Possess time management skills
  • Ability to document & maintain records - Daily & Weekly 
  • Capability & experience in operating diagnostic & testing tools on track
  • Lateral thinker/problem solver
  • Working knowledge of basic electrical, mechanical, carpentry, plumbing, welding, and associated trades.
  • Maintain workshop including associated tools and equipment in a safe and secure manner giving due regard to legislative and OH&S requirements.
  • Working knowledge of cleaning equipment and chemicals
  • Setup and management of race and trial days
  • Race day role in kennels or on track
  • Cleaning of kennelling area post-race meets including washing and mopping kennels, wash bays, marshalling area
  • Knowledge of the greyhound racing industry would be highly regarded
  • Knowledge or driving of lure would be highly regarded but not essential.  Training will be provided
  • Current Driver’s License
  • First Aid Level II would be highly regarded, but not necessary as training will be given.
  • Ability & willingness to attend GRV Industry forums & educational seminars
  • Ability to work unsupervised from time to time
  • Ability when required to Supervise and Instruct staff in the absence of the Track Manager

The Healesville Greyhound Association is an equal opportunity employer and provides a flexible working environment, with a small team working together to reach the ultimate outcome of providing safe racing facilities to meet industry standards and achieving business goals.

APPLICATIONS:

Please submit your CV along with a cover letter outlining why you are suitable for the role to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (preferred) or via the online link.  

Applications close 5pm on Friday 28 August 2020 – successful candidates will be contacted to progress their application.

For more information call Cynthia O’Brien on 03 5962 2420.

 

 https://www.seek.com.au/job/50398906?tracking=TMC-SAU-eDM-SharedJob-13246&fbclid=IwAR1ifRlNS1r4HuQkcQiOtdxwRa92DfbGi1AVaj8Et6UYfob9ux5HQ2YjsTk

Published in News
Thursday, 13 August 2020 18:40

Track & Facilities Manager - Ballarat

The Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club is a very successful and highly patronaged venue that is one of highest raced and trialled venue in the Victorian greyhound racing industry. The Ballarat venue is centrally located and races a minimum of twice a week, with trials 4 days per week.
We are seeking a passionate and professional person to fill the role of Track & Facilities Manager. This is a hands-on role, and ideally suits an individual who possesses a proven track record in a similar role relative to either an allied racing sector or from within the recreational surface industry. Greyhound track experience is not essential. An ability and willingness to develop learning skills across the specific operations of greyhound racing and track preparations, understanding and implementation of various monitoring and diagnostic tools and procedures, adherence to OHS standards, as well as having a strong knowledge of facility maintenance is essential.

THE ROLE

The role is full time minimum 38-hour week and will require attendance at race days including some weekend work. You will be responsible for total oversight and management of existing full time & casual track staff and infrastructure together with ensuring a safe and consistent environment for all greyhounds irrespective of whether for trials or racing, reporting to the Club General Manager.

  • ‘Hands on’ general management of grounds, track, infrastructure and office area including mowing, track preparation and repairs and garden maintenance
  • Manage the pool of casual staff for the successful delivery of racing and trial days
  • Implement the maintenance strategies for the venue and facilities
  • Ensure work is delivered on time and within OH&S and club standards
  • To work as a team member
  • Sourcing and assisting of external services and supplies
  • Monthly OH&S Reporting, Weekly Track Reporting and Race Day Track readings.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Willingness to learn to develop and implement preventative maintenance strategies to bring about a proactive and preventative maintenance culture
  • Experience in communicating with staff, management, contractors & external stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes
  • Strong communicator, both verbal and written with excellent problem-solving skills
  • Ability to learn about planning, organising and coordinating projects
  • Attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines
  • Some knowledge in working with different sand surfaces.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: BGRC Track & Facility Manager Advert August 2020

If you have a background in maintenance, grounds keeping or similar industry, coupled with a passion for the racing industry, we would like to hear from you. Previous experience in greyhound track maintenance is not essential but is considered an advantage.

To apply for this position send your cover letter addressing the selection criteria together with a copy of your resume to //ballarat.grv.org.au/2020/08/13/ballarat-greyhound-racing-club-track-facilities-manager-role-full-time-flexible-hours/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by close of business COB Friday 4th September 2020.

Interviews will take place week commencing Monday 14th September 2020 with the successful applicant to start in the October 2020.

The successful will be offered an attractive all-inclusive Employment Contract with the BGRC, based on skills and experience.

For any further information please call BGRC General Manager Rod Ward on 0400 611 310.

 
Published in News
Monday, 03 August 2020 16:15

Racing to continue

Racing to continue

 

The Premier has confirmed that greyhound racing can continue at this time because of the very low-level risk it poses in spreading Covid19 in our workplace.

This evaluation is based on data and is because of the strong protocols we have in place. It is also because of how you have all conducted yourselves within the workplace over the past few months; abiding by the rules and doing the right thing.

The right thing is to also keep yourself and your family safe and well. If anyone in your circle of friends or family is being tested it is important that you get tested as well. And don’t go to work until you are confirmed negative.

So, just to confirm, as racing continues all participants registered with GRV must travel directly to and from the track at which they have a greyhound racing or trialling.

You cannot “stop and shop” or divert from driving to and from your workplace. These are the rules which allow us to keep racing.

Travelling directly from home, to and from the track, wearing masks, and maintaining the strict distancing regulations, eating at the track, are critical.

All protocols also apply at trials and at coursing.

 

Go to https://www.grv.org.au/covid-19/ for more information

 

Stay safe, Stay Aware, Stay Racing.

 

GRV Board Chair, Peita Duncan

GRV CEO, Alan Clayton

Published in News
Manager Profile Peter Johnston
Peter Johnston grew up in Bairnsdale and attended Gippsland Grammar in Sale. Pete started in hotel management when he left school but went back to university to study farm management and wool classing, his vocation for 12 years.  Peter, his wife Sue and 3 daughters moved to Scone in Hunter Valley (opposite of a sea change) where he managed clubs for 10 years before moving back to Bairnsdale.  Peter's favourite place to holiday is Merimbula and he gets there as often as he can. His two great loves are his 3 grandchildren and the Geelong Cats.  He is very highly regarded in the local football circles as President at WyYung Football netball club, with his proudest highlight in 2015 with 9 flags: all netball teams and 3 football teams. We are very lucky to have had Pete manage the Sale Greyhound club for the past 16 years, but please do not accept tips from him.
 
Sale Greyhound Club 
History Without any doubt the greatest greyhound to come from Sale is the mighty Temlee. Not only a racetrack superstar, the brindle powerhouse was to rewrite the record books in a stunning stud career, with a contribution that places him close to the best of all time. An incredible turn of events was behind the reason Temlee was whelped at all. On a trip to Tony Duke's breeding property, in search of a well-bred brood bitch, Sale greyhound racing identity Tom Davidson bought Temora Lee for $800, but due to injury she never raced in Victoria. Not long after the purchase Davidson passed away but prior to his death he requested his greyhounds be humanely put down. Fortunately, family members could not bring themselves to have this done and gave Temora Lee to friend and former Sale club President Barry Bailey. He was to choose unproven stud dog Tivoli Chief as the sire and although the litter was registered in the name of Mary Davidson, Bailey paid the stud fee and whelped down the litter. The late Ray Hocken brought Temlee for $135 and gave him to Sale railway worker Frank Cray to rear and train at his Sale property. Early on, Temlee became sick with a bad bout of Hepatitis and distemper, and Cray treated the pup indoors for a number of weeks. If it wasn’t for that intensive care he would have been lost. The reward was the first time he trialled after breaking in was at Sale, Temlee ran just outside the track record.

See the compete history at https://gcv.org.au/locations/sale

Published in News
© Copyright 2018 Greyhound Clubs Victoria | All Rights Reserved Website by Yeates Media