Items filtered by date: March 2023

Greyhound Clubs Victoria (GCV) believes International Women's Day is the perfect time to acknowledge and honour women who work tirelessly to improve the industry.

In doing so, it’s CEO Brett Jones has reiterated how thrilled the sport is to have a new female chairperson at Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association (MGRA) and to acknowledge outstanding women across the greyhound industry.

"Barbara’s appointment as the first woman Chair of a Metro Club, combined with GRV Chair, Peita Duncan, Shepparton Club President, Tracey Fothergill, and Club General Managers Cynthia O’Brien (Healesville), Jodie Faralla (Ballarat) and Olivia Alcock (Traralgon), underpins the strength of female leaders in senior governance positions we have across the state", Mr Jones said.

Dr Backhoy said, “There is so much more women can do to help the greyhound industry be the best it can be. And, on International Women’s Day, there’s no better time to show that women administrators and staff in this, and any other sport, can make a difference.”

Mr Brett Jones, added, "Barbara is a fantastic appointment as Chair of The Meadows and represents a significant milestone for the industry. This is an amazing opportunity to lead the club through an exciting period for the sport. She has a passion for the welfare of racing greyhounds and firsthand experience after working as an on-track greyhound veterinarian since 2002 and as an owner of her own veterinary clinic."

MGRA announced Dr Backhoy’s appointment earlier this year.

Expressing her gratitude and appreciation Dr Backhoy said, “I’ve been in the industry for a long time, and this is a great honour. Greyhound racing is a fantastic sport and I’m looking forward to bringing my love of greyhounds to a wider audience”

Dr Backhoy has had a special relationship with greyhounds since she was a child. Her parents were trainers, so she spent many years playing with the puppies.

“I had my first dog when I was about 12 years old and did pretty much all the training with her myself.”

Regular veterinary trips with the dogs, coupled with a natural love of animals, lead her to a career as a vet. It also sparked an intense interest in the welfare and well-being of greyhounds.

“They are a wonderful animal, a great pet, and they actually do love to run. I want to do everything I can to ensure every greyhound is cared for, safely trained and raced and finds a good home in retirement,” she said.

Background details:

Dr Barbara Backhoy is the 7th chair at MGRA. She joined MGRA as a director in 2018. She graduated in 2001 after pursuing a bachelor's degree in veterinary science at the University of Queensland.

In 2002, she became an on-track veterinarian at Healesville, Cranbourne, and Warragul Greyhound Racing clubs and also the Lang Lang Coursing Club