Gold Coast Turf Club News Release

At a meeting of the Gold Coast Turf Club Board on Friday 29 July 2011, Mr Andrew Eggleston resigned as Chairman of the Club.  The Board subsequently elected local businessman Brett Cook as Chairman and lawyer Jeff Garrett as Deputy Chairman.

Racecaller and broadcaster Steve Hawkins was re-appointed as Treasurer.   The vacancies that existed on the Board were also considered at the meeting.

As a result Mr Heydon Harvey, Mr Luke Henderson and Mr Simon Quinn were elected to fill the three (3) vacant positions.
 

The new Gold Coast Turf Club Board is (beginning with existing Board members):

Brett Cook (Chairman)

Brett is the club’s former Deputy Chairman.  A racehorse owner for 17 years, he is a Director of Coastal Tipper Hire and All Coast Recycling.

In 1992, the Cook family, Ross, Marlene, Steve and Brett bought their first two trucks and a bobcat and began work on the Gold Coast.  It’s testament to the family’s work ethic and business acumen that business steadily increased. They now have 117 pieces of machinery and trucks. Brett, who is also involved in industrial land developments, will bring his corporate and business expertise to the Turf Club Chairmanship.

Jeff Garrett (Deputy Chairman)

 Jeff is a lawyer and the Legal Practice Director of Attwood Marshall Lawyers, specialising in all legal matters involving the racing industry.

He and his wife Rhonda also have a boutique thoroughbred breeding stud in the Gold Coast Hinterland and have interests in many of their locally-bred racehorses.

Steve Hawkins (Treasurer)

 Steve has 25 years as race broadcaster including 14 years as the racecaller at Gold Coast Turf Club. He is the owner and operator of Hawkins Media Solutions and has a lifetime of experience in the racing industry.

Michael Barry

Michael is a retired ear, nose and throat surgeon. He is the Honorary Club Doctor at Gold Coast Turf Club and has been a horse owner and breeder for over 30 years.

Michael McCabe

Mike is the Managing Director of McCabe Property Centre. He has had a lifetime association with the Gold Coast Turf Club as an owner and breeder of many horses trained and raced at the racecourse.

Tom Tate

 Tom is the CEO of the Islander Resort Hotel in Surfers Paradise.

 An active member of the local business community, Tom is the Regional Chairman and Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.  He is a founder and co-owner of the Gold Coast Blaze NBL team, a Director of Rugby Gold Coast and was recently presented with Life Membership to the Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach Chamber of Commerce.

 

New Board Members

Heydon Harvey

The appointment of Heydon Harvey to the Turf Club Board following his retirement from H.Harvey Prestige Autobody will be applauded by a wide circle of members.

He established his family company in a purposely-designed and built complex at Coomera twenty two years ago.  Heydon has demonstrated his business acumen and professionalism in the company by being industry-awarded Best Large Shop in Queensland four times and Australia twice.  Heydon with his wife Marilyn participated in racehorse ownership of Magic Millions Cup winner, record holder and 2005/06 Gold Coast Horse of the Year Amex.

As tribute to the champion, the Amex Star was recently nominated in the Magic Millions Series for 2012 onwards.  Heydon was a major contributor to the Club as the inaugural sponsor of the Gold Coast Guineas 12 years ago, now a Group 3 race.  His backing continues to this day as he supports the annual Spirit of ANZAC Raceday which features a memorial race honouring his father Stan, a former Rat of Tobruk.

Simon Quinn

Simon Quinn has owned and operated a successful landscaping business for the past 17 years.

The ‘proud Queenslander’ has a genuine passion for racing. He is the Vice-President of the Queensland Racehorse Owners Association and, as a successful owner, is looking forward to his role on the Gold Coast Turf Club Board.  Simon is enjoying a big year, both professionally and in his private life with he and his fiancée Helen set to be married in November.

Luke Henderson

Luke Henderson is a licensee real estate agent, auctioneer and part-owner of the highly respected and successful Professionals Mermaid Beach.

He brings experience in sales, marketing and negotiation to the Board.  Born on the Gold Coast, he has a unique understanding of its people and is driven to ensure the Gold Coast Turf Club remains successful, with its stakeholders the number one priority.  Part-owner of Group winners Sebring, Descarado and Fast Clip, Luke is passionate about racing and has heavily invested in the sport.

Luke looks forward to working with the Board and says he feels privileged to have the opportunity to enhance horse racing on the Gold Coast. 

 

 

In his first official duty as Chairman, Mr Cook welcomed the new Directors to the Board.  “The Club is entering an exciting time with the recent announcement by the Queensland State Government and Racing Queensland for a $35.4 m injection of funds to upgrade the Club,” Mr Cook said.

“The newly-elected Directors will be hitting the ground running and it is with this challenge in mind that the Board selected these quality individuals to help guide the Club through the next stage of development.

“I look forward to working with the entire Board to secure a healthy and viable future for the Gold Coast Turf Club,” Mr Cook said.

 

ENDS

 
For further information please contact:

Brett Cook
Chairman
Gold Coast Turf Club
07 5538 1599
0404 049 646

 

Grant Sheather
Chief Executive
Gold Coast Turf Club
07 5538 1599
0438 920 665

 

Wayne Hickson
Hickson Media
07 5591 2556
0407 028 917