Next Sunday’s Hewitt Memorial race day at the Goulburn Paceway will not only honour the memory of Tom and Angela Hewitt, it will also play host to an important fundraiser for the Crookwell Community Trust.
The Crookwell Community Trust provides aid to people of the Upper Lachlan Shire who have experienced extreme difficulties due to personal trauma and or natural disaster. The shire includes Gunning, Crookwell, Taralga, Binda, Bigga & Tuena, and each year tens of thousands of dollars are provided to those who have suffered.
As is naturally the case, fundraising for those afflicted by tragedy always commences after the event and often takes considerable time before the funds can be handed over. We see the community rally and their fundraising efforts are evident through street raffles, church collections, and community events. It was from these community-minded activities, which typifies the Australian spirit to help our neighbour, that the Crookwell Community Trust was established.
The emergence of the Trust now provides for a pool of money that can instantly be made available to people who are in distress, when they needed it the most, which is usually immediately after the emergency has arisen. To meet the needs of those who require help, the Trust must remain financial and calls on the generosity of the community and businesses to help its endeavours.
With Sunday’s meeting providing free entry into the course, Community Trust Members will conduct raffles for weekend accommodation on the South Coast, and will pass the bucket around for people wishing to make a donation. Goulburn Secretary Mark Croatto stated, “We’ll be putting on a great afternoon of racing on Sunday, and with free entry we’re hoping many fans and participants will come out to enjoy the day and help the Trust by making a donation or two”.
Sunday’s race meeting celebrates Tom and Angela’s contribution to the sport in the Southern Tablelands through the running of the $12,720 Hewitt Memorial over the 2240 metre distance.
The race is but one on an action packed card that will also feature the $12,720 Walla Walla Stakes, two $10,000 heats of the Menangle Country Series and a support program of $6,360 races including the Aub Frost Memorial in recognition of Aubrey Frost who was another great Crookwell horseman.
“The Hewitt Memorial race day had previously been held in March, but there was great sense in moving it forward in the calendar so as to compliment the Goulburn Carnival of Cups race meeting on the last Sunday of the January” said club secretary Mark Croatto.
The change of dates now provides the Goulburn Club with an excellent lead up program to their Carnival of Cups race day, and for harness racing participants a good number of feature races for all grades of horses.
Additionally, the change has enable Goulburn to work with the Canberra Harness Racing Club in the formation of the Summer Carnival. Commencing with Sunday’s race meeting, the harness action then moves to Canberra for the Canberra Derby and Oaks, then Goulburn’s Carnival of Cups meeting on the 29th before culminating with Canberra Cup day on the 5th of February.
Goulburn’s Brad Hewitt is one trainer looking forward to Sunday’s meeting pinning his hopes on the 5 year old mare Supriya in the Hewitt Memorial. The C4 mare has been racing in fine form this season, and with an ownership group of 10 including many Canberra Raiders team members, the mare is sure to have strong following and support. Hewitt will be looking to make it on end Hewitt Memorials having won last year’s event with Spare Me Days.
Gates to the course will be open from 11.30 am and the club encourages all to come out for a great afternoon of competitive and interesting racing, and to experience the wonderful facilities of the Grace Millson Function Centre. Enjoy quality food and a wide range of cold alcoholic and soft drinks whilst watching all the racing action in air conditioned comfort.
Goulburn harness racing is brought to fans through the support of Tabcorp, Goulburn Soldiers Club, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Goulburn Mazda, Divalls Earthmoving & Bulk Haulage, RSM Accountants, Hollingworth Crane Hire, Top Water Carters Crookwell, Goulburn Livestock Transport, First National Real Estate Goulburn, Landmark Goulburn, Glen Mia ACT Saddlery, and Ranvet.
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/goulburnpaceway/
Leave a Reply