Doctor races off with honour

– Garry Howe
FORMER Cranbourne doctor Sam Birman joined exulted company last Thursday when he was made only the ninth life member of the Cranbourne Turf Club.
CTC chairman Robin Daley made the presentation at the committee room luncheon and the final race was named in honour of Dr Birman, who was also celebrating his birthday.
Dr Birman was the local GP in Cranbourne from 1969 to 1983, when he moved his practice to Collins Street in the city.
He was approached soon after arriving and asked to fill the role of club doctor and was elected to the CTC committee in 1972.
His 33-year stint on the committee included three years as vice-chairman under John Finning.
Dr Birman said he had no real interest in racing before becoming involved at Cranbourne but has since developed a real love of the sport.
He has raced a couple of horses over the years, the best of which was the Mick Price-trained Strategic Madness, which won a city race last year.
“I’ve seen Cranbourne grow from a small town to a city,” he said. “I love the place and my involvement with the turf club allows me to stay in touch.”
Dr Birman was recently joined on the nine-member CTC committee by his son Paul. His wife Lili and other members of his family joined him at Thursday’s meeting.