By Garry Howe
Cranbourne Turf Club recognised half a century of service, not only to racing locally but to the community as a whole, with the presentation of life memberships to long-serving committee members Geoff Whiffen and Garry Sidwell at last Friday night’s race meeting.
Whiffen, the current chairman, has served on the committee for 30 years and Sidwell had a considerable stint as vice-chairman during his 20-year tenure.
Chief executive Neil Bainbridge led a chorus of praise for the two men, pointing out that they had not only taken a keen interest in the racing club, but the recreation reserve precinct as well.
He said they were both heavily involved in moulding a master plan for the racing precinct.
They join a select group of life members of the turf club, two of whom – long-time secretary-manager Yvonne Blackwood and chairman Robin Daley joined the celebration.
The only two other living life members – John Finning and Dr Sam Birman – were apologies.
Whiffen joined the turf club committee on 27 October 1987 and was immediately appointed to the Racecourse Development Sub-committee.
He was already on the recreation reserve committee of management and has been chairman for the past 20 years.
Whiffen has been a director of Trios since 2008 and is the current chairman of that facility – a joint venture of the turf, harness and greyhound boards.
“Geoff has hardly missed a meeting in his 30 years and in October 2012 the committee saw fit to appoint him as chairman of the club,” Bainbridge said.
“People wouldn’t realise the number of hours he puts in to this place. He has a passion for this precinct and for Cranbourne in general.”
Garry Sidwell joined the committee on 26 June 1996, replacing the former chairman John Finning.
On the agenda that day was the construction of a ladies jockeys room and Wendy Kelly, the Group 1 winning trainer of Bon Hoffa, applied to train on the track.
At that same meeting, the turf club moved to approach the other two codes about the prospect of a joint gaming venue.
“Garry is always here first for meetings,” Bainbridge said.
“Along with Geoff, he has played a big part in moulding the master plan for the racing complex.”
Daley said the club had come a long way in the past 30 years.
“Back then we had a gravel road to the course, you would come in from the highway and we parked the cars in the centre of the track.”
Sidwell said it had been a privilege to work with such a diverse committee.
“That’s why we are successful, because we are diverse.”
He paid tribute to “the love of my life, Robyn, who has been understanding and supportive for 46 years and many more to come”.
Whiffen described his association with the club as a labour of love.
“It’s been a big part of our family life,” he explained.
“(Wife) Noelene’s mum has attended 50 Cranbourne Cups and (son) Paul could read a racebook before any other book. We love the club.
“It’s been a pleasure to have met so many great people.”
He mentioned Elaine Robinson and her late husband Dennis, also a life member, and their long association with the Williams family.
Fittingly, champion jockey Craig Williams won the race named in Whiffen’s honour on the impressive Godolphin first starter Raptor.
Williams made sure he popped up to the committee room to wish the two new life members well.
“Cranbourne is very close to my heart,” he said.
“I won a cup here on Dad’s horse as an apprentice, so my family liked me… at least for two nights,” he smiled.
“Racing has taken me all over the world and to win a race named after Geoff Whiffen is a great privilege. It’s special every time I get to come home.
“Cranbourne is a very progressive club.”
