Seymour Racing Club has made history by appointing its first female chairperson.
Mardi Jarvis will step into the role following the resignation of Steve Clifton, who served in the position for a decade.
Jarvis is a senior and respected leader at the Department of Defence, currently serving as the assistant secretary of vetting.
Across a public service career spanning nearly three decades, Jarvis has extensive experience in the defence and court sectors.
She is a recent graduate of Harvard Kennedy School’s Emerging Leaders Program.
SRC chief executive Chris Martin was delighted with the appointment of such a well-credentialed professional to the position.
“Having Mardi leading our board is a fantastic coup for the club. She’s incredibly professional, highly respected and has a deep passion for our community,” Martin said.
“The fact we can attract people of Mardi’s quality to the board is a testament to the hard work being undertaken here and the direction in which we’re heading.
“It also sends a great message to the community — the racing industry is inclusive and open to everyone, regardless of your background.
“Our club seeks to be a place where the whole family can get together, from toddlers to grandparents. We’ve got our kids’ day out on January 3 and can’t wait to see families trackside enjoying all our club has to offer.
“Mardi is emblematic of what we’re about as a community and family-orientated club. I’m excited to be working alongside her and congratulate her on the achievement.”
Martin also thanked Clifton for his decade leading the board and his achievements.
“To be in any role for 10 years is a great achievement, let alone in a volunteer capacity. Steve has done a magnificent job over the past 10 years,” Martin said.
“Steve oversaw some difficult periods including the pandemic, but he leaves a lasting legacy with so much important work completed throughout his tenure.
“The capital improvements we’ve seen over a decade are phenomenal and have helped establish Seymour as a top-tier country racing club.
“Steve will still be a huge resource around the club and we can’t thank him enough for all his hard work.”
Jarvis said she was looking forward to hitting the ground running and working closely with the chief executive.
“I’m thrilled to be taking up this position at what is an incredibly exciting time for the club,” Jarvis said.
“Our race calendar has been disrupted over a few seasons, but we’re back up and firing with a jam-packed 2024 locked in.
“Picking up the baton from Steve, who has done a tremendous job, made taking this position very easy. The board and I can’t wait to work closely with Chris and deliver great experiences out here for our community.”