Sport
Seymour Racing Club elects all-female executive panel for the first time in club history
Seymour Racing Club is breaking serious ground with its latest move.
Following a recent AGM, the club has appointed an all-female executive panel for the first time in its history.
Long a bastion of male-dominated leadership, the club’s decision signals a progressive shift within the industry landscape and it arrives 12 months after Mardi Jarvis was named the first female chair in the club’s history.
Joining Jarvis on the executive panel is deputy chair Belinda Bourne and treasurer Genevieve Pearce, with former treasurer Frank Butler and deputy chair Gerard O’Sullivan stepping down from their roles.
Butler and O’Sullivan will keep a seat on the board.
Club chief executive Chris Martin welcomed Bourne and Pearce to the inner sanctum while thanking Butler and O’Sullivan for their service.
“While we’re delighted that Gerard and Frank will remain on the board, we would like to acknowledge the additional time they have committed to our club through their executive roles,” Martin said.
“Both Belinda and Genevieve joined our board last year with fantastic experience in their respective careers and we will draw on their expertise to support our ongoing growth.
“For the first time in our history we have an all-female executive, following the appointment of our first female chair late last year.
“We’ve been blessed with fantastic, local board members over many years which has been a crucial component of our success.”
Meanwhile, other outgoings in the wake of the AGM saw former president Steve Clifton, first elected in 2011, resign.
James Anderson is filling Clifton’s role in the interim and will remain on the board, but not in an executive capacity.
“Everyone in Seymour knows what a wonderful person Steve is and we’ve been fortunate to have him on our board since 2011,” Martin said.
“He served 10 years as president and has left a lasting legacy at the Seymour Racing Club.
“We’re pleased to welcome James Anderson to our board to fill the vacancy left by Steve.
“James is the owner of Tallarook Sheds and Tallarook Rural Supplies. He has extensive connections across the local racing industry.
“We have no doubt James will add immense knowledge and value to our board and I look forward to working closely with him.”