Thank you David Dawson
Long standing Brisbane Racing Club director David Dawson has announced his retirement from the board.
Mr Dawson officially stood down at the board meeting held on Thursday. He has served in the position since the formation of the BRC in 2008 following the amalgamation of the Queensland Turf Club and the Brisbane Turf Club. The new club began conducting race meetings on July 1, 2009.
He previously was on the board of the QTC from 2005-08 and served as Treasurer 2007-09.
Mr Dawson can recall his first day at a Brisbane race meeting “I went to Doomben races on August 24 1957 with my father. I was ten years old,’’ he said.
“On New Year’s Day a few months later I went to my first Eagle Farm meeting. A horse called Lucky Signal trained by George Boland won on a heavy track.’’
Mr Dawson became a member of the QTC in 1971 and the BTC in 1975.
He had a long working life as a medical scientist with Queensland Health. He retired in 2001 as Chief Scientist of the specialist mycobacteriology unit at Prince Charles Hospital. He then worked for 15 years as a consultant in tuberculosis to the World Health Organisation, a position which required a lot of travel in the Asia – Pacific region.
Mr Dawson named Stradbroke Season star sprinters Kilshery and Black Onyx as two of his favorite sprinters from his early racing days and was fortunate to have been at Eagle Farm for Tulloch’s farewell triumph in the 1961 Brisbane Cup.
He has stood down from official duties just a few days before celebrating his 75th birthday but has vowed to be a regular at Eagle Farm and Doomben and enjoying a modest bet for many years to come.
BRC Chairman Neville Bell praised Mr Dawson for his lengthy service and dedication to the BRC.
“David has been a tremendous worker for the BRC and its Members. His passion for racing is as strong now as it was when he first came to these racetracks as a young boy,’’ the Chairman said.
The Club will soon be seeking Expressions of Interest from Members who would like to nominate to join the BRC board and fill the casual vacancy left by David.