HEADING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION
Q
Why did you decide to call it quits now, at the age of 49?
A
I didn’t want to be that person people spoke about at their funeral about how he worked in radio and broadcasting for 55 years and didn’t do anything else. I’m still involved. I am still selling corporate stuff at the club and I really enjoy that. I’m looking into some other projects at the moment as well that I’ll be able to speak about soon. I’m certainly missing that camaraderie with people at the club. I haven’t missed the racecalling yet but that will probably happen, it’s only natural.
Q
Would you ever return to calling races at the Gold Coast or somewhere else?
A
I don’t know if I’d say yes or no. I would never say never. I think it’s a young person’s game and I’m ready to move on and do my own stuff.
Q
Would you ever consider taking on a higher management role like a CEO or a sports club?
A
I have thought about it. I have thought about doing a high sales role or a CEO role. Not necessarily involved in race clubs but in sports clubs like bowls clubs and rugby league clubs. It’s something I have always had a passion for. I think I probably need to look at giving myself a chance to move on from where I have been. It’s a bit like a death in the family. I need time to grieve and move on and that’s what I have done. It was a big decision and not one I took lightly.
Q
You spent some time on the board of the Gold Coast Turf Club. How did you find that experience?
A
It was terrific but when I was on the board there was an element that wanted to move the track out to Robina. I was against it and so was (current chairman) Brett Cook. There was a difference of opinion and it was a turbulent time for Racing Queensland. A number of the board wanted to stay and a number wanted to go. I’m proud we stayed. People walk from Surfers Paradise to here. It has a better backdrop and it’s a fantastic track. I have only seen it race unfair twice in 20 years. I was deputy chairman and treasurer and I would be happy to do that again if I needed to.
Q
Where do you see racing going on the Gold Coast in the next 10 to 20 years.
A
Probably night racing. It’s a difficult way to make money unless it’s structured right. You have so much infrastructure to put in place but I think the Gold Coast is the place to race at night. The only issue I have with that is you might lose Saturdays. The Coast has always been known for racing almost every Saturday. That’s been a big thing.