A few years ago most of us visited sleepy Menangle Park Paceway once a year for the Campbelltown Show. But since Club Menangle transformed the site into the new state of the art headquarters of harness racing in NSW there’s a buzz about the place, writes PATRICK DUFFY.
Club Menangle has gradually built up its profile and involvement in the Macarthur community through its core racing activities and as a venue hosting functions for local bodies such as sporting clubs and the Chamber of Commerce, in particular.
The club has also acquired in recent years the former Horse and Jockey Inn property just to the east, for which it has impressive plans lodged at Campbelltown City Council for redevelopment as a versatile venue and function centre, which is sure to prove a popular addition to a historic property including Menangle Park House.
Also, the Food Markets at Club Menangle have been drawing 3,000-4,000 people, which is an extraordinary success.
But the last week in particular has proven the progress and further potential value in Campbelltown and Macarthur of Club Menangle.
Firstly its AGM was held last Saturday week and was attended in force by an active membership which would be the envy of many clubs.
Secondly, in conjunction with Campbelltown City Council renaming the road to the entrance of the Paceway “Beersheba Parade” and unveiling an impressive monument on the corner of Menangle Road, the club have unveiled their own similar memorial within its grounds.
The memorial honours the role played by the site as a training camp for the Light Horse regiment of the First AIF in the Great War and the connection Campbelltown has to this historic event – the last full cavalry charge in history and an important part of the Allied campaign in the Middle East during the Great War.
But yesterday at its Fisher’s Ghost Race Meeting the club put on a truly bumper day in the unseasonally warm spring sunshine for its seventh Indigenous Driver’s JC Caffyn Plate, which as far as I know is unique anywhere in this country, and also honoured my old mate and one of Campbelltown’s favourite sons, the late Fred Borg with the Fred Borg Memorial Pace, attended by Fred’s family who joined in the presentations to the winner afterward.
Sponsored by Indigenous organisation KARI and with the support and attendance of Aboriginal elders and community, including our local State Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren, the event is a credit to all involved, particularly Bruce Christison the Club CEO and its director Michael Brown.
Not just an event for the Indigenous or non Indigenous communities, this was truly an event for all.
But wait, there was more, much more.
Alongside all the other fun activities, Club Menangle set aside their large marquee for 300 guests of the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur and a car show, which raised over $12,000 thanks to Rod Reno Smash Repairs.
The 24 Hour chairman Warren Morrison said he was grateful to Club Menangle for their generosity, which is growing every year.
“This was a lovely day to relax at the races, a great children’s festival day out and an excellent start to the 2017 Festival of Fisher’s Ghost,’’ Warren Morrison said.
Well done to all involved, especially Club Menangle.
Can’t wait for next year!
*PATRICK DUFFY is proud that he has lived in Campbelltown most of his life. He is the principal of Duffy Law Group and he is also a member of Club Menangle.
