The Australian harness racing industry’s highest recognition honour, the J.P. Stratton Award, was bestowed upon highly respected NSW administrator, John Baker, of Westleigh in Sydney. 

John is to be congratulated on his many years of service to our industry in a variety of roles, including Chairman of the New South Wales Harness Racing Club at Harold Park. He has served as the Club’s representative on the AHRC and has made an extremely valuable contribution to Council’s deliberations over the years. 

Additionally, he has been Chairman of the Federal Agri-Food Skills Council, the body representative of Australia’s major livestock industries nominated by the Racing Industry Standing Committee. He has shown strong commitment to providing better skills training to harness racing personnel, through both this national body and the New South Wales Harness Racing Training Sub-Committee. 

John has also worked with both the NSW Harness Racing Club and Harness Racing New South Wales in a variety of roles for our industry’s advancement over a significant time period. 

I extend Council’s congratulations to John Baker and his wife Marilyn, on his performance and outstanding achievement in his many roles serving the Australian harness racing industry.  

 Mr Garry Scott of Huntingdale, Western Australia has been involved in harness racing at national, state, club and association level for many years. His earlier career work focussed on the promotion of the Pony Trots, but he has served all facets of the industry as a trainer, driver and administrator. 

A former President of the Western Australian Trotting Association, he is still a Committeeman of both the WATA and the Fremantle Harness Racing Club. At the national level, he was Treasurer and a Member of the Executive of both the Australian and Inter Dominion Harness Racing Councils, being the WATA Accredited Representative for both of these bodies.  

I wish to extend Council’s congratulations to Garry Scott and his wife Janine on his long term performance and achievements, which this Award recognises.  

Mr Robbie Dewar of Thornlie, Western Australia has been nationally recognised for his voluntary media work to the Western Australian Trotting Association and our industry within that environment. He has performed many media roles as a journalist, radio commentator, race caller, harness racing media personality and newsletter internet scribe over an extended period of time. 

As a valued member of the Western Australian Trotting Media Guild, he provides regular copy for a range of industry magazines including “Racing Ahead”, Community Newspapers, the Sunday Times and others. He is the host of regular harness racing radio broadcasting on Community Radio within Western Australia and guest commentator on 979FM in Victoria.  

His enthusiastic support to all facets of harness race track media at Gloucester Park/Country tracks irrespective of the promotional role is highly sought and valued. His ongoing commitment is recognised by this National Achievement Award.  

Geoff Want
Chairman

 29 October 2007.