The best awards are those that recognise the collective achievements of a group.
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Benalla Racing Club was nominated for Club of the Year and Event of the Year for the Gold Cup meeting, but faced tough competition from the likes of Geelong Racing Club.
On August 19 the Country Racing Victoria Awards Night was held and when it came to the Club of the Year title, Benalla got over the line.
Benalla Racing Club president Greg McNulty was proud of accolade.
“The honour of being awarded Country Racing Club of the Year is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our staff and committee to deliver on our vision to provide a premier, reliable racing and training experience, complemented by our inclusive quality country hospitality afforded to every racegoer that steps on to our track,” McNulty saiud .
As winner of Country Racing Victoria Club of the Year title Benalla receives a $20,000 grant.
The club took home Club of the Year honours after a year providing quality country hospitality which resulted in increased attendances, package sales, sponsorship and profitability.
Benalla has also gained industry participant interest with the recent development of 20 on-course stables and the Leon and Troy Corstons team joining the training ranks at Benalla.
The club was not the only winner from Benalla on the night as Gwen Turner was the winner of the View Hotel Melbourne Tony Shanahan Award for Services to Country Racing.
Turner was first elected to the Benalla Racing Club committee in 1995 and served as vice-president from 1999-2004 before becoming the club’s first female president from 2004-2010.
She remained on the committee until 2020, in total serving for more than 25 years on the Benalla Racing Club Committee.