‘Self-interest is king': V'Landys weighs in on Flemington-Caulfield ‘powerhouse' as members have their say
Wilson would act as temporary chairman before handing over to Kanga after 12 months, according to sources familiar with the discussion but not willing to speak publicly about a private gathering.
Such a decision would have to be put to a members' vote. The VRC has close to 35,000 members, while the MRC has 15,500.
VRC members asked by this masthead about the merger talks on a social media forum on Thursday were divided in their views.
'Once the clubs are settled with their executives and fiscal performance, this definitely should be assessed as it 'could' bring about significant efficiencies, more cohesive business, sponsorship and operating strategies plus benefits to all members,' John Anderson wrote on the VRC Members Melbourne Facebook page.
Mike Birnbaum said he would back a super club if it had three membership options: one for Caulfield, one for Flemington, and a combined ticket for Caulfield and Flemington.
The MRC is offering an early bird membership for the coming season of $340, while VRC membership for this past financial year was $590.
Jo Anne, who did not give her surname, was opposed to a merger.
'I'm a Caulfield local and member of both clubs, own horses, etc ... culturally they are very different clubs and I'd hate the VRC culture to come across to the MRC so I'd vote against it,' she wrote.
Another member of both clubs, Glenn, who did not want to use his surname, told this masthead that he would support a race club 'marriage' if it was less than the cost of two memberships.
'My only concern would be that carnival days could become overcrowded,' he said.
But the VRC released a statement on Thursday saying it was not 'pursuing or engaging in club merger activity and has no reason, financial or otherwise to do so at this time'.
'The VRC remains committed to working alongside Racing Victoria and the broader industry for the betterment of Victorian racing,' the club said.
'The VRC is focused squarely on strengthening the VRC – growing the club, backing its members and partners, and building on the success of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with many exciting club wide announcements in the pipeline.'
The VRC has lost $70 million across the past four years but is predicting a return to profitability next year.
Loading
Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison said there was no proposal for a Flemington-Caulfield merger on the table.
'The focus of the clubs and Racing Victoria is on driving greater efficiencies in the face of a challenging consumer and wagering environment,' Morrison said.
'There are a number of ways that efficiencies can be achieved and Racing Victoria is actively involved in exploring those with clubs, including opportunities for shared services models.'
Kanga released a statement on Thursday night, saying 'discussions around club mergers have occurred for many years and are nothing new'.
'I assure you that before anything was to even be considered, the MRC would need to be clear that any proposal was looked at in detail and in the best interests of members and the industry,' he said.
But Kanga's focus has been drawn inward this week after the MRC board's decision on Monday night to remove chief executive Tom Reilly from office, and appoint Tanya Fullarton as chief operating officer.
The MRC board appointed Kanga as honorary executive chair this week.
Mergers are not new in Australian racing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
29 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Indigenous art fair weaves legacy through every fibre
What started as a small market to support Aboriginal arts, crafts, tourism and bush food businesses now attracts vendors from the most remote corners of the nation. The Blak Markets began in Sydney's La Perouse in 2014, providing a space for Indigenous artists and small businesses to showcase their wares. It grew so popular they decided to open it up to arts centres from across Australia in 2017, said Peter Cooley, the chief executive of First Hand Solutions, which runs the market. "We got 11 arts centres from different parts of the country - Western Australia, the Northern Territory - making that journey over," the Bidjigal man told AAP. "It went crazy. People flocked knowing that there was going to be remote artists and art centres in town." The success of these markets made Mr Cooley think there was a need for an Indigenous art fair in Sydney. Now in it's sixth year, the National Indigenous Art Fair brings more than 30 remote art centres and almost 100 artists from across Australia together to showcase their works including textiles, fashion, ceramics, homewares and jewellery. Mr Cooley said there was something for everyone at the art fair, but admitted a soft spot for the weaved pieces. "You look at the master weavers and you see how they do their craft and their work and it's just like 'wow'," he said. One such master weaver is Regina Pilawuk Wilson, from the remote community of Peppimenarti, 300 kilometres southwest of Darwin. An internationally acclaimed Ngan'gikurrungurr artist and a cultural leader behind Durrmu Arts, Ms Wilson is known for her paintings based on weaving traditions. She began putting these works on canvas as a way to pass on her legacy, just as she passes her weaving knowledge on to younger members of her family and community. "When I was seven or eight, we used to help my mother get sandpalm and pandanus," she said. "She taught us how to weave and now I'm teaching lots of girls and young generations how to weave. "It is important to teach them so they can carry on what their ancestors used to do before the white people came to Australia." Wilson will host a weaving workshop during the art fair, using the same fibres her mother taught her to weave with, merrepen (sandpalm). The fair will be held in Sydney on July 5 and 6, marking the beginning of NAIDOC Week. Mr Cooley said with the 2025 NAIDOC theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy he hopes the art fair can leave a positive mark for all Australians. "We've just gone through a very difficult period since the referendum ... where we are still exposed to and feel a lot of racism, which seems to be very open these days," he said. "(The art fair) is a great way to put those perceived ideas of how people see us ... to put that to bed."
Sky News AU
15 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Victoria put on ‘credit-rating watch' amid Treasurer Jaclyn Symes's economic mismanagement
Victoria Shadow Treasurer James Newbury discusses lawyer and Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes's New York visit amid Victoria's growing economic debt. 'The credit rating agencies contradicted everything she said, they said there are fundamental issues which we know, with the government's mismanagement,' Mr Newbury told Sky News host Steve Price. 'The fact that they've put us on a credit-rating watch tells us why we have the worst credit rating in the country.'
Sky News AU
15 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Draconian' Victorian Government imposes hefty fine for farmers
Victoria Shadow Treasurer James Newbury says the Victorian Government is telling farmers they will be fined $12,210 if they block transmission companies land access. 'It's shocking and they're doing this not just to regional Victoria, but also in the city,' Mr Newbury told Sky News host Steve Price. 'The government is taking over planning controls … now saying to farmers we're going to come along with a massive stick if you say no. 'What the government's doing is draconian.'
