Community
7 May, 2025
Gregory Downs Jockey Club stalwarts recognised with life membership
The much-deserve honour was bestowed on the pair after Saturday's race meeting.
The lifeblood of the Gregory Downs Jockey Club has been recognised with life membership.
John and Sue Clarke were surprised with the honour on Saturday night, well after the final race had been run and won.
They join Alan and Bev Webber as existing life members and follow in the footsteps of John’s parents June and Digger Clarke, who were also long-time stalwarts and life members.
“Mr President John has been in the job for 20 years but has been working around the Gregory racecourse since he was born, except for a few years when he was down at Booringa,” Alan Webber wrote.
“He’s been a grader driver, plumber, mower, waterer, track dragger and track walker. When we put in the inside rail, and then the outside rail, he was chief engineer and foreman, plus everything else that needed to be done.
“Sue has been chief organiser of the catering staff forever, ordering food supplies, liquor and whatever else needed to be done – that’s why she’s often referred to as Russ Hinze – Minister for Everything.
“John and Sue have been the backbone of this club for a very long time and our ‘brains trust’ have decided we should honour these two VIPs with life membership.”
Keeping the secret from John and Sue was the biggest challenge, said daughter Hannah, who said they would have tried to run away had they been told in advance.
Making the night even more special was the presence of John and Sue’s four children Hannah, Bridget, Holly and Aaron, plus their two grandchildren, as well as old friends from the district.
