Action from a previous Tumut Boxing Day race meet. Photo: Visit NSW.
The Tumut Turf Club says it’s disappointed that the annual Boxing Day races had to be abandoned this year but fully supported the decision.
Every race meeting conducted by Racing NSW is required to have an ambulance and crew on course while racing is being held and this is scheduled well in advance.
The primary provider is NSW Ambulance with contracted private providers used as secondary back up.
The crews supplied from NSW Ambulance are duty crews working overtime, which is paid for by Racing NSW. On duty crews are not used as they need to be on call for an emergency.
Racing NSW also has a back-up arrangement with private paramedic providers in place, however they were unable to find enough surplus staff to go to Tumut on Boxing Day.
Tumut Turf Club Committee chair David Rosetta said the club was disappointed but fully supported the NSW Ambulance Service prioritising caring for the community over attending a race meeting.
“Social media was helpful in getting the message out to a lot of people on Christmas day that the Boxing Day races were cancelled,” Mr Rosetta said. “Unfortunately, it has also been a forum for a lot of people to espouse all sorts of wacky options and theories.
“A phantom meeting, no oncourse races, was considered; but it would have been a lossmaking venture for our volunteer organisation as opposed to it potentially being more beneficial for local clubs and pubs if the crowds went there.”
Mr Rosetta said the Tumut Turf Club wanted to publicly acknowledge and thank NSW Ambulance and Racing NSW, in particular Michael Buckley, for their help and support and for the mammoth effort they made to try and keep the race meet happening.
“To all the jockeys, trainers and owners, your support of our club has been the cornerstone of our success, we want to say sorry to you and hope that you will continue to support the club into the future,” he said.
“A huge thanks to our suppliers and vendors who dealt with a last-minute cancellation with such grace, K&T’s Cafe, Soundfits, Scott Day, James Tait, Trackpix, Merlissa’s Cleaning, Icon Security, DJ Voydy – all legends.
“And last but certainly not least, thank you to our small band of weary but wonderful volunteers, without these guys there would be no race meetings in Tumut at all, you speak with actions not words.
“The Tumut Turf Club also has a special word of thanks to the punters and patrons who recognise and appreciate how difficult it was to make the call to abandon the races and we hope to see you at the Tumut Mile and Tumut Cup in 2026.”
Original Article published by Kim Treasure on Region Riverina.
