Brendan brings to the committee his considerable experience as a banker with 15 years portfolio and relationship management experience in Business, Corporate, and Institutional Banking, servicing clients across a range of industries. In early 2017 Brendan and his family moved to the Mornington Peninsula; and in March 2019 opened Phase Two Café in Balnarring Village. Brendan joined the committee in 2019, keen to share his professional experience and to see his interest in horse racing be put to good use.
Graham is a practising solicitor and for 28 years was a partner in global law firm Baker & McKenzie. He is currently a director of Vision Super Pty Ltd, Chair of the Western Bulldogs Ethics & Integrity Committee and President of the Red Hill Football Netball Club. Previously Graham was a Director of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, the VFL, AFL Appeals Board and Disciplinary Tribunal and Chair of Ames Australia. He continues to hold interests in a number of horse racing syndicates and is a member of the Victoria Racing Club, MCC, Western Bulldogs Football Club and National Golf Club. Graham has been a Committee member of the Balnarring Picnic Racing Club since 2012.
Stephen joined the committee in 2017. Stephen grew up on the Mornington Peninsula and after pursuing a career in the building industry returned in 2016 with his young family. A registered builder, Stephen brings experience and skills gained from a family run construction business along with a passion for racing developed while working as a stable hand, and now as a horse owner. Stephen looks forwarding to contributing towards the continued long term success of the club.
Kevin was appointed as Treasurer in July 2016, following 3 years on the Committee and 10 years as a member of the Club. Kevin brings accounting and secretarial qualifications (now fully retired) to the committee having had considerable experience working in a variety of senior financial roles in the motor vehicle, hospitality and tourism industries. He is a keen race goer and has lived on and visited the Mornington Peninsula for a considerable time before retiring to Dromana.
A passionate supporter of Picnic Racing and the Balnarring community Terry has been on the committee for nearly 20 years serving in a number of positions before taking on the Presidents role in 2017. He has been successful in applying for, and winning, a number of grants which have allowed the club to improve facilities for both members and the public alike. Continuing to improve facilities at the course to keep Balnarring as the Premier Picnic Racing Club and to make a day at the races a total experience for the family is Terrys main focus.
Michael is a stalwart of the Club, a member since 1996, long serving Committee Member and Life Member. A licensed horse trainer, with a great love of horses, he has a vast knowledge of equine affairs. Practical skills gained during his work career are invaluable in maintaining course facilities. With Dave Cave he has assumed responsibility for the preparation of the track for our meetings resulting in great surfaces over the past two seasons. His wife Margaret also provides great support to the Club on race days.
John is a recent addition to the Committee having joined in 2018. Having grown up in regional Victoria, he found his way to the Mornington Peninsula with his family in 2003 and continues to enjoy living in this beautiful part of Victoria. John was involved in harness racing from a young age due to his family's involvement and is a passionate racing supporter with shares in a number of racehorses. John has been involved in the finance industry for over 30 years and currently holds a management role in a major financial institution. Having been involved with several community organisations and initiatives in recent years, he is keen to continue the Club's focus on contributing to the Mornington Peninsula community.
A licensed horse trainer and electrician Dave brings a great skill set to the Club. A member since 2001 he has applied his skills for the benefit of the Club. Working closely with Michael Binney he has worked hard to ensure that the course has been in great condition for racing over the past two seasons. Since joining the Committee his involvement in the racing industry has enabled him to provide the Club with feedback that enables it to improve facilities and address concerns raised by other licensed stakeholders.
Keen to further his involvement with the local community Mick joined the committee in 2019. Mick brings 20 years’ experience in the construction industry, and previous employment within the racing industry as an apprentice jockey. Mick was awarded the 1997 Victorian Racing Club Apprentice Jockey of the year. Mick lives on the Mornington Peninsula with his family and operates an environmentally conscious construction company. He has transferred his equestrian skills and now enjoys participating in show jumping.
Horses have played a large role in Noel’s life. In 1982 he began working with trainer John Leek Junior, helping with the day to day running of training operations and facilities development while also assisting John with his plumbing business. During his career he trained and provided education in stud work at the illustrious Delamere Stud who enjoyed the success of the likes of 1986 Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq and 1993 Caulfield Cup winner, Fraar. Noel has established his own maintenance business on the Mornington Peninsula, which is mostly farm related having worked around farms and farm machinery since the age of 14. Noel joined the committee in 2019.
Edward's career as a racing broadcaster began at the picnic races in Victoria as a teenager. It was during this time that he developed a great passion for picnic racing, its participants and the wider group of people that make it such a great part of the racing industry. After spending eight years working in racing overseas, Edward is back in Australia working for Racing.com and is delighted to be back involved in picnic racing, and hopes that his passion for it can help the Club to continue to enjoy tremendous success.
Simon has been an industry participant for 15 years as a racehorse owner, and after moving with his family to the Mornington Peninsula in 2020, he is eager to combine his passion for racing with supporting the local community. Simon brings various professional skills and experiences developed across the financial services, telecommunications, and transport sectors.
Lesley is a local resident with a long career in the IT industry. She has held various positions on committees; the most notable was her 15 year tenure as the Secretary of the Sudden Infant Death Foundation (now known as Red Nose). Lesley and her husband Peter moved to Balnarring in 2017 and coming from a non-racing background they saw their involvement with the Club as an ideal opportunity to immerse themselves in their new community. Lesley was appointed as Secretary in July 2018.
