17
October, 2003
Goulburn Valley identity Geoff Hill has won Harness
Racing Victoria?s 2003 Gordon Rothacker Medal.
Hill received the State?s highest honour at a gala
awards dinner at Moonee Valley this evening. He follows in the footsteps of
Charlton icon Ian McCallum who won the inaugural Medal in 2002.
The Gordon Rothacker Medal is named after Victoria?s
most successful horseman and recognises an individual for their outstanding and
sustained contribution to the harness racing industry in this State.
Rothacker was on hand to present the award, together
with HRV Chairman Neil Busse.
Hill is a harness racing
institution in the Goulburn Valley region, having had a 48-year involvement in
the industry. At 70 years of age, he remains an active committee member and
hard working volunteer for the Mooroopna Harness Racing Club.
Hill was introduced to
harness racing by local legend Don Ducat in 1955 and obtained his driver?s
licence the following year. He won seven Driving Premierships between 1959 and
1970, including three at Shepparton and two each at Echuca and Cobram.
In 1959, he was involved
in a serious fall at Shepparton, ironically together with Gordon Rothacker who
suffered a fractured skull in the incident. Hill was kicked in the head by a
horse which ultimately lead him to be afflicted with acute deafness.
Hill enjoyed a most
successful training and driving career, relinquishing both licences only
recently. He was renown for his prowess with wayward horses, and as an
accomplished farrier.
More recently, he has
assisted his son Daryl with the training of his team, and regularly visits
members of the older trotting fraternity in the local nursing home, showing
race videos and recalling happy memories.
Tonight?s dinner also featured the presentation of
10 highly sought-after Country Club Awards.
For the second consecutive year, Ballarat and
District Trotting Club was named Country Club of the Year, in the category of
12 meetings or more annually.
Maryborough Harness Racing Club secretary Les
Chapman secured the newly-named Frank Ryan Secretary of the Year (full-time)
title.
The award has been named in honour of the State?s
longest serving harness racing administrator who only recently stepped down as
Echuca Harness Racing Club secretary after an unprecedented 50-year term.
Kyabram Harness Racing Club secretary/treasurer Ian
Purdey was also presented with a Distinguished Service Medal in acknowledgement
of 34 years dedication to the industry.
The full list of tonight?s winners were:-
1.???????? Gordon Rothacker Medal - Geoff Hill.
2.???????? Most Successful Country Cup Meeting - Mildura.
3.???????? Best On-Course Promotion - Maryborough (Redwood Carnival).
4.???????? Best Local Media Coverage - Geelong.
5.???????? Best Presented Track - Bendigo.
6.???????? Frank Ryan Secretary of the Year (full-time) - Les Chapman
(Maryborough).???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
7.???????? Secretary of the Year (part-time) - Kerrie Watkins (Boort)
8.???????? Graduation Secretary of the Year - Debra Junor (Diamond
Valley).
9.???????? Club of the Year (more than 12 meetings) - Ballarat.
10.?????? Club of the Year (12 meetings or less) -
Nyah.
11.?????? Graduation Club of the Year - Elmore.
