The Central Victorian township of Charlton has produced its second Gordon Rothacker Medallist in just five years.
Popular local Matt Donaldson received Harness Racing Victoria’s highest award in front of a record crowd of 800 guests at a gala function at the Moonee Valley Racecourse last night (Saturday).
He joins fellow Charlton stalwart Ian McCallum on the exclusive Rothacker Medal honour roll. McCallum won the inaugural award in 2002, whilst Geoff Hill (2003), Jim Barker (2004) and Ron Pocock (2005) have since followed in his footsteps.
On a memorable night in which an array of awards were presented for the 2005-06 Victorian harness racing season, the other heroes were freak juvenile pacer Lombo Pocket Watch and the Ballarat & District Trotting Club.
Despite racing just five times in Victoria last season for as many wins, the New South Wales-trained pacer Lombo Pocket Watch upstaged a star-studded field to become just the third two-year-old to be voted Victorian Horse of the Year.
Ballarat enjoyed a night to remember claiming their fourth Victorian Country Club of the Year title, along with their second Best Country Cup Meeting award.
The icing on the cake for Ballarat’s stellar night came when they were announced as the host track for the 2007 V75 Australasian Breeders Crown Finals. The Club will host their second successive Breeders Crown finals series from August 14 to 19 next year.
The night belonged to Donaldson though who was acknowledged for his outstanding contribution to the sport of harness racing in Victoria over a sustained period.
Donaldson was a mere teenager when he joined the then Charlton Trotting Club Committee in 1950. Twenty six years later, he was honoured with a Life Membership.
He served two terms as President in the 1970’s and was Secretary from 1989 to 1992.
At a State level, Donaldson was a Foundation Member of both the Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs and the Victorian Square Trotters’ Association, receiving Life Membership to the latter in 1995.
He served on Harness Racing Victoria’s Strategic Planning Committee in the 1990’s.
Around the same time, the accomplished horseman was chosen to be the Southern Hemisphere’s representative on the World Amateur Drivers’ Association and in 1992 he represented Australian in the World Amateur Driving Championship in Paris.
In 1998, he compiled and wrote the Charlton Harness Racing Club history to mark its 50th anniversary and in 2001, his significant contribution to harness racing in Victoria was recognised with a Distinguished Service Medal.
Donaldson has also enjoyed success as an owner, trainer and driver winning numerous premierships in the State’s Northern Region.
He is a great help to other trainers, willingly imparting his experience and advice, and has two sons - Gary and Ian - who are both actively involved in the industry.
Donaldson has been supported in his endeavours by his wife of 50 years Elaine – herself a stalwart of the Charlton Ladies Auxiliary and also a Life Member of the Club.
The full list of award winners announced at last year’s Rothacker Medal Dinner were;
Gordon Rothacker Medallist – Matt Donaldson
Victorian Horse of the Year – Lombo Pocket Watch*
Victorian Trotter of the Year – Delft*
Victorian 2YO Pacing Colt / Gelding of the Year – Lombo Pocket Watch*
Victorian 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year – Amongst Royalty*
Victorian 2YO Trotter of the Year – My Missindependent
Victorian 3YO Pacing Colt / Gelding of the Year – Divisive*
Victorian 3YO Pacing Filly of the Year – Jadah Rose
Victorian 3YO Trotter of the Year – Right Interest
Victorian Trainer of the Year – Peter Manning
Victorian Driver of the Year – Daryl Douglas
HROA Victorian Owner of the Year – Craven Family Syndicate
Distinguished Service Medals – Bill Poxon (Gunbower) & Tom Kennedy (Cobram)
Country Club of the Year (More than 12 meetings) – Ballarat
Country Club of the Year (12 or less meetings) – Ouyen
Country Club of the Year (Graduation) – Mooroopna
Frank Ryan Secretary of the Year (Full Time) – Jacquie Richardson (Cranbourne)
Secretary of the Year (Part Time) – Tamara Lane (Horsham)
Secretary of the Year (Graduation) – Debra Millar (Diamond Valley)
Best Country Cup Meeting – Ballarat
Best Local Media Coverage – Horsham
Best Presented Track – Maryborough
Best On-Course Promotion – Geelong (New Years Eve)
Champions of Tabaret (sponsored by Tabcorp) – Trios Tabaret Cranbourne
(* Non-Victorian trained horses were judged on their performances in Victoria only during the 2005-06 season)
