SWAN Hill’s three-day June carnival has been recognised as the best racing event in country Victoria.
Swan Hill Jockey Club president Jack Bennett and Murray Mallee Racing’s Sheree Watson and Aaron Garvie, along with committee members, were on hand at Country Racing Victoria’s annual awards dinner on Saturday night.
Watson said growth in attendance figures had been a key pointer to the carnival’s success in recent years.
“This year we were close to 9000 patrons for the duration of the carnival, which was up on about 8000 from last year,” she said.
“It shows we are consistently performing. To get that sort of growth in one year is great.”
Watson said organisational experience had helped MMR staff better prepare for events.
“We are getting smarter at organising events. We’re getting more efficient and doing things better,” she said.
Watson said a dedicated committee was also central to the success of the June carnival, and racing in the district in general.
She said the support the community shows the carnival was also appreciated.
“Hopefully [the award] means that those who haven’t considered coming before will get up and see what it’s all about,” Watson said.
The exposure generated by being named Event of the Year would also be beneficial, Watson said.
“Being further away in the Mallee, sometimes that can make it hard,” she said.
“So it’s great to get your name out there and for people to see we’re a really strong club.”
Watson said the Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club was a deserving winner of the Club of the Year title, for which Swan Hill Jockey Club was also nominated.
