The Charlton Harness Racing Club was thrilled to have 20 junior members attend the first function for them at President Joe Thompson’s Bushy Lodge. They were given a tour of the stables and Joe along with local driver Kirk Boyle gave all some insight in to the daily running of a racing stable. The kids got to meet Miss Meteor who posed patiently with all for snaps and pats after parading in her race gear.

Cricket and a bbq followed after all the feeds were done!

The club see this initiative as a great investment in the future of harness racing in Charlton and we look forward to involving the young members more fully in the times ahead.

Thank you to all of the members who braved a chilly Ballarat night to attend XMAS IN JULY on 13th July. A great night was had by everyone – terrific venue to watch the trots and certainly we were welcomed warmly and looked after so well by the staff at Ballarat.

Perhaps kicking on at the Flying Horse was a tad ambitious but ……

We urge all members who have not participated in social events before to ‘take the plunge’ and become involved. The Committee values these occasions to build some club spirit, so please consider future dates.

Thank you to our special guests the Dja Dja Wurrung People and Elders who attended the Dja Dja Wurrung Cup Day a day on April 16th.

The day was celebrated along with the Charlton community including 40 students from Charlton College who were part of the Welcome Smoking Ceremony and enjoyed an informative presentation by Damien Saunders on Indigenous artefacts. CEO Rodney Carter spoke about the importance of Elders and how family values are embraced within the Dja Dja Wurrung culture. It was with much enthusiasm that many had their first taste of kangaroo!

This day continues to grow and evolve, and it is the aim of the Charlton Harness racing Club to continue to nurture the good relationship that we have with the Dja Dja Wurrung People and develop this day in to one of major importance in our race day calendar.

We were also pleased to welcome back to Charlton Duncan McPherson founder of the Team Teal Campaign, who gratefully accepted a cheque from the Charlton Harness Racing Club as a result of our Cup Day ladies event ‘Bubbles In The Bush’. The club is proud to be involved in this initiative which goes towards supporting clinical trials and research in the hope of finding a cure for Ovarian Cancer. in a few short years this event has become a focal point of our Cup Day and we thank all of the women who have willingly taken part in order for it be a success.

The day was capped off wonderfully with a local win by Bruised Ego trained by Mark Boyle and owned locally by the Thompson family.

It is with great excitement for our club’s future that we are proud to announce after 18 months of hard work that the 500th member of the Charlton Harness Racing Club has been signed.

CONGRATUALTIONS  TONY NATALE.

I was great to have Tony on course on Dja Dja Wurrung Cup Day to be presented with his 500th card and to enjoy a ride in the mobile.

We welcome Tony to the club and thank him for making the trip from Robinvale to mark the occasion.

A successful day was had by all at the Charlton Cup 2018. Great weather – at last !and a good crowd all having fun.

Thanks to all the people who helped from the footy club boys in the bar to the St.Joey’s girls in charge of catering to the Smyth’s running the BBQ. Of course there was setting up of marquees which took many hands to complete. The course looked amazing everyone – thank you!

We are lucky to have so many loyal sponsors who again ensured that we had good strong fields for all a quality day of racing. Charlton and District Community Bank, North West Ag Services and The Cricket Club Hotel leading the charge there. Welcome to AMES and MS Security- terrific to have Dale McGrath and Michael Stefanakis on course to be a part of their presentations.

Bubbles 2 was another fun way to start the day raising $3250.00 for Ovarian Cancer Research – thanks to Duncan McPherson, Tanya McDermott and Claire Pysing who all spoke. Special gratitude goes to St.John Of God Bendigo Hospital for again supporting this event – numbers in attendance would suggest ‘ we are making a difference’.

Congratulations to the Cup winners -Clancy’s Fobwatch for Adam Kelly and Zac Phillips and a local win for Ellen Tormey with The Boss Man who lead all the way to win easily the Trotters Cup.

Well done to John Tormey and Janice Boyle who were deserved recipients of Life Memberships of the Charlton Harness Racing Club. Thankyou for your years of work and dedicated service.

Finally a thank you to the locals and visitors to our town, and all the owners, trainers and drivers who supported our major meet of the year. we We hope you will be back next year.! Go Charlton Trots!

Newspaper ad 18

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Bubbles In the Bush Returns!

Ladies it is time to again support the Women’s Cancer Foundation and come along to our event on Sunday Feb 25th.

11am sharp start – for food, prizes, guest speakers, fashions and a surprise auction!

Help get Team Teal off to a flyer and know that you are making a difference to someone’s mother, sister, partner or friend. Ovarian Cancer research will be better off if you attend.

Charlton Park – free entry.

Marquee bookings are now open for the 2018 Charlton Cup Day – Feb 25th .

Enjoy some comfort in the shade on what is often a hot day. Bring some friends and experience the best race day of the year.

Fully furnished for 10 people- $50.

Call Andrea 0499701322 to book.

Thanks to all out great members and guests who turned out for the Xmas party this year – congrats to Patricia Fanning winner of the $200 cash prize and $100 to Frank McGrath. Big welcome to new members hope to see you around the club in the coming months. Special thanks to all who helped on the night- many hands make a big difference.

Safe and Happy New Year to all- let’s make it a good one for our club!