CEO Monthly Update October 2016

I think it’s now clear to participants and other stakeholders that Victoria’s greyhound industry is now changing permanently. It’s no longer just racing with some animal welfare programs attached. Instead it must be about the whole lifecycle of every Victorian greyhound, on and off the track. I am confident that real reform can be achieved in the sport of greyhound racing but only if it’s driven by genuine cultural change in how we manage the careers and lives of the greyhounds, and in particular that we are able to fully re-home all greyhounds other than for medical or temperament issues.

Announcements, CEO's Monthly Message

Retirement & Re-homing Report

The last in the series of nine Stakeholder Engagement Workshops in metropolitan Melbourne was held at Sandown Park on Saturday 3 September with the GRV CEO Alan Clayton telling those present that the future of the industry is “in their hands”.

With the topic being on the critical subject of re-homing greyhounds, more than 50 people turned out to discuss the issue and to work towards the goal of providing full re-homing options for every racing greyhound.

Announcements

CEO Monthly Update September 2016

The biggest highlight of August was undoubtedly the Victorian Greyhound Awards at Sandown Park where many of Victoria’s greyhound racing community came together to celebrate some great achievements over the past 18 months. Fernando Bale was quite rightly judged greyhound of the year and I congratulate all the nominees and winners on the night. Both the Premier, The Hon Daniel Andrews, and the Minister for Racing, The Hon Martin Pakula, also provided strong messages of support on the night for the industry and for the reforms now underway. The Victorian Greyhound Awards was a great showcase of the commitment, passion and hard work of the good people who have driven the sport’s achievements and that will underpin the journey of reform we need to take to secure its long term future.

Announcements, CEO's Monthly Message

GRV appoints new GM Integrity

Greyhound Racing Victoria’s continued emphasis on integrity and animal welfare has been reaffirmed with the appointment of Shane Gillard as GRV’s first General Manager of Integrity. Under previous GRV structures, integrity, racing and animal welfare had fallen under the one umbrella. Following recommendations from the Perna review, there will now be a separate integrity arm…

Announcements

CEO Monthly Update August 2016

The phrase “Social License” has been much discussed lately following the NSW Government decision to close greyhound racing in that State. For GRV, it means one thing – if it’s not good for the dogs, it’s not on for the code. Our industry will, and must always, put the welfare of the dogs first, in accord with the expectation of the community. Greyhound racing in Australia has a long and rich heritage, both as a sport and as an important part of many local and regional communities. However, community expectations have changed over the past century and the code must change too if it wants a sustainable future.

Announcements, CEO's Monthly Message