June 2016

GRV had its biggest ever GAP Adoption Day on 1 May with a record 70 dogs finding new homes. This was a great effort by everyone involved, particularly GAP’s foster carers and other volunteers who did a wonderful job looking after the dogs and talking with their potential new owners. Then on 4 May, the Warrnambool Cup Rock ‘n’ Race night drew one of its largest audiences ever with around 1800 people coming along for great racing and live entertainment.

Mid to late May also saw the first three of GRV’s series of Stakeholder Engagement Workshops which were well attended, with a further five workshops to be held over June, July and August. The workshops reflect GRV’s commitment to listen to participants and key stakeholders and are the start of a process that will see much more detailed work on all the topics covered during the series. However, this is not just about listening, GRV has to now turn listening into action. For those who can’t attend, you can get a good summary on the workshop feedback page, including a full audio recording and video interviews, at greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/workshops.

I’d like to remind you that GRV is keen to get your views on its new Strategic Plan, which was published in an insert in the March/April issue of Greyhound Monthly Victoria, at feedback@grv.org.au as part of our commitment to stronger industry engagement across regulatory and professional development issues. This engagement will also be supported by several new GRV Board sub-committees that will work with stakeholders on specific issues including integrity, welfare, risk, promotion and events.

One issue that GRV is determined to deal with immediately is euthanasia at race tracks, and I will shortly be announcing some major steps to dramatically reduce the number. In other news, covered in more detail in this issue, the development of new planning provisions covering greyhound facilities is now well advanced and the next stage will shortly involve public comment on the draft provisions.

I am very pleased to announce Gavin Goble as GRV’s new General Manager for Animal Welfare. Gavin is a veterinarian with a strong background in greyhound care and before joining GRV was General Manager at Gribbles Veterinary Pathology and has held other senior positions in various animal health businesses and organisations. He is an outstanding addition to GRV and will drive a range of new initiatives in areas such as safety and care at the track, reducing euthanasia rates and improving rehoming opportunities for retired racers. I look forward to some exciting announcements about these issues.

GRV has also been making significant changes within our stewards arrangements and I’m hoping to announce more about that shortly.

We have now received the Bittar Review Report which looked at all aspects of the three racing codes in Victoria. The two major recommendations of the Review outline the proposed establishment of a new entity for the area of integrity and further strengthening of the RADB Board functions.

Alan Clayton
Chief Executive Officer
Greyhound Racing Victoria

View the June issue of the Greyhound Monthly Victoria here