AN era of administrative distinction ended with the resignation of Racing Queensland's harness racing manager Damian Raedler last week.
Popular stipe Neil Finnigan also called it a day with the controlling body due to continued ill health.
Raedler is best known in the past decade in the harness manager role but his true worth was seen in the three decades previously.
Raedler earned national acclaim in the industry as the secretary-manager/chief-executive of the Albion Park Harness Racing Club from 1983 to 2003.
"The highlight of my working career. Probably should never have left," Raedler remarked tongue-in-cheek to this interviewer, referring to a brief stint with the controversial commercial board of Harness Racing New South Wales in 2003-04.
Raedler's steady hand approach to controversial matters and a meticulous eye to detail saw Albion Park as the envy of many rivals clubs.
"Running the Inter Dominions of '86, '93 and 2001 were great moments. Times were different then. The host state/club ran it with pride and it really was primarily a club responsibility.
"Being a part of the setting up of the Australian Pacing Gold concept in the early '90s was also satisfying, particularly when we look at the end product," Raedler pointed out.
He makes particular mention of Kevin Seymour when discussing his career highlights.
"A visionary in harness racing but a great success story in life in general. I must say he was tough to work for but I finished unscathed so I'll count it as a victory," Raedler joked.
He can describe his career path as crazy, to say the least. From a PMG technician, he was catapulted into commercial radio as a race broadcaster in the late '70s and early '80s, achieving a boyhood passion.
But with the era of racing becoming less commercially appealing, Raedler sensed his time was nigh with a wife and three young boys to consider.
"A marketing position became available at Albion Park in 1983 which quickly turned out to the secretary-manager's brief and I was there to stay for a while," he said.
Raedler was acknowledged nationally in 2008 by HRA for his services to the industry.
People in key administrative positions will always ruffle feathers and Damian Raedler is no exception but his unswerving loyalty to those who employed him during his harness racing tenure will be remembered as the trademark of a distinguised career.
