More than 1000 people will unite at Callaghan Park from 12pm, on Saturday, June 16, to enjoy a day of exhilarating race action, incredible fashions, and great company during the Rockhampton Girls Grammar School (RGGS) Race Day.
RGGS Race Day committee chairperson Vicki Jackson said the meeting is a major event on Rockhampton's social calendar and signals the start of the Rockhampton Winter Racing Carnival, culminating with the Rockhampton Cup on July 7.
“We have six races on the day, with the feature race to be the Winter Provincial Sprinters Series Benchmark 70 HCP 1200m Heat worth $20,000,” she said.
“The winner of the heat qualifies for the final to be held at Sunshine Coast on Saturday, 30 June.during the Caloundra Cup Day.”
Vicki said the event will be a draw card for some of the Rockhampton regions best local sprinters.
“With the Tatts Sprint and Tatts Cup the following weekend and the winners of these races getting automatic entry to the Newmarket and Rocky Cup we are hopeful that the visiting trainers will already be heading up this way.”
She said the Fashions on the Field competition will be welcoming back a celebrity judge from its past with Brisbane’s Dale Olsson, to cast her critical eye over the spectacular array of styles certain to be on show.
“Dale is very well known in racing circles, having judged fashions on the field competitions throughout Australia, as well as writing for Ladies in Racing, and for her iconic hat shop, The Hat Box, which used to be an institution for fashion savvy racegoers.”
Categories for this years competition include: Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Young Lady, and Best Hat.
Amidst the fashions excitement, the men in attendance aren’t forgotten, with a category for Best Dressed Gent also available for entry.
“As the first Rockhampton Jockey Club (RJC) Winter Racing Carnival fashions on the field competition of the season, I’m expecting the judges will be looking for elegant and stylish race wear to suit the season as well as the latest fashion trends.”
“There will be some fabulous prizes, including $1000 vouchers from Coopers Rockhampton for the ladies categories, gift baskets from Chemist Warehouse, a $250 gift voucher for the Best Hat winner courtesy of Catwalk Pink, and provided by Tory Acton, and a selection wines for Gents winner.”
Vicki said the RGGS Race Day was borne out of the pain of troubled times for the school around 2002 when there were media reports that the school was in financial difficulty, was destined to close, or merge with another school.
She said the race day was borne solely out of the initiative of Dr Peter Dunbar, a former parent and a great supporter of the school. The first race day was held in June, 2002 acting as a fundraiser to earn much needed funds for the school, and to boost the school’s morale in the community.
“Luck was not with the organisers, however, as the heavens erupted, bucketing inches of rain on Callaghan Park. After the first race was run, the Stewards declared the track unsafe and while the horses returned to their stables, loyal supporters partied on in the marquees.”
In 2003, Dr Dunbar asked Vicki, to form a formal committee, mostly with those people whose enthusiasm he had called upon to assist with the 2002 event.
Since those humble beginnings, the donations from the event have grown so as to enable the school to undertake major refurbishments, including an early learning play area and the acquisition of a quad for the rowing team.
“Peter and Trish remained on the committee for some time with Peter only stepping down from the committee after he ensured a wonderful working relationship between the committee and the Rockhampton Jockey Club (RJC) of which he was then the chairman.”
She said fifteen years on, the RGGS Race Day has become a prestigious event.
“And the school too has regained its strength from the dark days of 2002 and once again holds its illustrious position within the Rockhampton community.”
Vicki, thanked all volunteers and sponsors, including 2018 major sponsors Michel’s Patisserie, and Donut King Stockland.
“It’s noteworthy that inaugural sponsors, and our long-term sponsors have remained committed to the RGGS Race Day, and we thank them for their invaluable ongoing support and loyalty.”
“The day is also beneficial for many of them, with Savage, Barker and Backhouse, for instance, using the occasion to host networking meet’n’greet for their clients and associates.”
For enquiries contact Vicki Jackson on 0419 791 836.
