General News
11 September, 2023
Sheep Hills trio clocks up 150
Saturday's Sheep Hills Cup played host to three former committee members who mark a combined 150 years of racing experience this month. Warracknabeal's Lance Huebner and Harold Kemp and Bendigo's Neil McRae celebrate 50 years of racing involvement...
Saturday's Sheep Hills Cup played host to three former committee members who mark a combined 150 years of racing experience this month.
Warracknabeal's Lance Huebner and Harold Kemp and Bendigo's Neil McRae celebrate 50 years of racing involvement, having joined Sheep Hills Racing Club in 1973.
Mr Huebner, who has had a lifelong interest in horses and horse racing, joined both Warracknabeal and Sheep Hill Racing Club Committees in 1973, serving as treasurer, vice-chairman and chair for the former and as secretary for the latter.
He has also been a Wimmera Racing Club director and is a well-known part of the local racing industry.
Mr McRae joined the club after moving to a farm in Nullan.
"I'd always had an interest in racing and when the opportunity came up to attend the Sheep Hills club's annual meeting I went along and joined," he said.
Having spent 10 years on the committee, including four years as treasurer and one as vice-chair, Mr McRae was later transferred to Echuca as part of his employment as a train driver.
However, racing remained a passion and he became chair of the Echuca Racing Club, also serving on the Country Racing Board for 23 years.
Fellow racing stalwart Mr Kemp joined the Sheep Hills club after relocating to Warracknabeal in a work transfer and served as treasurer for many years.
"I've always been interested in horses and racing and currently own a horse named Harjan after my wife and I," Mr Kemp said.
"Back then, everyone just bogged in and helped out, particularly when the seasons were unkind and money was tight.
"After Sheep Hills closed I joined Warracknabeal and was proud to be part of both strong committees."
Having served as Warracknabeal vice-president for many years, Mr Kemp said the club's good track meant it could run events in all seasons.
"This has allowed us to have races from other clubs run in Warracknabeal."
Mr Kemp was also a steward in Gippsland for 27 years and said he had seen a number of changes over his 50 years, the biggest being the increase in media payments which have allowed a wider audience to view the races.