The Board

Mr Rodney M Fitzroy - Chairman

A Member of the VRC Committee since 1993, Mr Fitzroy was elected Vice Chairman in November 1998 and Chairman of the Club in July 2003. Mr Fitzroy has had a lifelong interest in racing as an owner for the past 30 years and as a breeder for the past decade. Mr Fitzroy acted as Chairman of the new Flemington Grandstand Project team, which delivered on time and on budget, the largest infrastructure project in the history of the VRC.

As a businessman, in 1973 Mr Fitzroy founded FITZROYS which today has a multi disciplinary property agency based in Collins Street employing over 60 people. In addition, Mr Fitzroy has Directorships in agri-businesses primarily in the almond industry.

As Chairman, Mr Fitzroy is committed to the following:

• That the VRC continue to showcase world class racing at Flemington
• That facilities for Members and the Public are constantly improved
• To ensure the Melbourne Cup Carnival retains its standing as the most successful four day racing carnival in the world

Mr Fitzroy is married to Paige and has three daughters and a son. Away from racing, he enjoys golf at the two courses of which he is a Member – Yarra Yarra and the National and enjoys travel and the cultural and culinary diversity that Melbourne has to offer.

Mr Peter C Barnett - Vice Chairman

Mr Peter Barnett has been a Member of the Committee since 1999, and was elected Vice Chairman in July 2003.

Peter has had a long held interest in racing and has raced over 20 horses since the early 1980's. His first horse Bullion Broker won 11 races and won at every Metropolitan racecourse. Peter's best horses have been Paris Lane (Caulfield Cup, Mackinnon Stakes and second in the Melbourne Cup) and De Gaulle Lane (Queensland Derby). Peter's vision for the Victoria Racing Club and Flemington is to provide top class racing and entertainment at a world class venue.

Outside racing, Peter holds a number of Public Company Directorships. He had a long career in the Australian Minerals Industry, culminating in the position of Founding Managing Director and Chief Executive of Pasminco Limited from 1988 until his retirement in 1995.

Mr Peter J Fekete - Hon. Treasurer

A Member of the VRC Committee since 1999, Mr Fekete has enjoyed an extensive 30-year career as a Chartered Accountant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers specialising in audit and corporate advisory services and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

With a vast range of expertise and industry specialisations in the areas of transport, infrastructure, property, engineering and construction, Mr Fekete has had the ability to greatly assist the club in the management of its finances.

Mr Fekete is a close follower of horseracing, a passion that heads a number of recreational interests outside his profession. Mr Fekete also enjoys skiing at the snowfields as well as playing a game of tennis every now and then and is a keen follower of Australian Rules football, being a passionate supporter of the Collingwood Football Club.

To ensure that the VRC remains one of the best clubs in the world, Mr Fekete's major focus is to work towards making a substantial contribution in the finance area to guarantee that our club remains financially strong. "This will, in turn, enable us to provide our Members with world class facilities, services and racing."

Mr William R Mackinnon - Director

Mr Mackinnon was elected to the VRC Committee in 1998 and re-elected in 2001. He is a Member of VRC (now Victorian Racing Industry) Superannuation Pty Ltd Board and furthermore, is now Chair of RVERF (Racing Victoria Equine Research Fund Committee). His love of racing extends back to his childhood days in Victoria and has continued this keen interest as a breeder since the 1970's. He has raced horses in both Victoria and in Ireland whilst studying in the UK, which has contributed to his importing of Irish mares and was both the breeder and owner of Paris Lane.

Mr Mackinnon has also committed himself to many other organisations of interest and is a Committeeman of various sporting and recreational clubs and associations as well as existing as lawyer to a number of clubs and associations. Practising in Commercial law, Mr Mackinnon also spent 15 years (1970-95) as a partner of Blake & Riggall (now Blake Dawson Waldron) after which he became company director.

Mr Mackinnon also maintains a key interest in other sports such as golf and polo and enjoys venturing out on rural pursuits as an escape from city life. As a Member of the VRC Committee Mr Mackinnon's major aim is to ensure that Members have greater involvement in the Club's activities and racing in particular. Furthermore, Mr Mackinnon "seeks to engender greater appreciation of the magnificent animal, the thoroughbred and to foster great respect and affection for the Club amongst our Members. VRC is a great Australian sporting institution and Flemington, our leading racecourse and property, has outstanding facilities, which the Committee has a responsibility to continue to enhance for the benefit of the Membership".

Mr Paul T Leeds - Director

For over 30 years Paul Leeds, CEO of Starcom, has held senior executive positions in the highly competitive Australian advertising industry. From Media Director to Board Director, Managing Director and ultimately Chairman of DDB Needham Melbourne over 21 years, Mr Leeds is the only media executive in Australia to have held the position of Chairman of an advertising agency. He established his own successful media company in 1992 and then formed a strategic alliance with AIS Media in 1994 and was ultimately appointed CEO of AIS Media Australia in December 2000.

In 1996 he was also appointed non-executive Chairman of 3UZ Pty Ltd. He was responsible for the successful name change to Sport 927, firmly establishing a long term partnership with Tabcorp and returning the station to profitability. In January 2001 following the merger of AIS Media with Starcom he was appointed CEO Starcom Australia. Starcom is Australia's largest media agency with billing in excess of $900 million, a network of five offices and 200 people throughout Australia.

Mr Leeds was elected to the VRC Committee in 2002 and maintains a keen interest in the Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding industry, racing a number of winners over the years including Marwong (5 wins) – Group 1 winner, Greyfille (4 wins) – Group 2 winner, Be Reasonable (8 wins) – Group Placed. He has had over 50 winners to date and last year bred and raced a listed winner at Flemington, Magic Bird. Paul is a devoted family man, married to Jane for 32 years with four sons and a daughter who also share his thoroughbred passion. His other interests include art, food and wine, collectables, a game of social tennis, basketball and football being a passionate Collingwood supporter.

Mr Leeds' aspiration during his term as a Committee Member is to ensure we maintain industry leadership through strong branding and positioning and by recognising the needs of our many publics and their key interests. These publics include Members, owners, sponsors, trainers, media and 'the public'. Their interests include facilities, rights, recognition, costs, access, rewards, prize-money and the track. In addition to this Mr Leeds believes that the club should ensure the Melbourne Cup Carnival retains its position as the leading major event in Australia and continue with its global expansion and leverage this position to build a strong Autumn Carnival.

Mrs Amanda M Elliott - Director

In 2002 Mrs Amanda Elliott was elected to the VRC Committee making her only the second female Committee Member in the VRC's 140-year history. Mrs Elliott is a passionate racehorse owner and breeder and has been involved in racing both in Australia and overseas for many years. She was educated at the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and has over 15-years experience at the highest levels in sport, business and politics.

 

 

 

Mr Michael S Burn - Director

Mr Michael Burn was appointed to the VRC Committee in 2003 following the retirement of former Treasurer David Christensen. Mr Burn is a keen racegoer and racehorse owner and has been involved at the highest level in relation to the privatisation of TABCORP, TAB Ltd and Unitab and has an extensive knowledge in the areas of media, entertainment and technology.

Mr Burn received a B. Comm from Melbourne University and commenced work with a Chartered Accountancy firm before moving into Investment Banking. Mr Burn has been a banker for the past 15 years, most of which he has spent at his current employer Macquarie Bank.

During his term as a VRC Committee Member, Mr Burn would like to ensure that the Membership package is compelling for Members. He believes in not only providing an enjoyable raceday experience for Members but also added opportunities and special offers. Mr Burn is also keen to ensure that the Club further capitalises upon its existing strengths and addresses its opportunities, particularly the further utilisation of the Flemington facilities.

Outside of racing Mr Burn enjoys playing golf and snow-skiing and lives by the personal motto – Get involved

Miss Katherine L Bourke - Director

Katherine L Bourke was elected to the VRC Committee in July 2004.

After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws Degree, she worked as a solicitor for 5 years and for the last 15 years has practiced as a barrister at the Victorian Bar.

Her main areas of practise are personal injuries and administrative law including racing appeals representing both stewards and licensed persons in the various codes.

Her racing experience has involved owning and breeding horses and since 2000, she has been the Chairman of the Bookmakers and Bookmakers Clerks Registration Committee.

During her term on the Committee, Katherine would like to ensure that as Club Membership grows, infrastructure and services are maintained. She also believes that care must be taken to balance the needs of new Members with the expectations of established Members who have contributed for years to the strength and profile of the Club.

Outside of her work and racing, Katherine's main interest is the Hawthorn Football Club.

Mr Tim M Poole - Director

Mr Tim Poole was appointed to the VRC Committee with effect from 1 July 2006. Tim has had a lifelong interest in horse racing and has enjoyed the trials and tribulations of being a part-owner in numerous horses. He hopes to extend his thoroughbred interests to include breeding in the near future.

Tim believes the VRC is one of the most prestigious and successful sporting clubs in Australia. He also believes the Club's facilities and many of the race meetings held at Flemington rate among the best in the world. Tim looks forward to playing a role in the continuing success of the VRC.

Outside of racing, Tim is currently the Managing Director of Hastings Funds Management. Hastings is the manager of $3.7 billion of infrastructure, high yield debt and private equity investments on behalf of its clients. Some of the assets Hastings has invested in on behalf of its clients include Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast, Athens and Hamburg airports, the M4 and M5 toll roads in NSW, the Moomba to Adelaide gas pipeline and the South Australian electricity transmission network.

Tim is married to Jane and loves spending time with their three children. When time permits he also enjoys running and playing golf and tennis.

Mr Dale G Monteith - Chief Executive

Mr Monteith has been involved in racing for three decades during which time he has worked in racing administration for the Melbourne Racing Club (formerly VATC) in the duties of Racing Manager and Chief Executive before being appointed as Chief Executive of the Victoria Racing Club in June 2000.

Mr Monteith was appointed a VRC Committee Member shortly after he commenced his role as Chief Executive.

His greatest satisfaction in racing has been his involvement in maintaining and improving the Victorian Racing Industry to a position of world leader. Mr Monteith's extensive business and racing knowledge has been dynamic in leading the Victoria Racing Club and the Victorian Racing Industry into the twenty-first century and positioning the VRC as a centre for racing excellence.

While thoroughbred racing is one of his greatest passions, away from the track he enjoys golf, cycling, fishing, family life and and is a passionate Geelong FC member. In the future, Mr Monteith aims to continue to develop the hugely successful Melbourne Cup Carnival, in particular its international focus, and to grow the enormous potential of the VRC's Australian Cup Carnival in Autumn, while delivering on the expectations of all racing customers and instilling Member and public confidence in the future direction of the VRC.

back