Community is at the heart of the Wagin Trotting Club
The standardbred horse on the welcome sign at the entrance to Wagin is clear evidence of the importance of harness racing to the town.
A less visible but just as strong sign of the Wagin Trotting Club’s role in the community was supplied recently when the club donated $30,000 to the local St John’s branch for a new ambulance to serve the region.
Club President Kevin Spurr said the presentation of the funding at Thursday’s Wagin Cup highlighted a startling change in fortune for a race club where once the volunteers dipped into their own pockets to hold race meetings.
“Over the years, a number of things happened on a community level which helped make our club successful,” Kevin said.
“We wanted to make an impact on our community, we wanted to be an asset for our town and we saw this a very positive thing to do, to have enough funds available that we could donate $30,000 to help the local sub-centre in raising funds for a new ambulance.”
Volunteers have always been vital in keeping costs low but about 15 years ago then-club President Don Davies personally funded the float to operate the bar and totes on race nights.
Around this time, local company Great Southern Quarries supplied 300 tonnes of topping for the track at no cost, highlighting the value of the club to the local area.
The local St John ambulance crew attended the Wagin trials almost for free – a service which significantly helped the club achieve the strong financial position it has today.
Now the club can give back the kind of support they once received.
Kevin, along with his brother, former President Matt Spurr, and the committee dedicated themselves to fundraising for an asset which has long been vital to the local area.
“The St John’s ambulance crew have embraced us as a club and have been so helpful,” Kevin said.
“We feel great about it as a club and the community has really embraced it as well. The club is doing really well, the committee are a great bunch of people who understand the importance of giving and sharing.”
Kevin is proud of the Great Southern town and recognises the strong community ties to the trots and the unique connections created through country racing.
The club plans to lead by example in giving back and foster the strong relationship they have with their community.
Image credit: Wagin Trotting Club Inc. | Facebook