Looking out over the Oakbank mounting yard on a crisp August morning, Oakbank Racing Club Track Manager Tim Hutchinson reflects on the past couple of months, “All of this was covered in debris from the river”. 
In June, wild weather lashed the Adelaide Hills and the Oakbank Racing Club saw the Onkaparinga River rise and flood parts of the racecourse. Things are now looking a lot sunnier for Tim as the cleanup is almost complete and he has been announced as the South Australian winner for the TAB ARMA Conference Scholarship to be held in Cairns in August.
Speaking with Country Racing SA, Tim said “I am most looking forward to hearing from other track managers and hopefully will be able to bring back some knowledge and additional skills that I can implement here at Oakbank.”
Tim was nominated by Oakbank Racing Club CEO, Shane Collins, for the scholarship and was thrilled to find out he was the winner for South Australia. Shane Collins said “Without hesitation I applied for our Track Manager Tim Hutchinson to be considered for the TAB scholarship. Tim’s commitment and passion for this club and our track and facilities covers multiple decades.”
A representative from each state was selected as part of the Scholarship and Tim will now have the opportunity to attend the Australian Racecourse Managers Association Conference in Cairns later this month.
The conference is a national weeklong event which brings together Track Managers, track staff and key industry suppliers to help all within the track preparation and management teams.
Shane Collins continued, “I was so pleased for him when we were advised Tim was the successful recipient in South Australia, he thoroughly deserves this amazing opportunity and to get some sun on him after a very wet and cold winter here at Oakbank. On behalf of the executive of the Oakbank Racing Club we want to thank the Australian Racecourse Managers Association, TAB and Ian Riccardo from Racing SA for their support to the application, and we are sure Tim will love the experience”.
The conference comes at an ideal time for Tim and Oakbank Racing Club with spring just around the corner, the knowledge that Tim can bring back from Cairns will help with the preparations for the new season.
The Australian Racecourse Managers Association 2023 Conference will be held from Wednesday 16 August to Saturday 19 August in Cairns, Queensland.
Image: Oakbank Track Manager, Tim Hutchinson
