{"id":269085,"date":"2020-07-30T18:56:25","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T08:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=269085"},"modified":"2020-07-30T18:56:25","modified_gmt":"2020-07-30T08:56:25","slug":"nanangos-new-season-kicks-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/07\/30\/nanangos-new-season-kicks-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Nanango’s New Season Kicks Off!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Karlie Zemek, Barbara Thompson and Shae Cull took top honours in the Fashions On The Field competition at Lee Park last August … this Saturday’s race meeting will be the first held in the region since February<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a><\/p>\n

July 30, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

After an absence of several months due to pandemic concerns, racing will finally resume in the South Burnett at Lee Park this Saturday. <\/strong><\/p>\n

But naturally – given the restrictions of the Covid-19 era – there will be some changes to the normal scene.<\/p>\n

The canteen area will act as a jockeys\u2019 room, and the roller-door window that faces the betting ring will be the service point for food and drinks.<\/p>\n

The usual undercover seating adjacent to the bar will be spread out on the lawn, but given that sunny conditions are forecast, some patrons may prefer to bring folding chairs or rugs and create a socially distanced wagon train circle of their own.<\/p>\n

The bar, barbecue, the TAB and the bookmakers\u2019 ring will all be operating, and so will the regular bus services from Kingaroy and Nanango’s Fitzroy Hotel.<\/p>\n

However, the annual Nanango Cup will not be the meeting’s feature race this year: it has been deferred to September’s Spring meeting when – hopefully – Covid restrictions ease further.<\/p>\n

Signage regarding social distancing and the availability of hand sanitizers will also play a part in keeping racegoers healthy.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"
Former long-serving Nanango Race Club president John Lee , appropriately in the winner’s slot, on his retirement day on August 1, 2015 (Photo: Ross Stanley)
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Honouring Contributions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rod Morgan will again be the celebrant for the traditional Blessing Of The Jockeys before the opening event that has become a feature of each new racing year at Lee Park.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As well as acknowledging the skilful contribution jockeys make to the industry, the brief ceremony also pays homage to those who have lost their lives or have been seriously injured as they plied their trade in dangerous circumstances.<\/p>\n

Jockeys, along with trainers and strappers, deserve special expressions of gratitude for their role in keeping the industry rolling during 2020\u2019s perilous pandemic.<\/p>\n

Their sustained discipline and professionalism has underpinned racing\u2019s continuity during the troubled months.<\/p>\n

Memorial races will bring back fond and grateful memories of the work done for the Nanango Race Club by life members John Lee and Colin Ryan.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They both passed away in 2018 after tough battles against illness.<\/p>\n

Lee was the judge at the re-introduction of race meetings at Nanango on April 20, 1968.<\/p>\n

He filled that role for around forty years, was elected to the committee in 1969, and served as Reg McCallum\u2019s vice president for six years before being elected the club\u2019s President from 1976 to August 2015.<\/p>\n

John was presented with the 1992 Caltex Award for the outstanding Country Racing Administrator in the state, and a Queensland Racing Community Award in 2010.<\/p>\n

He was also a life-member of the South East Queensland Country Racing Association.<\/p>\n

His energetic efforts in local government and for a range of community organisation were outstanding.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Col Ryan, in 2015, with Hannah Phillips and Hannah Richardson, two local jockeys who knew him well (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Col Ryan\u2019s association also began at Nanango\u2019s re-opening day in 1968.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Along the way, he was a committee member and a long serving vice-president.<\/p>\n

The cattleman\u2019s affinity with horses produced a performance as a starter that was without peer.<\/p>\n

Col was renowned for coaxing the most reluctant gallopers into the gates and, as a mark of respect, the N.R.C. attached his name to its barrier stalls at the August meeting in 2015.<\/p>\n

Col was ever the gentleman, acting with dignity and respect.<\/p>\n

He was also a wonderful family man and industriously dedicated to any cause or project he took on.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bits And Bridles<\/strong><\/h3>\n