Changes to Canberra Racing Club Board
The Canberra Racing Club (CRC) wishes to advise of changes to the leadership of the CRC Board that will ensure our continued momentum.
For personal reasons, Liz Clarke has resigned from the position of Chair and from the CRC Board.
Following Clarke’s resignation, the Board has unanimously elected Les Boag as Chair and Nikki Pulford as Vice Chair.
Boag served as Vice-Chair prior to Clarke’s resignation and has previously led the CRC Board as Chair from 2022-2023, as well as Vice-Chair and Treasurer in 11 years of service to the Club & Board.
Boag provides strong and stable leadership to build on the Canberra Racing Club’s premier position in thoroughbred racing and the local community.
Incoming Chair Les Boag said: “I am honoured to again take on the responsibility as Chair of the Canberra Racing Club Board.”
“This Club has achieved a lot over recent years and we still have many challenges, but I am confident that this Board will continue to work together in a way that strengthens the Club and takes advantage of all opportunities to cement the Club and Thoroughbred Park as vibrant assets for the racing community and the Canberra community at large.”
Les Boag added: “I am very sorry that Liz Clarke has resigned and thank her on behalf of the Canberra Racing Club for all her outstanding and dedicated contributions, especially as Chair and prior to that as Vice-Chair.
“I am thrilled to have Nikki Pulford as the Vice-Chair as she has great strategic and governance skills, and experience relevant to our Board and Racing.”
Boag has also been nominated as the Director to replace Clarke and represent Thoroughbred Racing NT, Tasracing and Canberra Racing Club on the Board of Racing Australia.
The Board has agreed to consider at the August CRC Board Meeting the option to nominate a member to fill the Vacancy on the Board or wait until the next election for Board positions at the CRC Annual General Meeting in November.
CRC Chief Executive Officer, Darren Pearce, said: “I congratulate Les for again being elected Chair and Nikki being elected Vice-Chair.”
“I note that Mathew Ryan continues as Treasurer, and I look forward to working with the Board Executive and all the members of the Board to deliver our strategy.”
“I thank them for their continuing volunteer service in the important strategic work we are doing to build on the achievements of the past and create a bright new future for the Club, its supporters, the Thoroughbred Park precinct, and the people of Canberra.”
“I also wish to thank the outgoing Chair, Liz Clarke, for her outstanding contributions to the Club,” Mr Pearce said.
“Liz’s contributions during an integral time for Canberra Racing can not be understated and we as a Club thoroughly appreciate her efforts.”
Mr Les Boag - Brief Bio
Since joining the then Committee and now Board 11 years ago, I have regularly attended CRC race meetings to represent the Board and communicate with members.
For the last 2 years I’ve been Vice Chair, following being Chair for a year and prior to that Vice-Chair for 2 years after being Honorary Treasurer. I have worked on our Committees including Budget, Risk, Compliance, WHS and the exciting planning of our Site Redevelopment that will provide 3,200 units to help ease the ACT Housing crisis.
I have bred and raced thoroughbreds with ACT trainers and own on-course stables. I’m a retired Army Officer and Austrade General Manager with Accounting and Business Computing tertiary qualifications.
I will keep pushing CRC to fight harder for a FAIR share of the funding our Racing Product provides to the ACT Government. I’ll support initiatives to lower Worker’s Compensation Insurance premiums while increasing Prizemoney and push for the CRC Precinct Development to improve facilities for members and our trainers and their staff.
I am proud of our recent achievements and enjoy representing and working hard for all CRC members and the ACT Racing Industry that provides so much employment and economic benefit to our community.