The Victorian harness racing community today congratulates Ms Elizabeth Clarke for her recognition on the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

A former member of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Board, Ms Clarke was recognised today for significant service to the harness racing industry and several sectors throughout the wider community.

“This is a wonderful acknowledgment for Elizabeth, whose commitment to the harness racing industry cannot be undersold. I am so pleased she has been recognised in such a special and thoroughly deserved way,” HRV Chairman Dale Monteith said.

“I was lucky enough to serve alongside Elizabeth on the HRV Board, where her business acumen, focus on corporate governance principles, financial management, integrity functions and empathy towards our participants was second to none.

“Elizabeth also dedicated many years of service to roles with the Victorian Harness Racing Club, Terang Harness Racing Club, Bendigo Harness Racing Training Centre and the Harness Racing Country Clubs’ Association.

“Her energy and passion for this industry were always on display and harness racing in Victoria is so much stronger for her many years of involvement.”

In highlighting her Queen’s Birthday honour, some of Ms Clarke’s previous achievements in harness racing were captured – including receiving the Gordon Rothacker Medal alongside husband Bruce in 2008 and the Pearl Kelly, Victorian Harness Racing Club Achiever of the Year and HRV Club Secretary of the Year awards in 2002.

Ms Clarke was previously acknowledged with a Commonwealth Government Sporting Achievement honour for service to harness racing in 2002, and, more recently, she was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by Harness Racing Australia in 2018, and HRV re-named the annual Mares’ Triple Crown series in her honour in 2020.

A lifetime of dedication to her community was also captured as part of today’s honour, Ms Clarke recognised previously with an International Year of the Volunteer Award in 2000 and Commonwealth Centenary Medal in 2001.

Currently Deputy Chair at Terang and Mortlake Health Service, Ms Clarke has served on that Board since 2015. She also remains a member of the Physical and Human Resources Planning Committee and the Clinical Governance and Quality Committee.

A commitment to the Ballarat Diocesan Pastoral Council since 2013, Mount View Nursing Home Aged Care since 2012, and a 25-year devotion to Meals on Wheels from 1972-1997 further highlights Ms Clarke’s passion for community work.

The education space has also been a long-time focus for Ms Clarke, her service across several boards at Mercy Regional College (12 years), Terang College (seven years), St Thomas Primary School (14 years) and Terang Kindergarten (eight years) acknowledged today.

 

Ms Elizabeth Ann CLARKE, Terang VIC 

For significant service to harness racing in Victoria, and to the community.

Harness Racing Victoria

  • Deputy Chair, Harness Racing Victoria, 2016-2019
  • Director, Harness Racing Victoria, 2012-2019.
  • Member, Integrity Council, since 2014.
  • Member, Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board, 2001-2013.
  • Member, Racing Appeals Tribunal, 2002-2011.

 Horse Racing Sector

  • Deputy Chair, Victorian Racing Integrity Board, since 2019
  • Director, Victorian Harness Racing Club, Terang Harness Racing Club, 2014-2018.
  • Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, 1997-2011.
  • Director, Bendigo Harness Racing Training Centre, 2005-2006.
  • Vice-President, Harness Racing Country Clubs Association, 2000-2002.

 Terang and Mortlake Health Service

  • Deputy Chair, current.
  • Board Member, since 2015.
  • Member, Physical and Human Resources Planning Committee, current.
  • Member, Audit and Risk Committee, current.
  • Member, Clinical Governance and Quality Committee, current.

 Community

  • Member, Ballarat Diocesan Pastoral Council,  since 2013.
  • Member, Mount View Nursing Home Aged Care, since 2012.
  • Volunteer, Meals on Wheels, 1972-1997.

 Education

  • Board Member and former Chairman, Mercy Regional College Board, 1996-2008.
  • Board Member, Terang College, 7 years.
  • Board Member, St Thomas Primary School, 14 years.
  • Board Member, Terang Kindergarten Committee, 8 years.

 Awards and recognition include:

  • Distinguished Service Award, Harness Racing Australia, 2018.
  • Joint Winner, Gordon Rothacker Medal for service to the industry, Harness Racing Victoria, 2008.
  • Pearl Kelly Award, Harness Racing Victoria, 2002.
  • Achiever of the Year Award, Victorian Harness Racing Club, 2002.
  • Club Secretary of the Year Award, Harness Racing Victoria, 2002.
  • Commonwealth Government Sporting Achievement Award for services to the harness racing industry, 2002.
  • Commonwealth Centenary Medal, 2001.
  • International Year of the Volunteer Award, 2000.

 

Pictures: Elizabeth Clarke was today recognised on the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her extensive service to harness racing and the wider community. The Warrnambool Standard has celebrated the news by dedicating its front cover to the former HRV Board member.