Every Gordon Rothacker Medal recipient by virtue of the prestigious award’s criteria could be described as passionate.

For tonight’s joint medal recipient Paul James however, who was revealed along with Keith Pratt as joining the GRM honour roll, passionate is perhaps an understatement.

For the last 40 years James has been involved in the trotting industry as an owner and breeder, club official, executive member of club representative bodies, advisor, mentor, advocate and fan.

Tonight, he takes his place among trots immortals on the honour roll of Victorian harness racing’s most respected individual industry accolade named in honour of the legendary Gordon Rothacker.

James was first elected to the committee of the Ballarat and District Trotting Club in December 1981. He would become vice-president in 1994 and eventually president for a decade between 2000 and 2010. He continued serving on the committee until “retirement” in 2018.

During his time on the committee the Ballarat club would undergo major improvements, including an initial 1000-metre track redevelopment completed in 1992 and then further redevelopment in 2013, the opening of the popular Flying Horse Entertainment Venue in 1997 and subsequent upgrades to that facility, upgrades to other amenities on course including the grandstand, judges tower, racetrack entrances, office facilities, Terrace Restaurant dining room, committee and draught rooms and the drivers’ rooms.

While the body of improvement work is long and impressive it was James’ overall influence on the club that shone perhaps brightest.

A man dedicated to conducting himself with absolute professionalism, James’ style would have an impact across the club and region, helping position Ballarat as one of – if not the most – progressive and well-presented clubs in the game.

His commitment to improving harness racing however extended beyond his local boundaries. James was instrumental in the management of the Association of Country Clubs (now known as Trots Clubs Victoria) where he served between 2000 and 2018 as an executive member and later chairman.

James also had stints on the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Development Fund Committee and the Harness Racing Advisory Council.

His commitment to harness racing was acknowledged in 2006 when the Ballarat club afforded James life membership, and in 2018 HRV presented him with the time-honoured Distinguished Service Medallion.

An advocate for “young people in the sport”, a cavalcade of young professionals will have benefited from James’ endorsement and encouragement.

On the racetrack James had success with horses such as Black Diro, Eachway and Make Waves. He is a walking, talking library of knowledge when engaged on racing matters.

Congratulations, Paul.