The Cowra Picnic Races committee has announced its decision to scratch the races.
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This decision was not made lightly and a lot of options where looked at and analysed in great detail,” President of the Cowra Picnic Race Club, Sandy Scammell said.
The Cowra Picnic Races was formed in early 1911 and the first race was in May 1911. The races kept racing through two World Wars and The Great Depression.
“The races were lucky to just miss the shutdown of the horse racing industry due to Equine Flu in 2007,” Sandy said.
“The Picnic Races have been a part of Cowra for 105 years.”
Sandy said this is going to have big flow on effects to the community.
“For example, community and sporting groups around Cowra, will unfortunately lose out on being able to fund raise at this event,” he said.
“Businesses and tourism of the Cowra region will also lose out.
“Over the years the Cowra Picnics have given money to lots of community organisations, such as equipment for the Maternity Ward at Cowra Hospital.
“We also gave some money to the PCYC, just to name a few.
“We have had ever increasing restrictions placed on us by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing,” he said.
“For example we had local wineries come and have tents to showcase their wines. This was stopped in 2015 as the wineries could no longer sell bottles of wine under our licence.
“The costs to put on the races have increased as a result of the Liquor Licence changing.
“We also had restrictions placed on the hire of the grounds by the Showground Trust.
“A large proportion of our committee have been on the committee for 10 plus years, which has resulted in this year some stepping down. It has also been hard to get the next generation involved. We advertised our AGM in the paper and also sent a request to the Members of the Cowra Picnics looking for new members.”
The committee would like to thank the past committee members, Life Members, Patrons; Peter Fagan, Michael Flannery and Guy Nobel. Business Sponsors; McDonalds Cowra, Cowra Guardian, WIN Television Network, Mulyan, Beechers Wool Service, Elders, Cowra Services Club and all our fashion on the Field sponsors. Also Thank you to Cowra Council, Cowra Jockey club and all community groups.
