New Waikouaiti president wants “lift in energy”

[Wandering Eyes]

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  

Jess Murphy wasn’t really expecting to be the new President of the Waikouaiti Trotting Club but now that she is, she is all in.

“I’m really keen to get into it,” the 34-year-old says.

She took over the job after being on the committee for the past “five or so” years.

“I thought I’d be vice-president for a bit but when the president’s job came up my name was mentioned and it went from there.”

As a Next Gen administrator she’s keen to see positive change.

“I really want to see a lift in energy in what we do.”

There are 10 members on the committee, with the club operating under umbrella organisation, Southern Harness Racing. The club runs one meeting a year, on the grass at Oamaru, an hour’s drive north of Waikouaiti, in February.

“Omakau (Central Otago) in the New Year is the gold standard with the way it runs its races. Being later and after the holiday break we can’t get to that level but we do want to see a meeting with big crowds, a lot of younger people at the races and just a successful day where everyone’s enjoying themselves.”

Murphy has been around horses all her life. Her roles have included being a breeder, a clerk of the course, and a ranch worker in Canada while she also worked for Trackside for six years as a director and now works full-time as a key account manager with FMG Insurance, based in Oamaru.  

“Growing up here (in Waikouaiti) there used to be six to eight trainers, now Amber Hoffman’s the only professional one if you like and there are hobby trainers like my dad Eddie and Denis O’Connell.”

In 2021 she and her father helped prepare Mach O’Melley to win at Winton. It was his first win at start number 56. Just two months later Jess Murphy and her pacer completed the country’s most famous trek, The Cavalcade. Recently she acquired a share in maiden pacer Lottie’s Luck and hopes to get her trials drivers’ licence.

“I’m also getting married in March – so it’s all happening.”

But there’s the annual meeting to get through first, and there is still plenty to do.

“Race sponsorship is a key priority for us. We need to get cracking on that and also organise the venue and sort out the food and bar staff on the day.”

Financially she says the club is in good shape, thanks in no small way to some old school fund-raising.

“We sell meat raffles at the Waihemo Lodge at Palmerston every Friday night, that’s a big earner for us!”

And that’s part of Murphy’s challenge in her new job – to maintain the things that work but also get new people and engage new ideas as they plan for their future.

 

 

 

 

 

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