The Board

Mr Rodney M Fitzroy - Chairman

A Member of the VRC Committee since 1993, Mr Fitzroy was elected Vice Chairman in November 1998 and Chairman of the Club in July 2003. Mr Fitzroy has had a lifelong interest in racing as an owner for the past 30 years and as a breeder. Over the past decade, Mr Fitzroy has been actively involved in the preparation of the Flemington Master Plan and the delivery of projects such as the new Members' Grandstand, the horse stalls and pre-parade ring precinct, the reconstruction of the course proper, viewing lawns and rose gardens, the development of the wetlands and various other improvements that have enhanced the reputation of Flemington as one of the leading racecourses in the world.

As a businessman, in 1973 Mr Fitzroy founded FITZROYS which today is a multi-disciplinary property agency based in Collins Street employing over 60 people. Mr Fitzroy retired from the business in 2005 and remains as a consultant to the Company. He is a member of The Epworth Hospital Board of Management and is a member of the Epworth Medical Foundation Board of Trustees.

As Chairman, Mr Fitzroy is committed to the following:

• That the VRC continues to showcase world class racing at Flemington
• That facilities for Members and the Public are constantly improved
• To ensure the Melbourne Cup Carnival retains its standing as the most successful four day racing carnival in the world

Mr Fitzroy is married to Paige and has three daughters and a son. Away from racing, he is a Member at the Yarra Yarra Golf Club and also enjoys travel and the cultural and culinary diversity that Melbourne has to offer.

Mr Michael S Burn - Vice Chairman

Mr Michael Burn was appointed to the VRC Committee in 2003 and is a keen owner and breeder.

Mr Burn has a B. Comm from Melbourne University and an extensive background in the finance industry. In his current role as an Executive Director with the Macquarie Group, Mr Burn specialises in telecommunications, media and entertainment.

During his term as a VRC Director, Mr Burn would like to ensure that the VRC continues to be a world leading racing club, offering a compelling membership package. Mr Burn believes it is important for the VRC to maintain world class racing and spectator facilities and to develop a diverse range of income streams which leverage an outstanding racing product.

Outside of racing and his professional interests, Mr Burn enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and snow-skiing.

Mr Peter J Fekete - Hon. Treasurer

A Member of the VRC Committee since 1999, Mr Fekete has enjoyed an extensive 30-year career as a Chartered Accountant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers specialising in audit and corporate advisory services and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

With a vast range of expertise and industry specialisations in the areas of transport, infrastructure, property, engineering and construction, Mr Fekete has had the ability to greatly assist the club in the management of its finances.

Mr Fekete is a close follower of horseracing, a passion that heads a number of recreational interests outside his profession. Mr Fekete also enjoys skiing at the snowfields as well as playing a game of tennis every now and then and is a keen follower of Australian Rules football, being a passionate supporter of the Collingwood Football Club.

To ensure that the VRC remains one of the best clubs in the world, Mr Fekete's major focus is to work towards making a substantial contribution in the finance area to guarantee that our club remains financially strong. "This will, in turn, enable us to provide our Members with world class facilities, services and racing."

A Tribute to Mr William (Bill) R Mackinnon - 1939 - 2009

Sadly, the racing community lost a passionate supporter when Victoria Racing Club Director, Mr Bill Mackinnon, suddenly passed away on 15 February.

Bill had an 11 year association with the VRC Board, having been elected in 1998. He was also a director of Victorian Racing Industry Superannuation Pty Ltd, Chairman of Racing Victoria Equine Research Fund Committee and a member of the Australian Stud Book Committee.

Over the past decade, Bill contributed greatly to the development and delivery of the projects which formed part of the Club's Master Plan. The outstanding facilities that Flemington now offer are a legacy of Bill's commitment to the Club and Members that he so loyally served.

Bill's interest in racing extended back to his childhood days in Victoria. He raced horses in Ireland while studying in the UK and later imported Irish broodmares to Australia. He was the breeder and owner of Caulfield Cup winner and Melbourne Cup runner-up, Paris Lane.

Bill enjoyed a very successful business career, practising as a commercial lawyer. He spent 41 years with Blake Dawson Waldron (formerly Blake and Riggall), 25 years of which as a partner. Following Bill's retirement as a partner he served as a director of a number of public and private companies.

Bill keenly participated in other sports, including golf and polo and he was passionate about his rural property at Skipton. Bill also committed himself to many other organisations of interest and was a committee member of various education and sporting bodies.

Bill will be sadly missed by all who knew him and will be remembered with great affection.

The thoughts of the Victoria Racing Club are extended to Bill's wife, Judy, and their children, Serena, Mark, Sasha and their respective families.

Mr Peter C Barnett - Director

Mr Peter Barnett has been a Member of the Committee since 1999.

Peter has had a long held interest in racing and has raced over 20 horses since the early 1980's. His first horse Bullion Broker won 11 races and won at every Metropolitan racecourse. Peter's best horses have been Paris Lane (Caulfield Cup, Mackinnon Stakes and second in the Melbourne Cup) and De Gaulle Lane (Queensland Derby). Peter's vision for the Victoria Racing Club and Flemington is to provide top class racing and entertainment at a world class venue.

Outside racing, Peter holds a number of Public Company Directorships. He had a long career in the Australian Minerals Industry, culminating in the position of Founding Managing Director and Chief Executive of Pasminco Limited from 1988 until his retirement in 1995.

Mr Paul T Leeds - Director

For over 30 years Paul Leeds, CEO of Starcom, has held senior executive positions in the highly competitive Australian advertising industry. From Media Director to Board Director, Managing Director and ultimately Chairman of DDB Needham Melbourne over 21 years, Mr Leeds is the only media executive in Australia to have held the position of Chairman of an advertising agency. He established his own successful media company in 1992 and then formed a strategic alliance with AIS Media in 1994 and was ultimately appointed CEO of AIS Media Australia in December 2000.

In 1996 he was also appointed non-executive Chairman of 3UZ Pty Ltd. He was responsible for the successful name change to Sport 927, firmly establishing a long term partnership with Tabcorp and returning the station to profitability. In January 2001 following the merger of AIS Media with Starcom he was appointed CEO Starcom Australia. Starcom is Australia's largest media agency with billing in excess of $900 million, a network of five offices and 200 people throughout Australia.

Mr Leeds was elected to the VRC Committee in 2002 and maintains a keen interest in the Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding industry, racing a number of winners over the years including Marwong (5 wins) – Group 1 winner, Greyfille (4 wins) – Group 2 winner, Be Reasonable (8 wins) – Group Placed. He has had over 50 winners to date and last year bred and raced a listed winner at Flemington, Magic Bird. Paul is a devoted family man, married to Jane for 32 years with four sons and a daughter who also share his thoroughbred passion. His other interests include art, food and wine, collectables, a game of social tennis, basketball and football being a passionate Collingwood supporter.

Mr Leeds' aspiration during his term as a Committee Member is to ensure we maintain industry leadership through strong branding and positioning and by recognising the needs of our many publics and their key interests. These publics include Members, owners, sponsors, trainers, media and 'the public'. Their interests include facilities, rights, recognition, costs, access, rewards, prize-money and the track. In addition to this Mr Leeds believes that the club should ensure the Melbourne Cup Carnival retains its position as the leading major event in Australia and continue with its global expansion and leverage this position to build a strong Autumn Carnival.

Mrs Amanda M Elliott - Director

In 2002 Mrs Amanda Elliott was elected to the VRC Committee making her only the second female Committee Member in the VRC's 140-year history. Mrs Elliott is a passionate racehorse owner and breeder and has been involved in racing both in Australia and overseas for many years. She was educated at the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and has over 15-years experience at the highest levels in sport, business and politics.

As a board member, her goals are: To protect and enhance members' rights, privileges and assets, whilst maintaining the proud history and traditions of the VRC. She strives for the ongoing improvement of facilities for all stakeholders, to ensure that Flemington holds its leadership role in the racing industry both here and worldwide.

Miss Katherine L Bourke - Director

Katherine L Bourke was elected to the VRC Committee in July 2004.

After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws Degree, she worked as a solicitor for 5 years and for the 19 years she practised as a barrister at the Victorian Bar. In December 2007 she was appointed a judge of the County Court of Victoria.

Her main areas of practise were personal injuries and administrative law including racing appeals representing both stewards and licensed persons in the various codes. Her racing experience has involved owning and breeding horses and between 2000-2007 she was the Chairman of the Bookmakers and Bookmakers Clerks Registration Committee.

During her term on the Committee, Katherine would like to ensure that as Club Membership grows, infrastructure and services are maintained. She also believes that care must be taken to balance the needs of new Members with the expectations of established Members who have contributed for years to the strength and profile of the Club. Outside of her work and racing, Katherine's main interest is the Hawthorn Football Club.

Mr Tim M Poole - Director

Mr Tim Poole was appointed to the VRC Committee with effect from 1 July 2006. Tim has had a lifelong interest in horse racing and has enjoyed the highs and lows of being a part-owner in numerous horses. More recently his thoroughbred interests have extended to include some modest breeding.

Tim believes the VRC is one of the most successful sporting clubs in Australia. He also believes the Club's facilities and many of the race meetings held at Flemington rate among the best in the world. Tim looks forward to playing a role in the continuing success of the VRC.

Outside of racing Tim is currently the non-executive chairman of the ASX listed Asciano Group and the unlisted Westbourne Capital. He is a non-executive director of Newcrest Mining and Lifestyle Communities. Tim is also a member of the investment committee of the industry superannuation fund, AustralianSuper, and is a member of the advisory board of LEK Consulting.

Tim is married to Jane and loves spending time with their three children. He also enjoys running, swimming and playing golf.

Mr Dale G Monteith - Chief Executive

Mr Monteith, after receiving a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University has been involved in racing for three decades having commenced in racing administration in 1976 with the Melbourne Racing Club (formerly VATC) where he held the positions of Racing Manager (1986 – 1991) and Chief Executive until 2000 before being appointed Chief Executive of the Victoria Racing Club in June 2000.

Dale was appointed a VRC Committee Member on commencing his role as Chief Executive.

His greatest satisfaction in racing has been contributing to maintaining and improving the Victorian Racing Industry to a position of world leader. Mr Monteith, with his extensive business and racing knowledge has lead the Victoria Racing Club and the Victorian Racing Industry into the twenty-first century and positioned the VRC as a leader in world racing.

He is interested in every facet of thoroughbred racing. Away from the track he enjoys golf, cycling and is a passionate Geelong FC member. In the future, Mr Monteith aims to maintain the VRC's position as Australia's leading race club and to continue to develop the hugely successful Melbourne Cup Carnival, in particular its international focus. Mr Monteith will also concentrate on the potential of the Super Saturday meeting in autumn, while delivering on the expectations of all racing customers and instilling Industry, Member and public confidence in the future direction of the VRC.

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