Flemington walkover – No contest at VRC elections

A trio of Victoria Racing Club (VRC) board members will be re-elected without contest with no candidates standing against them when the club’s annual general meeting takes place next Tuesday.

Ann Peacock and Allison Purdey both had their existing terms set to conclude, while Peter Murray, appointed in September to the casual vacancy left by David Barham, needed his appointment ratified by members.

Under clause 10.5(c) of the VRC constitution, as there are three vacant director positions and three valid nominations, the candidates will be declared elected without ballot at the AGM.

Nominations for the vacant positions closed in early November and the VRC has since advised members that no vote is needed.

Sophie O’Kane, Michael Ramsden and Neil Werrett were re-elected at last year’s AGM, outpolling three rivals for their positions. Fellow directors Glenn Carmody, Vin Cox, Michael Saadie and Neil Wilson received the members’ approval in 2023.

Purdey, who is deputy general counsel at mining company MMG, was promoted to a casual vacancy in September 2022. She had her position ratified by a member vote at the AGM later that year.

Peacock, who has an extensive background in public relations including a long tenure at Crown casino, stood for election to the board at that same AGM and was elected.

The first item of business at the AGM will be the receipt of the directors’ report, financial statements and auditor’s report.

The VRC posted a $7.2 million comprehensive loss in 2024/25, a $17.4 million improvement on the previous financial year, as it grew revenue and decreased costs under a new management structure.

While posting its sixth consecutive loss, the VRC’s chief executive Kylie Rogers pointed to a $12 million earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) profit, a $17.9 million uptick compared to 2023/24.

The no contest club board election mirrors what happened at the Melbourne Racing Club in September.

However, there was a subsequent major change in October when then MRC chairman John Kanga stepped down, eventually to be replaced on the board by Jonathan Munz, who stepped into the vice-chairman’s position, with Cameron Fisher appointed as chairman of the club.