Tim Rourke has been appointed as deputy chair of Racing Victoria, 15 months after he was first appointed as a director of the principal racing authority.
With previous deputy chair Sharon McCrohan having left the RV board to take an executive appointment at the AFL, Rourke was elevated by Racing Minister Anthony Carbines to fill the deputy role under current chair Tim Eddy for the duration of his current term.
“I’m honoured to be appointed deputy chair of Racing Victoria and I look forward to working closely with Tim Eddy and the board in my new role,” Rourke said.
“I love thoroughbred racing and I want to see it succeed in Victoria for future generations to enjoy. From the thrill of ownership, the personal reward of breeding to the excitement of raceday, there is so much to love.
“As a board, we have many items on our agenda and we will be tackling them with great passion and a desire to grow and ensure the commercial viability of the sport for all the people racing directly and indirectly employs, our stakeholders, clubs and the punting public.”
Rourke, who is chief executive officer and executive director of CitiPower, Powercor, United Energy and Victoria Power Networks, is also the chair of the RV audit and risk sub-committee and a member of the racing sub-committee.
Eddy thanked McCrohan for her eight years’ service on the board.
“Sharon’s guidance on government relations and communications has been invaluable, as has her insights on our integrity and equine welfare sub-committee,” he said.
“Sharon played an instrumental role in helping ensure the continuation of Victorian racing throughout the COVID pandemic, for which the industry is forever grateful.”
