HRA Merit Awards

14 November 2010
Logo
Neil Busse - 2010 HRA Merit Award Recipient

Neil Busse - 2010 HRA Merit Award Recipient

Former Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Chairman Mr Neil Busse has been awarded Harness Racing Australia’s (HRA) highest individual honour, the J.P. Stratton Award and former Harness Racing Queensland (HRQ) Board Member Mr David (Dave) Knudsen (dec.), the HRA Distinguished Service Medal for their outstanding service and contributions to the Australian harness racing industry.

The J.P. Stratton Award recognises significant achievement, leadership, distinction, eminence, repute, renown, foresight, initiative, innovation and creativity on an international or national basis, over a significant period of time and has only been awarded on 16 previous occasions. Mr Busse received his award from HRA Chairman Mr Geoff Want during the Gordon Rothacker Medal function at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

 

Mr Busse stepped down in March this year after almost 10 years as Chairman of HRV, during which time he also served on the HRA Executive, two years as HRA Deputy Chair.  Mr Busse was also a director of Sport 927 for ten years and Chairman of HRV Management, the company set up to manage the Melton project for five years – a project for which he had remarkable passion, foresight and energy which has left a marvellous legacy for the Victorian industry.

The HRA Distinguished Service Medal recognises important achievement, substantive effort, enterprise, endeavour, creativity and professional excellence on a national or state basis over a long period of time.  Until his untimely and recent death, Mr Knudsen was continuing to serve an industry he clearly loved.

Mr Knudsen’s harness racing involvement spanned forty years in various roles including as a proud owner, casual steward, major industry sponsor via Dave Knudsen Retravision, Chairman of the Albion Park Harness Racing Club and director of HRQ.

HRA Chairman Mr Want said the Executive and Members were delighted to recognise both Mr Busse and Mr Knudsen for their lasting contribution to the national harness racing industry.

"The HRA is always very conscious of its history and recognising those people who have done so much for our industry," Mr Want said. “These latest Awards are acknowledgement by everyone in the industry of exceptional effort and these two gentlemen are extremely deserving." 

For further information contact:   Andrew Kelly  03 9227 3000.

 

 

Related News

4 April 2025
Arcee Phoenix triumphs in TAB Trot at Cambridge for Svanosio
The patience of one man and passion of another put Arcee Phoenix in the position to win the $600,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge on Friday night.
4 April 2025
Stewart stable sweeps Nutrien Classic heats at Melton
The all-conquering Emma Stewart stable achieved yet another milestone winning all seven heats of the Nutrien Equine Classic Series run at Melton on Friday afternoon.
4 April 2025
APG Announces Three Online Sales for 2025
APG is expanding its lineup of online auctions for 2025, featuring three distinct sales. Two of these sales have already been revealed, but today, they are honoured to introduce a special event: the Estate Sale for the late Dr. Ed Dewar. Dr. Ed Dewar Estate Sale Dr. Ed Dewar, a stalwart of the Western...
4 April 2025
GOODFORM - Tips and betting strategy on Mildura Cup night
Tim O'Connor has done the form for Friday night's meeting at Mildura.
4 April 2025
LISTEN: Dan and Rob preview Melton's Saturday night card
Dan Mielicki and Rob Auber look ahead to Saturday night's competitive nine-race card at Melton, featuring Act Now, Bulletproof Boy, Watts Up Partytime, and Aldebaran Zeus.
Click for more