Leon Roberts and his late wife Sally Roberts.
Community Richard Turnbull
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One of the great champions of thoroughbred racing in the Central Highlands has stepped down due to relocation after decades of service to the industry.
From banking to racing administrator, Leon Roberts grew up on the open plains of Warrachie on the Eyre Penninsula in South Australia.
His passion for horses was flamed by frequent visits to local race meetings in that area.
Before moving to Queensland from South Australia in 1993 he was a committeeman on the Clare Race Club and also the Port Pirie Racing and Trotting Club.
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Central Queensland race clubs will receive part of $2.8 million for facility upgrades, creating more than 100 jobs across the state.
Thirty-seven of Queensland’s smallest and most remote country race clubs will each share in the infrastructure funding, Racing Minister Grace Grace announced earlier in January.
“Country racing plays a critical role in regional Queensland, contributing to economic and social wellbeing, as well as providing an important meeting hub for regional communities,” she said.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s Country Racing Program provides critical infrastructure funding across the state to improve and enhance our non-TAB racing clubs and their communities.
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Eight Central Queensland race clubs will share in nearly $700,000 worth of infrastructure funding from the State Government’s Country Racing Program.
The big winner is the Emerald Jockey Club with $470,000 for a new racecourse mower, fertilising and spraying equipment, an irrigation upgrade and tie-up stalls.
Bluff Blackwater Amateur Race Club will receive nearly $200,000 for a new public address system, perimeter fencing for the horse float area and to refurbish its tie-up stalls.
Yeppoon Turf Club will receive $40,000 to upgrade its chute and Clermont Race Club $10,000 for fencing.
In Gladstone there is funding for culvert repairs, Alpha is set for a track upgrade, Aramac Racing Club received funding for a firewall for shed development and Barcaldine will receive funding for a new judges tower.