TWO of Dubbo Harness Racing Club's unsung heroes received the club's greatest honour on Wednesday night when they were awarded with honorary life membership.
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Jack Shanks and David Wrigley have each had long associations with the sport that have stretched through their respective families, and NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant was on hand to help club president Len Edwards with the presentations after the running of the Dubbo HRC Life Members Pace (2120m).
The pair join a select group to have previously received the honour, made up of Ron Hoy, Chris Edwards, Tony Turnbull, Eric Parker and Lester Hoy
Edwards gave a speech detailing the contributions made by both men starting with Shanks, who was a foundation member and initial guarantor of the club back in 1958.
He also served as a president and vice-president of the club and at times has been a director and executive committee member in an association that has spanned more than 40 years
Shanks was one of four guarantors that enabled the Dubbo Harness Racing Club to become an incorporated body and was a driving force and financial contributor to the development of the existing canteen and bar facilities at the paceway.
He has also tasted success as an owner and breeder of many horses over the years, including former Queensland Derby winner Quamby's Pride.
Wrigley's work with the club was also rewarded, with his workload shared as both a figurehead and behind-the-scenes worker.
He is the club's longest-serving president, with two terms in the job totalling nine years as well as a six-year stint as vice-president.
A director of the club for 25 years, he has also served as a western districts delegate and NSW clubs delegate in that time.
Clubs such as the Dubbo Harness Racing Club don't survive without a keen band of helpers to ensure jobs get done and Wrigley has also looked after that as a mobile driver, trials nomination supervisor, judge, betting supervisor and updating the drivers board.
As an owner and breeder he has raced horses in Dubbo for about 30 years and through his business Westside Kitchens he continues to support the club through sponsorship.
Along with his wife Patsy and their family, Wrigley has also been involved with the voluntary canteen workers for the past 10 years, and during that time has helped raise in excess of $250,000 for the club.
Both men have made invaluable contributions to harness racing in the city and are to be congratulated on receiving the accolade they did at Wednesday's meeting.
