IF you think the St Pat’s Day races are “the” community event for Broken Hill, have you stopped for a minute to think about the Coulter community day?
It starts with Marc Coulter who, with the exception of a six-year posting to Cobar, has been treasurer of the club for the past 27 years.
And as it has been such an all-consuming master of his spare time, he has made sure none of his family have escaped its clutches.
When the gates open to the expected 6000 race fans this year, Mr Coulter’s wife Jenny will be in charge of souvenirs, their son Ryan will be assistant track controller, son-in-law Ben Kelly will be assistant race controller, grandson Ethan Kelly is the race day co-ordinator, and their granddaughter Macy Bottell will be the smiling face at the Mcleod’s Pie Shed.
Coulter & Co is a fair dinkum crowd in its own right.
Which is what, Mr Coulter says, has been the magic of the event which has kept him and his involved for so long.
“This is such a fantastic community occasion for all of Broken Hill, and it adds so much to the bottom line here – maybe as much as $10 million each year,” he said.
“Just look at the accommodation industry, beds here are scarcer than hens’ teeth and if you are not booking yours at least 12 months in advance, and preferably two years out, I hope you’ve got a tent.”
At this year’s meeting, he is also working hard alongside Richard Thomas, who is responsible for corporate areas and gates. Their jobs are made easier by the large and enthusiastic committee and the wider community.
As treasurer Mr Coulter said he is backed up by a “very good accountant” and a great group behind that, and the way things are looking this year, they will all be flat out for a few days post-meeting to count the cash coming through the gates.
“I think we had sold all our packages by November last year and then added an extra 40 tables to the picnic site, and they are now all but gone too,” he added.
“We’re basically down to general admission.
“We have added a 90 square metre shade sail near the owners/trainers bar, where the big Moreton Bay fig is, so people who are just happy to come along for a punt and a pie, get to enjoy the day in comfort as well.
“When we plan this event every year, we always make it a priority that there’s something for everyone.”
One of the biggest items on the agenda for the 2025 meeting has been the repair and upgrade of the track itself.
Mr Coulter said Radford Earth Movers have brought in more than 1700 tonnes of river sand and supplied the machinery to re-surface and re-smooth the track The company’s help has been “invaluable, as always” in making sure the meeting will have the best surface for racing.
“Our St Pat’s Day committee has 17 members, and they do such an amazing job every year,” he added.
“The work the ladies do with setting up of the pavilion and lounges is incredible and from about six weeks out it’s all shoulders to the wheel as we start a maintenance blitz to make sure everything is ready for the big day. That there are kickboards in the stables, and that they are in A1 condition, that the barriers are working smoothly, and that everything which needs to be polished and/or tightened has been.
“And I reckon we will be able to breathe out sometime Sunday morning when it has all once again been run and done.”
