THE winds of change have been blowing at Wangaratta Turf Club, with CEO Sean Barrett stepping down from the role.

Barrett joined in February 2021, and has helped steer the club through challenges presented by COVID, renovations, and facility upgrades.

Barrett served out his last day as CEO of Wangaratta Turf Club on Thursday, leaving the role to spend more time with his family.

“It’s exciting in one way, and sad in another,” he said.

“I live in Albury and travel down, it’s something I’ve been doing for a while, just under four years I’ve been in the role, and I just personally wanted to change things up and have more time with the family, my wife and two young boys.

“It’s not the kind of role that you can do working from home, you need to be on-site and in the thick of it which I understand.

“After doing it for a number of years, I’m looking forward to getting back to Albury and investing in something there.”

Over the past four years, the turf club has seen numerous upgrades and projects undertaken, benefitting both customers and those who use the track for training.

“There were great facilities here before I started, and it’s been a privilege to be part of continuing to upgrade not just the customer facilities, but the facilities for our local trainers here,” Barrett said.

“It’s the silent part of our business here because it takes place before most people are out of bed, but it’s probably the most constant and the strongest part of what we have here at Wangaratta Turf Club.

“We’ve definitely made some significant improvements around the venue with the drainage, the addition of the new inside sand track, water security projects and works to one of our major dams.

“They’ve been new experiences for me, managing those types of projects, and something I’ve really enjoyed.

“More recently, investing in the customer facilities, renovating the old canteen area as you come through the entrance, which has come up a treat – it was great to have that done before Melbourne Cup Day.”

Barrett said he’d miss seeing people enjoy themselves around the place, be it on race days or at functions hosted by the turf club.

“The feature race days are definitely the highlights,” he said.

“There’s nothing better than being here and seeing the local community embrace the days and get together and have a great time, whether it’s been the Christmas races or the Wang Cup, or most recently the Melbourne Cup.

“Coming out of COVID with density restrictions, the team have done a great job here to get the venue back up and firing.

“This time of the year is the peak season for community functions, and it’s been great to host not just some amazing race days here but as a community facility, whether it’s graduations or private events, they’ve been fantastic to be involved in.

“It’s great to see the facility being so well used by the local community.”

Wangaratta Turf Club president Neil Membrey thanked Barrett for his tireless work in improving the club for everyone who came through the gates.

“The club wishes Sean every success in the future,” he said.

“We’re thankful for his strong contributions and guiding hand through the post-COVID era, which has seen ongoing improvements to further enhance the club, inclusive of a new sand track and improved customer facilities.

“We thank Sean for his contribution to the turf club, and the turf club looks forward to continuing to partner with the Wangaratta community into the future.

“The turf club is currently working through the recruitment process for the next CEO to take the club forward.”

The Wangaratta Turf Club will host their annual Insite Real Estate Christmas Party Races on Saturday, December 7.