Just like that miserable butterfly can flap its wings and cause a hurricane, so too could a tiny change of wording in the Liquor Licensing Act upend the way the Burrangong Picnic Race Club at Young operated.

The tipping point was when racegoers were no longer permitted to bring their own alcohol into race meetings – a small change of slight detail on paper, perhaps, but it was enough to cause a complete upheaval in the way the race club operated in 2007.

Club members were quick to express their disapproval, and the race committee realised something had to give.

It has taken years of hard work from two different presidents to see the club’s fortunes turn around.

Jock Snodgrass, who was president when the licensing laws changed, had the unenviable job of trying to change the minds of both racegoers and committee members.

“It was a lot of bloody hard work, to be honest – a lot of work from a very good committee,” Jock said.

Much of the aim for the club was to win back former members, who, unhappy with the change, had deserted the races in droves.

Oddly enough, it was a camel race that was a bright spot for the club.

In 2007 equine influenza had halted the movement of horses across the state and, faced with the prospect of running a race meeting without any horses, Jock turned to a less infectious quadruped.

“I got in touch with a bloke from Queensland – he was a bit of a character – and he brought these camels down south,” he said.

The novelty of a camel race in Young drummed up a lot of local interest.

“People came in their thousands. Local businesses stepped in and they each sponsored a camel, named them – the camel races brought in a lot of people to the races who wouldn’t normally have come.”

“It was easier to organise than a horse race, but we really were flying by the seat of our pants.”

Unfortunately, the interest didn’t last, and for the next few years the Burrangong Picnic Races were as worrying as ever.

Anthony Murphy (pictured with Jock and the Burrangong Picnic Cup) stepped into the role as president this year, having been secretary the year before that.

“We’ve worked pretty hard in the past two years,” he said.

The first item on the agenda was to raise money.

Unlike many race clubs, Burrangong is completely independent – it isn’t owned by the local council, although the club has found plenty of support from Young Shire Council.

The club has always needed to pay its own way, and after the downturn in visitors following the change to the licensing laws, Burrangong found itself in dire financial straits.

Oddly enough, Anthony thinks this was a good thing.

“The club hit rock bottom, and sometimes I think that needs to happen, so you can turn yourself around – once you’ve hit rock bottom, people come out of the woodwork,” he said.

“People realised it’s a great country tradition and they want to see it continue.”

A cocktail party in March 2012 was the first step to an economic turnaround.

“That was the catalyst,” Anthony said.

“It certainly put us in a better financial position and generated a lot more interest,” he said.

Sponsorship from local businesses has been another financial turning point. Their involvement, Anthony pointed out, also helped to build the community spirit of the races.

Additionally, the committee made the decision to move the picnic races from a Friday to a Saturday, allowing for more people to be able to have a day out.

A turning point in country racing has been the slow acceptance that it isn’t all about the horses.

While this might be hard to swallow for some more traditionally-minded racegoers, country races, like country pubs, have expanded to a greater function.

“I think the picnics are a social event for the town – for family and friends,” Anthony said.

Anthony and the committee sought to promote to the town the races were first and foremost an event for them – “I mean, it has the word picnic in it, it’s a day out.”

In order to make the most of the message, a little sophistication was sought, and professional marketing was used to deliver the message to the town.

Even the fine details – invitations, any publications – are now put together by a graphic designer. The club is also trying to promote itself as a venue for more than just the races.

“We’ve set up a Facebook page for the races,” Anthony said.

“Last year we also got a professional photographer so we could use the photos with our online marketing.”

The race day has now grown from an attendance of 700 to 800 people to a healthy 2000 racegoers.

“It’s a good size,” Jock said.

“I can really see it growing, but it still has that country races feel.”

The club is also looking to diversify the grounds to generate more income.

Part of the racetrack grounds have been leased to a local radio station and - in a show to make any cocky proud - the centre of the track will be sown to a canola crop.

As for the liquor licencing laws, racegoers have learned to use the race club’s bar.

“It was a big change for people,” Anthony said.

“But I think the marquee structure we have now is nicer than people just sitting around drinking in a car.”