Saturday’s Young & District Greyhound Racing Club meeting was no ordinary day out at the dogs for spectators and competitors who were treated to a special visit from Member for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson.
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Understandably Ms Hodgkinson was welcomed with open arms by all in attendance who were full of praise for the member who crossed the floor in parliament over the government’s greyhound racing ban.
In fact – while unaware of the visit – the local club had already printed Ms Hodgkinson’s photo on the front of Saturday’s race meet booklet, as well as dedicating races one and three to the member in appreciation of her efforts in parliament.
Ms Hodgkinson enjoyed a casual visit with locals, before sharing a few words to thank them for their support.
Young & District Greyhound Racing committee member, Vicki Prest, said it was a big surprise to everyone.
“She walked around talking to everybody and anybody,” Vicki said.
We were all very proud of her, everyone was thanking her, but to me as a woman, to do what she done took a lot of guts.
- Vicki Prest
“Most were thanking her for what she’d done, then she stood up with the microphone and said she crossed the floor because she just could not have this sort of thing happening, and that she’d do it again.
“We were very surprised and very appreciative of her coming there, and everyone enjoyed having a chat to her.”
Vicki said the greyhound racing community were still in shock at her actions.
“We’re all surprised she’d done it,” she said.
“As a woman I was very proud, and I told her that.
“We were all very proud of her, everyone was thanking her, but to me as a woman, to do what she done took a lot of guts.
“She might have lost her parliamentary secretary job out of it, but we’re all very proud.
“As a rural person herself she understands that communities like Young need these sort of things.”
From all reports Ms Hodgkinson thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity where she received positive feedback and praise over her actions.
Local greyhound racing enthusiasts now hold onto the hope a bi-election to be held in Orange on November 12 will fall their way and ultimately influence the decision to see greyhound racing banned in 2017 revoked.
