October
JuneMemorable, magical
A couple of weeks ago an oncologist gave our mate his cancer marching orders. Mick (53) has been fighting melanoma for the last 3½ years. The news that our mate had been given only 2-6 months resulted in his closest and oldest friends springing into action.
Mick (of Forster, NSW) is a keen punter and his favourite jockey for many years has been Brad Rawiller.
Mick agreed that he would let the boys take him to regional Victoria to see his favourite hoop ride before he got too ill.
The meeting happened to be at Bendigo.
A quick phonecall to Brad Rawiller confirmed he would be at Bendigo for the June 2 meeting. Game on. Brad, a true gentleman, invited all 10 of us to his brother Todd’s stable for a beer after the meeting.
With plane flights from Newcastle and hire cars organised it was time to make contact with people in Bendigo.
Jenny Rawiller, the secretary of Bendigo Race Club and the club’s president, Brendan Drechsler, went to extraordinary lengths to make our visit memorable.Thank you again.
The people of Bendigo should be very proud of the quality of both the racetrack and the people that run it.
I urge all locals to support this great regional race club.
The reintroduction of hurdle racing at Bendigo was a spectacular highlight not to be missed. Please support the June 19 meeting.
To Mr Ray Jones of the Big 4, thank you for your hospitality and efforts to accommodate us at short notice in your beautiful lodgings. You are a gem.
To the publican, staff and locals of the Botanical Hotel, thanks for making us feel at home. Great pub.
And finally the Rawiller family.
None of us will ever forget the visit to Todd’s stable. Todd, his dad, Keith, Brad and the two young hoops Tash and Jake made us feel very welcome.
I will never forget the ear-to-ear smile on Mick’s dial as he talked away with Brad about some of the great horses and races Brad has been involved in.
The obvious love the entire family had for each other and their horses was inspiring.
Brad Rawiller, the reason for the trip, for all his success is an incredibly humble human being who went out of his way to ensure Mick’s experience would be memorable.
Mick proved to be not only a good judge of a jockey but also a good judge of a person. Brad, thanks again for looking after Mick and for riding the last two winners for him.
Bendigo, you have a beautiful town full of beautiful people. Thanks again.
Smith's Lake (NSW)