Caption: “This year the major organisations within the greyhound industry have agreed that such is the importance of the rehoming issue that it should be the only topic on the agenda”

By PAT McLEOD

This year’s annual Nationals, to be hosted by The Meadows in late August, will place the spotlight on greyhound rehoming.

Troy Iwanyk, Executive Officer of Greyhound Clubs Australia, who co-host the Nationals, said this year’s event was pivotal in shaping the industry’s future.

The busy, three-day program will include the race schedule, across straight track, sprint and distance, where all states and New Zealand will be represented on Saturday, August 26.

However, Iwanyk said a major focus of Nationals 2023 was the Thursday, August 24, Symposium, which this year will have just one item on the agenda – rehoming.

“Rehoming is currently one of the most relevant and important topics in greyhound racing,” he said.

“It is something that every jurisdiction is trying to address and the Nationals is an occasion when all the jurisdictions are coming together. This is the perfect time to discuss and hear the different viewpoints on this topic.

“The aim will be to then work out the best direction going forward.

“The symposium may not be able to come up with the golden key solution that unlocks all the answers, but it is the perfect opportunity to come together hear everyone’s viewpoints – governing bodies, trainers, rehoming agencies, those inside and outside the industry, everybody involved – and then say, ‘OK what is the best way forward. How can we move forward and achieve the best result for our greyhounds’.”

Iwanyk said that since the Symposium had been introduced to the Nationals in 2019 it had become a crucial part of the annual carnival.

In past years there have been several speakers and numerous topics at each symposium, however this year that has changed.

“This year the major organisations within the greyhound industry have agreed that such is the importance of rehoming that it should be the only topic on the agenda,” Iwanyk said.

“There will be opportunities to ask questions, discuss, there will be an opening panel discussion and then a closing panel discussion on the day.

“So, we have a whole day to canvass all topics around rehoming.

“One of the key outcomes will be that we hear and understand the views from those involved with our greyhounds in respect to rehoming.

“The symposium offers an opportunity unlike anything else in greyhound racing, where the coming together of organisations, governing bodies and participants allows for the sharing of views and information, which provides the opportunity for both knowledgeable discussion on the day and further conversations throughout the Nationals and beyond.”

“That’s why, in my opinion, the symposium is now such a crucial part of the Nationals and so important for the future of greyhound racing.”

Following the Thursday Symposium, on Friday the industry’s peak bodies will come together for meetings, organisations such as Greyhounds Australasia and Greyhound Clubs Australia.

There will be several other events on the Friday and they will all be outlined in the Nationals program that will be released soon.

The social highlight of the Nationals, the gala awards night, will be held on Friday night.

On Saturday morning the national straight track championships will be staged at Healesville and then the national sprint and distance championships will be at The Meadows on the Saturday night.

“To have everybody coming together across those several days for not only the racing but also other key events, including the symposium, is just fantastic,” said Iwanyk.

“Of course, in no way am I downplaying the importance of the racing side of the Nationals. It is the one time in greyhound racing where you can represent your state in a national event, where all states, and New Zealand, are represented.

“It really is a great opportunity to fly your state flag in front of everyone.

“The pride of winning at the Nationals is significant.

“This is a unique occasion that brings the whole industry together as one, but we can still have that parochial state feeling at the races.

“GCA has already received plenty of inquiries about this year’s Nationals, especially in relation to the symposium.

“It is tracking towards being a very successful event..”