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Thoroughbred Breeders NSW welcome new director

Thoroughbred Breeders' New South Wales has welcomed Trish Egan (GAICD) as a new director on the TBNSW board bringing more diversity to a group that is achieving some major outcomes particularly in the area of staff training in the breeding industry.

Trish joins current board members, President Hamish Esplin, Vice-President Caroline Searcy, Treasurer Paddy Power and fellow Directors, Peter Orton, Vin Cox and Olly Tait and Executive Officer Julianne Christopher, having most recently been a director with the Australian Turf Club including a two-year term as Vice-Chair.

Trish's time on the ATC board included roles on several sub-committees including instigating and being the inaugural chair of the Safety, Risk and Welfare sub-committee and Chair of the ATC Charitable Foundation. A marketing executive, Trish has worked with large, multi-national companies in Australian and international markets. Her recent work includes a focus on the not-for-profit sector where her focus has been in disability and health services.

TBNSW President, Hamish Esplin welcomed Trish. "Trish is a very experienced board member of one of the largest turf clubs in the world," he said.  

"Intentionally we have tried to expand the scope and perspective of our directors in recent years to better reflect the aims of our members in what is becoming a very commercial and political industry."

"A popular and highly respected board member and regular race-goer, Trish is a very personable and highly professional individual and will add enormously to the current board's skill-set."

Trish commented, "It's an honour to be asked to join this team representing the breeders of almost half the annual Australian foal crop. I'm excited to join the TBNSW Board at this important stage of industry development and growth. Our breeders are critical and whilst many of their needs are specific, they share many industry-wide challenges. Bringing all perspectives to the same table can lead to a collaborative, efficient and collective outcome that will enable a sustainable industry on-going."

TBNSW has embarked on an ambitious program of thoroughbred breeding industry courses training new staff and retaining current workers, in collaboration with the NSW government, Agrifutures, Racing NSW and Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia. Trish has agreed to be on the staffing sub-committee with Peter Orton to better drive pathways for workers of all levels of experience.

With members representing the largest number of breeders of any Australian state, TBNSW is also addressing the care of our thoroughbreds away from racing and breeding, engaging in sponsorships of programs encouraging the take up of ex-racehorses and former breeding stock for new lives outside the industry.