Great Western Racetrack, 1098 Moyston-Great Western Road , GREAT WESTERN
1098 Moyston - Great Western Road GREAT WESTERN, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE
Statement of Significance
The Great Western Race Track has significance as an important, longstanding and valued cultural landscape in Great Western. Originally established in 1866 with the setting aside of Crown Land, picnic races were held regularly on Boxing Day. After a lapse in the late 19th century, races were revived in 1899 under VRC rules, and from the 1920s the picnic day races were held on Foundation Day in January of each year. The races attracted hundreds of people from the local area and further a field, and several local people were involved in developing the track (planting of pine trees, improving the track and associated buildings, or acting as officers or members of the Club).
The Great Western Race Track is aesthetically significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates important visual qualities associated with the grassed horse racing track, and the numerous mature native and exotic trees, notably the eucalypts and pines.
The Great Western Race Track is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the cultural and social development of Great Western from 1866, when Crown Land was reserved for the purposes of conducting regular picnic day horse racing meetings on Boxing Day. After a lapse during the 19th century, the meetings were revived in 1899 under VRC rules and from the 1920s the picnic day race was held on Foundation Day each January. Associated with the Great Western Picnic Racing Club have been many locals from the Great Western community, including Hans Irvine of the Great Western Vineyard (now Seppelts Great Western Winery) and M.H.R., Frank Hurley (who was responsible for several working bees and tree planting in the very early 20th century), and Colin Preece, who led the club through 30 years of prosperity between 1933 and 1963. Throughout the 20th century, the regular picnic day race has come to be widely known as the Club's champagne meeting, recognising and capitalising on the importance of the local wineries at Great Western.
The Great Western Race Track is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised and valued by the community for cultural and sporting reasons.
Overall, the Great Western Race Track is of LOCAL significance.
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Seppelts Champagne Cellars, 36 Cemetery Road, GREAT WESTERN
Northern Grampians Shire H0338 -
Great Western Racetrack, 1098 Moyston-Great Western Road , GREAT WESTERN
Northern Grampians Shire
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