Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In April this year, the Cullen Bullen Raceway will turn 30.
The Portland District Motor Sports Club was formed in April 1985 but the club always travelled to other tracks to compete as there wasn't a track at the time.
After several attempts to acquire some land the club finally got the sports ground at Cullen Bullen, which is crown land, and the members built the speedway. Although the ground can still be used for other sporting activities, they were able to set it up for speedway.
"With the track only being 385 metres we have some great racing," Sue said.
The track opened in April 1991 with Armco fencing.
"Our club still has a few original members consisting of the Blackley family. Ray had been the clubs President for the past 31 years starting in 1985 and continuing until 2016," she said.
"Ray stepped down to Vice president from 2016, unfortunately his wife Daphne who helped in the tower, canteens and just about everywhere in between passed away in December 2011 and will be sadly missed by all that knew her."
Ray's son Kevin still helps at the race track and his wife Jodie was secretary from 2001 until 2012. Ray's daughter Jenny Wittingslow retired from racing many years ago and was also the clubs secretary for many years.
"Our canteen ladies Edna Walton retired from volunteering in 2016, Yvonne Williams also retired and moved away in 2012 though both volunteered for many years," she said.
Chris and Alma Brackenrig sponsored the club since the track opened in 1991 until 2013, with Alma retiring in 2016 after many years helping in the canteens, tower as well as being the clubs vice secretary and treasurer until 2011.
"Les Taylor did all of our sports reports for the local newspapers and was the commentator on race days and nights, but he retired three years ago," she said.
In the family
Helping out at the racetrack runs in the blood of the Healey family.
"I was race secretary from 1994 until 1997 and then from 2013 I became the clubs secretary and treasurer," she said.
"I wouldn't be able to count the tireless hours I've spent on paperwork running this club, but I love it and our sport of speedway.
Sue has been involved in Cullen Bullen speedway since she was just 17-years-old.
"I've raced, my husband raced, my mother, my three brothers all raced here as well, my son Jaiden races speedway here at Cullen Bullen, and he started racing at the age of 10, this is his last season as a junior as he moves up to senior classes at 16-years-old," she said.
Ray Healey, Sue's husband has been the club president since 2016 and as a life member he spends many hours out at the track.
"We may agree and disagree on many things but is beneficial to our club, in recent times the Duggan family Shane, Sharon and young Mitch have spend many hours preparing the track and organising the canteens," she said.
"Without the members help we couldn't hold a race, there are many things to do before we hold a race meeting."
Thank you
Sue wanted to thank Burson Autoparts, Coates Hire Wang, Bathurst Automotive Group, Bathurst Coates Hire, BetterGrow suppliers to Goodeath Lithgow and Hothams Bathurst, Wallerawang Landscape and construction, Stones Pest and Weed Control, Portland Newsagency, Portland Automotive and Amsley Towing, Suez Environmental Waste, Centennial Coal, Lithgow Tyre Service, Blackley Enterprizes.
"We would like also thank Paul Toole, the NSW Government, Energy Australia, Andrew Gee, Office Of Sport for all the funding we have received over the past five years, without any of these we would not be able to succeed and update our facilities at the 'action attraction of the central west' Cullen Bullen Raceway," she said.
"I would also like to thank all our volunteers, so a huge thank you to everyone involved."