HRA Merit Awards

Neil Busse - 2010 HRA Merit Award Recipient.

Former Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Chairman Mr Neil Busse has been awarded Harness Racing Australia’s (HRA) highest individual honour, the J.P. Stratton Award and former Harness Racing Queensland (HRQ) Board Member Mr David (Dave) Knudsen (dec.), the HRA Distinguished Service Medal for their outstanding service and contributions to the Australian harness racing industry.

The J.P. Stratton Award recognises significant achievement, leadership, distinction, eminence, repute, renown, foresight, initiative, innovation and creativity on an international or national basis, over a significant period of time and has only been awarded on 16 previous occasions. Mr Busse received his award from HRA Chairman Mr Geoff Want during the Gordon Rothacker Medal function at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

Mr Busse stepped down in March this year after almost 10 years as Chairman of HRV, during which time he also served on the HRA Executive, two years as HRA Deputy Chair.  Mr Busse was also a director of Sport 927 for ten years and Chairman of HRV Management, the company set up to manage the Melton project for five years – a project for which he had remarkable passion, foresight and energy which has left a marvellous legacy for the Victorian industry.

The HRA Distinguished Service Medal recognises important achievement, substantive effort, enterprise, endeavour, creativity and professional excellence on a national or state basis over a long period of time.  Until his untimely and recent death, Mr Knudsen was continuing to serve an industry he clearly loved.

Mr Knudsen’s harness racing involvement spanned forty years in various roles including as a proud owner, casual steward, major industry sponsor via Dave Knudsen Retravision, Chairman of the Albion Park Harness Racing Club and director of HRQ.

HRA Chairman Mr Want said the Executive and Members were delighted to recognise both Mr Busse and Mr Knudsen for their lasting contribution to the national harness racing industry.

"The HRA is always very conscious of its history and recognising those people who have done so much for our industry," Mr Want said. “These latest Awards are acknowledgement by everyone in the industry of exceptional effort and these two gentlemen are extremely deserving." 

For further information contact:   Andrew Kelly  03 9227 3000.