Sadly, Erica Bates has tendered her resignation, after six years with the TBQA, to travel and pursue other interests.
Erica was an exceptionally loyal committee member and her time on the board was very fruitful. She was treasurer for the past three years and has been the HBMLG representative for the entire time she was on the TBQA committee.
"Erica has been a marvellous support and we thank her for all her hard work," said TBQA President, Basil Nolan.
"Her recent Christmas Cheer campaign was mind-boggling and she bought sanity to the committee on many occasions, with plenty of dignity.
"We wish her all the best for the future and thank her for her time and commitment. She will be greatly missed from this organisation."
Erica thanked everyone for their support and friendship during her time on the Committee.
"I certainly learnt a lot," said Erica.
"It was a great privilege to be part of the team."
There was only one nominee for Erica's position; Richard Forster will replace Erica without the need for an election.
Richard has long association with the racing and breeding industry, racing his first horse in 1966, training his own city winners in 1982 and having the odd broodmare and racehorse for most of his life.
He sold his first yearling at the inaugural Magic Millions sale. Coming
from a rural background which included large scale AI with the first Charolais
semen in Australia and branching in to the Stock and Station agency business,
Richard received background experience which has stood him in good stead in the
city business world.
Richard is regarded as one of the forefathers of commercial property syndication in Queensland and with 2 others started a Company in 1998 now known as the Cromwell Group in Brisbane. The Cromwell Group is now the 100 largest ASX Company in Australia with over 300 employees and $10 billion of property funds under management in Australia and Europe. Richard is still actively on the Cromwell Board. The motto of "if you look after your clients, they will inevitably look after you" has proved a winning mantra for Cromwell.
Yarramalong Park was originally purchased as a hobby breeding farm for Richard and Joan's retiring racehorses but on Richard's retirement from the Cromwell Executive in 2010, the decision to make Yarramalong a full blown commercial venture was taken.
The property is run as a private farm and is now home to some 43 broodmares and their offspring.
Richard is regarded as one of the forefathers of commercial property syndication in Queensland and with 2 others started a Company in 1998 now known as the Cromwell Group in Brisbane. The Cromwell Group is now the 100 largest ASX Company in Australia with over 300 employees and $10 billion of property funds under management in Australia and Europe. Richard is still actively on the Cromwell Board. The motto of "if you look after your clients, they will inevitably look after you" has proved a winning mantra for Cromwell.
Yarramalong Park was originally purchased as a hobby breeding farm for Richard and Joan's retiring racehorses but on Richard's retirement from the Cromwell Executive in 2010, the decision to make Yarramalong a full blown commercial venture was taken.
The property is run as a private farm and is now home to some 43 broodmares and their offspring.
The twists and turns of the industry has changed the business model from
sending 27 mares to the Hunter Valley in 2014 to acquiring the first stallion
Better Than Ready, who is now fully syndicated and standing in conjunction with
the Kruger family at Lyndhurst Stud at Warwick. Richard and family now look
forward to the day the first Better Than Ready progeny hit the racetracks with
great anticipation.
"Having grown Yarramalong to a sizable breeding stud, I now feel it is time to contribute any appropriate skills and experience I have gained in my career to the TBQA," said Richard.
"My aim will be to assist the Committee to achieve its goals and help grow our breeding industry back to a sustainable and profitable level, recognized by its southern peers."
"Having grown Yarramalong to a sizable breeding stud, I now feel it is time to contribute any appropriate skills and experience I have gained in my career to the TBQA," said Richard.
"My aim will be to assist the Committee to achieve its goals and help grow our breeding industry back to a sustainable and profitable level, recognized by its southern peers."
We look forward to welcoming Richard to the team.
TBQA Release
TBQA Release
