Bob Conroy died on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at age 88. The Daylesford trainer and brilliant horseman enjoyed a life dedicated to harness racing, which he shared with his wife Pat and their five children, including Glenn, Anne-Maree and Peter, who themselves have combined to drive more than 800 winners. Renowned as an outstanding trainer of trotters, Conroy spent a life training from Daylesford, having been raised in nearby Korweinguboora before occupying the former Daylesford Trotting Club track, from where he would often venture into neighbouring Hepburn Regional Park to educate his horses. A trots trainer, driver and breeder, Mr Conroy’s training successes include Mary Beverley’s win in the 1973 V. L. Dullard Cup, Lincoln Star's win in the 1978 Bendigo Pacing Cup and 1978 Italian Cup, and the Lightfoot Laurels on four occasions (Lucy Lastic 1997, Miss Universe 1999 and 2001 and False Gem on 2008). His greatest stakes win came when Amazon captured the $30,000 Australasian Trotters Championship final in 1984 and then the same year the E B Cochran Memorial Trotters Cup, while notable triumphs also include Mister Everest in the 1990 Chris E Howe Trotters Cup, two Central Victorian Trotting Championships in 1991 (Omaorio) and 2005 (Sutters Glory), the 1996 Coulter Crown with Lucy Lastic, First Signal's win in the 1999 Cranbourne Trotters Cup and then the R C Freestone Trotters Cup with Miss Universe. Other notable performers he trained throughout his distinguished career included multiple metropolitan winners King’s Pride, Eden’s Return, Magic Madge, Minnesota Fats, Hot And Dry, Kyvalley Duke, Speeding Fine, Baltic Prince and Looks Like Me. Bob Conroy’s trotters Bootleg Bert and Margaret Ruth delivered his last trotting wins. Yellow with black Vrb conroy, lincoln star, amazon, bendigo harness racing club, bhrc, bendigo, horses, racing colours, trotting, pacing, harness racing, bob conroy, r conroy

John Phyland It was during 1890 to 1918 that John Phyland, son of Irish immigrants, born in 1866, ran a 2000-acre sheep station. The property, Lake Vale, was south of Balranald, towards the Murray River town of Swan Hill. This would seem to be an unlikely location for a harness racing breeding operation, being more than 400km from Melbourne, where harness racing was centred on the Richmond track. But, undeterred by distance, Phyland purchased his first trotter in 1882 and proceeded to acquire expensive, high quality standardbred mares and stallions and embark on a venture that saw him: • Breed and race winners of major races including The Melbourne Thousand, Bendigo JC Handicap (raced almost continuously on the grass track at Epsom, Bendigo, from 1867 to 1946), Boort Cup and numerous races at the Melbourne metropolitan tracks at Richmond and Ascot; • Acquire Soultline Villa and training stables adjacent to the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds so he could race at metropolitan tracks; • Develop a large self-contained training facility (including resident blacksmith) and home at 19 Raleigh St, Essendon; • Become the chair of the Victorian Trotting Horse Owners and Breeders’ Association, which lobbied strenuously for night trotting in the 1930s; • Breed from imported and locally bred mares that left families that are still active today. Heaven Rocks, the Ballarat Cup, New Zealand Jewels three and four-year-winner, and 1:49.6 ($554,529) export to the US, is six generations on from the Phyland bred mare Dusky Ribbons; • Saw the start of the training career of colourful and controversial Cedric (Ced) McLean, Phyland’s son-in-law, with a mare left when Phyland died.Blue with yellow starsbalranald, trotting, phyland, richmond trotting

DON DOVE – 2016 Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame inductee A highly successful trainer-driver, Don Dove had something that most colleagues never had – his own sire. After making his mark early on as a driver, Don began training and driving the progeny of Dignus, a grand-son of Light Brigade he had purchased. Many of its 57 winners he trained and drove himself. The most memorable of these of course was his best-ever pacer, a 1966 colt he named Monara. It won successive A. G. Hunter Cups in 1973 and 74, and many other races – so often with this brilliant beginner going to the lead and then Don playing cat-and-mouse tactics out in front before dashing this son of Dignus away and holding off all comers. Those who may remember the 1972 Inter Dominion Final when Don was having a little holiday, will agree Monara was something beaten into second place that night. Don won many races on his brother Eric’s trotter Just Money, along with Nelson’s Report, Lauries Legacy and Kara Miss, and filled in well when winning the 1965 Warragul Cup driving the great little Macaree, and the 1967 Victoria Derby driving Kelly Kid. When the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association formed in 1968, he was elected to its first committee. Don is also the father of Trevor and Stephen, both well known horsemen of a few seasons back. In retirement, Don Dove moved to Queensland in 1998 and it was there he passed away in 2014 at the age of 86.Yellow, with green crossed sashesdon dove, d dove, monara, amlin, bendigo harness racing club, bhrc, bendigo, horses, race colours, trotting, pacing, harness racing, dv dove

Charlie Robertson Jnr. Charlie Robertson, a Boort district farmer and trainer-driver, won his first race driving a horse called Black Spot in 1912 when he was 16. He drove many winners in the 1920s and 1930s, some of them trained by his father Charles Snr who had raced horses from the 1890s. He had a top trotter in Fair Admiral, who won the 1929 Victoria Trotters Derby among other races. As his career flourished, Charlie Jnr won with such horses as Lee Voyage, Royal Bronte, Johnnie Bronte, Betty Direct, Bonnie Heather and Leading Style. He was given the Globe Derby stallion New Derby to train by owner Jack King of Quambatook. He travelled to Tasmania and Western Australia with New Derby. In Tasmania in 1935, New Derby won the Hobart and Launceston Cups and in WA in 1936 won two heats of the inaugural Inter Dominion. Among New Derby’s wins were the 1932 and 1933 Ascot £500. He left 147 winners when standing at stud at Quambatook. During World War II one of the few venues for harness racing was Wayville in Adelaide. During this period Charlie made many trips across the border to race. On the commencement of night trotting, Robertson won many at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds with Something New, Village Derby and Midnight News, New Gold, Canargo and Tennessee Derby. A bad race smash on Tennessee Derby nearly ended Charlie’s life, but he recovered. In the 1960s Charlie stood the stallion Convivial, who provided him with many winners. He retired from race driving aged 68 and died aged 87 after more than 60 years in trotting.Yellow with cream starscharlie robertson, c robertson, charlie robertson jnr, c robertson jnr

The ''Private Schools Baseball Trophy'' cup. A hallmarked silver, two handled cup on a dark wood base with annual winners'' shields.Private Schools Baseball Association 1926-1930 The Gift of Mrs. George T Bell

The ''Junior Red Cross Work Trophy'' cup. A silver, two handled cup on a dark wood base, with annual winners'' shields. In memory of Jane Alcock who esteemed Truth, Honour and Order above riches. Awarded for Junior Red Cross work

The ''Private Schools Baseball Trophy'' cup. A hallmarked silver, two handled cup on a dark wooden base with some annual winner'' shields attached. The shields date from 1920 to 1925 and then 1938 to 1940.Private Schools Baseball Association 1920-1925 The gift of Mrs. R. C. Meares

Football Presentation of Freeland Medal 1930-1931 1931 Back row - Left to Right Arch Knowles (Horsham), Stan Freeland (Secretary Wimmera Football League), Tom Gardiner (Warracknabeal) Front row - Left to Right Horrie Hunt (Stawell) Winner of Freeland Medal for Best & Fairest in Wimmera League, CUP (may be Premiership Cup as Stawell were premiers of W.F.L 1930-31. Bill Toote (Ararat) Delegate.Black and white photograph of a group of five males around a cup on a small table. Three standing two seated.1931 Back row - Left to Right Arch Knowles (Horsham), Stan Freeland (Secretary Wimmera Football League), Tom Gardiner (Warracknabeal) Front row - Left to Right Horrie Hunt (Stawell) Winner of Freeland Medal for Best & Fairest in Wimmera League, CUP (may be Premiership Cup as Stawell were premiers of W.F.L 1930-31. Bill Toote (Ararat) Delegate. stawell sport wimmera

Bendigo Banks Tennis Association Perpetual Cup. EPNS cup with large handles either side (3217a). Cup is mounted on a black wooden pedestal base (3217b) The top is detachable from the base. Small shields mounted around the side of the base are engraved with each year's winner, dating from 1930-31 (State Savings Bank) through to 1976-77 (N.B.A).bendigo, banks, bendigo banks tennis association

Alan Robinson Memorial Trophy (Cup) Donor : Keith Farfor Deed of Gift: No Alan Robinson was the navigator on Keith Farfor’s yacht Super Star. He was killed in a car accident on the banks of the Yarra River. The race is a combined division race from RBYC to the QCYC. The trophy is awarded to the PHD handicap winner and is raced early June of each year. First Winner: Bindi D Buxton alan robinson, memorial, trophy, phd, combined division

Allee Cup (Cup) Donor: Deed of Gift: No The Alee Cup is one of the oldest trophies at the RBYC and was originally named the Mr H. Sparks Trophy from the HBYC and was won by D Allee During the 1890/91 season. D. Allee was one of the first members of the Brighton Sailing Club and became Commodore in 1887 and again in 1906. In 1960/61 the trophy was re-introduced at RBYC as a Division 3 PHD HCP race which is sailed during a Club Marine race on the same day as the Edwards Cup for Division 1 and the Secours trophy for Division 2. First Winner: Classic II, R Wilson 1961/62 alee, sparks, phd, division 3

Almeida Cup Donor: Unknown Deed of Gift: No The trophy was presented in memory of William C. Almeida who was killed during a bank robbery. A memorial was erected in the park in Hampton opposite Linacre Road and Hampton Street. An inscription reads ‘Erected in memory of William C. Almeida of the Commercial Bank Hampton who gave his life in defence of his Trust 23.4.24. Aged 33 years.’ The trophy was originally used for B Division, now used for Combined Division on AMS handicap and raced on the same day as the Gullett Cup for PHD handicap and the Worcester Cup for IRC handicap. First Winner: Rita, C. W. Campbell 1925/26 almeida, cup, ams, combined division

Angus McIntyre Cup Donor: Unknown Deed of Gift: No Angus McIntyre joined the RBYC in 1912 and was Commodore 1922/23 and again 1939/40. He was also club Treasurer for a number of years and Secretary for four years. McIntyre was also instrumental through Lord Foster in obtaining our Royal Warrant for the club in 1924. He was a very active yachtsman and skipper of a number of famous yachts including Foam, Idler, Brighton, Marie Louise and others. The trophy was donated for the winner of the Division 1 season aggregate on PHD handicap. First Winner: Odin, L. Abrahams 1965 angus mcintyre, trophy, phd, division 1

Associates Cup Donor: Deed of Gift: No The trophy was originally donated when women could only be associated members of RBYC with the then RNCE requirement there should be at least one female on board. The trophy was not used for a number of years until females became full members and in 2007 was reintroduced with the requirement that the skipper must be a female member of RBYC and holding a current AYF card. The race was then incorporated with the ladies short course Bliss Series on the Saturday with the Associates Cup on Sunday. First Winner: Hot Prospect, J. B. Searle 1980 associates, cup, bliss, female skipper

B Class Trophy (Cup) Donor: Deed of Gift: The trophy was originally donated for use by B class in 1929/30 then in 1968 for a short time was used for ‘off the beach’ classes. Following this, it was for a short time awarded to the IRC handicap winner of the G. E. Duncans Race to Mornington. In season 2009/10 it was once again changed. First Winner: Toogooloowoo II, W. S. Dagg 1929/30 b class, irc

Commodores’ Cup Donor: Commodore R. T Crick 1928/29 Deed of Gift: No This trophy does not seem to have been used until 1983/84 when it was then awarded to the Division 1 winner on IRC handicap during a heat of the Club Marine Series. This race is sailed on the same day as the Lex Fox Trophy for Division 1 and the Boat Hook Trophy for Division 3. First Winner: Damel, W. (Bill) Currie 1983/84 commoodores, irc, crick, division 1

E. B. Green Trophy (Cup) Donor: Deed of Gift: E. B. Green was one of the original members of the Brighton Sailing Club and in 1886/87 owned the yacht Iris. The trophy is awarded to the winner of a combined division race on IRC handicap. The race is a mid-distance race and sailed on the same day as the Top Hat Trophy on PHD handicap. First Winner: White Tie, D. R. Buxton 1966/67 green, irc, combined division

Edwards Cup Donor: Eli (Dick) Edwards Deed of Gift: Yes The trophy was originally donated to the Victorian Yacht Racing Association for a round-the-bay race of not less than 100 nautical miles, for yachts of a length of no longer than 30 feet and no less than 20 feet. The trophy is currently raced during a Club Marine race and is awarded to the winner of Division 1 on PHD handicap. The race is held on the same day as the Secours Trophy for Division 2 and the Allee Cup for Division 3. Eli Edwards was one of the early members of the Port Melbourne Yacht Club. First Winner: Scorn, A. C. Finlay 1937 edwards, round the bay, phd, division 1, deed of gift

Frank Hutchinson Memorial Cup Donor: Lyndsay Halliday Deed of Gift: Yes Frank Hutchinson was a member of the Brighton Sailing Club as early as 1912 and became Commodore in 1941/44; he was also made an honorary life member in 1953. He was a World War I veteran and for many years conducted the clubs’ Anzac Day Services, always wearing his Light Horse Captains’ Uniform. He died in 1964 at the age of 80. The trophy was originally donated for a single-handed race, however this was changed in 1993 when it became a two-handed race and then became part of the ORCV two-hand series. First Winner: Valhalla, F. Moylan frank hutchinson, lindsay halliday, two handed, orcv, deed of gift

G. E. Duncans Cup (Cup) Donor: Deed of Gift: No The trophy was originally donated in 1930/31 and was won by the 21-footer yacht Corella owned by G. E. Duncan. The trophy was not used until 1960/61 when it was used for the annual race from RBYC to Mornington on PHD handicap. In season 2010/11, due to the difficulties with moorings at Mornington the yachts no longer go to Mornington but race over a centre course of similar length. First Winner: Cassandra K. Sheeny 1960/61 duncan, phd, mornington

Gullett Cup (Cup) Donor: Sir Henry Gullett Deed of Gift: Yes, 1929 The trophy is awarded to the winner of a Combined Division race on PHD handicap which is sailed on the same day as the Almeida Cup for AMS handicap and the Worcester Trophy for IRC handicap. First Winner: Toogooloowoo II, W. S. Dare 1928 gullet, combined division, phd, deed of gift

Lady Nelson Perpetual Trophy (Cup) Donor: W. Finlay Deed of Gift: Yes The Lady Nelson commemorates the discovery of Port Phillip by Lieutenant Murray of the Royal Navy who in HM Brigg Lady Nelson sailed through the heads and therefore the first vessel to enter Port Phillip. The trophy was donated by Past Commodore A. W. Finlay (1946/47) owner of the yacht Scorn, to encourage yachts on the RBYC register to compete in long-distance overnight racing around Port Phillip. In recent years the trophy is awarded to the winner on the IRC handicap. First Winner: Currawong, G. A. Warner 1946/47 lady nelson, overnight, irc

Les Fox Trophy Donor: Les Fox Deed of Gift: No Les Fox was the father of Bill, Jack and George who were all members of the RBYC. This trophy was originally used for mid-week racing then later re-allocated to a Division 2 race on IRC handicap during a heat of the Club Marine Series. The race is sailed on the same day as the Commodores’ Cup for Division2 and the Boat Hook Trophy for Division 3. First Winner: Slaghoken III, W. Feltham 1963/64 les fox, division 2, irc

Malta Cup Donor: F. J. Corder, High Commissioner of Malta Deed of Gift: Yes The race was originally raced on handicap by all yachts on the RBYC register. This was later changed to a Combined Division Race on PHD handicap then again changed to IRC handicap. The trophy was won by Barton Harney three consecutive times and in accordance with the deed of gift the trophy was retained by Mr. Harney. In 1975 Mr. Harney re-donated the trophy to RBYC and a new deed was written allowing for ballasted yachts on the RBYC register to compete on a course of approximately 12-15 nautical miles. First Winner: Virginia A. S. Sturrock 1936 malta, corder, irc, harney, deed of gift

Secours Trophy Donor: Deed of Gift: No This trophy was won by D Allee’s yacht Galetea in 1887/88 and is therefore one of our oldest trophies. The trophy was not used for many years until 1983/84 when it was re-introduced as a Division 2 race on PHD handicap. The race is sailed during a club marine race on the same day as the Edwards Cup for Division 1 and the Allee Cup for Division 2. First Winner: Pangea, A. Nankervis 1983/84 secours, phd, division 2

Costello Cup Donor: H. C. Costello Deed of Gift: No The trophy was originally used in 1983 for a Spring and Summer Sunday Series. The trophy was then not used for a number of years when in 2004 it was used for a Saturday Winter Pursuit Series with extras being allowed. This series runs from June to September and alternated with the Blizzard Series and fleet starts. First Winner: Minerva, PJ Graham 1983 costello, pursuit

J. Bryan Linacre Family Award (Cup) Donor: Bryan Linacre Deed of Gift: No This trophy was donated in season 2007/08 and awarded to the winner of the Wednesday afternoon Combined Division fleet and Pursuit Start Series. The Series consists of 4 parts (ie 2 pursuit and 2 fleet) covering the 12 months to end of June each year. First Winner: Clipper III, G. Davidson 2006/07 linacre, pursuit, wednesday afternoon, combined division

Harvie Linklater Cup Donor: Deed of Gift: Harvie Linklater was one of the early member of RBYC and for a number of years was the clubs’ Historian. He raced on a number of the clubs’ famous early yachts, including with J. A. Linacre, a past Commodore. He was also one of the Brighton members who started off the Black Rock Yacht Club as an annex of the RBYC. First Winner: Samoa BJ21, H. Stephens 1948/49 jubilees, linklater

Jubilee Cup Donor: Commodore A. T. Crick 1935 Deed of Gift: No Donated by Commodore Crick to commemorate the Jubilee year of King George V and which gave name to the new class of yacht. The trophy was originally awarded to the B class of yachts but with the launch of the new Jubilees, it was transferred to that class. Fist B Class Winner: Virginia, A. S. Sturrock 1934/35 First Jubilee Winner: Sylvia, W. Jamison 1936 jubilees, jubilee, crick

Les Pound Shield Donor: Victorian Jubilee Controlling Body Deed of Gift: In 1966 in recognition of his great contribution in developing the Jubilee class and to its ongoing success over many years, the Victorian Jubilee Controlling Body donated the Les Pound Shield. It is to be awarded to the best Victorian Jubilee yacht competing in the annual Huntingfield Cup. Les Pound was one of the original owners, building his own BJ4 Aeolus in 1935. In his later years, to minimize the task of maintaining a timber boat, he purchased a fiberglass boat which he named after his wife Stella. He was made an honorary life member in 1972. First Winner: Aeolus BJ4, L. N. Pound 1966 jubilees, pound, aeolus