Friday, 19 December 2003: Well-known Sunshine Coast businessman, sporting identity and Rugby League legend, Les Geeves, received an appropriate birthday present today when he was honoured by his colleagues with Life Membership of the Sunshine Coast Turf Club.
Mr Geeves, who has been Club chairman for seven years, was a foundation member of the Club and member of the inaugural committee back in 1980. He is the only member of the original committee to be still on the key management body.
“We thought it right and proper that the Club should recognise Les’ commitment to the Club and to the racing industry over so many years and the work he put in as a Committee member throughout that whole period,” Committee member Tom Blacklaw said today.
“The motion to honour Les with a Life Membership was put to a normal meeting of the Club Committee ahead of today’s special pre-Christmas race meeting at the Club’s headquarters at Corbould Park Caloundra.
“It was carried unanimously by the Committee,“ he said.
Mr Blacklaw said that Life membership of the Club was not something that was granted lightly and an individual had to have made a substantial contribution to the Club over a considerable number of years to be considered for the honour.
“Our current Chairman, Les Geeves, has done just that,” he said.
Apart from his Club chairmanship, Les Geeves, is Chief Executive Officer, Director and Company Secretary of Crushers Leagues Club in Brisbane, which has bar and restaurant facilities and over 100 Poker Machines.
He has been involved in the hospitality industry since 1970, and has managed and operated hotels over the years in Laidley, Toowoomba, Caloundra, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Dalby, Magnetic Island, Carindale, Cairns and Pialba.
Les has been Sunshine Coast Turf Club Chairman since April 1997 and is a past board member of Queensland Principal Club serving two terms, the maximum allowed under Club rules. He has owned and raced thoroughbreds for over 30 years.
Les was a distinguished Rugby League player and coach, and a Queensland State player.
He is a Board Member of the Leagues Clubs Association of Queensland and an Australian Kangaroo Test Rugby League Selector.
In seeking re-election to the Club Committee in 2002, Mr Geeves said it was a privilege to be the Chairman of the Club and a position he was proud to hold.
“During 18 years of operation, the Sunshine Coast Turf Club has grown in stature, earning the respect of all industry participants on a national level,” he said.
“Looking to the future, I am totally committed to service for our Members, continued growth and stature of our Club, increasing prize money levels and quality of racing, and to continue presenting our Club facilities and services at the highest standard.”
Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Sunshine Coast Turf Club Committee Member Don Moffatt said: ”we have worked together with Les for many years and we are all delighted he has been awarded the honour of Life Membership of the Club he has dedicated so much time to over the years.”
Club Chief Executive, Mick Sullivan said he was delighted that Les Geeves had received the honour of Life Membership of the Club.
“Les Geeves has shown exceptional commitment and loyalty to the Club over many years, being a foundation member and has served on the Committee for the 23 years of its existence, from 1980 when planning first got underway,” he said.
“He now heads a united and forward-looking Club committee dedicated to furthering the future of racing on the Sunshine Coast.”
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Kylie and Ian Perkin on 0409 309 564 (Kylie); 0404 177 734 (Ian) or
Mick Sullivan, Chief Executive, Sunshine Coast Turf Club on (07) 5491 6788 or Les Geeves, Chairman, Sunshine Coast Turf Club on 0417 221 441
