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Healesville Amateur Racing Club has taken out the the David J Bourke Community Picnic Club of the Year Award.

Healesville was acknowledged for its strong involvement with the local community and actions when developing and implementing a blueprint to ensure racing could continue despite the threat of EI late last year.

Secretary Peter Jenkins said the Award was something everybody involved with the club could take great pride in achieving.

“As a Club we were quite chuffed and pleased to receive the Award. It is great recognition for the committee and volunteers of the Club who have done the hard work to ensure the Club continues to be a success,” Jenkins said.

“Healesville is a great community based grassroots club that continues to achieve much on and off the track.

“This kind of award is something everyone can share in and will be an asset going forward.

“From marketing and promotions point of view, we can proudly claim to be the Picnic Club of the Year, which in turn ensures confidence from patrons and sponsors in the race days we conduct.”

Pakenham rider Adam Bodey pocketed his eighth consecutive Barry Ryan Memorial Award, which is determined by stewards' votes at each meeting throughout the season.

The Award recognised Bodey's continued riding excellence, skill and horsemanship on the picnic racing throughout 2007-08.

Bodey also picked up the Leading Rider of the Year after guiding 47 winners last season, pipping Runner-Up Rider of the Year Kane Harris by one winner.

Sale trainer Alec Manning had a couple of reasons to smile after claiming Trainer of the Year thanks to 15 wins from 70 starters and his stable star Warrigal Tom was named Picnic Horse of the Year.

Picnic Trainer of the Year was Tyabb trainer David Brown, while the Dennis Foy Memorial Up & Coming Rider Award went to John Fitzgerald.

After 49 years of loyal service to Yea St Pat's Racing Club, the efforts of John McCormack were recognised when he was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award.