3 minute read

Bodelle Francis is looking forward to rejuvenating the Oakbank Racing Club in her new role as Chief Executive Officer.

She brings a wealth of experience from the hospitality and racing industry having served as interim CEO at the South Australian Jockey Club during her 10 years on the board, including as Chair.

"I've now got a young family and decided it was time for a change," said Bodelle about her move back to the horse racing industry.

"I've now become a hills local and thought what better thing to do than to join a very historic, very renowned amazing club such as Oakbank, and I hope to bring some fresh ideas and rejuvenate some life into it.

"Oakbank has so much potential, it's got so much history. As someone once described another hotel to me - it's a grand old dame so let's bring that grand old dame back to some former glory, but also looking at what else we can do to rejuvenate and rebuild and use the beautiful, picturesque space that the Racing Club is surrounded by," she said.

"I think one of the key things that is so great about Oakbank is it's got a beautiful community, and that's one of the things I love most about racing. It does have that sense of community, and since coming back into the industry it does feel like home for me."

Along with significant hospitality experience including inaugural General Manager of Australia's first stadium hotel - Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval, Bodelle has strong family ties to the industry.

"My parents have been involved in racing since before I was born and I think I've been close to visiting every South Australian track and many Nation-wide to watch our horses.

"We have Finniss Lodge Thoroughbreds and my dad is still a co-trainer there so racing is very much in my blood.

"After being out of the industry for a little while, I'm so happy to be back," said Bodelle.