Business Proposal for

Prepared by:

Peter Kinnaird

www.nichebusiness.com.au

Date:

30 April, 2025

"Nothing changes if nothing changes"

The purpose of this business proposal is for Mudgee Race Club (MRC) to achieve change, they must initiate action or create a catalyst for it. 

In essence, stagnation leads to continued stagnation; you must actively work towards a desired outcome for it to occur. This is reflected by that in December 2024 after losing the CEO midway through 2024, the Committee decided to seek a CEO, however, to date no one has been appointed.

In having had time to appraise the situation of the Mudgee Race Club, it is clearly apparent it needs a fresh approach to the CEO role concept.

There are several aspects to overcome firstly a lot of past Board issues that are still well remembered and referred to within the local community in a negative manner. Then to address the Clubs current vision of moving forward is very similar to the past plans.

My proposal may well unsettle some people, but if nothing changes then there can be no improvement, however when it is well planned and supported, change is beneficial.

In being an external person to anyone within the MRC and having experience, required skills and ability to transform, I feel it captures the saying of “The right person in the right place at the right time”.

Please feel free to discuss any questions or matters you have, with me via phone/email/team.

In closing, I look forward to supporting The Mudgee Race Club with our services.

Peter Kinnaird

CEO, Niche Business Australia & Bizport Services

Phone: 1300 859 363

Mobile: 0427 779 415

Email: [email protected]

The Business Proposal

Reflection

Sadly these issues still are well remembered amongst the Mudgee Community:

2020

Mystery behind Mudgee Race Club’s missing cash divides bush community from 2013 to 2015

2021

Former Mudgee Race Club head Colleen Walker takes NSW Racing to court

2023

CEO Damien Toose leaves to go to Manning valley Race Club

2024

Transcript of Stewards Inquiry -released in NSW Parliament

2024

Mudgee contest declared a no-race after being run 150m longer

"Reflection is not just a glance at the past, but a chance to shape the future." 

Current

Without being able to conduct a full operational audit on MRC, the following are what has been advised of through conversations, observations and MRC lack of visibility of

i

Committee Members are not known or promoted to the general public.

ii

There is no known person to contact other than send a email to the general email address or leave a message on the answering service for phone contact.

iii

The marketing of the Race Days to the local community are basically non existent except for the sign board at the front of the race track and it is only changed close to race days.

A few posts are placed on Facebook & Instagram a few days before a race day attracting very low viewing hits.

iv

Speaking with several local business owners basically none knew who ran the Race Club, when the events were on,

what value sponsorship may give them or that special non-race day events could be held.

v

The caterer has left and have not seen any notification of any replacement being appointed, at most recent race day, grazing boxes where supplied from a local winery.

vi

Some disgruntlement in regards to the situation of the horse stalls being available to rent.

vii

Complaints and not any real perceived action being taken in regards to the inside training track being improved.

viii

Visually from the main road, the security of the outside fence is non compliant with safety requirements,

the middle of the course needs mowing to cut down the long unappealing dry grass and can be a fire issue due to

the current dry weather conditions

ix

There is no signage at the front entrance of the race track advising of entry conditions when a race meeting is not on.

x

There is no recognition of the sponsors on the web site.

xi

Errors in promo on Facebook page.

xii

Facebook only getting less than 300 visits on a race day month (several are repeat visits by people-so actual individual visits would equate to around 200 to 250)

As previously stated, this is NOT a full audit findings and as such cannot advise further of current, corporate, operational or marketing situations.

Industry Vision

ARMA in their 2025 Conference are promoting the conferences topics below that the Mudgee Race Club currently find themselves in a similar position as to their needs to not only to become more active but to be more progressive in functionality & attraction for better attendances and sponsors.

With a strong focus on future trends, operational excellence, and member wellbeing, this year’s Conference will explore topics including:

How data and technology are transforming turf management.

Mental health and member support across the industry.

Equine welfare from a turf and track management perspective.

The future of battery-powered machinery and sustainable equipment.

Environmental leadership and sustainable racecourse operations.

The role of media in modern racecourse management.

Updates on major racecourse infrastructure projects.

Industry expert panel: workplace safety and efficiency innovations

Supporting NSW Thoroughbred Race Clubs Ensuring that NSW Thoroughbred Race Clubs have the appropriate corporate governance, are efficiently operated and financially viable is critical to the industry achieving continued growth and success.

Holding these clubs accountable for delivery of safe and productive training facilities and for the conduct of successful race meetings is also a key function of Racing NSW to protect the ongoing interest of the industry.

RNSWC is required to function within the Rules of Racing and its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

As such, the functions of RNSWC are:

To conduct, manage, plan, develop and monitor programs, which enhance the operation of country racing in NSW.

The establishment and maintenance of financial and other controls

of all country race clubs.

The provision of certain common services deemed to be

in the interest of country racing.

To promote the growth of country racing and to facilitate greater

participation by all stake holders.

Promulgate and enforce regulations for the supervision, control,

development and promotion of country racing.

All of these visions are for the benefit of race clubs and should be encompassed

as part of the MRC's own vision and undertakings.

However, there is significant workload to be undertaken to achieve the major ones let alone all of them.

Mudgee Race

Club Proposal

What is about to be proposed is a change to the CEO role

and description in December 2024.

How data and technology are transforming turf management

Mental health and member support across the industry

Equine welfare from a turf and track management perspective

The future of battery-powered machinery and sustainable equipment

Environmental leadership and sustainable racecourse operations

The role of media in modern racecourse management

Updates on major racecourse infrastructure projects

Emerging technologies for enhanced workplace safety

and efficiency

In addition to these MRC need to also plan to address:

01

A proper SWOT audit to be conducted.

02

A full business plan in fine detail through to June 2026 and then to a lesser degree for 2027 &2028 financial years.

03

Board committee member visibility.

04

Asset & Contracts register & conformity, conditions and updating replacement planning.

05

A proper Risk Mitigation Plan and System in place for:

⦿ Workplace safety, for employees, contractors, volunteers, trainers, jockeys & visitors

⦿ HR, proper employment or contracts for employees, contractors

⦿ Animal protection procedures

⦿ Environmental condition quality & regulatory compliance

06

A proper plan for Volunteers -attainment, training, recognition

07

Detailed plan on how to conduct a race day, non-race event such as conference, wedding, corporate meeting, post funeral function, etc.

08

Attain a quality Events Organiser/Caterer on a contract basis

09

Sponsorship business plan to attain, support, retain, provide ROI

10

Members business plan to attract, entertain, encourage to renew, give value

11

Visitors /race day fans- plan to attract, entertain, encourage to come again , give value

Without doubt, this is too large an expectation for a part time CEO to undertake by themselves.

What is being proposed is to not undertake a CEO style role but far more. It is timely in that the ARMA have chosen to address at their next annual conference some of the main issues currently facing MRC.

Thus, our business proposal.

Through Niche Business Australia, it is contracted as MRC management company to undertake all of the above.

The Niche Team have various skills and as such can ensure each action required will be professionally undertaken under the control of Peter Kinnaird who to the outside world of MRC will act as CEO.

The Niche team and its majority owned subsidiary BizPort Services will enable MRC to have a support mechanism it has never had to take it from its current precarious position to that of being a leading country race club.

So let's look at:

The Plan Flow Chart & Timeline

Capabilities & Resources

Resources + Capabilities = CORE COMPETENCE

The Senior Team

We have carefully built a Team of Passionate people who firmly believe

your goal is their goal and deliver their expertise in that manner.

Support & Reference

Peter Kinnaird

Corporate & Management Planning & Reporting

This will be undertaken through a professional software package that will encompass several business software multi-tools to streamline and automate systems & processes.

The Risk Mitigation Service will be for security & regulatory reasons on a separate portal.

Risk Mitigation Services

Through our subsidiary BizPort Services, we will cover all of these through an online portal:

Human Resources

Simplifying HR tasks with customisable key documents.

Safety

Ensuring reputation as caring for workers'safety, is complying.

Quality Assurance

Guiding business

to consistent standards.

Psychosocial

Supporting businesses to ensure a healthier workforce.

Environmental

Ensuring the business is complying and the community respects the business's care.

Cyber Security

Protecting business's digital assets from being hacked

or stolen.

Return to Work

Qualified support partner focused on accelerating

staff's recovery.

Marketing for MRC

Digital Presence & Community Engagement

Website Optimisation

Redesign/update website to prominently feature committee, contact information, race calendar,

and sponsor recognition

Local SEO

Targeted local search optimization to increase visibility to Mudgee residents and visitors

Social Media Revitalisation

Create consistent content calendar focused on upcoming events, behind-the-scenes content, and community engagement

Event Marketing & Attendance Growth

Race Day Promotion Strategy

Develop comprehensive promotional timelines (not just last-minute signage)

Community Business Partnerships

Structured outreach program to local businesses for sponsorships with clear ROI documentation

Non-Race Day Event Marketing

Create promotional materials for conferences, weddings, and other venue rental opportunities

Reputation Management & Brand Rebuilding

Crisis Communication Strategy

Address past negative publicity through strategic communication

Community Goodwill Campaign

Content highlighting positive contributions to local economy and community

Transparency Initiatives

Regular updates on improvements and developments

CRM Implementation

Member Database Development

Build comprehensive database of members, sponsors, and attendees

Automated Communication

Event reminders, membership renewals,

and targeted offers

Sponsor Relationship Management

Tracking and measuring sponsor ROI

Measurement & Reporting

Attendance Analytics

Track event participation and demographic information

Marketing ROI Reporting

Regular reports showing impact of marketing initiatives

Stakeholder Communication

Tailored reporting for committee members and sponsors

So now we have ripped off the bandage of the problems MRC have been facing and offer solution on how to improve the situation to a healthier state , we need to of course discuss the investment to undertake the Business Proposal.

Naturally we have not gone into real fine detail as it can be confusing but also currently it is our Intellectual Property and Knowledge that has to be guarded against people taking and trying to reproduce it.