The build-up to the 59th annual St Patrick’s Races – set to take place at the Broken Hill Racecourse on Saturday, March 16 – has ramped up with the opening of the St Pat’s office housed at the Broken Hill Pub on Argent St, enabling racegoers to make enquiries and bookings face-to-face.
Ticket sales have already exceeded last year’s levels with two sites sold out with more than 90 per cent of bookings made online via 123 Tix.
The demand for picnic tables and shaded areas has also been keeping the St Patrick’s Race Club busy ahead of the race meeting in just four weeks time.
“We did expand one area – that being Wacky’s Bar – from 300 to 350 people, but we have maxed out now,” St Patrick’s Race Club President, Andrew Schmidt, said.
With just a month to go, the St Patrick’s Race Club committee has been busy working behind the scenes to make sure all is in readiness for Broken Hill’s largest annual social and sporting event.
Further innovations and upgrades will be unveiled in the weeks to come, however the Telstra mobile phone tower that appeared on site last year to provide attendees with phone and internet coverage on race day, will again be in place this year, with the backing of Broken Hill City Council.
“In the modern era, you must be able to provide internet connectivity at any sort of event and we were more than happy to assist St Pat’s,” Mayor Tom Kennedy said.
Broken Hill Community Credit Union, as a major sponsor, will also continue their support in 2024, while Mr Schmidt was thankful to the new owners of the BHP for their assistance too.
“We often say without the backing of organisations such as the Credit Union we would not race. It is so heartening to see the Credit Union once again supporting us,” Mr Schmidt said.
“We were so fortunate with the wonderful relationship we had with the original BHP owners, Steve Radford and Marg McBride. It has now continued with the new owners Tim and Ainslie Baillie. Both Tim and Ainslie appreciate how important St Pat’s is to the community of Broken Hill and they have thrown their support behind us.”
While the St Pat’s office has only just opened this week, work at the Broken Hill Racecourse has been ongoing with a team of committee painters on-site over the past few days putting some final touches on the 115-year-old member’s grandstand.
Pundits looking at heading to the St Patrick’s Races are encouraged to purchase a membership pack, general admission tickets, a picnic table, or even a booking in the Gary Radford Pavillion.
“We are open for business. Get in early, grab your tickets, and get ready for a great day out,” Office Manager Lyn Bent said.
The St Pat’s office is at 400A Argent St and open Monday-Friday between 10am and 3pm. Alternatively, you can call the office on 8087 7550.
PICTURE: L to R, Broken Hill Mayor Tom Kennedy, Broken Hill Pub Owner Tim Baillie, Broken Hill Community Credit Union General Manager Louise Hunt. JASON IRVINE
