MEET THE BOARD

COOK BRETT CHAIRMAN When Brett’s not at the track he is occupied running his transport and earthmoving business at Ashmore known as Coastal Tipper Hire (CTH). A family based business which started out in the 1980’s with only 2 machines and has since grown into the largest family owned operation of its kind in SEQ and is still expanding.

Brett has formed part of the Gold Coast Turf Club Board for over 16 years where he was elected onto the board as a Director in 2007 and in 2009 was elected Deputy Chairman and then in 2011 appointed Chairman. During his long tenure as Chairman, Brett has provided leadership to the Board and Club ensuring good corporate governance and access to all levels of Government and Industry participants.

Brett also supports the club with sponsorship in the form of racedays, permanent signage, private events and fundraisers. In June 2021 Brett founded the ‘Men Matter Raceday’ which aimed to educate, raise money and awareness for Men’s Health. The success of the day raised in excess of $143,000.00 for local charities, LIVIN, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and The Common Good.

Brett continues to seek out further opportunities that will benefit the club and the local racing industry. WATSON TRENT DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
(Finance) For over a decade Trent Watson has been a respected and valuable member of the Gold Coast Turf Club Board.

Currently holding position as Deputy Chairman, he has assisted the Board with various projects throughout his tenure helping bring the club to where it is today. Trent’s background stems from distinguished organisations like TSS & Griffith University which has developed his ambitious character, leading to owning and running his own business at Bank of Queensland (BOQ) Capalaba.

Trent’s key focuses are and have always been on longevity and consistency in people, service, attitude and effort! YOUNG JARRAD HONORARY TREASURER
(Finance) Jarrad has over 20 years’ experience in the Accounting/business advisory industry and is currently a Director of emerging Cordner Advisory Accountants firm, having previously undertaken the role of Senior Manager at Gold Coast KPMG Accountants for many years. Jarrad brings to the board a wealth of professional experience in accountancy and finance. Jarrad is a passionate horse owner and has been a member and involved with horse racing for many years. He has lived on the Gold Coast his entire life and has two children.
 WARD PETER DIRECTOR
(Development) Peter has been a member of the Club for over 12 years and a regular patron. He has successfully owned racehorses in several Australian states and is enthusiastic about the thoroughbred industry, particularly with the exciting times ahead of the GCTC.

Peter lives on the Gold Coast and has been an active business leader both on the Gold Coast and nationally. He moved to QLD as the general manager of Lend Lease (property/construction giant) in 2007 and is now advising and consulting for numerous clients through his new company One Project Management Group. Peter brings Development and Property experience to the Board and has a passion for helping improve the offering for the club and its members. HENDERSON LUKE DIRECTOR
(Racing and Training) Luke is a partner of the highly successful real estate firm known as ‘Professionals Mermaid Beach’ and is the Chairman of St Hilda’s Foundation. As a born and bred Gold Coaster Luke is named as one of the city most influential year after year and was previously named as one of the nation’s 40 most influential racing people under the age of 40. In the real estate world Luke is a licensed auctioneer and sales agent and is ranked amongst the state’s best.

As a horse owner and breeder, Luke has part-owned winners of some of Australia’s greatest races – Melbourne Cup (Fiorente) – Caulfield Cup (Descarado), – Golden Slipper and Sires Produce (Sebring) and The Galaxy and Magic Millions 3yo (Sweet Idea). LEESON GREG DIRECTOR
(Marketing, Sponsorship & Event) Greg has over 27 years’ experience in the FMCG industry as both a National and State Sales Manager and has had a strong association with the GCTC for many years. He worked for Cadbury Schweppes in numerous senior executive roles for over 18 years and is now the National Business Manager for Norco, a 100% dairy farmer owned co-op based locally here on the Gold Coast. Greg understands the key to success in an extremely competitive consumers market and brings a wealth of knowledge across sales and marketing to the club. AHRENS ROYCE DIRECTOR
(Beaudesert Racing Club) Royce and his family moved up to Queensland in 1974 and founded their family business ‘Beenleigh Interior Linings’. After 37 years of being heavily involved in the business Royce & Rhonda handed the reins over to their son Matthew who continues to run and manage the family business.

Royce has always had an interest in horses and racing whereby in the late 1980′ became an owner and then naturally progressed into Breeding and to date; continues to run around 10-15 broodmares per season. He has also served as club President and Director for Beaudesert Race Club for approximately 5 years and continues to serve as one of the club’s committee members.

In line with the partnership of Beaudesert Race Club and Gold Coast Turf Club Royce brings valuable insight and understanding of how we can best integrate both businesses and utilize resources into the future. HASTINGS TARA DIRECTOR
(Corporate Governance & Compliance) Tara has over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer advising and representing sport, business and government on a broad range of issues including corporate management and governance, compliance, risk management, event management, contractual matters, intellectual property and administrative law issues. Tara has a passion for sports administration management and has previously worked as a Senior Manager at Cricket Australia and an Executive at Racing Queensland. Tara has now established her own legal practice providing advice to a range of commercial clients and sports organisations.

Tara is also a sports fanatic and when she is not at the races she can be found at the cricket, AFL, rugby or just about any other sporting event. COWELL SANDY Director
(Membership and Wagering) Sandy has been a Gold Coast resident since 1982 and is a part of a successful family involved in racing, development, and quarrying. Her professional journey began in the late 1970s when she assumed the role of a Company Director of the Cowell Group, a position she holds to this day. The family’s local businesses have been run locally since 1982, culminating in the creation of numerous expansive estates, most notably Silvabank Waters (now known as Burleigh Waters) and Old Burleigh Town. The family also owns Ascot Lodge and Waverly Park Lodge, distinguished racing establishments situated on the Gold Coast. Over the years, the stables have consistently produced numerous winning racehorses.

Sandy’s late father, Eric Cowell, left a lasting mark on the Australian racing scene and is now honoured as a GCTC Hall of Famer. He was the founder and developer of Traintech 2000 an International Equine Training Centre for Australian and International Students and is now the GCTC Stabling Centre. In keeping her father’s legacy alive, Sandy has been a member of the Club for over two decades and is a passionate racehorse owner. She has long supported the Club by sponsoring various racedays throughout the year.