About the Avoca Shire Turf Club

The Avoca Shire Turf Club is located in Avoca, Victoria - a vibrant community minded rural town located in the heart of the Pyrenees Ranges. The magnificent and untouched Pyrenees region is well known for its wineries, art galleries, the Pyrenees ranges, its agriculture and of course the Avoca Races!

The Club has been operating for over 151 years, missing only six race seasons during WWII. In fact, the Avoca Cup has been around two years longer than Melbourne Cup providing the Club with a long and interesting history.

The Club runs two race meetings each racing season, being the PJA & Blue Pyrenees Avoca Cup on Caulfield Cup Day and the Mount Avoca ANZAC Day Races on ANZAC Day. Both race meetings are great fun and are well recognized as being the biggest in the state on those days.

So if you are into great food and wine, country fun and thoroughbred racing join thousands of others and head to the Pyrenees for a great day out!

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Avoca Shire Turf Club History Snapshot

The Club's first season was in 1857-08.
Their events then consisted of both trotting and galloping races and were often held over three days.
The committee used to hold their committee meetings at The Union, Albion, Avoca & Victoria Hotels.
An exert from 1858 says that 'All dogs found on the course will be destroyed.' These days the Clubs just says 'No dogs allowed.'
In 1869, the Club had a total of 181 pounds in the bank.
In 1873, the first grandstand was built which was later replaced in 1920.
In 1874, the races were postponed due to flood conditions.
The Club was disbanded during World War II (1939-45) however reformed in 1947 due to the enthusiasm of the local residents.
The course back then had little in the way of amenities. Bamboo sticks with red flags made the running rails.
In 1974 the then named 'Chateau Remy Cup' was worth $325 and $50 trophy.
In 1983 Taltarni became the major sponsor.
In 2006 Mount Avoca became the major sponsor of the ANZAC Day Races.
In 2009, the Club unfortunately lost its Labour Day weekend races, name Pink Lamb Purple Shiraz.
In 2009, PJA Accountants & Business Advisors joined Blue Pyrenees to become naming rights sponsors of the Avoca Cup.
In 2010, the Club helped manage the first ever Pyrenees Festival of Racing & Tasting, featuring the Mount Avoca ANZAC Day Races.

Do you have any information to add to this history snapshot? If so, we would love to hear it. Call Vanessa Briody on 0402 9979 26.

Jumps Racing Avoca Crowd in the GrandStand

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Avoca Shire Turf Club Committee

Ashley Howell (President)

Amphitheatre sheep and cattle farmer, Ashley Howell, has been Club President since 2007 when he took the reigns from his father, Jon Howell, who still plays an important role on the committee.

Ashley first became involved with the Club when he used to attend working bees with his father and mother. His involvement continued when he started to work behind the bar for both the local footy club and the race club.

As well as being the President of the Avoca Shire Turf Club, Ashley is the President of the Avoca Tennis Club, 1st Lieutenant on the Amphitheatre Fire Brigade and a volunteer on the committee of the Avoca Sport and Recreation.

Ashley and wife Tania have three daughters who are all involved in local sporting Clubs. Ashley plays for Avoca in the Maryborough and District Tennis Association and enjoys motorbike riding, shooting and camping.

Ashley’s Grandfather, father and uncle are all life members of the Avoca Shire Turf Club.

Lloyd Astbury (Vice President)

Similar to many, Lloyd Astbury first became involved with the Club as a member 25 years ago when he was annually organizing friends and family reunions on Cup Day.

His grandfather C.K. Astbury was also a tireless volunteer and Secretary for the Club for many years. When Lloyd was invited to nominate for a position within the Committee, he felt very honoured and hoped that he would serve the Club well as Vice President, just as his grandfather did.

Lloyd grew up in Avoca, worked the family farm and played local football. He moved to Maryborough about 25 years ago, setting up his own engineering business, Asbury Welding & Contracting, which now works all over Victoria.

He still regards Avoca as his home and manages a farm at Tanwood, just out of Avoca, as his time away from his business. Lloyd’s business Astbury Welding & Contracting sponsor the Club annually. He is also a sponsor and member of the Avoca Football Club.

Lloyd is not very big on speeches and photos but finds great pride in seeing his daughters dressed up and presenting the trophy to the winning jockey connections on race day. His daughter, Sarah (Sez) is now the Club’s Young Members Ambassador, as well as member and volunteer.

Barry Slater (Vice President)
John Brown
Brenda Carey
Kaye Charlesworth
Wayne Cooper
Sean Duggan
Bruce Field
Brian Hamer
Lindsay (Gus) Harrison
Steve Holland

Jon Howell

Similar to son Ashley, Jon Howell became involved with the ASTC because his father Errol was a member of the committee. Jon has been attending working bees and assisting on race days since 1952. In 1956 when his father was president he was requested to attend the AGM to ensure there was a quorum. He was appointed to the committee at that meeting.

The Howell family has a rich history with the ASTC. Jon’s father was on committee since the reforming of the club after WWII, he was also

president for some time and for several years a delegate to the Ballarat District Racing Association. Jon’s brother Peter, was Clerk of the Course and a Committee member for many years and also served a considerable time as President. Now, Jon’s son Ashley is the current President, who also has three young daughters that we all hope will continue this family tradition.

Jon Howell has farmed at Amphitheatre since 1960. Since 1955 he has been an active member of Amphitheatre Fire Brigade, has been Chairman of Brigade for 22 years and been involved in Fire Brigade Championship Region 16.

He has always been involved in local sporting clubs as player and committee, including football, tennis, golf and lawn bowls, also serving on each of their committees for a period of time. Jon is also a member of Land Care and Victorian Farmers Federation and a past secretary of the Avoca Bush Nursing Centre.

Kelvin Neil

More committee profiles coming soon.....