News

Chaplaincy, at its heart, is a ministry of presence. Of literally ‘being there’ for people during times of need. Meeting with people at the track, in cafes, in hospitals or in their homes. During the Covid-19 restrictions, we have been limited to mostly being ‘present’ with people by non-physical means, such as intensive telephone and…

ARCC welcomes its newest Committee Member, Rev David Tyndall. David is one if the founder of Sports Ministry in Australia.  He was director of the Archbishop of Sydney’s Olympic Games Taskforce.  He was also secretary of the original committee to establish chaplaincy to the Horse Racing industry in 1994. We also acknowledge the wonderful contribution…

ARCC National Chaplain, Rev Colin Watts, this month celebrates 10 years of support to the racing industry. “When I first started, the most frequent comment I heard was ‘I never knew we had a chaplain’.  But I almost never hear that now. People are very much aware of the chaplains wherever I go.” “Chaplaincy is best…

Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy is sad to announce the recent death of Perth-based ARCC chaplain Wayne Trompp following a sudden illness.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, especially his wife Tammy and their children Joshua, Kahlia, Caris, Shania and Mitchell. OCTOBER 31, 2018

Riharna Thomson was a dedicated track rider and stable hand at Thoroughbred Park racecourse. She was a popular, friendly, young woman – who loved horses and was a keen student of politics. She passed away this morning in Canberra hospital, surrounded by her family and friends, following a tragic accident during trackwork at the racecourse…

One of the goals of ARCC is to see chaplaincy spread across racetracks around NSW and indeed Australia.  An important part of this is to build relationships with race clubs, trainers, jockeys etc from across the state and includes travel far and wide. This year included trips to Ascot and Gloucester Park racecourses in Perth,…

The Queen’s Birthday 2013 Honours List MEDAL (OAM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION Brother Paul Daniel STAFFORD, For service to the community of Sydney as a chaplain. Current Catholic Chaplain, Australian Turf Club. Board Member, Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy, since 2003. Honorary Catholic Chaplain to the NSW racing industry. Fundraising Ambassador, St Vincent de Paul Society….

Colin Watts with ambulanceman Trevor Hill at Warwick Farm One of the ever-present features at a race meeting are the ambulance officers. They are there to respond to any accidental injuries that might arise from the racing and/or handling of the horses.  At metropolitan tracks they also attend trackwork sessions each morning. On most occasions…