NEWS HR
Endeavour Group has announced the appointment of Jeanette Fenske as the new managing director of its BWS liquor chain. Fenske will succeed Scott Davidson, who announced his intention to step down in June and will depart from Endeavour in November.
Sophie Swain has departed her role as ownership manager at Racing Queensland to take up the position of sponsorship and events manager – Queensland with Tabcorp. Swain had been with Racing Queensland for three years, working in a key public-facing role to retain existing and attract new owners to racing. She has filled the Tabcorp role, which focuses on partnership and event work across Queensland, on a contract basis. Her first gig was at this weekend’s Birdsville races. Swain had previously worked as the long-term executive assistant for Vin Cox at Godolphin and had filled similar operational roles at both Arrowfield Stud and Gai Waterhouse Racing.
Peter Duncan’s 30 years in the clubs’ industry will be helpful as the Deniliquin RSL Club’s new CEO. His appointment was confirmed this week, and he will start in the new role from Monday, September 8. Mr Duncan’s most recent clubs role was with the Mulwala Water Ski Club, where he was CEO for 15 years. He left the role in January this year to enter retirement, but said he “wasn’t really enjoying it”. So when he heard about the job opportunity at the Deniliquin RSL, he jumped at the chance. While he is from Yarrawonga, Mr Duncan said he is very familiar with the Deniliquin RSL Club and its services.
Damian Quayle has begun working as Chief Operating Officer at Solaire Resort North, the luxury integrated resort in Quezon City that opened in 2024. Quayle has over 30 years of experience in the integrated resort, gaming, hospitality, and tourism sectors and was previously chief gaming officer at SJM Resorts in Macau.
Sydney-listed casino operator The Star Entertainment Group has strengthened its senior leadership team with a series of executive management changes. Jennifer Cronin has been appointed interim CEO of The Star Gold Coast, subject to all regulatory and Ministerial approvals. This is for a maximum term of 12 months while The Star continues its search for a permanent CEO. Cronin has also been appointed as a director of The Star Entertainment Qld Custodian, the licensee of The Star Gold Coast Casino, for an initial term of three years. Formal appointments have also been made, which see Rowena Craze appointed group chief risk officer, after joining The Star in April 2024 as group chief audit officer. Patrick McGlinchey has been appointed group chief legal officer (CLO) after joining The Star last August as interim group CLO. Meanwhile, Sarah Derry has received all regulatory approvals to commence her role as chief people officer, effective 1 July, and Peter Meliniotis has been moved to the group chief information officer role after joining in January as group technology transformation executive. As announced at the company’s Annual General Meeting last November, The Star is continuing the decentralisation to its casino properties, while also embedding its new Governance Framework as agreed with regulators, the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) and the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR). As part of this, The Star Sydney has appointed Helen Galloway as independent chair, subject to all regulatory and Ministerial approvals. Her appointment will be for an initial term of three years. “I am pleased to finalise these key appointments for The Star,” said Steve McCann, CEO and managing director of The Star. “These appointments add to the depth of experience and talent at the Board and executive level and are a key step in The Star’s progress to suitability.” The Star is currently in the process of implementing the strategic investment into The Star by Bally’s and Investment Holdings.
Racing Victoria cuts jobs to recover financial losses
MELBOURNE: Racing Victoria has made sweeping job cuts as it attempts to stem losses amid a downturn in losses.
The body, which controls prize money for Victorian racing, declined to reveal how many jobs went, but sources claim as many as 30 roles were made redundant this week.
It comes after a secret document revealed that the Victoria Racing Club was seeking to slash prize money to the All Star Mile and Australian Cup to increase the Melbourne Cup to $10 million.
Job cuts were across the board, but included on air talent from Racing.com.
“Along with a decline in wagering revenue, the RV Group has experienced changes to its previous funding model and ongoing pressure on operational costs,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
As a result, a number of roles across all levels and divisions of the RV Group, including the recently integrated RV-owned media businesses, will not be a part of the future structure.”
Racing Victoria apologised for the cuts, saying it was a “tough time” for those who lose their jobs.
“These are people who have given great service to the RV Group and the Victorian racing industry,” it said.
“RV will continue to support those impacted who will receive their entitlements, which are typically based on length of service, while providing access to continued Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support after their employment ends, along with one-on-one career transition coaching.”
Victorian racing received a bump in wagering during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it was one of the only sports allowed to continue during Melbourne’s lockdowns.
However, wagering declined when the state reopened, leaving the industry struggling to maintain the same levels of prize money.
RV announced an $11.8 million loss in the 2024 financial year, while the VRC has lost $70 million over four years.
However the VRC has presented projections that show it will return to profit over the coming years.
Moonee Valley Racing Club will close down its track after the Cox Plate for redevelopment, while the Melbourne Racing Club has scrapped a plan to rebuild its stand at Caulfield.
The moves in Victoria racing come as NSW racing sets to receive a $5 billion boost if Australian Turf Club members approve the sale of Rosehill racecourse.
The Rosehill site will be turned into a mini-city, with 25,000 apartments and townhouses.
The ATC has promised some members five years’ free membership and $1000 in hospitality vouchers if the sale was approved.
