The Central Desert Shire Council is proud to once again be associated with the Harts Range Bush Sports Weekend being held over the Picnic Day weekend in August (3rd - 5th August).  The weekend will feature the Indigenous Communities Horse Race sponsored by the Council.  The Tom Cleary Stakes is a horse race in which local community members will be competing to see who has the fastest bush horse. 

The event is named after Mr. Tom Cleary currently of Atula Station (and formally of Mt Riddock Station) who has been one of the clubs patrons for many years and an avid jockey in his time.

Indigenous Communities Horse Race the Central Desert Shire Council ‘Tom Cleary Stakes’

Which community has the fastest horses and riders?

Saturday August 3rd

Race Rules:

• Time: 10:00am nominate; race starts 10:30am sharp
• Length of race: 400m
• Nomination Fees: $20/horse (covers insurance for jockeys while in race)
• Riders must be over 16 yrs old, wear safety vest and helmet (supplied by club) and use stock saddle.
• Horses must be not registered for racing and have lived on an Indigenous community or homeland for at least the last 12 months.
• Riders and owners must be residents of Indigenous communities or home-lands in the Central Australia region. (Central Desert, Macdonnell and Barkly)
• Prize money: 1st- $300 + trophy   2nd-$200   3rd- $100
• Only 2 horses per community or outstation allowed with a maximum of 8 per total for the race.
• First in best dressed.
• Horses can also compete in the other 2 races- Gemtree Bracelet and Elders Stockman’s Cup

Questions or to nominate ring Liz 8956 9779.

The Harts Range Racecourse is located 215km east of Alice Springs on the Plenty Highway and is adjacent to the Atitjere community.  For more information please see the Harts Range Amateur Race Club’s website: http://www.hartsrangeraces.org.au/aboutus.html (external link).

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The Council has a one (1) year term for the Deputy Shire President.  The term has expired and the Council elected Councillor Robert Robertson as the new Deputy Shire President .

"Congratulations to Councillor Robertson for being voted the new Deputy Shire President. I would also like to thank Councillor Norbert Patrick for his time and hard work as Deputy President for the last twelve (12) months." Said Adrian Dixon, Shire President, Central Desert Shire Council.