It was on September 14, 1972 that a public meeting was held at the Mount Gambier City Hall to form the South East Greyhound Racing Club.
Messrs. A. Steele (Chairman), B. Wittwer (Secretary), R. Clark, J. Cruise, E. Lewis, N. F. McDonnell, J. O’Brien, J. O’Connor, C. Potter, J. Taylor, J. Walters, R. White and J. Sullivan were the inaugural committee members.
But, as it turned out, it would be a further seven years before greyhound racing commenced in Mount Gambier.
Initial overtures were made to the A. & H. Society seeking its interest in a greyhound racing track being erected on the Mount Gambier Showgrounds.
However, after having presented a plan of the layout of the proposed track to the Society on December 3, 1972, objections were raised by the Trotting Club and Horses-In-Action Committee.
After further deliberations it was resolved on March 9, 1973 that negotiations would remain open with Society but the greyhound club would also look at the possibility of leasing land from the City Council.
On April 3, 1973 it was agreed not to proceed with the A. & H. Society and formal application was made for an area to be allotted by the City Council for the erection of a greyhound racing track at the Blue Lake Sports Park.
But on December 12, 1974 it was decided not to proceed with the council land because of the massive earthworks required to make the area suitable.
So once again the greyhound club turned to the A. & H. Society.
And as an alternative an approach was made to the Mount Gambier and District Coursing Club for a lease of suitable land.
A reply was received on April 8, 1975 from the coursing club stating they were not interested in the proposal.
On June 19, 1975 a track was pegged out at the trotting track.
But as this cut into the area inside the trotting track it was not acceptable to the Show Society.
Any other land at the showgrounds was not feasible for the greyhound club because it would need to use the public amenities of the trotting club.
The SEGRC’s search for a suitable ground took a new turn on September 30, 1975 when it was decided to approach the Mount Gambier Racing Club.
On October 11, 1975 a letter was received from the racing club indicating support for a greyhound track at their Glenburnie racecourse.
On February 3, 1976 a track was pegged out in the area allocated by the racing club.
An appeal for a track building fund was then promoted by a series of public meetings at Naracoorte, Millicent, Portland and Mount Gambier.
After receiving a promising initial response an agreement with Mount Gambier Racing Club for a 21-year lease was signed by all parties on Friday, March 4, 1977.
Earthworks commenced during July 1977, while the erection of the rail commenced in February 1978 and was completed the following month.
The Bramich lure was connected on April 18, 1978 and the first series of trials was held on August 10 with 55 greyhounds took part.
The SEGRC’s first licensed meeting was held at Glenburnie on Saturday, July 21, 1979.
On January 25, 1997 greyhound racing switched to the purpose-built track on Lake Terrace East where it now races on a twice-weekly basis.
In recognition of that inaugural committee, this Sunday the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club, as it is known these days, will conduct the final of the $5000 SEGRC 50-Year Anniversary Cup (512 metres).
Greyhound Racing SA Director, David Lewis, whose father Eric was one of those inaugural committee members, will present the cup to the winning connections.
