New Chairman and Deputy elected by RJC Committee

Rockhampton businessman and racehorse owner Peter Boodle has been elected as the chairman of the Rockhampton Jockey Club Management Committee.

At the management committee meeting which immediately followed the RJC Annual General Meeting, Mr Boodle was provided with unanimous support from his peers to take the Chair.

Mr Boodle, a local businessman since 1991, knows what it takes to achieve results, having previously served on the committee of the RJC.

Ten years ago, Mr Boodle held the position of Chairman (2015–16), relinquishing his post at the end of that year due to ill health.

The newly elected 2026/27 Chairman—who grew the inaugural 100 Club sponsorship to 125 members, targeted more sponsors by renaming it the 150 Club, and oversaw the increase of the prizemoney for the Rockhampton Cup in 2015—said he will again be focused on taking the club forward in the future, and he is passionate about seeing racing at Callaghan Park thrive.

“My priorities will be to have discussions with Racing Queensland about the prospect of regaining lost race meetings and taking our prizemoney to a level where we should be as a provincial club and hub,” he said.

“I also will be prioritising the trainers’ needs and training facilities.”

Another prominent racehorse owner and long-time member of the RJC, Larry Acton, gained unanimous support to be elected Deputy Chairman.

Mr Acton first joined the RJC as a member in 1968, and he and his extended family have raced horses for decades, being proud supporters of the RJC and Central Queensland Amateur Racing Club—a club he has been a member of for almost 60 years. He brings board management experience to the committee room, having served for a decade as the president of statewide rural organisations.

“My vision is to see racing in CQ flourish and for the RJC to rebuild industry confidence,” Mr Acton said.

John McDevitt also gained unanimous support to continue his role as the RJC Treasurer. Mr McDevitt has been the Club’s Treasurer since 2023.

Brandon Diplock, the RJC Chairman prior to last night, said he is committed to serving the members on the RJC management committee but advised fellow management committee members that he could not continue in an executive role due to business demands.

Mr Diplock served as Deputy Chairman before being elected Chairman after Rob Carr resigned in July this year.

Mr Boodle, Mr Acton and Mr Diplock were three of the six RJC members elected to the management committee at the AGM.

The others were David Peel, Liam Goody and Bryce Hanson. Bill Ouston and Sarah Coombs also both remain on the RJC management committee.

• David Aldred, Chief Executive Officer