Identity of new Rockhampton Jockey Club CEO revealed

Highly respected and qualified local identity to take the reins following resignation of Tony Fenlon.

The Rockhampton Jockey Club has announced that Ian Mill will take on the role of CEO following the resignation of Tony Fenlon. (Pic: iStock)

Rockhampton’s Ian Mill, the former Beef Australia CEO, has been appointed to that role with the Rockhampton Jockey Club.

This was announced by RJC chairman Rob Carr who said the club was thrilled to have acquired the services of such a highly respected and qualified local identity with an impressive track record.

“We have witnessed first hand Ian’s capabilities over a long period in Rockhampton and the CQ region and more recently through his input to the success of Beef 21. Apart from his outstanding business and commercial qualifications, Ian has been closely involved with the racing industry for a lengthy period of time,” Carr said.

When contacted, Mill expressed spontaneous enthusiasm and excitement about his new role which will come about after RJC CEO Tony Fenlon’s five years concludes in early August.

Mill is no newcomer to Rockhampton racing, having been a committee person on the RJC for about three years.

“It is really exciting and I must say I am looking forward to the role as Rockhampton racing is on solid footing and so many exciting developments have and will be taking place,” he said.

“Rockhampton racing has so much to offer. Callaghan Park is an impressive racecourse – one of the best. The setting itself, virtually in the heart of the city, is ideal and picturesque.

“I believe the racing here is being more valued and recognised now by not just Queenslanders but followers Australia-wide. It just has so much to offer and as far as I am concerned Rockhampton, not just for the racing, is the place to be.”

Beef Australia’s Ian Mill has been appointed CEO at the Rockhampton Jockey Club.

Mill’s passion for racing runs far deeper than sentiment as he has put his purse strings to the test as well.

“Over the years I have been involved in the ownership of horses locally and in Sydney and further south,” he said.

“I have a share in one at the moment in Easy Campese who has been running around in Group class races.

“At the risk of being repetitive, I just love everything about racing.”

Incidentally, the John Sargent-trained Easy Campese has somewhat a cult following.

As Mill attested, Easy Campese is quirky, albeit cleverly named being a son Sidestep and Up and Over which aptly described its namesake David Campese, the Australian Sport of Fame champion rugby player.

Apart from his racing prowess, Mill brings with him to the engine room of the RJC some 30 years plus expertise and board level experience in both the commercial and non-profit sectors.

These cover a wide range of institutions from finance and banking, education, economic development and health care.

His CV in these and other sectors could only be described in racing parlance as “ultra-impressive”.

Mill said that current CEO Tony Fenlon had provided the RJC with a strong footing for him to build upon.

“Tony has done a top job in so many areas, including the Capricornia Yearling Sales,” he said.

Mill has tendered his resignation from Beef Australia and advised that board of his new role before it was publicly announced on Wednesday.