Annette Sharp: Four new directors for troubled Greyhound Racing NSW

The seven-person Greyhound Racing NSW board has four new faces — including a new chairman — following months of internal turmoil, writes Annette Sharp.

Four new directors have been appointed at Greyhound Racing NSW.

Former Nationals Senator John “Whacka” Williams has failed in his bid to be returned as chairman of the Greyhound Racing NSW board after a two-year tenure.

Williams was replaced on Thursday night by barrister Adam Casselden on a one-year term that Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris on Friday said followed a “rigorous and independent merit-based process”.

Along with Casselden, three other new directors — Paul Gentle, Louise Wakefield and Gregory Johnson — have been appointed to the seven-person board.

They replace Sandra Felli, who was chair of the finance audit committee, Helen Moore, chief operating officer of KFC, and Maryanne Graham, executive general manager of Transgrid.

The renewal of the GRNSW board comes as a board-run investigation into an alleged governance crisis at the racing body — one referred to ICAC in July by the minister — drags into its seventh month at a cost, say racing insiders, of more than $200,000.

John Williams (L to R), Rob Macaulay and Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris.

It is understood the result of that internal investigation is a matter of weeks away.

Ms Moore and Ms Graham resigned their directorships mid-term in March, weeks after former GRNSW whistleblower Ian Londish alerted the board on February 16 to an alleged governance crisis.

On Friday a spokeswoman for Mr Harris maintained the minister was “monitoring” the formal investigation being conducted by independent workplace firm, WorkDynamic.

“I will continue to engage with the GRNSW Board to ensure the concerns are being thoroughly investigated and actioned,” Mr Harris said.

“It is vital that the governing bodies and senior leadership of the state’s racing codes meet the highest standards of integrity.”

Among concerns of whistleblower Londish is the large turnover of senior staff at the racing body, some of whom have taken their grievances to Fair Work Australia alleging a deterioration of the culture at the organisation.

Londish also raised concerns about conflicts of interest within the organisation.

Remaining on the GRNSW board are deputy chair Rebekah Giles and directors Kevin Gordon and Matthew Waring.

Mr Harris thanked outgoing chair Williams for “his longstanding commitment to the greyhound industry”.

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