Oakbank Racing Club on hunt for new chief executive after resignation of Shane Collins

Just four months out from the iconic Easter carnival, Oakbank Racing Club needs to find a new chief executive.

The Oakbank Racing Club is looking for a new chief executive. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The Oakbank Racing Club is on the hunt for a new chief executive just four months out from the Easter carnival.

Shane Collins, who was in his second stint running the club, resigned earlier this month after a year in the role to take up a position at The Bend Motorsport Park.

It is only a minor inconvenience in comparison to the adversity Oakbank had to overcome when Racing SA decided to stop jumps racing in the state a couple of years ago, but the timing is not ideal with the major Easter meetings scheduled for March 30 and April 1.

“We’re really disappointed to see Shane moving on but obviously that’s a risk when you’ve got someone who is as hard working and committed as he is,” Oakbank chair Arabella Branson said.

“But the great thing Shane has done is return us back to a position of stability after a period of well-publicised instability.

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Oakbank chair Arabella Branson and former chief executive Shane Collins. Picture: Facebook

“We won’t be making any hasty decisions (on a replacement), but we’ll be having a committee meeting in the next week or two and working out where to go from there.

“Obviously the timing being in the approach to Christmas and then people going on leave for a bit, it’s possible that we may not see someone appointed until next year.

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“We’ve had many challenges over the last couple of years so we’re well-versed in overcoming adversity.

“We’re headed in the right direction, there’s so many opportunities for the club, we’ve just got to get the work done.”

Oakbank will host its tradition Christmas twilight meeting on Friday, December 22 but Branson doesn’t foresee any issues with committee members likely to help pick up the slack.

“Shane has got most of the organisation for that even underway so it’s just a matter of getting some people in to carry out what we’ve already scheduled,” she said.

Oakbank is also scheduled to hold meetings on January 17, February 9 and April 28.