Yeppoon Swans’ president Peter Watkins takes reins at Yeppoon Turf Club

Peter Watkins headed up one of the country’s most successful Aussie rules clubs, now he aims to elevate one of Australia’s most picturesque racecourses to new heights. Go inside his bold plans here.

Peter Watkins, the new president of the Yeppoon Turf Club, overlooking the scene at Keppel Park.

The Yeppoon Turf Club, now in its fifth decade of operation at one of Australia’s most picturesque racecourses, Keppel Park on the Capricorn Coast, “kicks off’’ the 2025/26 racing season on Saturday under a new-look hierarchy.

In the president’s chair for the first occasion will be well-known Capricorn Coast business and sporting identity Peter Watkins, a keen racing enthusiast with a history of successful presidency in sporting organisations.

Watkins has been exercising that role during and longer with the record-breaking Yeppoon Swans in the halcyon period of the club’s A-grade men who have won an astonishing 10 successive premierships in the AFL Capricornia competition.

Peter Watkins has had a long and proud association with the Yeppoon Swans.

Explaining the motivation to take over the reins of the Yeppoon Turf Club with an entirely new committee of seven, Watkins immediately instanced “community mindedness”.

“Seriously, I see Keppel Park racecourse and the Yeppoon Turf Club as a major and significant asset for the Capricorn Coast,” he said.

“The past committees, especially in more recent times through Greg Simpson and Mary Hornery, have done an outstanding job.

“However, we would love to think that we could reinvigorate the club and take it to the next level.

“Each one of the new members are dedicated to wanting to make a difference and that in itself is a great inducement to get in and work towards that goal.”

Peter Watkins, the new president of the Yeppoon Turf Club, overlooking the scene at Keppel Park.

Not one to let things lay idle, Watkins and committee members Brad Hof (vice-president), Bec Stevenson (secretary/treasurer), Faye Hartley (assistant}, Anna McPherson, Jason Thomason, Anthony Moody and Adam Griffen have swung into action.

They will put that ideal into play this week with working bees scheduled for Keppel Park, which is set in an idyllic rural setting on the outskirts of Yeppoon just off the main access road from Rockhampton.

Watkins also announced an exciting new incentive for this weekend’s race meeting.

“With the backing of new sponsors Hayman’s Electrical Yeppoon, a $1000 prize will be paid to the leading trainer and also the leading jockey who scores the highest points over the five-race local card based on first, second, third and fourth placings,” he said.

Cloe Letts, Michael Malick, Brodie Heintze, Monique Weegenaar, Ethan Watson and Natcha Chaipinit at the Yeppoon race day at Keppel Park racecourse in April this year.

In keeping with the alluring television advertisement (Demtel infomercial) of the 1990s, made famous by Tim Shaw, Watkins declared: “But wait, there’s more!”

“We haven’t forgotten losing punters either,” he said.

“All they have to do is write their name and telephone number and enter them in the Hayman’s Electrical barrel and we will conduct five draws for $100 cash after the last local race.

“The committee feels this is a novel way of adding to giving back to our patrons.”

Another new feature at Keppel Park on Saturday will be the launch of the Railway Hotel Trackside Cocktail and Wine Bar, while coaches from that hotel in Yeppoon will be conveying racegoers to and from there to the racecourse from 11am.

“Finally, for younger racegoers and, of course, the young at heart, live music from Scotty Foden will be in play after the last race at Keppel Park,” Watkins said.

“We plan to provide entertainment for everyone – it will take time to perfect but we believe Saturday will be a big start.”

As is said, Rome wasn’t built in a day but racing and indeed Keppel Park racecourse is heading in the right direction from firm foundations.

Originally published as Yeppoon Swans’ president Peter Watkins takes reins at Yeppoon Turf Club