The greyhound industry is mourning the passing of coursing stalwart Gary Brett, aged 61.
Gary was widely hailed as one of the best coursing ‘slippers’ of his era. He was also revered at the Melton Coursing Club where he served as president for several years.
NCAV president Peter Craig said Gary “loved coursing and was tremendous with the dogs. He was so skilled, and during the past couple of decades would certainly be one of our finest slippers.”
Peter added that Gary even slipped at Healesville coursing meetings when it was a grass track.
“Gary officiated at numerous Waterloo Cups and last year slipped the Derby and Oaks at Longwood,” he said. “He had a few back problems but was the sort of bloke who would come out of ‘retirement’ just to help a coursing club.”
Gary also served on the NCAV executive at one stage and dabbled in greyhound training.
“I can recall his brother calling at Longwood meetings while Gary slipped,” Peter said. “And I believe he had been working at Geelong GRC on race nights.
“Gary was a greyhound man through and through… He was opinionated; he’d definitely have his say. But he was always having a laugh.”
Tributes have been flowing in on GRV’s Facebook page since news of Gary’s passing. Here’s a snapshot:
