Stacey Evans hasn’t taken long to earn recognition for her work at the Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club. In little more than 12 months at the club, Stacey received the Greyhound Racing Victoria Industry Award recently in Shepparton.

The GRV industry award recognises young people under 30 who have shown great determination and qualities to become recognised by the club and other participants as a person with a great future in the sport.

Stacey, from Murchison, was gobsmacked by the award. “I was really surprised. I’ve been there such a short time.”

Stacey’s full-time role at the club is ‘a bit of everything’. Working around the track, cleaning, track maintenance; she’s an all-rounder, and she’s keen to further her involvement with greyhounds.

Her partner, Thomas Wark, worked for some time with veteran trainers Kevin and Helen Eyles, also from Murchison, who race the ‘Kraken’ dogs. Stacey and Thomas have created their own ‘Spikey’ syndicate and have had a few wins with Tough Like Atom, Kehestto and Our Magic Turbo.

They’ve also just welcomed a new litter and ‘can’t wait to see how they come up’.

“We’re keen to expand. I really enjoy the sport; the family-oriented nature of it. I have a nine-year-old as well so it’s really fun for all of us.”

The Shepparton Greyhound Awards event also honoured trainers and owners, anointed life members Kel Trickey and Donald McDonald and presented the Presidents Award to John Mangion.