General News
16 October, 2026
Jockey president poll put on hold
THE election of a new Cairns Jockey Club president has been postponed due to postal delivery delays.
The annual general meeting was held on Wednesday night without current president Tom Hedley, who is being challenged by Edge Hill businesswoman Rebecca Conlan. Mr Hedley is understood to be overseas.
Club general manager Sarah Campbell emailed members after the meeting to explain the postponement.
“In light of the failure of Australia Post to deliver our ballot papers in a timely manner, and in the interest of all members having a right to have their vote counted, at tonight’s AGM meeting, it was decided by the members present (via a show of hands) that postal voting will be open until Wednesday 25 November 2026, 9.30am where final ballots will be collected from the post office,” she said.
“Members in Cairns also have the option to deliver their ballot papers by hand to the administration office between 8m and 4pm Monday to Friday, or on the 12 and 22 November race days.
“If, for whatever reason you have destroyed your ballot paper, or still have not received closer to the deadline, please contact me to organise replacement ballot papers.
“If you can please advise if you have posted your ballot paper in, I will know what names to look for on the returned envelopes.
“Be sure that every envelope that is received is ticked off on the membership list, so that no member can vote more than once.”
However, a new committee was elected and includes Ms Conlan, as well as new members Cairns Meals on Wheels general manager Chris Van Dorssen and real estate agent Fiona Green. Other committee members are current vice-president Warren Massingham, current treasurer Scott Bryce, David Galloway-Penny, Kate Fern, Tony Dall’Alba, Bruce McDonald, Brett Cahill and Liam Carey.
