The Greyhound Welfare Trust (the Trust) has a charitable purpose led by volunteer trustees of at least 20 years’ practical experience in the adoption of and care for dogs.
It was first formed after the introduction of the 2016 legislation banning greyhound racing in NSW. The intention was to convert greyhound racetracks into sites for welfare accommodation. When the 2016 ban was overturned, the Trust became involved in a five-year plan to convert spare land on racetracks into social and welfare structures to service both active and retired greyhounds.
To assist with the five-year project, the Trust obtained the services of Tony Styant-Browne, a leading Melbourne architect, whose practice includes a specialty in affordable and social sustainable housing. He developed a prototype, concept plan for the Gunnedah Greyhound Complex. The Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) had previously bought the adjoining acreage with a social and welfare purpose in mind. Through cooperative work between volunteers and work-for the dole participants, the whole complex was improved.
The project concept plan includes socialisation rooms for greyhounds and owners, kennels, a club room, memorial gardens, a crematorium, including memorial walls and burial facilities, community housing for volunteers, a camping site, slipping tracks, vet room facilities, a museum and public toilets to be shared with the town lagoon project (Town Walk). Generally, the scheme was intended to accommodate homeless people and dogs.
Involved with, but independent of the GBOTA, the Trust has supported the promotional partnership between the GBOTA and the Beauty Bank, an organisation that arranges gifts of a little luxury for sheltered victims of domestic violence.
The Trust has also embarked on a guardian (godfather) scheme that facilitates the care of retiring greyhounds. In this regard, the Trust has obtained the services of a prominent greyhound trainer and breeder and has formed a supporting relationship with a Greyhound Rehoming Unit that encourages and develops guardianships. The scheme has many complexities and will be developed over a three-year period and this website will update its progress from time to time.
