Rylee Dowell wears a red 'clerk of the course' shirt in honour of Donny Dowell, who fulfilled that role at Benalla Racing Club for 30 years. Rylee is flanked by Adrian Dowell and Jaime-Lee Hill.
Benalla Pony Club paid a heartfelt tribute to much-loved life member Donny Dowell at Benalla Racecourse on Sunday.
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Donny passed away peacefully at Northeast Health, Wangaratta, on October 22 at the age of 81.
About 50 people gathered in the mounting yard at the racecourse after lunch on November 3, after the pony club’s morning activities.
Sharon Glass, who took over from Donny as clerk of the course at Benalla, led the pony club kids out to form a guard of honour.
There was a moment’s silence before Donny’s son Adrian Dowell, granddaughter Rylee Dowell and Adrian’s partner, Jaime-Lee Hill, moved through the guard of honour.
Rylee was on horseback and wore a red shirt in honour of Donny’s time as clerk of the course at the race club.
Donny Dowell was a long-time clerk of the course at Benalla Racing Club.
Donny was a life member of North Eastern Zone of Pony Club and had received a Distinguised Award from Pony Club Victoria.
He was also a life member of Tolmie Sports, an old-fashioned family sports day, featuring events such as wood-chopping, horse events and running races.
Donny was described as a very knowledgeable man with a heart of gold.
His happiest times were coaching at the pony club and being a clerk of the course at Benalla Racing Club for 30 years. Many years earlier he had also been clerk of the course at Benalla Harness Racing Club.
In addition to his work with those clubs, Donny was a member of Samaria Fire Brigade for many years. Firefighters from the brigade also took part in the guard of honour.
Former Benalla Racing Club secretary Allitt Robinson, 94, said he had fond memories of working with Donny for more than 30 years.
He said he remembered Donny being a “great horseman” and a “wonderful, patient and efficient clerk of the course”, who was well respected by jockeys.
Donny was the loved and loving husband of Lyn. They were married 55 years.
He was the father and father-in-law of Mandy and Nick (Hay), Andrew (dec), Daniel and Larinda, Adrian and Jaime.
He was ‘Poppy Don’ of Emma, Grace, Sophie and Rylee.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Donny Dowell will be held at the N.J. Todd Funeral Home, ‘Feehan Chapel’, on Monday, November 11, commencing at 11.30am.
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