The group’s chairman, John Sunderland, recently presented the sporting organisation’s president Russell Hartin with a cheque for $2000.

The money will go towards pool noodles for the junior swimmers, replacement stop watches and walkie talkies, a manual claim board, some clubhouse poster boards, insulated eskies, a PA system and a number of water weights.

Hartin praised the race club for its ongoing support of the swimming club, which has seen its local membership grow from strength-to-strength in recent years.

“Muswellbrook is home to one of the oldest continuous race clubs in NSW, having been established in 1862,” he said.

“With 18 meetings scheduled annually, it has an excellent reputation with the support of many leading country, provincial and city trainers, who engage a number of high-profile and accomplished jockeys.

“And, now, it seems our local swimming club [the Muswellbrook Amateur RSL Youth Swimming Club] has benefitted, too, as a part of the highly-acclaimed Community Support Program.”

The initiative offers great opportunities for junior sporting and cultural groups in the shire.

Muswellbrook Race Club general manager Duane Dowell admitted the program was about providing financial assistance to help continue the great work that those organisations do.

“Our younger citizens in the Muswellbrook Shire are an integral part of the growth of our community,” he said.

“And, as such, helping to promote lifestyles that include the ongoing learning and development of the younger demographic is a focus that Muswellbrook Race Club embraces.”

Dowell said he was keen to see funds directed to local groups, which provided the young people of Muswellbrook with improved facilities and equipment to further develop skills in their chosen field. 

“This will be a continued emphasis for our club going forward,” he added.

“Following the great response since this program’s inception in 2015, I’m delighted that we are in a position to offer these grants again in 2018.”