Punters with one of the winners from last year’s race day. Photos: Supplied.
The thrill of the track will take on deeper meaning this September as about 300 guests gather at Kembla Grange Racecourse for the annual Combined Rotary Clubs of the Illawarra Charity Race Day to raise vital funds.
A major combined clubs fundraiser, each year proceeds go towards Ilawarra-based causes, with this year’s focus on a flood-affected PCYC and in-need social enterprise Green Connect.
A much-loved fundraiser, when it returns on 13 September it will blend fashion, fun, and philanthropy in a day that has raised thousands for the Illawarra community since its 1997 debut.
Race day committee member Bernie McNamara said the race day was originally started by Rotary Illawarra Sunrise and initially supported the PCYC.
Today, it’s organised by Rotary clubs from Wollongong, West Wollongong, Fairy Meadow, and Dapto, with support from Kiama, Shellharbour and Corrimal clubs.
She said last year they raised about $17,000, with funds always going to Illawarra-based organisations and charities.
This September, it’s returning to its roots having selected PCYC as one of the recipients of the funds, along with Green Connect.
“Our first race day raised funds for PCYC for a bus they needed,” she said.
“This year we’ve chosen the PCYC again, because Wollongong PCYC had to close due to flooding, so we’re trying to support that.
“Rotary also started PCYC, so there’s a strong connection there.”
Bernie said Green Connect approached the race day organisers after struggling to gain funding for the farm and having a long association with many of the clubs through its many projects.
“Clubs either go out and do work with them and/or they purchase goods through them as well,” she said.
Inside the AJ Bert Lillye Lounge.
Throughout the event, punters can expect a full day of entertainment, including a silent auction, Unlock the Bar Fridge game, and fashions in the field.
Punters also receive a race book, reserved seating at the AJ Bert Lillye Lounge, a three-course lunch, and afternoon tea.
However, the main attraction is the multiple race events, with each race being named after Illawarra sponsors.
“Quite often we’ll end up with a race that doesn’t have a sponsor attached to it, so then we’ll use the Rotary name, and we’ll put it out as the Combined Rotary Clubs of Illawarra race,” she said.
“We did that last year. One of our members lost her son tragically, and he had a disability.
“He was an avid racegoer and he loved the races and the fun of it.
“The year before, he was there at our race day and he won Best Dressed Male on the day. So last year’s race day, because he had just passed away, we named a race in his honour.
“We’ve had others sponsor before for that very reason that they want to name a race in honour of someone.”
She said they were still seeking race sponsors, or contributors to the silent auction and prizes.
Combined Rotary Clubs of the Illawarra Charity Race Day 2025 will be held 13 September from 12:30 pm at Kembla Grange Racecourse. Ticket prices and booking information are available through TryBooking, with the deadline for reservations late August. Interested sponsors can contact organisers through TryBooking.
