The Willowbank Raceway Board has today announced that Sue Syrmis has decided to step down from her position as Administration Manager with the Raceway, effective July 2014.
Sue’s involvement with the Raceway stretches back to its earliest beginnings, where she was part of the dedicated team working around the clock to build the Raceway ready for its first meeting in 1985.
As a member of the track’s Management Committee until March of 2013, an official from the very start and a full-time employee from July of 1993; Sue’s influence and contribution to Willowbank Raceway is undeniable.
“It has been an unforgettable 34 years, starting with the fun and hard work that we all had building the Raceway – no one can ever take away the fact that I can say ‘I built that’, and that is probably my proudest achievement,” said Sue Syrmis.
“Reflecting on my time at Willowbank Raceway, I really must thank from the bottom of my heart all of the officials and staff – without their dedication to this place it would simply not be here.
“We have together enjoyed a lot of highs and lows, from the deep satisfaction we would enjoy together after pulling off a successful major event after months of work to the bitter disappointment of rain-outs completely out of our control.
“Overall, it has certainly been a rewarding journey for me, but now I believe it is time for me to move on and give someone else a go.”
Alongside Sue during the building of Willowbank Raceway was Management Committee member John Winterburn.
“From day one when we went to this block of land in the Moreton Shire and started to mow it to make a drag strip, I was lucky to have Sue and a whole group of committed volunteers working alongside me making it happen,” said Winterburn, the founding President of Willowbank Raceway.
“Together we learnt a lot of new trades to make our dream a reality, and Sue’s motto of never shying away from any job really shone through. Over the years we have spent a lot of time together both at the track and travelling and while she will be missed, I am very glad that Sue will be staying involved with our track as an official and I wish her well for the future.”
Willowbank Raceway CEO Tony Manson said he was pleased to report that Sue would remain involved with the Raceway as an official, and thanked her for her guidance during his first months in the role.
“Sue has really been an integral part of what Willowbank Raceway is all about, not just in her capacity as a staff member but also as a senior official and a key member of Queensland’s drag racing community,” said Manson.
“Her presence in the Willowbank Raceway office will be greatly missed, but I am glad she will remain involved as an official and I look forward to continuing to work with her over the coming months as we look for someone to fill her very big shoes.”
Sue Syrmis will remain active in the position of Administration Manager until July of 2014. In the meantime, the Willowbank Raceway Board will undertake recruiting for the position and will announce the outcome of that process in due course.
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