April 28, 2016
Racing fans have raised more than $12,000 at Australian Turf Club courses during the recent Sydney Autumn Carnival for the Club’s official charity partner, Dress For Success Sydney.
The money – a total of $12,637 – was raised through the sale of Longines Golden Slipper pins at Rosehill Gardens during race days at the Sydney Autumn Carnival in March and April, as well as from proceeds of the auction of saddle cloths used for the Longines Golden Slipper.
Dress for Success Sydney helps women who experience varying degrees of poverty, hardship, abuse or disadvantage as they look for work.
The sale of the pins was the first initiative by the Australian Turf Club for its official charity partner for 2016, with clothing drives, volunteer work from ATC staff and special dressing sessions for women preparing for job interviews planned for later in the year.
A total of $4352.77 was also raised for the National Jockeys Trust as part of its 50 per cent share of proceeds from the saddle cloth auction.
Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Human Resources Jennifer Schembri thanked the Club’s customers for helping to raise the funds.
“Racing people are known for their sharing and generosity, and the Australian Turf Club is proud to be able to help Dress For Success Sydney,’’ Ms Schembri said.
“Through social responsibility and community initiatives the ATC aims to make a positive contribution helping those in need.’’
Dress For Success CEO Ursula McGeown said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of these fantastic initiatives. The funds raised will go a long way to assist us to continue to support and empower women to achieve their goals and ambition of achieving economic independence. Thank you to the Australian Turf Club and the racegoers for the support of our organisation.”
Dress For Success Sydney aims to instill confidence, restore dignity and build resilience to empower women joining or rejoining the workforce.
Dress For Success Sydney provides professional clothing, styling and a Career Support Program, with a range of job readiness workshops on drafting an effective CV, money management, computer basics, mock interviews and one-on-one coaching and mentoring.